I hate selling a car.

[masraum]

The ac in my miata died. I didn't want to spend the money on the car to fix it, so I decided to sell the car and get another. It's a decent car with 115k miles. It runs well but has it's share of minor cosmetic issues (and the bad ac). I want $3k for the car (a fair price, I think), so I put it online for $3300 anticipating folks wanting to talk me down. I had a woman look at it today and give me a deposit. She is recently divorced, has kid(s) including a boy who will be driving soon, and drives a bus for a living. She didn't try to talk me down. She's selling her small, paid-off suv to buy the car. I think she's tight on cash and is planning to have money left over. I want to sell the car, and of course want to get the most for it, but... If she comes to get it, should I tell her that I'll take $3k or let her give me the $3300? I'm leaning towards cutting her the discount since that's what I wanted out of it.

I had a military guy call from Okinawa tonight because he wants to buy the car for his wife who has just recently gotten back in the area. Then I had what sounded like a kid call wanting to come out tonight. He said he had cash. I told both that I had a deposit and they'd have to wait until Wed.

[Jagshund]

If I were simply looking for $3000, I'd tell her so. However, it's become a recurring theme in recent years that every time I do something pleasant for people they seem to think I'm trying to scam them in some way. So be prepared for questions as to why you're dropping the price all of a sudden . . .

[stomachmonkey]

On the woman, me personally, I'd let it go for $3,000.

[enzo1]

+!

[herr_oberst]

It's a Miata, it's cheap fun in a ****ty economy, you've had some lookers,; she feels good about the price, I wouldn't sweat it. She's probably been looking for one, yours is maybe better than you think it is. (And who needs AC in a convertible?)

Maybe there's a way to split the difference, but I think she would look with suspicion at you trying to give money back.

If this were a clapped-out Toyota, then I would have a whole different view.

[Steve Carlton]

It sounds like it's worth the $3,300. I assume the deposit is non-refundable, otherwise what's the point. If the deposit is non-refundable, you have the time, and you want to be generous, how about getting the AC fixed? Tell her is was a fuse or something.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

It sounds like it's worth the $3,300. I assume the deposit is non-refundable, otherwise what's the point. If the deposit is non-refundable, you have the time, and you want to be generous, how about getting the AC fixed? Tell her is was a fuse or something.

No, she gave me a check for a couple of hundred bucks to hold the car. If she calls and says, "I can't swing it" then I tear up the check or she can come get it.

It's not enough to fix the AC. If it wasn't going to cost much to fix the AC, I'd probably have gotten it done myself. I suspect it's going to be way more than a couple hundred bucks.

[Steve Carlton]

My philosophy on deposits is to make them non-refundable. If the buyer wants time, they should pay for it and the deposit should represent liquidated damages. After all, I'm preventing others from buying it and many of them will find something else if it's not immediately available. I also believe buyers will find a way to come through vs flaking out if they know they can. YMMV.

If you really feel like discounting the car, there's probably other things you could do to it without raising suspicion. Most people wouldn't discount it if they didn't have to. I respect your lack of greed. Rare.

[speeder]

I respect your lack of greed but agree with those who say that it might come off weird and kink the deal. Like you feel guilty or something(?). If it's worth $3k, it's worth $3300. Assume that she's done some shopping and not as unsophisticated as you think. I'd let sleeping dogs lie, and I could never screw someone on a car sale. Never.

[Eric Coffey]

Sounds like you are over-thinking it. I'd let it go to the first person with $3300 cash in your hand. Then move on.

[1990C4S]

Take the $3,300 if she offered it.

Then give $300 to a charity and take the tax deduction.

[id10t]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

Take the $3,300 if she offered it.

Then give $300 to a charity and take the tax deduction.

Split the difference. Take the 3300, then tell her to do something special for her kids and give her the 300 back...

[dad911]

Tires ok?? you could throw $300 worth of rubber on it. Or throw some new brake pads and rotors on it. Or an oil & trans fluid change..... car must need something. But don't drop the price, she might think something is wrong.

You think like I do. I hate selling cars also. Someone makes the deal easy & I throw in extras. Make it hard, and forget it.

[Christien]

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

My philosophy on deposits is to make them non-refundable. If the buyer wants time, they should pay for it and the deposit should represent liquidated damages. After all, I'm preventing others from buying it and many of them will find something else if it's not immediately available. I also believe buyers will find a way to come through vs flaking out if they know they can. YMMV.

Couldn't agree more. A cheque is NOT a deposit, IMO, until it's cashed and cleared. Selling cars is a b!tch, and you're turning away strong leads, because this woman wants more time, yet isn't willing to commit to a cash deposit. Who knows if the cheque would even clear? Perhaps I'm biased, but I've had so many bad experiences selling cars and other stuff (especially cheap stuff) that now the only way I'll do it is clean, no BS, no issues, no stories, etc. And definitely no cheques.

[Scuba Steve]

Deposits mean non-refundable IMO. Too many other potential leads lost while you wait.

[island911]

beware of potential buyers claiming to have 'just got back from _____ war.' I had a guy tell me that. ...and that he wanted the tv (that I was selling) to catch up on what he missed, while he was away.

Anyway, I figured out pretty quickly that he was just some (dishonorable) guy flipping goods on CL.

[vash]

when i sold my truck, i handed the kid back $300 for some mechanical work he found that would need to be done. he was too wet behind the ears to even haggle. just paid me what i asked.

wife was bummed at me, but i figured if he was my kid..i wouldnt want him ripped off. karma..altho i bet the kid bought $300 worth of beer. hahah.

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

new fluids, does it need new tires?, and put rest on Amex gift card with a nice note wishing her well or give to charity of your choice.

But also, until you have money in the hand and a signed sales contract or cash deposit with signed sales contract you have nothing more than a verbal agreement worth the paper it is written on.

[Moses]

I sold a minivan to a family that was down on their luck. They were short of cash, so I gave it to them for what they could afford, I only lost a few hundred dollars on the deal.

I still get Christmas cards from them.

[Robert Adams]

I'm a firm believer in what goes around comes around and I also feel that hey, you advertised for $3300 that's the price. Some folks like the bazaar atmosphere where haggling is the expected norm, others don't or haven't the experience or the courage to do so. If you really feel strongly about the situation I think citizen David (Groesbeck Hurricane) has the right middle ground once you have the $3300
in hand! If she's local, a $150 to $300 line of credit at the local mechanic's shop or (dealer??) would be real nice. Just tell her to pass it forward if she questions your motives. Your motives are frankly, no one's business but yours!
Good luck and have some fun with the situation, don't stress on it.
Rob

PS: As my abbreviated list below would imply, I enjoy selling cars, but probably would be terrible at it if I did for a living. On the other hand I really hate buying them! Something probably wrong with that equation, but what can I say.