Selling story

[MichaelB]

So this weekend I had two "buyers" (well maybe 1.5) show up to take a few cars away. The first guy comes 500 miles ~ sees the car ($8100 VW classic), drives it for five minutes, looks at the details close, asks for a few bux off ($400) for the ride (to which I agreed) smiled a lot, then paid me cash money on the spot. He drove straight home and sent a text with a "thank-you" once he got there later. The deal took maybe 20 minutes. Yea.

The next guy is late... Thats cool as he drove 800 miles so I wait. He shows up and I take him & his family to the car ($11,900 beauty). We look it over closely and find that it is exactly as represented. He is appreciative but does point out one tiny paint detail that he does not like. It was disclosed in advance that the paint was very good but not 100% and he is reminded of that. Okay, so we put it up on a lift and microscope it. Then we look through the accessories & paperwork, he drives it with his wife etc. all goes pretty well. Then we talk about it some-more / with some negotiation too. After about an hour or so he makes a low offer that is declined. Then in a short period later a counter from us that is declined. Then another offer from him that we feel is below the cars value (we have another buyer who is not present that would pay a bit more) but - we take the deal as its only $700 less than hoped ~ and they came a long way so... Everyone is happy but no cash money changes hands as he did not bring any. He would rather do a bank-wire in the morning. We are already many hours into this but thats cool.

Fair enough. We offer dinner in our town but extenuating circumstances later (lost the keys to the rental car) don't allow it. Alright, see you in the morning.

Next morning the bank is open so we reach out with a text. But overnight he has had a change of heart, says he does not like his deal and to call him. He goes onto say that it will just take too much to make the car the way he wants (the car honestly has no needs). But! He wants another similar car (that was not yet for sale) parked in the same garage next to this other one. So he makes an offer on that one, says "I came all this way & I will take a car home, call you back soon!" ~ and then vaporizes.

Never heard a peep after that. Don't know what happened to the rental car keys either.

You know thats fine, as I did not need he car sold. But whoa... I put a lot of effort into that day & rearranged a full Sunday for it. I did not want to force him to buy it or anything, but maybe as a buyer just say "no thank you" and not have to put anymore effort into it than required okay? And whats is this about the other car? Why even involve another car - then vaporize? Thats just bazaar. Buyers...

Okay sorry, rant over.

[Matt Monson]

Ghosted. Its a common word these days in all manner of relations. People lack common courtesy.

I recently sent a part to a member that he wasn't sure he could use. I said take it free as i have no need. I didnt even charge him shipping. He didn't even acknowledge receipt. Its probably already installed in his gearbox.

[kc911s]

Your second "buyer" is why I hate putting anything up for sale. Just tell the seller what you are
Thinking and don't waste their time. Can't believe he drove 800 miles and not a peep out of him the next day.

[matt930s]

No final deal until the the cash hits my hand or my account.

MattR

[MichaelB]

Yes you are all right.

Ghosted... Thats it. That fits perfectly Matt.

KC, it takes me by surprise too. Again, I don't mean to force them to buy, just be normal.

Matt930 for sure! I told my Son "Its not sold till the deposit is made" so we had yet to spend the money ~ even mentally.

Thanks for the feedback. It somehow makes me feel better.

[MichaelB]

You know I have another story I will share from last week.

So I sold a car on Bat a few weeks ago... Nice car. Probably the nicest Mk4 VW Golf GTi on the planet. The BaT auction went well enough, but the car sold short of my $8000 prediction ($7300). Fine though as I knew whoever bought it would have $8k in it by the time they trucked it, or flew in & got home. Anyhow...

The bidder got it and was thrilled. Then we set up potential thoughts for pick up. But about a day later he sends me a wad of questions. I thought that was odd as he bought the car and it was well vetted on the BaT site. But I answered his questions and told him he would be blown away with the car for $7300.

Another day or so passes (each email took days to bounce between us). Then he sends me a note saying that he blew up the on-line photos and wanted to critique each photo now that he saw them on his large HD screen. He comes at me with some stains that he claimed that saw on the interior or something. And he asks for more photos. I was like "look, its perfect, you will luv it when you see it in person" but he insists on photos. So... I go take a dozen - with two different cameras. They show NOTHING like what he is saying. Again I say " as I said its perfect, you will luv it" and days pass.

Now I am thinking about when exactly is he going to pay, and is he just looking for a way out? I contemplate sending him a note asking just that, but hold off.

He ultimately gets back in touch about trucking, says the truck is in route for tomorrow, but that did not happen... then the truck will be here next week, then - changes that & says that he will now fly in - but to a airport the next town over from me (bout an hour away). WTF?

I agree with that though & hope to see him soon.

So that day comes & he flys in. I drive over to the next town & meet him. The car looks sublime. He walks out & sees it. I say "its as nice as I said right?" and all he says "its okay" (the car is a freaking show piece).

Then without hesitation (he had not even sat his bag down) he makes a beeline to the center console (which was mentioned by BaT contributors as worn soft-touch) and he starts rubbing that area. has his hands all over it. He says "Ohhh this console..." And I say "stop that right now man, that was mentioned on BaT and its still in good shape anyhow" then he says "well maybe you will give me some money off?" (the piece is in really good shape and a new one is $80 & two minutes if you did swap it out anyhow). I mean he must have been thinking about getting some money off for something on the car the whole plane ride. He literally went right for it. Here is a gleaming bright red original show piece & he focuses on this small plastic piece that shows well.

I wont have any of that ~ so I tell him to count out the Benjamin's to $7300 and I will be on my way.

And that was that. Never heard from him again either.

[GothingNC]

Man, that is a bummer.

At least the first sale went through without a hitch !

My brother supposedly sold his 84 Carrera twice over the years but on both occasions the buyer gave him about a $500 deposit and then vanished.

He decided it was his destiny to keep the car and used the funds for maintenance :-)

[1979-930]

I do not have the patience for that B.S. I could never do what you do.
I loose money on cars because I don't want to deal with people. They never try to talk me down. They know it's a deal and run with it.

I just sold a 2007 F350, Diesel, Contractor Body, Dealer Maintained with new batteries and recent tires for $1,000.00. Gone, one day, not my problem anymore.

[Matt Monson]

Damn, son. Sell me your junk.

[MichaelB]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

Damn, son. Sell me your junk.

Ha!

Right on!

[ASD]

i hate hearing a BAT horror story, while my car is up there now...if its meant to be....
i worked for a volvo dealership, we took a 50% deposit on a special order 240. told ths customer the car was shipped, he said he changed his mind, we kept the hefty deposit and paid the salesman on it as if it was profit, which it was,,.

[SkunkWorks]

Seems to be quite a few BAT horror stories these days.

More than several cars sold in the last while with buyers 'ghosting' or reneging. The buyer bailing on that 5k mile Toyota Supra even made it to Jalopnik.

And in the most recent case, buyer on a E30 vert bails on a car and is still allowed to win two subsequent auctions...

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1988-bmw-325ic-7-2/

[MichaelB]

Sure I get it. I have more BaT stories.

I sold a e-type roadster on BaT for $70k that the buyer wrote me & said "Sorry, I don't really want it"

I in turn sold it to the next bidder in line that had written me & coincidently said "if anything happens please call me - as I want it!"

He ended up with it.

[Unobtanium-inc]

Originally Posted by 1979-930

I do not have the patience for that B.S. I could never do what you do.
I loose money on cars because I don't want to deal with people. They never try to talk me down. They know it's a deal and run with it.

I just sold a 2007 F350, Diesel, Contractor Body, Dealer Maintained with new batteries and recent tires for $1,000.00. Gone, one day, not my problem anymore.

I bought a car yesterday that was a deal like this. A guy from CT called me says he knows who I am and talked to some of his Porsche friends about who to sell a car to, several of them mentioned me and my reputation as a straight shooter. He has a 1990 944 S2 Cab. I say I don't really do anything that new, and don't know much about 944's. He says a number that I can't really so no to, so I went on Monday and bought the car. I asked why he sold it so cheap, he said the same thing, he didn't want weirdo's coming to his house, or to deal with people in general. He knew I came recommended and would be there when I said I would. So I'm the proud owner of a 944 cab, that with a new battery and fresh gas was cruising today.
There is value for many people to not have to deal with the public.

---Adam

[specialtyoneinc]

The winning bidder on BAT still is out the buyers fee (5% up to 100k). Being a dead beat bidder isn't cheap on that site, but then again there's allot of people with disposable income out there.

[1979-930]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

Damn, son. Sell me your junk.

Will do.


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[matt930s]

He said “sell” not “show”....

Originally Posted by 1979-930

Will do.


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[dougdadmac]

And please report them to BAT That will be banned.

[SalParadise]

Problem is MichaelB, is that your stuff is sweet but it's not expensive. And inexpensive things, no matter how they are presented and what condition they are in, attract bottom feeders from all walks of life. They don't have the money. They don't have it and they are scared, so that's what the whole dance and show becomes.

I leaned this selling a couple of motorcycles. The guys who wanted the aircooled BMW or Ducati showed up and bought it without problems. The three Honda bikes I sold for a friend was the same as your sales - long a$$ed days wasted with clowns picking over everything, from scratches in the tank to bubbled chrome - all for a $700 Honda. I finally stopped helping and/or listing anything that would attract these people on Craiglist or anywhere.

Remember - it takes the same amount of time to sell something expensive and something inexpensive.

And Adam - that 944 is sweet. I always wanted to own a 944 cab - I like them. Completely underrated.

[MichaelB]

I wholeheartedly agree Sal. All three were my college Son cars... And all three took extra effort! I think he may have slept till noon while I danced with his buyers.