Stories of strange selling experiences
Discussion
Rubin215 said:
I always fix things up to as well as I can get them before advertising, I always describe things as well as I can and include as many photo's as possible, I always encourage a buyer to come back to me if there are any issues in the first week.
I sell cars or bike that I genuinely own myself, and always from my home address; the last thing I want is getting my head stove in while I'm down the pub or my windows put in at 3am because some fanny thinks I've ripped him off.
If you can come and view one of my bikes or cars and find a fault I don't know about, you're making it up.
You could sell a £10k car for 50p and someone would still accuse you of ripping them off.I sell cars or bike that I genuinely own myself, and always from my home address; the last thing I want is getting my head stove in while I'm down the pub or my windows put in at 3am because some fanny thinks I've ripped him off.
If you can come and view one of my bikes or cars and find a fault I don't know about, you're making it up.
If there's one thing I've learnt, it's that dishonest sellers are also dishonest buyers. Once the car is in their hands, many will still try and extort some of the cash back through aggression, intimidation or pure fiction, regardless of how mint the car might be.
cj2013 said:
Rubin215 said:
I always fix things up to as well as I can get them before advertising, I always describe things as well as I can and include as many photo's as possible, I always encourage a buyer to come back to me if there are any issues in the first week.
I sell cars or bike that I genuinely own myself, and always from my home address; the last thing I want is getting my head stove in while I'm down the pub or my windows put in at 3am because some fanny thinks I've ripped him off.
If you can come and view one of my bikes or cars and find a fault I don't know about, you're making it up.
You could sell a £10k car for 50p and someone would still accuse you of ripping them off.I sell cars or bike that I genuinely own myself, and always from my home address; the last thing I want is getting my head stove in while I'm down the pub or my windows put in at 3am because some fanny thinks I've ripped him off.
If you can come and view one of my bikes or cars and find a fault I don't know about, you're making it up.
If there's one thing I've learnt, it's that dishonest sellers are also dishonest buyers. Once the car is in their hands, many will still try and extort some of the cash back through aggression, intimidation or pure fiction, regardless of how mint the car might be.
I've sorted a couple of minor issue - leaking fork seal on a motorbike, slipped timing on a vw campervan, water in the fuel filter on a peugeot, a loose mirror on a scooter (seriously!) - but nothing I probably wouldn't have sorted myself if I was the buyer.
The biggest hassle was the fork seal, but that cost me less than £20 and about an hour of my time; I was actually annoyed with myself that I hadn't noticed it myself (it was only just starting to weep).
I would love to buy a bike or car from someone like me!
A few years ago I advertised my pristine, one owner 2.7 Boxster on Autotrader and PH. It was immaculate but high miles so it garnered very little interest. I dropped the price a couple of time and eventually a guy called me up and said if it was as described he'd pay the full asking, quoting the original pre-reduced price from a few weeks earlier. I fessed up to the reduction for some reason, and this seemed to endear me to him even more, and he insisted on paying the higher price, saying he was on a shopping spree to stock up a used car business an associate of his was starting in Nigeria. Alarm bells going off all over the shop, I asked how he was going to pay if he liked it. He said, we can go to a bank of my choice and pay cash into the bank - doing this absolves you from any fraudulent transactions so what could go wrong?
Anyway the next day, a dapper, well spoken Nigerian chap in a suit turns up at my house and asks to see the car. I show him the thick file of invoices and receipts, and then the car. He has no insurance so I drive him round the block but before we're even in second gear, he says its perfect and we shake on the original asking price. The guy couldn't be more charming and I drop him at the station.
The following day I am in Costa opposite the bank and he shows up with a mate. If BBC central casting needed a dodgy Nigerian gangsta! then his mate would be the guy. He's about 6'4", powerfully built, shiny suit, gold chains on the outside of this shirt and tie, gold tooth and a £25k diamond studded Rolex. I have all the paperwork, spare keys etc in my bag, and the car is parked across the road. We all sit for a coffee and are about to go to the bank when my guy says he needs to sort out some business, and actually taps the side of his nose and winks whilst saying so. He pulls from the inside pocket of his jacket, a white handkerchief, slowly opens it a crack in front of me to reveal what I assume is a f
king huge diamond.
He then says that he is going to sell this to another associate, then give me the money for the car. Do I want to come with them to do that deal he asks. Er, no I say, so I wait in Costa whilst these 2 guys slip out. About an hour later I'm still there like a plum. Another half hour passes and he hasn't answered my calls or texts. I never hear from him again.
A few weeks later I chop the car in against the replacement at the dealer. Ten years later I'm still as mystified by it all.
Anyway the next day, a dapper, well spoken Nigerian chap in a suit turns up at my house and asks to see the car. I show him the thick file of invoices and receipts, and then the car. He has no insurance so I drive him round the block but before we're even in second gear, he says its perfect and we shake on the original asking price. The guy couldn't be more charming and I drop him at the station.
The following day I am in Costa opposite the bank and he shows up with a mate. If BBC central casting needed a dodgy Nigerian gangsta! then his mate would be the guy. He's about 6'4", powerfully built, shiny suit, gold chains on the outside of this shirt and tie, gold tooth and a £25k diamond studded Rolex. I have all the paperwork, spare keys etc in my bag, and the car is parked across the road. We all sit for a coffee and are about to go to the bank when my guy says he needs to sort out some business, and actually taps the side of his nose and winks whilst saying so. He pulls from the inside pocket of his jacket, a white handkerchief, slowly opens it a crack in front of me to reveal what I assume is a f
king huge diamond. He then says that he is going to sell this to another associate, then give me the money for the car. Do I want to come with them to do that deal he asks. Er, no I say, so I wait in Costa whilst these 2 guys slip out. About an hour later I'm still there like a plum. Another half hour passes and he hasn't answered my calls or texts. I never hear from him again.
A few weeks later I chop the car in against the replacement at the dealer. Ten years later I'm still as mystified by it all.
Edited by Dapster on Saturday 17th December 02:03
Dapster said:
A few years ago I advertised my pristine, one owner 2.7 Boxster on Autotrader and PH. It was immaculate but high miles so it garnered very little interest. I dropped the price a couple of time and eventually a guy called me up and said if it was as described he'd pay the full asking, quoting the original pre-reduced price from a few weeks earlier. I fessed up to the reduction for some reason, and this seemed to endear me to him even more, and he insisted on paying the higher price, saying he was on a shopping spree to stock up a used car business an associate of his was starting in Nigeria. Alarm bells going off all over the shop, I asked how he was going to pay if he liked it. He said, we can go to a bank of my choice and pay cash into the bank - doing this absolves you from any fraudulent transactions so what could go wrong?
Anyway the next day, a dapper, well spoken Nigerian chap in a suit turns up at my house and asks to see the car. I show him the thick file of invoices and receipts, and then the car. He has no insurance so I drive him round the block but before we're even in second gear, he says its perfect and we shake on the original asking price. The guy couldn't be more charming and I drop him at the station.
The following day I am in Costa opposite the bank and he shows up with a mate. If BBC central casting needed a dodgy Nigerian gangsta! then his mate would be the guy. He's about 6'4", powerfully built, shiny suit, gold chains on the outside of this shirt and tie, gold tooth and a £25k diamond studded Rolex. I have all the paperwork, spare keys etc in my bag, and the car is parked across the road. We all sit for a coffee and are about to go to the bank when my guy says he needs to sort out some business, and actually taps the side of his nose and winks whilst saying so. He pulls from the inside pocket of his jacket, a white handkerchief, slowly opens it a crack in front of me to reveal what I assume is a fking huge diamond.
He then says that he is going to sell this to another associate, then give me the money for the car. Do I want to come with them to do that deal he asks. Er, no I say, so I wait in Costa whilst these 2 guys slip out. About an hour later I'm still there like a plum. Another half hour passes and he hasn't answered my calls or texts. I never hear from him again.
A few weeks later I chop the car in against the replacement at the dealer. Ten years later I'm still as mystified by it all.
Surely we have a winner here?Anyway the next day, a dapper, well spoken Nigerian chap in a suit turns up at my house and asks to see the car. I show him the thick file of invoices and receipts, and then the car. He has no insurance so I drive him round the block but before we're even in second gear, he says its perfect and we shake on the original asking price. The guy couldn't be more charming and I drop him at the station.
The following day I am in Costa opposite the bank and he shows up with a mate. If BBC central casting needed a dodgy Nigerian gangsta! then his mate would be the guy. He's about 6'4", powerfully built, shiny suit, gold chains on the outside of this shirt and tie, gold tooth and a £25k diamond studded Rolex. I have all the paperwork, spare keys etc in my bag, and the car is parked across the road. We all sit for a coffee and are about to go to the bank when my guy says he needs to sort out some business, and actually taps the side of his nose and winks whilst saying so. He pulls from the inside pocket of his jacket, a white handkerchief, slowly opens it a crack in front of me to reveal what I assume is a f
king huge diamond. He then says that he is going to sell this to another associate, then give me the money for the car. Do I want to come with them to do that deal he asks. Er, no I say, so I wait in Costa whilst these 2 guys slip out. About an hour later I'm still there like a plum. Another half hour passes and he hasn't answered my calls or texts. I never hear from him again.
A few weeks later I chop the car in against the replacement at the dealer. Ten years later I'm still as mystified by it all.
Edited by Dapster on Saturday 17th December 02:03
Dapster said:
A few years ago I advertised my pristine, one owner 2.7 Boxster on Autotrader and PH. It was immaculate but high miles so it garnered very little interest. I dropped the price a couple of time and eventually a guy called me up and said if it was as described he'd pay the full asking, quoting the original pre-reduced price from a few weeks earlier. I fessed up to the reduction for some reason, and this seemed to endear me to him even more, and he insisted on paying the higher price, saying he was on a shopping spree to stock up a used car business an associate of his was starting in Nigeria. Alarm bells going off all over the shop, I asked how he was going to pay if he liked it. He said, we can go to a bank of my choice and pay cash into the bank - doing this absolves you from any fraudulent transactions so what could go wrong?
Anyway the next day, a dapper, well spoken Nigerian chap in a suit turns up at my house and asks to see the car. I show him the thick file of invoices and receipts, and then the car. He has no insurance so I drive him round the block but before we're even in second gear, he says its perfect and we shake on the original asking price. The guy couldn't be more charming and I drop him at the station.
The following day I am in Costa opposite the bank and he shows up with a mate. If BBC central casting needed a dodgy Nigerian gangsta! then his mate would be the guy. He's about 6'4", powerfully built, shiny suit, gold chains on the outside of this shirt and tie, gold tooth and a £25k diamond studded Rolex. I have all the paperwork, spare keys etc in my bag, and the car is parked across the road. We all sit for a coffee and are about to go to the bank when my guy says he needs to sort out some business, and actually taps the side of his nose and winks whilst saying so. He pulls from the inside pocket of his jacket, a white handkerchief, slowly opens it a crack in front of me to reveal what I assume is a fking huge diamond.
He then says that he is going to sell this to another associate, then give me the money for the car. Do I want to come with them to do that deal he asks. Er, no I say, so I wait in Costa whilst these 2 guys slip out. About an hour later I'm still there like a plum. Another half hour passes and he hasn't answered my calls or texts. I never hear from him again.
A few weeks later I chop the car in against the replacement at the dealer. Ten years later I'm still as mystified by it all.
This sounds like a very elaborate version of a prank we pulled on one of our mates when he was selling a convertible escort a long time ago. Anyway the next day, a dapper, well spoken Nigerian chap in a suit turns up at my house and asks to see the car. I show him the thick file of invoices and receipts, and then the car. He has no insurance so I drive him round the block but before we're even in second gear, he says its perfect and we shake on the original asking price. The guy couldn't be more charming and I drop him at the station.
The following day I am in Costa opposite the bank and he shows up with a mate. If BBC central casting needed a dodgy Nigerian gangsta! then his mate would be the guy. He's about 6'4", powerfully built, shiny suit, gold chains on the outside of this shirt and tie, gold tooth and a £25k diamond studded Rolex. I have all the paperwork, spare keys etc in my bag, and the car is parked across the road. We all sit for a coffee and are about to go to the bank when my guy says he needs to sort out some business, and actually taps the side of his nose and winks whilst saying so. He pulls from the inside pocket of his jacket, a white handkerchief, slowly opens it a crack in front of me to reveal what I assume is a f
king huge diamond. He then says that he is going to sell this to another associate, then give me the money for the car. Do I want to come with them to do that deal he asks. Er, no I say, so I wait in Costa whilst these 2 guys slip out. About an hour later I'm still there like a plum. Another half hour passes and he hasn't answered my calls or texts. I never hear from him again.
A few weeks later I chop the car in against the replacement at the dealer. Ten years later I'm still as mystified by it all.
Edited by Dapster on Saturday 17th December 02:03
benjijames28 said:
Main thing that shocks me with these, is the amount of people who buy a car private, mostly sheds and expect a perfect car with full dealership services and warranties.
In contrast, I often don't see some of the sheds I buy (friend drops them off on transporter), let alone sit in them or drive them. With some of them I have gone to drive home myself, honest sellers (not many of those left) have been stood going through the list of 'niggles' and I have to stop them by saying things like "It's ok, to be honest, it could blow up in 6 months time and I would still have no complaints" I have sold a couple in much the same way.
One of my quirky 4x4 things was collected by a guy who didn't even open the door before handing me the money and asking for a pen. I asked if he wanted a drive and he said "Why? It's ok, isn't it?" whilst chuckling.
From door knock, to giving me the cash, to him driving off must have been less than two minutes.
In a bizarre kind of way, once I have purchased it, I quite like the drive home in some old snotter being the 'test drive'. It all adds to the adventure I suppose!
Digby said:
No question!
I wonder what would have happened?
Fake buyer of diamond says he forgot cash, diamond worth a stack of money (even though it's glass) and is offered as a swap for car or summat?
Exactly that. If he agreed to go with them, to see the "deal", the "buyer" of this magnificent diamond would probably be a no show, then the seller would be asked to take the diamond worth way more than the car, as payment of the car!I wonder what would have happened?
Fake buyer of diamond says he forgot cash, diamond worth a stack of money (even though it's glass) and is offered as a swap for car or summat?
Dapster said:
...he insisted on paying the higher price, saying he was on a shopping spree to stock up a used car business an associate of his was starting in Nigeria. Alarm bells going off all over the shop, I asked how he was going to pay if he liked it. He said, we can go to a bank of my choice and pay cash into the bank - doing this absolves you from any fraudulent transactions so what could go wrong?
That would have been as far as it got for me I'm afraid. It's like scamming 101. 
That said, I had reservations when I sold something V-Tec powered and the winner spoke with a heavy Russian / Polish / Cosovan type accent when he contacted me re: collection.
I don't wish to stereotype, but I just instantly assumed I would either be relisting, or I would be yet again telling someone they had had a wasted trip as they stood on my doorstep offering me less.
Two of them arrived with one being a relative or something who was there just to make sure things were ok etc and off we went for a drive.
Within a few seconds, it was obvious this chap was a bit of a Honda / V-tec fanatic as he started talking of various engine numbers and models etc and how this car of mine had the "good" engine.
We came back, he pulled out the correct money, we chatted, he signed, we chatted some more and off he went a happy man.
Sold my shed of a mark I Focus to a Scottish couple (I live in Bedford). They drove 14 hours solid to collect, whilst getting lost loads and asking me for directions. Took it on a quick test drive around the block and then drove it back the same night in convoy. Maybe they don't have cheap Focus's up North?
That said I once drove 800 miles round trip to pick up a track bike, so maybe I'm not so immune.
That said I once drove 800 miles round trip to pick up a track bike, so maybe I'm not so immune.
A year or so ago I sold my 125 to a Portuguese guy (who was living over here) through facebook. He turned up with 2 of his sons (one had a car, the other spoke good english). I must admit it looked a bit dodgy to begin with (Three guys, only one speaks english, off facebook!), his son negotiated a bit (usual 10% off) and I agreed to deliver it to him as he had no insurance.
Turned up at his house 20 mins away, he paid me in cash, and I got a lift home with my brother.
It's strange as there was no hassle, no stupid offers and not even a test ride!
Turned up at his house 20 mins away, he paid me in cash, and I got a lift home with my brother.
It's strange as there was no hassle, no stupid offers and not even a test ride!
I've been wondering if I should post my odd buying experience.
I found a cheap car on Gumtree that looked ok. There was no phone number on the advert, just an email address so I emailed. The conversation was a bit like this:
"Hi, I'm interested in the Astra you've advertised on Gumtree. Any chance of coming to see it?"
"How do I know you're not a time waster?"
"Erm. I can't really prove it unless I buy the car"
"Add me on Facebook. I want to see that you're a real person"
Found him on Facebook, wondering wtf was going on. I wanted to buy a car, not make a friend. On Facebook he started asking me why I wanted the car. It was an 11 year old cheap Astra, not a DB5 or something.
I arranged to meet him on the Sunday at 2pm and I arrived at about 2:10pm. He seemed surprised because he said he thought I was trying to waste his time and not a real person. He took me for a spin in it, I had a quick look to make sure it was what he said, and I bought it. A lot of hassle and chitchat for a cheap old Astra though.
I found a cheap car on Gumtree that looked ok. There was no phone number on the advert, just an email address so I emailed. The conversation was a bit like this:
"Hi, I'm interested in the Astra you've advertised on Gumtree. Any chance of coming to see it?"
"How do I know you're not a time waster?"
"Erm. I can't really prove it unless I buy the car"
"Add me on Facebook. I want to see that you're a real person"
Found him on Facebook, wondering wtf was going on. I wanted to buy a car, not make a friend. On Facebook he started asking me why I wanted the car. It was an 11 year old cheap Astra, not a DB5 or something.
I arranged to meet him on the Sunday at 2pm and I arrived at about 2:10pm. He seemed surprised because he said he thought I was trying to waste his time and not a real person. He took me for a spin in it, I had a quick look to make sure it was what he said, and I bought it. A lot of hassle and chitchat for a cheap old Astra though.
The Spruce goose said:
the diamond thing is a scam. as it is worth 25k you would go to the deal, which would fall thru and they would offer you the stone. you would think you had a deal, when you have a piece of cut glass.
I can't believe that there are people out there that would be stupid enough to fall for it.HTP99 said:
I can't believe that there are people out there that would be stupid enough to fall for it.
loads out there not just selling cars thou.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bradford/813684...
The Spruce goose said:
One of the convicted blokes has an appropriate name
Prizam said:
Vauxhalls. Why is it these cars attract such cretins.
Agreed & as a further example, many moons ago I was selling a low mileage 3 yr old Astra with full colour images on A/T & eBay & decent description, again detailing the exact colour... Phone call - "I'm calling about the Astra, what colour is it?."
Me - "As per the images it's light green."
Phone call - "But I really wanted a blue one."
WTF did he want me to do repaint it for him lol !?!. I did think for a while it was a mate on a wind up.
Edited by Richard-390a0 on Thursday 22 December 13:02
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