Does nobody sell cars privately now?
Discussion
M4cruiser said:
I always used to love private sales and purchases, but not now.
Sold an old non-working car privately last year, guy was coming 50 miles with a trailer so we agreed a price on the phone from the photographs. When he arrived he started beating down the price based on his inspection. Made me annoyed but he appeared angry, and said I'd wasted his trip, so i reduced a bit, then he wanted more reduction.
Altogether not a pleasant experience.
Two or three years previously we sold my son's car to a nice couple who wanted it to teach their son to drive, and it all went smoothly, he paid the asking price and didn't want the £1 change. Wonderful.
With the car I'm selling, if we've agreed a price on the phone then they are buying the car blind, to which I will not be taking a low offer and they'll have wasted a trip. I make that clear as day because if you're going to agree a price before inspecting the car then that's on them. I always tell them not to make me an offer until they've viewed the car.Sold an old non-working car privately last year, guy was coming 50 miles with a trailer so we agreed a price on the phone from the photographs. When he arrived he started beating down the price based on his inspection. Made me annoyed but he appeared angry, and said I'd wasted his trip, so i reduced a bit, then he wanted more reduction.
Altogether not a pleasant experience.
Two or three years previously we sold my son's car to a nice couple who wanted it to teach their son to drive, and it all went smoothly, he paid the asking price and didn't want the £1 change. Wonderful.
M4cruiser said:
I always used to love private sales and purchases, but not now.
Sold an old non-working car privately last year, guy was coming 50 miles with a trailer so we agreed a price on the phone from the photographs. When he arrived he started beating down the price based on his inspection. Made me annoyed but he appeared angry, and said I'd wasted his trip, so i reduced a bit, then he wanted more reduction.
Altogether not a pleasant experience.
Two or three years previously we sold my son's car to a nice couple who wanted it to teach their son to drive, and it all went smoothly, he paid the asking price and didn't want the £1 change. Wonderful.
That sounds like a impossibly small sample of transactions to draw such a conclusion. It's not exactly irrefutable evidence that private buyers have become unreasonable in general.Sold an old non-working car privately last year, guy was coming 50 miles with a trailer so we agreed a price on the phone from the photographs. When he arrived he started beating down the price based on his inspection. Made me annoyed but he appeared angry, and said I'd wasted his trip, so i reduced a bit, then he wanted more reduction.
Altogether not a pleasant experience.
Two or three years previously we sold my son's car to a nice couple who wanted it to teach their son to drive, and it all went smoothly, he paid the asking price and didn't want the £1 change. Wonderful.
AnhBanhBao said:
I recently sold my car on Marketplace (£8-10k bracket), took about 7 weeks in total, which maybe wasn’t too bad in the end. The messages you get do test you though.
One cracker went something like “I like the car and what’s been done to it. It’s above my budget really, and I’m in London, so I think too far away…”
Followed a couple of days later by “??????”
I can only think he wanted me to offer to drop the price and meet him on the M40 or something.
Haha, some message make me laugh. Any time I see "what's your best/last price?" I ignore the message straight away.. One of the potentials then had a full blown conversation with himself..One cracker went something like “I like the car and what’s been done to it. It’s above my budget really, and I’m in London, so I think too far away…”
Followed a couple of days later by “??????”
I can only think he wanted me to offer to drop the price and meet him on the M40 or something.
nickfrog said:
M4cruiser said:
I always used to love private sales and purchases, but not now.
Sold an old non-working car privately last year, guy was coming 50 miles with a trailer so we agreed a price on the phone from the photographs. When he arrived he started beating down the price based on his inspection. Made me annoyed but he appeared angry, and said I'd wasted his trip, so i reduced a bit, then he wanted more reduction.
Altogether not a pleasant experience.
Two or three years previously we sold my son's car to a nice couple who wanted it to teach their son to drive, and it all went smoothly, he paid the asking price and didn't want the £1 change. Wonderful.
That sounds like a impossibly small sample of transactions to draw such a conclusion. It's not exactly irrefutable evidence that private buyers have become unreasonable in general.Sold an old non-working car privately last year, guy was coming 50 miles with a trailer so we agreed a price on the phone from the photographs. When he arrived he started beating down the price based on his inspection. Made me annoyed but he appeared angry, and said I'd wasted his trip, so i reduced a bit, then he wanted more reduction.
Altogether not a pleasant experience.
Two or three years previously we sold my son's car to a nice couple who wanted it to teach their son to drive, and it all went smoothly, he paid the asking price and didn't want the £1 change. Wonderful.
M4cruiser said:
I always used to love private sales and purchases, but not now.
Sold an old non-working car privately last year, guy was coming 50 miles with a trailer so we agreed a price on the phone from the photographs. When he arrived he started beating down the price based on his inspection. Made me annoyed but he appeared angry, and said I'd wasted his trip, so i reduced a bit, then he wanted more reduction.
Altogether not a pleasant experience.
Two or three years previously we sold my son's car to a nice couple who wanted it to teach their son to drive, and it all went smoothly, he paid the asking price and didn't want the £1 change. Wonderful.
Had this myself. If I agree to any price with them remotely, I always make a point of stating that the price agreed is fixed and that's what you pay when you get here, no fresh round of haggling when you get here trying to chip it down further. Touch wood, I've no issues and being in the vicinity of Bradord that includes some people who, shall we say, have a reputation for such antics.Sold an old non-working car privately last year, guy was coming 50 miles with a trailer so we agreed a price on the phone from the photographs. When he arrived he started beating down the price based on his inspection. Made me annoyed but he appeared angry, and said I'd wasted his trip, so i reduced a bit, then he wanted more reduction.
Altogether not a pleasant experience.
Two or three years previously we sold my son's car to a nice couple who wanted it to teach their son to drive, and it all went smoothly, he paid the asking price and didn't want the £1 change. Wonderful.
r3g said:
Had this myself. If I agree to any price with them remotely, I always make a point of stating that the price agreed is fixed and that's what you pay when you get here, no fresh round of haggling when you get here trying to chip it down further. Touch wood, I've no issues and being in the vicinity of Bradord that includes some people who, shall we say, have a reputation for such antics.
Same. I'm always as honest as I can be to the point I'd rather slightly undersell a car.But with that in mind no more haggling.
Everyone this thread is just what I needed. There are some excellent pieces of advice about how to best handle a private sale, thank you! Plus potential pitfalls laid out. It’s great to be reminded that the seller can choose to conduct the process as they see fit. I am greatly encouraged.
I’ve both bought and sold cars privately in the past week as it happens. Sold a fiesta ST on eBay. Didn’t get much for it but there were a few bidders so I suppose the market dictated a price.
Bought a Ka for my daughter yesterday through Autotrader. Bit of a faff communicating through email to start but went to look at it last night. Lovely, genuine (and enjoyably sexist) bloke, decent car. One of my better car buying experiences.
Bought a Ka for my daughter yesterday through Autotrader. Bit of a faff communicating through email to start but went to look at it last night. Lovely, genuine (and enjoyably sexist) bloke, decent car. One of my better car buying experiences.
Sold MY VW Polo via A.T. First 3 days no response and put this down to a bank holiday looming. But, then got 2 calls on same day asking questions would I be prepared to budge on price etc. My response was yes but did not mention a figure first guy asked me to hold it for him as could not get to me until that weekend. I took a chance as he did seem genuine and put the other caller off until he had been etc. Anyway, he turns up with his mate took a test drive and ended up selling for a tiny bit less than I was expecting. Sold many cars in the past via A.T you just have to price it right and build into your price some wiggle room. He paid me in cash which was a little bit daunting counting out the cash on the dining table just hoping from what I could see were not fake notes etc. But turned out good in the end for me !
I sold my old shed on FB.
1st chap came, inspected, took it for a test drive and he loved it. Said he'd call me back and to hold it for him - I advised him if it sells between now and the phone call tough luck.
He never called back.
2nd chap
Did as above
Agreed a price
He had to box it off with the mrs
1 day later he picked it up and transferred me the cash.
Wrote a receipt with sold as seen, a template is available on Google which I found handy.
.........
Purchased a vehicle on Ebay
Went to see it a week before the auction ended
Won the auction Sunday
Collected the following Saturday
Paid via bank transfer
Really easy transaction and a lovely chap to buy from who clearly loved the motor in question.
You can tell timewasters from a long way off, deal with the good folks and have rules I.e.
Price- know what you'll drop to
1st chap came, inspected, took it for a test drive and he loved it. Said he'd call me back and to hold it for him - I advised him if it sells between now and the phone call tough luck.
He never called back.
2nd chap
Did as above
Agreed a price
He had to box it off with the mrs
1 day later he picked it up and transferred me the cash.
Wrote a receipt with sold as seen, a template is available on Google which I found handy.
.........
Purchased a vehicle on Ebay
Went to see it a week before the auction ended
Won the auction Sunday
Collected the following Saturday
Paid via bank transfer
Really easy transaction and a lovely chap to buy from who clearly loved the motor in question.
You can tell timewasters from a long way off, deal with the good folks and have rules I.e.
Price- know what you'll drop to
piker said:
Sold MY VW Polo via A.T. First 3 days no response and put this down to a bank holiday looming. But, then got 2 calls on same day asking questions would I be prepared to budge on price etc. My response was yes but did not mention a figure first guy asked me to hold it for him as could not get to me until that weekend. I took a chance as he did seem genuine and put the other caller off until he had been etc. Anyway, he turns up with his mate took a test drive and ended up selling for a tiny bit less than I was expecting. Sold many cars in the past via A.T you just have to price it right and build into your price some wiggle room. He paid me in cash which was a little bit daunting counting out the cash on the dining table just hoping from what I could see were not fake notes etc. But turned out good in the end for me !
You were lucky he turned up! 99% of the time "can you hold it til the weekend/til I get paid?" is the first and last you ever hear from them. Always say it's first come first served and never tell other potential buyers it may have sold/holding it for someone unless you already have a £200 non-refundable deposit in your paws. 99% of people are time-wasters and expect you to jump for them. "I'm in x town. Ring me when you're setting off to come see it to check that I'll be in and I'll give you the postcode then". Until you get that call, carry on with your life as normal.I am currently selling a 2018 Peugeot 108 with fsh and in good order…currently cheapest of its type online and not a sniff in a week. Used to easily sell cars historically but it feels people are less willing to buy privately.
It’s white and got a ~60k miles so fairly high miles, but price reflects this.
It’s white and got a ~60k miles so fairly high miles, but price reflects this.
Baked_bean said:
I am currently selling a 2018 Peugeot 108 with fsh and in good order…currently cheapest of its type online and not a sniff in a week. Used to easily sell cars historically but it feels people are less willing to buy privately.
It’s white and got a ~60k miles so fairly high miles, but price reflects this.
Have it around £4500 and it will sell- anymore is too high for a private sale.It’s white and got a ~60k miles so fairly high miles, but price reflects this.
Grumbler said:
I’ve both bought and sold cars privately in the past week as it happens. Sold a fiesta ST on eBay. Didn’t get much for it but there were a few bidders so I suppose the market dictated a price.
Bought a Ka for my daughter yesterday through Autotrader. Bit of a faff communicating through email to start but went to look at it last night. Lovely, genuine (and enjoyably sexist) bloke, decent car. One of my better car buying experiences.
Grumbler sounds like you did well. Dare I ask what 'enjoyably sexist' means? Bought a Ka for my daughter yesterday through Autotrader. Bit of a faff communicating through email to start but went to look at it last night. Lovely, genuine (and enjoyably sexist) bloke, decent car. One of my better car buying experiences.
I just sold an £80k Ferrari 360 Spider via PH privately. Think it was the priciest one advertised and it sold for the full asking price.
First email in response to the Ad was "is the car still for sale?" which got a curt, "yup" reply whilst I yawned at the prospect of wasting my time and wondered why I bothered. Another couple of brief emails exchanged, a viewing arranged, a few days for him to do a bit of background research on the service history, a quick test drive and then a handshake.
No deposit taken, although one was offered, until the V5 for removing the private plate had gone through and that took us to today when we did the handover and payment. He was only 15 miles or so away so I actually drove it over to him and let him take me for a last run in it and drop me back at home. To be fair, my car will be one of his cheaper cars but hey ho.
Obviously the above is unusual but just shows that there are good guys out there.
First email in response to the Ad was "is the car still for sale?" which got a curt, "yup" reply whilst I yawned at the prospect of wasting my time and wondered why I bothered. Another couple of brief emails exchanged, a viewing arranged, a few days for him to do a bit of background research on the service history, a quick test drive and then a handshake.
No deposit taken, although one was offered, until the V5 for removing the private plate had gone through and that took us to today when we did the handover and payment. He was only 15 miles or so away so I actually drove it over to him and let him take me for a last run in it and drop me back at home. To be fair, my car will be one of his cheaper cars but hey ho.
Obviously the above is unusual but just shows that there are good guys out there.
renmure said:
I just sold an £80k Ferrari 360 Spider via PH privately. Think it was the priciest one advertised and it sold for the full asking price.
First email in response to the Ad was "is the car still for sale?" which got a curt, "yup" reply whilst I yawned at the prospect of wasting my time and wondered why I bothered. Another couple of brief emails exchanged, a viewing arranged, a few days for him to do a bit of background research on the service history, a quick test drive and then a handshake.
No deposit taken, although one was offered, until the V5 for removing the private plate had gone through and that took us to today when we did the handover and payment. He was only 15 miles or so away so I actually drove it over to him and let him take me for a last run in it and drop me back at home. To be fair, my car will be one of his cheaper cars but hey ho.
Obviously the above is unusual but just shows that there are good guys out there.
Congrats, but the highlighted bit clearly shows that the buyer had plenty of funds and so didn't care about the price, he just wanted your car and was prepared to pay whatever you wanted. That's rather different to the other 99.99995% of the market who have limited funds.First email in response to the Ad was "is the car still for sale?" which got a curt, "yup" reply whilst I yawned at the prospect of wasting my time and wondered why I bothered. Another couple of brief emails exchanged, a viewing arranged, a few days for him to do a bit of background research on the service history, a quick test drive and then a handshake.
No deposit taken, although one was offered, until the V5 for removing the private plate had gone through and that took us to today when we did the handover and payment. He was only 15 miles or so away so I actually drove it over to him and let him take me for a last run in it and drop me back at home. To be fair, my car will be one of his cheaper cars but hey ho.
Obviously the above is unusual but just shows that there are good guys out there.
r3g said:
Congrats, but the highlighted bit clearly shows that the buyer had plenty of funds and so didn't care about the price, he just wanted your car and was prepared to pay whatever you wanted. That's rather different to the other 99.99995% of the market who have limited funds.
You may have a point but in my experience folk with lots of money don't have it because they give it away too readily.The buyer did suggest a deal at £5k under the asking price after the test drive and I politely declined, explaining why I believed the asking price was fair. It wasn't confrontational at all. I was after a good price, he was after a good car. Cheaper cars are available.
Anyhow, the point of the post was more to highlight that yes, selling privately is still a "thing" and clearly not everyone uses email the same way.
r3g said:
Congrats, but the highlighted bit clearly shows that the buyer had plenty of funds and so didn't care about the price, he just wanted your car and was prepared to pay whatever you wanted. That's rather different to the other 99.99995% of the market who have limited funds.
Being able to afford to spend a lot of money on cars doesn’t mean that you don’t care how much they cost.Sold my lads Fabia a few weeks ago.
Popped it on Autotrader and on here for £8150 and had a few messages offering £6 - 6300 - ‘because these cars are hard to shift…’
Left it a week or so with not much happening so dropped the price to £7900 and put a new MOT on it.
A few messages from one chap resulted in me picking him up from the station and him driving off after paying the full price.
Popped it on Autotrader and on here for £8150 and had a few messages offering £6 - 6300 - ‘because these cars are hard to shift…’
Left it a week or so with not much happening so dropped the price to £7900 and put a new MOT on it.
A few messages from one chap resulted in me picking him up from the station and him driving off after paying the full price.
Baked_bean said:
I am currently selling a 2018 Peugeot 108 with fsh and in good order…currently cheapest of its type online and not a sniff in a week. Used to easily sell cars historically but it feels people are less willing to buy privately.
It’s white and got a ~60k miles so fairly high miles, but price reflects this.
Is it the one up for £4.8k? It’s white and got a ~60k miles so fairly high miles, but price reflects this.
Looks nice if so!
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