Good or Bad decision? Whadya Reckon?

[simonelite501]

I'm selling my Lotus and yesterday, after a completely baren three weeks, I received a phone call about it! When the guy started firing questions at me I answered as best I could and then told him that the full story of my ownership of the vehicle was posted on Members cars here on the PH site. Its now 21.45 the next day and no return call! Have a look at the history posted in Members cars and let me know whether you think that I should tell prospective buyers about it. My thinking was that what is posted about the car is a true and honest account of its history, but does it help to sell the car? Thanks in advance, Simon.

[JonRB]

For a car with classic status like yours, I think it shows the car has been well looked after and the buyer could feel confident he was entering into the sale with his eyes open.

Having said that, reading about a wheel seizing and the shaft snapping scared the sh*t out of me!

[craigalsop]

Hi Simon,

I think that the problem is that while people know that these cars may have quirks & the odd breakdown, seeing it all in black & white brings it all home, putting off the prospective buyer. On the other hand, if you just show them a pile of receipts, the optimistic punter would like to believe that these were all spent in the quest for perfection in your car, rather than the result of various breakdowns.
Personally I wouldn't point them to your online history....

cheers,
Craig

[simonelite501]

Thanks for the input, I supose I was a little foolish to give the caller such comprehensive information. I'll endevour not to be so naieve if I ever recieve another call about the car. Its just that I would really appreciate the honesty of a vendour of a vehicle I was interested in, if he/she was willing to show the car, warts and all. And its not like the problems that I have encountered have been ignored or bodged back together. Oh well, like I said, the next guy will have to work it all out for himself, but he will be buying a great car! Talking of great cars, love the TVR Craig, what a number plate!

[MoJocvh]

Theirs honesty and theirs HONESTY. Try and not portray anything negative as although it might be sorted and history the buyer today is a very nervous type (well I know I am!!)

[sparkey]

I like to be honest about selling a car, but I think it's best to tell them everything when they are there and can see the car. Hopefully by that stage they will have fallen in love with it and your honesty would just re-inforce thier belief that they were looking at a well sorted car.

Just to make you a bit sick, I sold my Elite 503 a few years ago. I didn't advertise, just mentioned that I may think of selling it to a mate. Within a week a work colleague of said mate turned up had a walk around the car and offered my asking price, which I had put at £500 more than I paid for the car a year earlier as I expected a bit of bartering !

Good luck with the sale.

Sparkey