read the sold car & buyer wants a refund, I still need help.
Discussion
Hi Everyone, I have been a long time lurker on Pistonheads, but never until now made myself a profile.
I appreciate that this is a sticky at the top of the thread list, however, I genuinely do need some advice here.
I advertised my car on gumtree as spares or repair,
I stated in the description that the car cannot be driven away due to the fault, which I also put in the description.
The fault was, when you turned on the ignition, the ignition came on as normal, but when the key was turned to the start position, absolutely nothing happened, no click from the starter, just nothing.
Basically it would not crank over.
As such, the car couldn’t be driven off because of this & would have to be transported or towed away & I stated this in the ad description.
Anyway, after a lot of “best price” “last price” & “I give you £500” right now message’s, I got a message asking if I would accept £950- for the car.
I replied that I would (I had it advertised at £1350)
Anyway, after a lot of conversation with the buyer, they arranged to have the car picked up by car transporter & done a bank transfer to me when the car was about to be collected by the guy with the transporter.
I did all the relevant paperwork like the logbook & I also did a receipt which stated that the car was sold as spares or repair through gumtree.
Last night, I received x2 threatening messages from the buyer, demanding that I transfer them £300- or they are bring the car back, they also called me a “scumbag” etc.
Now, I am worrying that they are going to turn up at my house (the car was in my name as it was my car) or that they are going to bring the car back to me, despite me being honest & upfront about the car.
This is causing me anxiety & stress now.
I am not a trader before anyone says, it was my own car & I was upfront about everything when the buyer asked about it.
Sorry for the long post, I’m just not one for confrontation.
I appreciate that this is a sticky at the top of the thread list, however, I genuinely do need some advice here.
I advertised my car on gumtree as spares or repair,
I stated in the description that the car cannot be driven away due to the fault, which I also put in the description.
The fault was, when you turned on the ignition, the ignition came on as normal, but when the key was turned to the start position, absolutely nothing happened, no click from the starter, just nothing.
Basically it would not crank over.
As such, the car couldn’t be driven off because of this & would have to be transported or towed away & I stated this in the ad description.
Anyway, after a lot of “best price” “last price” & “I give you £500” right now message’s, I got a message asking if I would accept £950- for the car.
I replied that I would (I had it advertised at £1350)
Anyway, after a lot of conversation with the buyer, they arranged to have the car picked up by car transporter & done a bank transfer to me when the car was about to be collected by the guy with the transporter.
I did all the relevant paperwork like the logbook & I also did a receipt which stated that the car was sold as spares or repair through gumtree.
Last night, I received x2 threatening messages from the buyer, demanding that I transfer them £300- or they are bring the car back, they also called me a “scumbag” etc.
Now, I am worrying that they are going to turn up at my house (the car was in my name as it was my car) or that they are going to bring the car back to me, despite me being honest & upfront about the car.
This is causing me anxiety & stress now.
I am not a trader before anyone says, it was my own car & I was upfront about everything when the buyer asked about it.
Sorry for the long post, I’m just not one for confrontation.
I am not one for confrontation, If I tell them to FO, they are threatening to come to my house.
I did sell the car in good faith, I answered all the buyers questions honestly. When they asked if I had had the car looked at, I told them that I hadn’t because I didn’t have time due to my work commitments, which was/still is the case, hence why I was selling it.
But thank you for your advice, I do appreciate it.
I did sell the car in good faith, I answered all the buyers questions honestly. When they asked if I had had the car looked at, I told them that I hadn’t because I didn’t have time due to my work commitments, which was/still is the case, hence why I was selling it.
But thank you for your advice, I do appreciate it.
I would have thought you’ve covered yourself well in advertising as spares and repairs, however whilst this will help with any legal element they may wish to being, its likely of little consequence or comfort to you in respect of the threats you’ve received.
Have they said why they are demanding £300? It sounds like a scam / borderline extortion to me. If the threats worry you I may even consider logging with 101 just so there’s a record.
Have they said why they are demanding £300? It sounds like a scam / borderline extortion to me. If the threats worry you I may even consider logging with 101 just so there’s a record.
MrSnrub said:
Hi Everyone, I have been a long time lurker on Pistonheads, but never until now made myself a profile.
I appreciate that this is a sticky at the top of the thread list, however, I genuinely do need some advice here.
I advertised my car on gumtree as spares or repair,
I stated in the description that the car cannot be driven away due to the fault, which I also put in the description.
The fault was, when you turned on the ignition, the ignition came on as normal, but when the key was turned to the start position, absolutely nothing happened, no click from the starter, just nothing.
Basically it would not crank over.
As such, the car couldn’t be driven off because of this & would have to be transported or towed away & I stated this in the ad description.
Anyway, after a lot of “best price” “last price” & “I give you £500” right now message’s, I got a message asking if I would accept £950- for the car.
I replied that I would (I had it advertised at £1350)
Anyway, after a lot of conversation with the buyer, they arranged to have the car picked up by car transporter & done a bank transfer to me when the car was about to be collected by the guy with the transporter.
I did all the relevant paperwork like the logbook & I also did a receipt which stated that the car was sold as spares or repair through gumtree.
Last night, I received x2 threatening messages from the buyer, demanding that I transfer them £300- or they are bring the car back, they also called me a “scumbag” etc.
Now, I am worrying that they are going to turn up at my house (the car was in my name as it was my car) or that they are going to bring the car back to me, despite me being honest & upfront about the car.
This is causing me anxiety & stress now.
I am not a trader before anyone says, it was my own car & I was upfront about everything when the buyer asked about it.
Sorry for the long post, I’m just not one for confrontation.
Block them. If they come to your home call the police. Get on with life.I appreciate that this is a sticky at the top of the thread list, however, I genuinely do need some advice here.
I advertised my car on gumtree as spares or repair,
I stated in the description that the car cannot be driven away due to the fault, which I also put in the description.
The fault was, when you turned on the ignition, the ignition came on as normal, but when the key was turned to the start position, absolutely nothing happened, no click from the starter, just nothing.
Basically it would not crank over.
As such, the car couldn’t be driven off because of this & would have to be transported or towed away & I stated this in the ad description.
Anyway, after a lot of “best price” “last price” & “I give you £500” right now message’s, I got a message asking if I would accept £950- for the car.
I replied that I would (I had it advertised at £1350)
Anyway, after a lot of conversation with the buyer, they arranged to have the car picked up by car transporter & done a bank transfer to me when the car was about to be collected by the guy with the transporter.
I did all the relevant paperwork like the logbook & I also did a receipt which stated that the car was sold as spares or repair through gumtree.
Last night, I received x2 threatening messages from the buyer, demanding that I transfer them £300- or they are bring the car back, they also called me a “scumbag” etc.
Now, I am worrying that they are going to turn up at my house (the car was in my name as it was my car) or that they are going to bring the car back to me, despite me being honest & upfront about the car.
This is causing me anxiety & stress now.
I am not a trader before anyone says, it was my own car & I was upfront about everything when the buyer asked about it.
Sorry for the long post, I’m just not one for confrontation.
Hi, no they have not said what I have to transfer the £300 for, other than if I don’t do it, they are bringing the car back to me today & that they will be coming to my house.
Then called me a “Scumbag” because they thought I was genuine (which I was & am) I honestly didn’t expect this.
The buyer didn’t even come to view the car, it was initially through messages on gumtree, & then they gave me their number so that I could call them (which I did) & they asked me questions about the car, I even took more pictures of the car for them & sent them to the the buyer,
I told the buyer if they wanted anymore just to let me know, to which they replied that they didn’t & the pictures were fine.
I did not mislead them, I was completely upfront about the car & answered all of the buyers questions truthfully.
They asked about the bodywork condition, to which I told them it was not that good for a 2007 car. The buyer replied that it was a 16 year old car & they don’t expect it to be immaculate.
I’m sorry for going on, but I genuinely never misled the buyer, I done everything that I possibly could’ve to show transparency.
Then called me a “Scumbag” because they thought I was genuine (which I was & am) I honestly didn’t expect this.
The buyer didn’t even come to view the car, it was initially through messages on gumtree, & then they gave me their number so that I could call them (which I did) & they asked me questions about the car, I even took more pictures of the car for them & sent them to the the buyer,
I told the buyer if they wanted anymore just to let me know, to which they replied that they didn’t & the pictures were fine.
I did not mislead them, I was completely upfront about the car & answered all of the buyers questions truthfully.
They asked about the bodywork condition, to which I told them it was not that good for a 2007 car. The buyer replied that it was a 16 year old car & they don’t expect it to be immaculate.
I’m sorry for going on, but I genuinely never misled the buyer, I done everything that I possibly could’ve to show transparency.
B'stard Child said:
They already had £400 off the price of the car (£1350 asking down to £950) and now they want £300 more
That probably gets them close to the £500 they originally offered and was refused
Ignore is my advice.
What car was it
I didn’t think of it like that. That probably gets them close to the £500 they originally offered and was refused
Ignore is my advice.
What car was it
It was a 2007 Mercedes C220 CDi (W204)
Firstly, try not to let it upset you or stress you out. I know that's easier said than done sometimes
Just block them, they won't bring the car back at all, just chancing their arm.
People like that prey on others who will give in and send the money, they have absolutely no legal standing to get the money back from you.
Just block them, they won't bring the car back at all, just chancing their arm.
People like that prey on others who will give in and send the money, they have absolutely no legal standing to get the money back from you.
Grab screenshots or download all communication with them so you have a timelined record
Advise them that you do not take their threats lightly and that you have logged them with the police
Advise them not to enter into any further contact with you unless it's through their solicitor and that any further contact directly from them will be forwarded directly to the police
I would not block them
Advise them that you do not take their threats lightly and that you have logged them with the police
Advise them not to enter into any further contact with you unless it's through their solicitor and that any further contact directly from them will be forwarded directly to the police
I would not block them
If they do show up with the car, don't be tempted to buy it back - who knows what bits they've had off it/swapped.
As you have been genuine and honest from the start, they're almost certainly just trying it on in some way. Either an attempt to get a partial refund to get them a car for cheap, or a way to get some parts for free.
There are some very scummy people who make their living through being dicks to people selling cars privately, unfortunately. As they adopt something of a carpet bombing approach, they appear to outnumber the genuine buyers but TBH I think they just stand out as they try it on with every single car with their particular criteria.
As you have been genuine and honest from the start, they're almost certainly just trying it on in some way. Either an attempt to get a partial refund to get them a car for cheap, or a way to get some parts for free.
There are some very scummy people who make their living through being dicks to people selling cars privately, unfortunately. As they adopt something of a carpet bombing approach, they appear to outnumber the genuine buyers but TBH I think they just stand out as they try it on with every single car with their particular criteria.
The buyer might have thought it was an easy cheap fix and it isn't. So they are projecting their own stupidity.
Unless there was another major obvious fault that they didn't spot.
Either way I would report the threat / insult and tell the buyer you have done so and requests he stops all comms unless he wants the details of your lawyer for any further comms.
Unless there was another major obvious fault that they didn't spot.
Either way I would report the threat / insult and tell the buyer you have done so and requests he stops all comms unless he wants the details of your lawyer for any further comms.
ds.Sorry to hear of this. It genuinely puts me off selling privately too.
I support the above lines which say tell the police, and use (or threaten to use) a solicitor.
But also lets all take a lesson from this. Any "buyer" who doesn't actually see the car is a risk. I know there are the odd transactions which work well this way, but it seems to me that it's usually a problem brewing.
I support the above lines which say tell the police, and use (or threaten to use) a solicitor.
But also lets all take a lesson from this. Any "buyer" who doesn't actually see the car is a risk. I know there are the odd transactions which work well this way, but it seems to me that it's usually a problem brewing.
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