'Private seller' but obviously not
Discussion
Just perusing PH classifieds - There's a private seller advertising 5 cars in different adverts.
I've seen his ads before over last few years as they appear on other platforms too - all photographed at a location outside his driveway, but immediately recognisable.
How do these people get away with it? Income tax, 'private' acccounts on the selling platforms, banking systems all seemingly allowing it to carry on.
No, it's not affecting me, no it isn't any of my business and no, I'm not getting too upset about it....just curious how they are able to do this thats all
I've seen his ads before over last few years as they appear on other platforms too - all photographed at a location outside his driveway, but immediately recognisable.
How do these people get away with it? Income tax, 'private' acccounts on the selling platforms, banking systems all seemingly allowing it to carry on.
No, it's not affecting me, no it isn't any of my business and no, I'm not getting too upset about it....just curious how they are able to do this thats all
It's actually all over E bay now and a lot of trades too. I make no judgement just observe.
I recently viewed a car that was a private sale to find the guy had about 6 cars I could look at on his drive. All advertised as cars from his late father . What a ot of cars his dad had .
I also had a tradesperson round to look at a job and he gave me a quote. I asked him if it was with or without vat . Oh yes plus vat unless you want to pay cash. I looked him up and no limited company and no vat registration.
I recently viewed a car that was a private sale to find the guy had about 6 cars I could look at on his drive. All advertised as cars from his late father . What a ot of cars his dad had .
I also had a tradesperson round to look at a job and he gave me a quote. I asked him if it was with or without vat . Oh yes plus vat unless you want to pay cash. I looked him up and no limited company and no vat registration.
Dog Biscuit said:
Just perusing PH classifieds - There's a private seller advertising 5 cars in different adverts.
I've seen his ads before over last few years as they appear on other platforms too - all photographed at a location outside his driveway, but immediately recognisable.
How do these people get away with it? Income tax, 'private' acccounts on the selling platforms, banking systems all seemingly allowing it to carry on.
No, it's not affecting me, no it isn't any of my business and no, I'm not getting too upset about it....just curious how they are able to do this thats all
It could be a legitimate business, by which I mean he declares his income and pays tax.I've seen his ads before over last few years as they appear on other platforms too - all photographed at a location outside his driveway, but immediately recognisable.
How do these people get away with it? Income tax, 'private' acccounts on the selling platforms, banking systems all seemingly allowing it to carry on.
No, it's not affecting me, no it isn't any of my business and no, I'm not getting too upset about it....just curious how they are able to do this thats all
He just tries to tell buyers that it's a private sale to dodge the trade rules, i.e. the car must be roadworthy and merchantable quality etc.
They are different things.
M4cruiser said:
Dog Biscuit said:
Just perusing PH classifieds - There's a private seller advertising 5 cars in different adverts.
I've seen his ads before over last few years as they appear on other platforms too - all photographed at a location outside his driveway, but immediately recognisable.
How do these people get away with it? Income tax, 'private' acccounts on the selling platforms, banking systems all seemingly allowing it to carry on.
No, it's not affecting me, no it isn't any of my business and no, I'm not getting too upset about it....just curious how they are able to do this thats all
It could be a legitimate business, by which I mean he declares his income and pays tax.I've seen his ads before over last few years as they appear on other platforms too - all photographed at a location outside his driveway, but immediately recognisable.
How do these people get away with it? Income tax, 'private' acccounts on the selling platforms, banking systems all seemingly allowing it to carry on.
No, it's not affecting me, no it isn't any of my business and no, I'm not getting too upset about it....just curious how they are able to do this thats all
He just tries to tell buyers that it's a private sale to dodge the trade rules, i.e. the car must be roadworthy and merchantable quality etc.
They are different things.
M4cruiser said:
It could be a legitimate business, by which I mean he declares his income and pays tax.
He just tries to tell buyers that it's a private sale to dodge the trade rules, i.e. the car must be roadworthy and merchantable quality etc.
They are different things.
If you're a car trader misrepresenting yourself as a private seller that's not legitimate, whether you're VAT registered and pay tax doesn't cancel that out and make the business legitimate. He just tries to tell buyers that it's a private sale to dodge the trade rules, i.e. the car must be roadworthy and merchantable quality etc.
They are different things.
Dog Biscuit said:
Just perusing PH classifieds - There's a private seller advertising 5 cars in different adverts.
I've seen his ads before over last few years as they appear on other platforms too - all photographed at a location outside his driveway, but immediately recognisable.
How do these people get away with it? Income tax, 'private' acccounts on the selling platforms, banking systems all seemingly allowing it to carry on.
No, it's not affecting me, no it isn't any of my business and no, I'm not getting too upset about it....just curious how they are able to do this thats all
I know naming and shaming isn't allowed, but can you name the cars?I've seen his ads before over last few years as they appear on other platforms too - all photographed at a location outside his driveway, but immediately recognisable.
How do these people get away with it? Income tax, 'private' acccounts on the selling platforms, banking systems all seemingly allowing it to carry on.
No, it's not affecting me, no it isn't any of my business and no, I'm not getting too upset about it....just curious how they are able to do this thats all
M4cruiser said:
Dog Biscuit said:
Just perusing PH classifieds - There's a private seller advertising 5 cars in different adverts.
I've seen his ads before over last few years as they appear on other platforms too - all photographed at a location outside his driveway, but immediately recognisable.
How do these people get away with it? Income tax, 'private' acccounts on the selling platforms, banking systems all seemingly allowing it to carry on.
No, it's not affecting me, no it isn't any of my business and no, I'm not getting too upset about it....just curious how they are able to do this thats all
It could be a legitimate business, by which I mean he declares his income and pays tax.I've seen his ads before over last few years as they appear on other platforms too - all photographed at a location outside his driveway, but immediately recognisable.
How do these people get away with it? Income tax, 'private' acccounts on the selling platforms, banking systems all seemingly allowing it to carry on.
No, it's not affecting me, no it isn't any of my business and no, I'm not getting too upset about it....just curious how they are able to do this thats all
He just tries to tell buyers that it's a private sale to dodge the trade rules, i.e. the car must be roadworthy and merchantable quality etc.
They are different things.
There are genuine private sellers, I'm one, but the proportion of them on A/T has declined massively due to the ad costs IMHO unless you're after a really cheap car for <£1k (free to ad).
I've sold almost all of my cars and motorcycles privately for over 20 yrs, eBay usually, or on here, and most of them are far too old to even get a bid from WBAC. The downside of this is that very few people seem willing to try and buy privately either, even if you have a non-knackered car that isn't a write off. I doubt many of the ones on FB Marketplace cesspit actually sell.
I've sold almost all of my cars and motorcycles privately for over 20 yrs, eBay usually, or on here, and most of them are far too old to even get a bid from WBAC. The downside of this is that very few people seem willing to try and buy privately either, even if you have a non-knackered car that isn't a write off. I doubt many of the ones on FB Marketplace cesspit actually sell.
"Side hustle" innit.
Goes on in all walks of life these days.
Have a legitimate business? You'll have a competitor nearby doing exactly what you do as a "Hobby"and doing paid work as a "Favour for the community".
Car sellers are the worst.
The amount of "just imported this car from Japan and it is now for sale" posts I see, while offering none of the necessary trader obligations is beyond belief. Then you'll get one of their mates in the comments reassuring you about how honest a person they are.
Goes on in all walks of life these days.
Have a legitimate business? You'll have a competitor nearby doing exactly what you do as a "Hobby"and doing paid work as a "Favour for the community".
Car sellers are the worst.
The amount of "just imported this car from Japan and it is now for sale" posts I see, while offering none of the necessary trader obligations is beyond belief. Then you'll get one of their mates in the comments reassuring you about how honest a person they are.
MattsCar said:
"Side hustle" innit.
Goes on in all walks of life these days.
Have a legitimate business? You'll have a competitor nearby doing exactly what you do as a "Hobby"and doing paid work as a "Favour for the community".
Car sellers are the worst.
The amount of "just imported this car from Japan and it is now for sale" posts I see, while offering none of the necessary trader obligations is beyond belief. Then you'll get one of their mates in the comments reassuring you about how honest a person they are.
Funnily enough all his cars are Jap imports - very tasty PH type though. Not the usual oblong 7 seaters and Prius typesGoes on in all walks of life these days.
Have a legitimate business? You'll have a competitor nearby doing exactly what you do as a "Hobby"and doing paid work as a "Favour for the community".
Car sellers are the worst.
The amount of "just imported this car from Japan and it is now for sale" posts I see, while offering none of the necessary trader obligations is beyond belief. Then you'll get one of their mates in the comments reassuring you about how honest a person they are.
Dog Biscuit said:
Funnily enough all his cars are Jap imports - very tasty PH type though. Not the usual oblong 7 seaters and Prius types
Not to defend these people, but a genuine Jap import would be a better bet to buy in this scenario than a BCA auction purchase they usually like to peddle. Eyes wide open though in all cases, and if they want to treat it as a private sale, private sale monies should also be given/offered, otherwise walk away.
Dog Biscuit said:
Funnily enough all his cars are Jap imports - very tasty PH type though. Not the usual oblong 7 seaters and Prius types
Do a bimta mileage check, that'll give you Km's if it went through auction in Japan.Get a copy if the auction sheet, but beware many simply get altered.
Make a traceable payment, not cash.
Print copy of advert, and print copies of all the adverts, in case you run into trouble and have to prove he's a dealer.
Personally wouldn't deal with a trader like this, who poses as private.
hulksta said:
Dog Biscuit said:
Funnily enough all his cars are Jap imports - very tasty PH type though. Not the usual oblong 7 seaters and Prius types
Not to defend these people, but a genuine Jap import would be a better bet to buy in this scenario than a BCA auction purchase they usually like to peddle. Eyes wide open though in all cases, and if they want to treat it as a private sale, private sale monies should also be given/offered, otherwise walk away.
Bit different if you're really that naive and think that the private price comes with trade protections.
_Rodders_ said:
hulksta said:
Dog Biscuit said:
Funnily enough all his cars are Jap imports - very tasty PH type though. Not the usual oblong 7 seaters and Prius types
Not to defend these people, but a genuine Jap import would be a better bet to buy in this scenario than a BCA auction purchase they usually like to peddle. Eyes wide open though in all cases, and if they want to treat it as a private sale, private sale monies should also be given/offered, otherwise walk away.
Bit different if you're really that naive and think that the private price comes with trade protections.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... This thread is a good example. The buyer bought a £12k retail car for £10k. They successfully sued the seller for an issue costing £2k. Had the seller declared being a dealer properly, it opens the door to charging retail prices (reassuringly expensive, etc) but to do that, they would have needed to prep the car properly and honour CRA2015 obligations (which would have cost about £2k). If that had occurred, the net cost would have been the same (but much less hassle in reaching the same conclusion).
Edited by paul_c123 on Monday 26th October 13:37
Joel1988 said:
Because they are trying to absolve themselves of any comeback from buyers if anything goes wrong.
The usual trick with dodgy importers is to buy grade zero cars (accident damaged, or accident repaired) and simply tippex out the 0 and write a 4. Then photocopy it so you cant see the tippex.Decent grade 4 imports demand good money, they're never cheap. So if a dealer is selling them for what might look cheap, then they wont be genuine.
mcpoot said:
M4cruiser said:
Dog Biscuit said:
Just perusing PH classifieds - There's a private seller advertising 5 cars in different adverts.
I've seen his ads before over last few years as they appear on other platforms too - all photographed at a location outside his driveway, but immediately recognisable.
How do these people get away with it? Income tax, 'private' acccounts on the selling platforms, banking systems all seemingly allowing it to carry on.
No, it's not affecting me, no it isn't any of my business and no, I'm not getting too upset about it....just curious how they are able to do this thats all
It could be a legitimate business, by which I mean he declares his income and pays tax.I've seen his ads before over last few years as they appear on other platforms too - all photographed at a location outside his driveway, but immediately recognisable.
How do these people get away with it? Income tax, 'private' acccounts on the selling platforms, banking systems all seemingly allowing it to carry on.
No, it's not affecting me, no it isn't any of my business and no, I'm not getting too upset about it....just curious how they are able to do this thats all
He just tries to tell buyers that it's a private sale to dodge the trade rules, i.e. the car must be roadworthy and merchantable quality etc.
They are different things.
The operation from the public's point of view is certainly "sharp practice". He would probably cave in and give you a refund it it came to that and you threatened to report him.
It's not a lot different from say if Tesco or Sainsbury refused to refund you for a faulty product. They don't refuse because the reputation damage and repeat business would suffer.
But a used car bloke doesn't need repeat business.
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