A Note To Car Sellers

I have been looking for a car for a while here. I get a big kick out of the ads that scold or warn people about whether or not they are allowed to contact the seller. You know, the "serious inquiry only" guys.

How do I know if I can be serious about buying your car unless I talk to you?

In his book, Leanings, Peter Egan says he likes to call the serious inquiry guys up and ask questions in his Elmer Fudd voice. "Serious shmerious," Egan says.

The name callers make me laugh too. These are the " if you're a dreamer or a picture collector don't bother to call" people. These are guys who think their vehicle is so precious that they have to pre-screen potential buyers. In my opinion you are just proving you're probably a jerk to deal with and should be avoided.

Seems to me that if you put an expensive item up on the marketplace you should expect people to try to find out about it. After all, you're the guy who wants someone to risk their hard earned money, in a large part, on how trustworthy you are as a person.

When I've sold big ticket items I've always try to accommodate anyone who bothers to call. I realize it get tedious, but I'm the one who wants someone to give me cash for something I don't want.

I think a lot of people are in my boat. I have a certain amount I want to spend, and I want to get the best deal possible. But I could also get more money together if I really loved a car I saw, so I am a potential buyer for anything I call about. I would never call if someone insults me in the ad.

You can write anything you want in your ad, of course. I don't need some loser to respond to this to tell me something I already know. (ha, ha, I just want to let you know how it feels.)

Today I saw a great one. The seller posted, "Open to offers, but don't try to lowball me"

Thanks for the mixed message...

 

Amen! I love the obo ads and then they wont haggle.

 

Since you don't HAVE anything for sale, maybe you don't understand what it's like to be answering the phone or emails all day long. People promise that they are on their way, or that they are coming to see if after taking up 30 minutes of your time asking stupid questions, then never show up, never call back, etc. A bunch of empty promises is all it is.I try to be super descriptive in my ads...yet, they still have questions....questions that were already answered in the fucking ad! But did they bother to read the whole thing? No. They decided to email me to ask ME to call them LONG DISTANCE and repeat what I already said in my ad.

"LOW BALL OFFERS" means, if I'm selling a car for $4500, don't ask me if I'll take $2000 for it. That shit might fly on the last day of a swap meet, but not when inquiring to a classified ad.

"SERIOUS INQUIRIES ONLY" means, don't waste my fucking time.

 

I think your reasoning is dead wrong, there are a lot of dreamers and time wasters out there that have no lives and just want something to do, so they respond to legitimate ads. I dont think there is anything wrong with warning dead beats, dreamers and low ballers that you the seller has no time for them. It is so easy to hide behind an e-mail address.

 

Don't forget "Original miles" WTF is a non original mile??!!!

 

Because people have limited time, and dont like to have it wasted. If you dont have the cash the guy is asking dont call. that my rule. Sorry to sound like a dick but i hate to sell anything because of all the lookyloos.

 

I see what you mean RMAK but AAFD is right. It is very annoying to answer tons of questions, email lots of pics, talk on the phone, and then have people never even get back to you whether they want the car or not. It'd be ice to atleast send a message saying thanks but no thanks. I get what you're saying though about people coming across acting like their car is made of gold

 

Because a lot of us are sick of craigslist jackasses that use you for the evenings entertainment.

If you have to count your change pot before you call, I'd rather not answer the phone.

 

How do you know that, Karnak?

 

I agree. I hate selling anything. You work hard on something and put alot of hours in it to have a stranger pick it apart and tell you it isn't worth what you are askin. It's like someone calling your wife a whore.

 

You always pay the asking price!? Somehow I find that hard to believe.

 

What type of car are you looking for? What is your price range? What type of condition of a car will you be interested in? Are you looking for a driver or a builder? How far would you travel? Do you have CASH? Maybe you should place a car wanted add on here and let the sellers call you. I don't know if I would give out my number though, this is a world wide forum, You are sound asleep when the guys in Australia will call you.

 

I think what he means is if the car is listed for example: $35,000 don't offer $25,000. All someone would be doing is wasting their own time and the seller's.

 

oh boy... you voiced your point, people have read it. I would stop before this gets ugly.

 

Well said.

However, this thread has no HAMB value IMO.

 

So you started this thread just to stir up shit? this is a waste of time. You must be a tire kicker.

 

You hit it on the head...I have had my car for sale on here for a while. Asking $4500, dropped to $4000 and then last weekend I get the 50 questions, half an hour of my time wasted and after all of thatm asked "wll you take $1000 cash?" Alot of these people are either not with reality or just assume if you are selling something you are dirt ass poor and need money so bad you will jump at the sight of a $100 bill. I can see offering a little lass as I do have OBO in my ad, but come on, a quarter of what I am asking?

 

If you don't want to talk with a prospective buyer on the phone,

DON'T POST YOUR PHONE NUMBER!!!

Seems kind of simple.

Just post an email address, that way you can answer questions at your convenience.

 

If i am short on the asking price i tell them straight out. The worst they can say is no. If you approach someone like a crook they get defensive fast. Some guys will work with you if you are genuinely interested.

 

I don't always pay asking price, but I always show up with that much in case "he" isn't willing to deal. If you don't want to pay what "he" is asking, and there is the chance "he's" gonna be firm, then you will most definitely waste someones time.

 

Very nicely put, you are a little more BLUNT than me, but I like it.

 

I'd be happy to drop or delete this. My apologies for stating an opinion. Can't believe all the angry responses. I appreciated the civil ones though.

 

Simple. our friend rmak is looking for a model A rpu pickup, his wife likes them, he may also be interested in a model A automobile. He has been looking for one for about 8 months, he seems to be open to the idea of shipping one in from some where. He is tiring of the process of hunting down a car in his price range, please forgive him. Any leads on a model A truck RPU or model A auto please forward your info to our friend rmak via a PM so he may inquire and discuss his possible future project. Thank you, Karnack.

 

Lot of dreamers, critics, picture collectors etc out there...selling shit is a pain in the ass however, when I buy something, I have the cash in hand....dont waste my time and I wont waste yours!

 

If you aren't willing to talk to a few smokers, then you really don't have any business selling stuff. I have been a salesman all my life, I can tell you there have been instances when I was 100% sure the guy I was talking to was a smoker (people that blow smoke up your ass), then he whips out a wad of cash. Some people are just like that. Most of the time though, if they act like a smoker, they are a smoker. That doesn't mean that its a waste of your time. Talking to a few smokers, tire kickers and lowballers helps you perfect your technique, so that when a real potential customers shows up, you have your rap nailed down and you can go for the kill.

Seeing that is a turn-off, and can certainly hurt interest from genuine parties. It lets the potential buyer know that you are going to be a hardasss and difficult to deal with. Just keep that in mind.

 

Thank you Francisco, for pointing out that selling and buying are both tiresome.

And, just for the record, I am selling a 78 Triumph Bonneville. 7,000 original miles. I'm the second owner. SERIOUS INQUIRIES ONLY! (dammit)

 

Both sides of the buyer/seller equation have been well covered in earlier HAMB threads. Will the last one out please turn out the lights.....

 

cool I always wanted one of those. what color is it, hows the chrome? does it run? how many carbs does it have? the electric starter work ok?

is the kickstand chromed? headlight aimed correctly? I hope its blue,, that would be perfect! tires ok? how many spokes in teh wheels? it come with spare parts?
How much gas will it hold? can I fit my wife and kid on with me?

OH,, I dont have that much cash on hand,, but I'll trade you a blown up dakota and a 3 wheeler for it.......

 

^this

 

Well said! don't forget the guys that want a shipping quote on something that has to ship freight and you waist your time getting the quote never to hear from them again.