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  #1  
Old 03-26-2002, 03:42 PM
sixto's Avatar
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what I hate about selling a car

Why do people call about a car you have for sale and the first question they ask is what's your last price? Is this a cultural thing or something out of Trump's The Art of the Deal?

Sixto
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  #2  
Old 03-26-2002, 03:59 PM
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Well, I think it's pretty normal.... consider the current economy condition... ppl are MUCH more concious about $$... every penny counts..... besides, give a bottomline price really shorten some un-necessary hassles... do you rather have someone asking your, "Hey, what's the bottom line for your MB?" Or "Wow, that was hellal negotiation for the past 45 min, but I was originally looking for a Yugo".....

Besides, when you buy something, you always want the best price in town, no?? I can't imaging anyone would go up to the seller and said "Yo, bud, your price is too low, add another 2K and I will take it"....

Just my 2 cents....

Andy Kuo
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  #3  
Old 03-26-2002, 04:01 PM
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Using words like 'FIRM' or 'NOT NEGOTIABLE' in the ad usually cuts down on stuff like this. Otherwise people just automatically assume that you are quoting a high price because you are expecting to be bargained with. The "how to buy a used car" books and advise out there propagates this also.
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Old 03-26-2002, 04:03 PM
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Location: California
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Sixto,

They ask that because it's a good negotiation strategy. If you come down on your price over the phone, then when they come to see your car you are now starting to deal from a new (lower) price. They point out a few things that would need to be repaired or replaced and offer you even less!

When I sell a car, I just tell them to come and see the car and if they want to make an offer, fine. I never set a new price for someone who hasn't seen it.

It can be aggravating, but the buyers out there know how to save money.
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  #5  
Old 03-26-2002, 04:31 PM
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smoke gets in your eyes
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Eastern TN
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It bothers me because it feels like I'm being accused of ripping off someone before any money has changed hands.

I respond by saying that I've looked at similar cars for sale and priced mine accordingly based on what work I know the car needs. If you find something that needs attention, we can talk about it.

Maybe that's why ebay's so popular.

Sixto
91 300SE
86 300SDL (due soon)
81 300SD (for sale cheap)
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  #6  
Old 03-26-2002, 05:43 PM
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NEVER, EVER, be the first one to put your cards face up on the table. As a Chinaman, I am well qualified to dispense this one piece of advice. If you're the seller this is sometimes unavoidable unless you have one of the "if you have to ask the price you can't afford it" cars. It's a good idea to let the prospective buyer take a good look at the car, drive it, and fall in love with it first before you talk about money. Make sure they're serious about wanting the car first. If the question of price comes up first, it generally means that there's not much interest in the car, kinda like "well, it's worth the look, and even if I don't quite like it I might consider if it's a good price."

Kuan
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  #7  
Old 03-26-2002, 08:40 PM
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I hate haggling, but I accept it as part of the process, whether buying or selling. eBay does kind of eliminate that. Well, not really eliminate, but it distances you from the other party somewhat, so there's no face-to-face haggling. At least not until you get there to pick up the car, and it's a POS looking nothing like what was described in the auction! Luckily I haven't had that unpleasant experience yet. *Fingers crossed*

Kuan,
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  #8  
Old 03-26-2002, 11:05 PM
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I've sold all my cars private party and the thing I hate the most is people making appointments to look at your car and not showing up.

I bet for every 10 people that say they'll come and look at your car at say "between 3:00 and 3:30", only 1 or 2 actually show up.

Ruins your weekend staying at home waiting.
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  #9  
Old 03-27-2002, 09:45 AM
Q Q is offline
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I had the sweetest selling experience with my last car. I had an ad in the paper for about a week and a half with just a couple of calls. Then, this one guy wants me to meet him to take a look at it. He walks around and says, "3 thousand, right?". I was thrown for a loop. Here was this boob, ready to pay my asking price, which was very fair and not inflated at all, without even starting it or opening the hood. I made him take a test drive. He came back and handed me an envelope with 30 $100 bills in it. Really nice guy, but I'm guessing he has not yet aquired wealth in his life.

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