Picky used car buyers...

So,

I'm selling my 98 Eldorado for 4.5k OBO, In perfect shape it'd be worth 6k or more but I like staying conservative. The reason I was selling so far below list was 1) a weak alternator, 2) leaking oil cooler lines, and 3) whining power steering pump and 4) a seeping trans pan gasket ($130, $50, $50, $25) respectivley. So a fella comes 4 hours from North Carolina after I disclose all of these items saying he wants a FWD cruiser because he does alot of driving and his 95 Trans Am has 260k on the ODO, I figure this is prolly a good thing.

For more background I'm like alot of people on this board and basically over-maintained the car to provide good life and essentially everything has been replaced on it that could break or has except the items listed above on the short list which I've been slowly working on anyway. It has timeserted block w/new HGs due to hydrocarbon detection in coolant (inital symptom of HG failures on the N*), new waterpump, new battery, all new aftermarket suspension w/Eibach springs, new tires, new brakes (rotors and pads), new fuel pump, new throttle position sensor, new plugs, wires, rotors, all new pulleys and tensioners, belts, hoses, heater core, radiator, A/C compressor. I've replaced coolant on time-every time, always run M1 Synthetic oil through it, garaged it always. When I say 'new' the car has 124k miles on it and basically all the parts are new within the last 10k miles except the Timeserts / HGs which I did at 95k miles.

So this fella comes out, knows his cars, is a nice guy, drives it, looks at the weeping oil lines (not dropping oil on the floor, just oily subframe, maybe 1 drop on the floor ever other day) and says he's really 'worried about it'. I point out the parts, give him a price, and where he can get them.

He drives it and 'really likes how tight the suspension is' (REALLY? it's got less than 10k miles on it and is far superior in terms of reducing body roll and improving responsive feedback than the old-man ride that was on it), but he is concerned about the 'aftermarket passive shocks and struts'. WTF? You wanted me to give you a 12 year old Cadillac w/new front struts that cost $750 a piece w/o mounts, springs or isolators for the price I'm listing?

Next the TCC/Anti-lock message comes on because he revs the crap out of it and the alternator can't handle it and the voltage drops from 13V to 11V and throws the code, but the car keeps going (I drive this 1 day a week in Atlanta traffic and have no problem). He complains that he doesn't have the time to fix it and thinks its the sensors, I show him how to pull the codes right off the dash and show him the FSM diagnostic pages. (I like how he doesn't have time to swap an alternator (1 hour job) but he has 8 hours to waste on a round trip to Atlanta).

So he asks what I can do on price and I said I can come down to $4k (ok now I'm giving it away and being more than fair) figuring even if the car rated as only 'fair shape' which it's not it'd be worth $4500-4800 and I'm below book to get this car moved is a pretty good deal considering the amount of new parts and running shape it's in. Nope, he tells me he doesn't think it's what he's looking for.

Sorry had to rant. I wish him luck in finding his perfect cruiser that's 12 years old, has all brand new OEM parts that cost a mint for a whole bunch of money under book. SOB wasted half my Sunday, I wish I could charge people for their incompetence.

:END RANT:

I once had a guy who was test driving my truck..

1. Lock it in 4x4 and do tight turns in a parking lot. When the front started hopping he said the 4 wheel drive was broken.

2. Pulled a k turn in a street and got t-boned by a teenager in a cav. Luckily the dude only hit my rear tire at about 3mph so no damage all around.

I told that guy to get the hell out of my face.

yeah I've had the same E36 M3 happen.. I had a genuine la-z boy recliner that was quite comfy, no rips or tears, but it had been in my garage and I'd say it in with shop clothes on and it had some stains... I took several pictures of it and said "it has lots of stains, so either plan on renting a steam vac to clean it or plan on keeping it on your garage for coffee breaks, see pics for details. Some of the stains are deep and may never come out" and I was only asking $40... pretty good deal for a la- z boy with everything working on it, nice foot rest, recline, swivel, etc, no rips or tears... lady comes and looks at it and said she didn't know it would be so dirty.... wtf????

I swear I had like 3 people come and look at it and tell me it was dirtier than they thought, or say they didn't think it would clean up well... I finally changed the ad to say that it was super dirty and probably never would clean up and I eventually sold the damn thing.... but geez... optimism is great but thinking either youre going to come and even though the guy is selling it for $40 and saying its got lots of stains, its going to be pristine and I'm gonna give it away just isn't realistic.

I am selling some old outdoor kids play items. Some are listed at $5. Do I even need to include a description? I mean, its $5! Look at the picture, of you want it come get it. No, I won't deliver it 100 miles away! No, its not 100% perfect. No, I won't skip a day of racing to stay home so you can come look at it and decide if you want it. Jeez!

I had several people come to look at my $150 bronco II shell that were disappointed they couldn't test drive it. Not like I told them on the phone that it was mostly disassembled or mentioned it several times in the ad.

Some jerk was supposed to meet me in Portland on Sunday so I could buy his parts. I drive 100 miles round trip and he doesn't even show. Thanks a lot you shiny happy person.

When I was selling my gsl-se, I had someone ask if I would sell the glass sunroof seperatly. I told him no and that I was trying to sell the whole car and selling the sunroof would not help the sale. He says he's interested in the whole car and then drives over to come look at it. I show him the car and looks it over pretty well. And then he tells me that all he really needs is the sunroof. He tries to offer me $50 plus he will throw in his metal sunroof which is the wrong color. When I tell him no, he gets all pissed off for me wasting his time. I basically told him to leave quickly (in less than polite language).

Anyone ever watch the movie Idiocracy?

Lots of idiots out there and it seems like you encounter most of them when you try and sell a used car...

I had the exact opposite happen to me.

I listed a used 96 Accord EX with 130k miles on it in the Bargain News. A kid called me on my cell phone, asked maybe three questions and said, "Okay, I'll take it".

I said, "Don't you want to look at it first?".

"Nope. Sounds pretty good. I'll come get it tomorrow".

He did.

mw wrote: When I was selling my gsl-se, I had someone ask if I would sell the glass sunroof seperatly. I told him no and that I was trying to sell the whole car and selling the sunroof would not help the sale. He says he's interested in the whole car and then drives over to come look at it. I show him the car and looks it over pretty well. And then he tells me that all he really needs is the sunroof. He tries to offer me $50 plus he will throw in his metal sunroof which is the wrong color. When I tell him no, he gets all pissed off for me wasting his time. I basically told him to leave quickly (in less than polite language).

when i was selling my rsx, a guy asked me if i would sell the (factory) strut tower bar off the car. ya know, since i was selling the car, i guess i wouldn't need it any more :/

Selling a running, smogged 1974 Datsun 710.

Price $350.00

Had a guy tell me "Geez, I dunno, I don't want to buy a car that might give me problems"

GTFO and get more than $350.00 to buy a car.

Shawn

amg_rx7 wrote: Lots of idiots out there and it seems like you encounter most of them when you try and sell a used car...

The general public is so dumb/slimy/shady/flaky it's just astonishing. So many idiots out there.

A few weeks ago we were selling our old POS gas powered mower. We only use it occassionally and when the handle broke off the pull cord it was the last string for me (pardon the pun!). I was going to let the scrap metal guys pick it up but the ladyfriend wanted to sell it. She took a picture and posted a short description on craigslist explaining that it required starter fluid to get working properly, didn't run right after getting started, stays outside so is fairly rusty, the pull cord was just about done for, etc. Full disclaimer that it's needing a lot of attention and was on its way to the scrap heap, but with the $30 price tag you can't expect much.

The first person to call (within minutes) said he wanted it but was busy and wouldn't get there for about a half hour. She ended up holding it for a few hours, despite many other calls, so he could come get it. He shows up with his wife and a Camry. He then proceeds to break off what was left of the pull cord while he tried starting it without starting fluid. After that he said he doesn't want it because the pull cord is broken, it won't start, and it's too dirty to put into his car. IT IS A LAWN MOWER YOU IDIOT, AND WE FULLY DISCLAIMED THE FLAWS BEFORE YOU FINALIZED THE DESTRUCTION. She was NOT a happy camper, but she's much to nice to say something to him about it. Instead, I got to hear about it later that day.

Somebody else bought it about an hour later, $30, no questions asked. I laughed about the story, I learned long ago not to hold things for people without a deposit, especially little stuff like this on craigslist. Me? I'm the type to just put it in the scrap heap instead of trying to get $30, not worth the frustration of folks like this Camry drivin' fellow. I'm glad she found somebody that might put it to good use, but I've been nursing the POS for years and was sick of dealing with it.

This has nothing to do with picky used car buyers, but thought it was relevant enough to share!

Bryce

Woody wrote: I had the exact opposite happen to me. I listed a used 96 Accord EX with 130k miles on it in the Bargain News. A kid called me on my cell phone, asked maybe three questions and said, "Okay, I'll take it". I said, "Don't you want to look at it first?". "Nope. Sounds pretty good. I'll come get it tomorrow". He did.

Likewise. When selling my Fiat 126, a young guy in another state called me up, made an offer over the phone, wired me the money that same day, and all I had to do was arrange for a transporter. Easiest sale ever.

Trying to sell my Alfa was a whole different story, full of tire kickers and idiot encounters. Like the Christian youth pastor who I assumed would be a sensible and considerate driver. He almost stuffed it into a tree on his turn of the test drive .

Woody wrote: I had the exact opposite happen to me. I listed a used 96 Accord EX with 130k miles on it in the Bargain News. A kid called me on my cell phone, asked maybe three questions and said, "Okay, I'll take it". I said, "Don't you want to look at it first?". "Nope. Sounds pretty good. I'll come get it tomorrow". He did.

I had a similar situation with one of my miatae. I am at work one day and a customer asks if the blue car in the parking lot is for sale. I tell the guy no, but I do have a nicer 96' that is black and give him my phone number. He calls a day or two later and still wants to look at my blue 91'. I let him know it is my DD but he can make an offer on it. He comes to look at it and starts it up revs it up once or twice, looks under the hood, and is satisfied, didn't take it out anywhere. Bought it later that week and I was $2700 richer from a worn 91' Miata with some rust.

Now that I think of it, its not the first car I've sold from working there. I sold my probe to someone that walked in the store so I could buy the miata.

Luke wrote: Likewise. When selling my Fiat 126, a young guy in another state called me up, made an offer over the phone, wired me the money that same day, and all I had to do was arrange for a transporter. Easiest sale ever.

Umm... is that a joke?

"I'll wire you the money, plus a little extra for shipping." And you didn't get scammed?

Not a joke, and definitely not a scam. Of course, I didn't send him the car until I had the funds in my account. And it was from his bank account straight to mine, no funny business in the middle or anything like that.

Trans_Maro wrote: Selling a running, smogged 1974 Datsun 710. Price $350.00 Had a guy tell me "Geez, I dunno, I don't want to buy a car that might give me problems"

I had my Datsun 310 for sale back in the late 1980's. I had just replaced the clutch slave and I guess I didn't bleed all the air out of the clutch line.

Two African College students (new to the USA) go for a test drive and are gone FOREVER. Finally they come back with one pushing and one steering. Clutch was out.

Me: "easy fix, still interested?"

The second guy complained about the Datsun 310 because the battery was old and I had a trickle charger on it. Dude: $450 car, go save $12,000 and buy a BRAND new car then.

The second was on my Pontiac Grand Am SE. A guy comes over and checks the car out and says: "I'll give you $1,700 or $1,800 for the car".

So I tell him I will take the $1,800. He scratches his head and realizes he said a stupid thing.

Yeah, I recently re-sided my house and had a bunch of old cedar siding to get rid of. I figured before I let heavy trash day pick it up, I'd post it on Craigslist and Freecycle (for FREE) in case someone could use it. Here's the ad:

My Craigslist ad said: I have a very large pile of old cedar siding from my house that I've re-sided. There is also a large pile of Tongue and groove 1"x4" (not sure what kind of wood) that was used as the soffits. It's all in pretty rough shape and has several layers of white paint on it. This is from a 90 year old house, so there's a possibility that some of it has lead paint on it, so I wouldn't roast hot dogs over it. Evansville West side. I need this gone ASAP!

So one of the guys that got directions from me writes me back to tell me that he came and looked at it, and some of it was in pretty good shape, but since he was wanting it for siding on his kids tree house and there was a possibility of lead paint, he didn't take any. Now I can totally understand him not wanting to expose his kids to lead paint, but if he knew of the possibility from the beginning, why did he even bother?

Then I get this email:

Craigslist reading Jackass said: Whether you are roasting hot dogs or not, it is illegal to burn or bury any wood that has been coated, stained, or treated. Please do not offer your wood waste as firewood to anyone. It must be reused or disposed of at Laubscher or Blackfoot landfill, or there is a construction/debris landfill just north of Mt. Vernon. Thanks. If you would like to discuss this further, please call. Derrick J. Ohning Compliance and Enforcement Manager Indiana Department of Environmental Management - Southwest Regional Office Phone (812) 380-2316

I wrote him back stating that I'm not trying to encourage anyone to do anything illegal, I'm just trying to help someone out that might need some of this and keep it out of the landfill, while being as upfront as possible about the chances of lead paint contamination. I thought that reusing stuff and keeping it out of the landfill was good for the environment? Plus, once it's off my property it's out of my hands.

Apparently that guy takes his job REALLY seriously.

I offered some free paint and painting supplies on CL before I moved. It was gallons and gallons of paint all different, but very useful.

first five emails were either, "what color" or "do I have to take all"

My answer for what color was.. "free"

My answer for do I have to take all was... "GTFO"

I have come to the conclusion that if you offer something for really good price that the general public assumes its trash no matter how good it is. There a street near where my wife works that has 3 independent repair garages on the same block. One charges $65/hour for labor. Another charge $95/hour. The last one charges $165/hour.

Guess which one is always busy? That's right the most expensive one. Whats interesting is the clientele is not just driving Benz's or other high end luxo-barges. There are Jeeps, Chevys, Buicks, Volkwagens, Toyotas and Hondas in great abundance as well.

I propose an experiment. The next time you are selling a car, advertise it at the high end of what it's worth. I would not be surprised if a higher price point actually sells car faster and reduces the number of idiots who respond.

Both buying and selling stuff is a pita. When i was buying a car, there were as many dumb people selling them as it sounds like people trying to buy them. I was selling a 71 suburban and lots of dumb people called about that too. lol as far as the oroginal post, I may be wrong, but isnt changing the alternator on a northstar caddy a pretty major job? I needed one of those alternators for something else, and looking in the junkyard it appeared you had to drop the subframe partway to get it out.

16vCorey wrote: Yeah, I recently re-sided my house and had a bunch of old cedar siding to get rid of. I figured before I let heavy trash day pick it up, I'd post it on Craigslist and Freecycle (for FREE) in case someone could use it. Here's the ad:

My Craigslist ad said: I have a very large pile of old cedar siding from my house that I've re-sided. There is also a large pile of Tongue and groove 1"x4" (not sure what kind of wood) that was used as the soffits. It's all in pretty rough shape and has several layers of white paint on it. This is from a 90 year old house, so there's a possibility that some of it has lead paint on it, so I wouldn't roast hot dogs over it. Evansville West side. I need this gone ASAP!

So one of the guys that got directions from me writes me back to tell me that he came and looked at it, and some of it was in pretty good shape, but since he was wanting it for siding on his kids tree house and there was a possibility of lead paint, he didn't take any. Now I can totally understand him not wanting to expose his kids to lead paint, but if he knew of the possibility from the beginning, why did he even bother? Then I get this email:

Craigslist reading Jackass said: Whether you are roasting hot dogs or not, it is illegal to burn or bury any wood that has been coated, stained, or treated. Please do not offer your wood waste as firewood to anyone. It must be reused or disposed of at Laubscher or Blackfoot landfill, or there is a construction/debris landfill just north of Mt. Vernon. Thanks. If you would like to discuss this further, please call. Derrick J. Ohning Compliance and Enforcement Manager Indiana Department of Environmental Management - Southwest Regional Office Phone (812) 380-2316

I wrote him back stating that I'm not trying to encourage anyone to do anything illegal, I'm just trying to help someone out that might need some of this and keep it out of the landfill, while being as upfront as possible about the chances of lead paint contamination. I thought that reusing stuff and keeping it out of the landfill was good for the environment? Plus, once it's off my property it's out of my hands. Apparently that guy takes his job REALLY seriously.

Dear Derrick J. Ohning (not to be confused with all the other Derrick Ohnings,)

It's good to know that my tax dollars are paying for you to cruise craigslist all day in search of evil-doers. Whatever you're getting paid, it's clearly not enough. Please send me your boss's email address so that I may suggest a dramatic increase in your pay.

You are truly a hero of the people. I admire your unwavering commitment to the cause of environmental protection. Clearly, burying this waste is far better for for dear mother earth than re-using it as siding, planing it down and building a sweet piece of rustic furniture, or using it as a renewable heat source. What the hell was I thinking?

Naw, just kidding; you're as worthless a berkeleytard beuracrat as I've ever let waste 60 seconds of my life. If I knew where you lived, I'd haul this E36 M3 over to your house, dump it in your immaculately landscaped front yard, douse it in gasoline and light that E36 M3 on fire...Hmmm. I wonder how many Derrick J. Ohnings there are in the phone book. I wonder.

Enforcedly, compliantly yours,

Corey J. Krietenstein, taxpayer

PS: If you would like to discuss this further, please call your mother and have her pass the phone back to me.

Strizzo wrote: when i was selling my rsx, a guy asked me if i would sell the (factory) strut tower bar off the car. ya know, since i was selling the car, i guess i wouldn't need it any more :/

when i sold my RSX-S, a guy sent me a loooong email ranting about how i was asking too much, and would i take $10,000? when i said no (the car was 9 months old), he responded with a blast about how i was crazy to expect to much for the car and how his dad had a mustang that was a lot faster than it.

then the next week a guy in SC called to say he was interested. i said, "ok, but i have to tell you, i just crashed it. it's at the dealer getting the suspension fixed." he says: "no problem. i can fly up next week to pay for it." so he does, but the car is still in the shop. he gives me $20g, i sign over the title. he flies back to SC. two weeks later, the car is out of the shop, and i drive it down to him. shrug

Buzz Killington wrote:

Strizzo wrote: when i was selling my rsx, a guy asked me if i would sell the (factory) strut tower bar off the car. ya know, since i was selling the car, i guess i wouldn't need it any more :/

when i sold my RSX-S, a guy sent me a loooong email ranting about how i was asking too much, and would i take $10,000? when i said no (the car was 9 months old), he responded with a blast about how i was crazy to expect to much for the car and how his dad had a mustang that was a lot faster than it. then the next week a guy in SC called to say he was interested. i said, "ok, but i have to tell you, i just crashed it. it's at the dealer getting the suspension fixed." he says: "no problem. i can fly up next week to pay for it." so he does, but the car is still in the shop. he gives me $20g, i sign over the title. he flies back to SC. two weeks later, the car is out of the shop, and i drive it down to him. *shrug*

yeah, i told the guy "tell ya what, for 16k, i'll sell you the strut bar, and throw the rest of the car in for free."

he didn't respond.