Selling a vehicle to an acquaintance or co-worker

Surely, much has been discussed about selling vehicles to family, friends etc. Just for a quick rehash, what are the thoughts of selling to acquaintances and co-workers?

I'll finally be selling a long term '81 Chevy project truck this summer. Don't have time anymore, mainly because of my work schedule to finish it complete, so 90+% done. Needs gone sooner rather than later, more important things to deal with in life. A couple guys from work have seen it before, they likey. I made the mistake of saying it was for sale and now some of them won't leave me alone about it.

Some things I don't mind selling to co-workers, like tools and similar. This project has been languishing around so long I never want to see it again... ever. Kinda like parting w/ that old GF. Sweat equity, bad blood, more trouble than it's worth... good luck, now get the berkeley outta my life.

Don't want to sell it to any of them and told them so but they keep badgering me. While I dread posting on CL, selling to one of them might be the Easy Button in a way. Still hate that idea.

First, I never want to see it again. Second, they're the exact kind where minor things could turn into major static at work.

What are the GRM experiences and thoughts on this situation?

Run. I will sell to my family before co-workers. If I don't want to see family, I will skip their birthday and the reunion. If I don't want to see co-workers, I'm SOL, I will see them tomorrow...for a long time probably.

You may be in a tuff spot tho, now there could be static if you DONT sell to them as well...

does it run, is it registerable and driveable? if yes, id say no way. every little thing that goes wrong, the buyer will come you you. you clearly dont want that kind of attention. if the answer is no, then maybe. its a project, being sold as such, so that would have to be clear from the start. any issues or complaints should be taken up with the mirror, not you.

id probably still lie, say its sold, and look elsewhere for a buyer.

-J0N

Short version. I sold a car to to a fellow employee. There are probably over 2500 employees and I can't even remember his name. On his way home he notices that the clutch is slipping. I feel like E36 M3 and 3 years later I still avoid his side of the hangar.

Could definitely be trouble. I suppose I'd sell it to a co-worker provided they'd been made aware that it absolutely is sold as-is and is a project, not a ready to go vehicle.

sounds like something one of the grm guys would buy... hint hint

I have no problems selling to anybody.

Preface the deal by saying, here it is, as-is. Have a good look and make sure it's what you really want because I will accept no responsibility for anything that happens once you take it, and if you have ANY issues, I will not entertain any discussion about it.

Done it that way a bunch of times and never once had a single problem.

I would do it, but I'd overshare every single issue the car has that you are aware of, and make it abundantly clear that there are probably additional problems that you are not aware of. Once papers are signed, all those problems known and unknown are 100% responsibility of the new owner.

Zomby Woof wrote: Preface the deal by saying, here it is, as-is. Have a good look and make sure it's what you really want because I will accept no responsibility for anything that happens once you take it, and if you have ANY issues, I will not entertain any discussion about it.

Well, that's fine as long as you understand that despite your words to the contrary some people will believe you are selling it with a full warranty and a money back guarantee.

My parents once sold an old pickup to my mother's co-worker. Despite a low price, a long conversation about all that was wrong with the truck and what it had been through, a full day long test drive, she still wanted to return it for a refund after two weeks because her mechanic told her it needed a new engine. I don't know that it did, but it was a mid-eighties GM 2.8 V6 with 100K on it that had recently gone through the intake manifold gasket failure that was common to them. So, it probably did. Still, gasket had been fixed and the fluids changed and ran alright the last time I drove it before she took possession.

This didn't rise to the level of legal troubles or anything, but my mother essentially became a villain at work because my father didn't want to buy the truck back. Third parties would approach her and tell her she should give the money back, etc.

In additions to the recommendations about full disclosure.

If you don't want to sell to them, but feel there would be static if you outright said no, you could make the price high enough that they probably won't want to buy it.

Just be sure its high enough to make it worth the potential aggravation if they do buy it.

Zomby Woof wrote: I have no problems selling to anybody. Preface the deal by saying, here it is, as-is. Have a good look and make sure it's what you really want because I will accept no responsibility for anything that happens once you take it, and if you have ANY issues, I will not entertain any discussion about it. Done it that way a bunch of times and never once had a single problem.

I do this with one extra step.

It is in writing on the bill of sale. End of discussion, I get the money, you get the keys. We both sign a copy of the bill of sale. It's done.

This is why I only sell stuff to weirdos like me.

If it is an old project truck sold as project status, to other dudes looking for a project. I would probably do it. I would first go far in detail with everyone around multiple times and also mention all of the things that could go bad (everything) many times. That way, if something does come up, no one can say you didn't let them know it could happen. You would probably have the other on your side and you can all have a good laugh about the challenges of a project vehicle.

I say no no no. They will harass you when they so much as find a bolt loose that you never touched. I almost have a hard time selling a car on a forum as well. The second something goes wrong with the car the buyer will usually put you on blast on the forum to try to make you look bad.

I only broke my own rule once when a coworker hounded me to sell him an old Cherokee that was in great shape. His 16 year old son demolished it and of course that meant I had sold him a lemon. Still a salty relationship years later...

patgizz wrote: sounds like something one of the grm guys would buy... hint hint

Rethinking now, GRM sale would not be out of the question, at least I know it would go to a good, honest home. Here's an old thread w/ some details: http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/off-topic-discussion/help-me-price-this-project-truck/73353/page1/#post1352318

Since then I removed the cage, reinstalled the factory bench seat w/ new LMC seat covers and seat belts, new windshield w/ gasket, have new door seals and cowl screen, running off of the Suburban fuel tank now.

Will post more pics if there's interest. Zip 15401, about an hour SE of Pgh. and 20 miles N of Morgantown WV.

i have no issue selling to friends, family or co workers but im always up front about what im selling. Ive never had an issue.

Added some pics that somehow got lost from the old post.

Running off of the 40 gal. Suburban tank now, that fuel can hanging there is gone.

I left the rear axle U-bolts long from the spring shop, needs spacers to level out.

Not gonna sell to co-worker. Will be posting soon in Open Classifieds w/ more pics, details, full detail and GRM discount price.

My conversation with co workers would have gone something like this: "Carbed, manual steering, manual transmission, 81 pickup... and you want a warranty?!?!?! what year is it again? Do I have GMC for initials?"

Anyway, that thing is a knockout, and I usually don't dig on flatbeds. But that thing is "hawt"!

With an emphasised red-light warranty, you should be good. Once you can't see those red lights, the warranty has expired.

We've sold to family and coworkers, and bought from co-workers as well. No reason that we haven't bought from family other than they haven't had anything we wanted.

Of course, we bought a Miata from a guy who replaced his Corvette with a Boxster and his Miata with a 335ci, and we bought the truck from a guy who has had SAAB after SAAB after SAAB, and we sold the ML430 to a guy who had 2 Mercedes Convertibles and a Corvette pushing 700HP. So we weren't really concerned with them coming back at us with anything.