Car Watch: POST 2
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I have had four calls.
The first caller only spoke Spanish. The next two spoke some broken English.
In a town where 1/3 of the population is Mexican this should not be surprising. So, I am going to add another spec list written in Spanish.
Caller #4 lives a block away and wants a casual car so the kids (and dogs) can make a mess of it with impunity.
I am asking $8,900. He offered $5,500. He did not feel that the $4800 I just pumped into the car had any value.
Huh? I thought: It’s true. No good deed goes unpunished.
I countered. He upped his price a bit.
I said no. “I’ve only had the car listed a week. In a few months I would likely jump at your offer but not now.”
I sure hope I did the right thing.
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The only thing worse than buying a used car from a dealership is selling a used car to the general public.
You probably need to jack up your asking price to $17,000 (or $16,999). Then you can lower it to your current asking price. People ALWAYS lowball a used car offer, especially in Emporia.
You did the right thing.
I believe this will sell for what you need out of it. Still have an active Facebook account? You could put it there so those of us with Emporia/Chase County connections could share, if you like. It also seems a lot of people truly shop that FB Marketplace….a thought. I shared your van with some folks here in Wichita, friend of a friend situation.
Listed here.
A second sheet in Spanish is a good idea, just remember to put on it that you don’t speak Spanish, they’ll need someone to translate.
I suspect called 4 is going to wait and bit and then call you back with a higher offer. They want the car but they want a bargain. The longer they wait the more they will fear someone else will buy it first. Wouldn’t be surprised if they call back in a few days to a week. And if they call back and it’s sold, you’ll have the satisfaction of telling them that. And his wife will never let him forget how he lost out because he was too cheap.
You absolutely did the right thing. Be patient. You may not get the entire asking price but you’ll do better than his low ball offer. No value indeed.
Your patience should pay off. The people who are calling now are desperate to get a cheap vehicle. You need a buyer who has put more thought into the purchase and has become jaded with the paltry offerings that have been on the market until very recently.
I should also note that if you can get a serious enough buyer to come look at the van, then you should invite them in for a quick tour of the house. When they see the care you’ve taken with every detail of the Cross House, then they should be able to transfer that appreciation to the condition of the van.
I check the sets on the radio. If it is classical or easy listening I assume the car was driven easy. If it’s hard rock and heavy metal I assume the car was driven heavy footed/handed and abused.
Maintenance records are really big with me too.
Considering the careful maintenance Ross has put into that car and what he’s done recently, he will find a buyer who meet or get close to his asking price. Two days is nothing. He just has to be a bit more patient.
Did you check the bluebook value? Por favor
Mark, my price is higher than the Bluebook value. Due to the $4800 I just spent doing vital work. Bluebook doesn’t take this into consideration. Had I not done all this work I would be asking like $5-6K for the car.
For example, I had all the transmission solenoids replaced, at a cost of $1,000. This is something one really should do at 200K miles!
What I did:
New catalytic converter
New muffler
New resonator
New front oxygen sensor
New EGR valve
New fuel pump
New transmission solenoids
New air filter
Tuneup
Oil change
New windshield
New rear window
Ross, you are too decent a person. I’ve known people that have sold stuff knowing full well there were defects, and you have gone to great lengths to make sure the next owner has a good experience with your vehicle. Like, I said, you are too good. I wish everybody had that kind of ethics and consideration for others.
Hear, hear!
Yes, I believe you did the right thing. Someone will come along who truly needs a good used vehicle. Someone worthy of such a lovely car.
In my small town live a lot of hard working people, many of whom have trade-related jobs such as carpentry, lawn care, painting, etc. They cannot afford the current prices of used cars, let alone new ones. Compared to the dealership ads I’ve read in the local paper, your car seems like a real bargain. Hang in there.
Hi, Ross!! Did you try the “We buy any car” sites??? They WERE paying a premium for used cars—not sure about now. Also, most banks won’t loan above the blue-book…..this could hinder some buyers.
Blue book value varies by condition of the exterior and interior.
Your logic sounds reasonable to me. The new parts and labor certainly have value.
Everyone will ask if you’ll take less. The right person for the car will know a good deal when they see it and be much more reasonable and appreciative of the work you’ve had done. The others are just looky-loos. Try not to be concerned. I predict 2-3weeks and it will be sold at or very close to your asking price. On a recent private car sale, we had one guy start very low, and he kept coming back and calling, totally tipping his hand. He finally caved and paid asking price.