Getting so annoyed!

**hwmabire3** · 10-03-2008, 08:00 PM

Okay, I need to blow off some steam.

My husband and I have been trying to sell one of our vehicles for quite some time now. The car is a 1993 Lincoln Mark VIII. It only has 82,000 miles on it. The tires need air and the car needs a new battery...that's the only stuff wrong with it.

The Kelley Blue Book value of the car in "fair" condition is $2,450.

We are asking $1,750. I'm hoping to get enough so that I can but a much needed laptop for work, and also get some repairs done on our main vehicle.

We got our first bite the other day with a guy asking me a million detailed questions about the car. I answered all of them, and he said, "I'll come by tomorrow and look at it."

We stayed home all day to be sure that we would be there if he came, and he never showed. Nobody even drove down our street.

Then, he had the nerve to call. He asked me some more questions, and then he had the gall to offer me $300 for the car!!!!

What is with people? Why, first of all, would someone act like they're interested in a car if they're not. And secondly, what would cause someone to make such a low offer on a car they haven't even seen and that has no big mechanical issues?

Okay, rant over. Any suggestions? I have the car listed on Craigslist because we can't really afford a newspaper ad right now.

**frugalfoster** · 10-03-2008, 09:59 PM

Some people are always looking to get something for nothing. Obviously this person is one of them. I hope you find a buyer soon!!!

**Michelle68** · 10-03-2008, 10:00 PM

We've experienced the same thing whenever we've sold any of our vehicles. Basically, this person probably buys and resells vehicles. He's hoping the longer he waits, the more desperate you'll become and you'll be willing to sell for his lowball price. He'll do a minimal of work to the vehicle then resell at a higher price to make a profit.

We've sold a couple of vehicles via Craigslist and, at least in our area, it seems to be the way most people are now selling their cars. Have you put a picture on your ad? That may help to draw prospective buyers. You'll probably find that you get a lot of these low ball offers before you actually get a person who is really interested, simply because these people go down the list and do the same thing to almost everyone who is advertising to sell their vehicle. Good luck, I hope you're able to sell it soon. Sounds like it would be a great car for a teenage boy.

--Michelle

**nessarowdy** · 10-03-2008, 10:03 PM

I just got an e-mail from eBay saying that they will only charge you fees IF your vehicle sells. Might wanna take a look at that!

-Vanessa

**Lori Biever-Launder** · 10-03-2008, 11:12 PM

I tell people like that that I would rather donate the car to a charity rather than let someone get it for basically nothing! Rotten people.

**JustMegan79** · 10-04-2008, 12:45 AM

Well, I'll play devils advocate. Let me preface this by saying the guy that is screwing you around, is just that, screwing you around. Forget about him.

What the car is worth according to Blue Book is not necessarily important. This is a bad economy, the car is a gas guzzler, and needs tires and a battery. I see at least 500 dollars worth of work right there, and bad gas mileage. Maybe you are not getting any bites due to the age of the car, and the gas mileage.

If you dont get any serious inquiries, you may have to consider lowering the price. If you're not using the car, its worth nothing to you. So you may have to eventually take whatever you can get for it.

As a side note, I am getting my car ready to sell because Im moving back to VA, a state which has an inspection law. My car will not pass inspection in VA, and will require about 800 dollars worth of work to make it. The car is maybe worth 1200. If that. Its not pretty.....BUT. It runs, its driven daily, its a 1994 Honda Civic manual with close to 190k on it. I am going to ask 1200 OBO for it.

I am thinking I will actually get around 900 for it, and I consider that a fair deal. You may need to consider the difference between what its "worth" and what you can get, and settle for that. Because its not doing you any good sitting in your yard....ie.:something is better than nothing.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 10-04-2008, 01:32 AM

What about selling it to a used car lot and asking them to pay you the KBB value on it? I'd toss on some refurbished tires, put in a battery that's reasonably priced, and then see what they have to say about it.

**JustMegan79** · 10-04-2008, 07:25 AM

MomtoTwo Boys,

It is almost a certainty that a used car lot will not pay KBB for any car, as that is what they will have to GET for it when they re sell it.

**FrugalMomof3** · 10-04-2008, 08:04 AM

Some people always trying to get something for nothing, that's the problem these days.

He either want to buy it cheap because he's a cheapo or he thinks you know nothing about the car and figures you want to sell it, sell it to him cheap.

**heartofmine** · 10-04-2008, 08:57 AM

Right now is a tough time to try and sell a vehicle. I've got one to sell too. Mine is good on gas but needs the air conditioner fixed. I think we've decided to just trade it in on a truck or jeep for dh and get what we can get for it.

**Pemberleyan** · 10-04-2008, 09:38 AM

This reminds me of when we sold our house ourselves. Someone called and said they would come by a particular day. I worked so hard getting the house just perfect for showing and they didn't even call. RUDE!

Sorry, I don't have any suggestions. I hope you sell it very soon!

**LuvMyHubby** · 10-04-2008, 10:42 AM

The dude wasting your time was just impolite, we wasted a whole day like that once, now if we have something we are selling we pinpoint a timeframe and if the person doesn't show, without so much as aphone call too bad we are moving on with our day.

I have to agree with JustMegan79 though, as much as you would love to get KBB you may have to consider that even if it is just tires and a battery, that is still a good chunk of money and I hazard to guess the size of the motor but it has to be at least a 350 and is basically a weekend car in this economy, now I am not saying that 300 was a reasonable offer but in the end if you are going to get anything, you may want to consider what you would consider as a best offer.

**hwmabire3** · 10-04-2008, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by hwmabire3

The Kelley Blue Book value of the car in "fair" condition is $2,450.

We are asking $1,750.

I'm not asking for the KBB value. In fact, I'm asking for $700 under. Also, the KBB value "fair" condition takes into account that it is a vehicle that needs the tires replaced.

**LuvMyHubby** · 10-04-2008, 11:20 AM

Okay, gothcha....although, It may take the very right buyer, simply because of the economy. Good luck.

**brainyblonde** · 10-04-2008, 07:22 PM

Originally Posted by Michelle68

We've experienced the same thing whenever we've sold any of our vehicles. Basically, this person probably buys and resells vehicles. He's hoping the longer he waits, the more desperate you'll become and you'll be willing to sell for his lowball price. He'll do a minimal of work to the vehicle then resell at a higher price to make a profit.

We've sold a couple of vehicles via Craigslist and, at least in our area, it seems to be the way most people are now selling their cars. Have you put a picture on your ad? That may help to draw prospective buyers. You'll probably find that you get a lot of these low ball offers before you actually get a person who is really interested, simply because these people go down the list and do the same thing to almost everyone who is advertising to sell their vehicle. Good luck, I hope you're able to sell it soon. Sounds like it would be a great car for a teenage boy.

--Michelle

Too true!! My 19 year old son wanted an older model Lincoln, and he would've dragged me to look at this in a heartbeat.

He settled for a VW Jetta because we could not find a Lincoln in his price range.