Advice please- quick!! UPDATE-first post!!

[dakcp2001]

I am trying to sell an SUV, and I have a gentleman coming to see it today, in an hour. He just informed me that he plans to take it to his mechanic for a thourough look over (understandable) and a test drive etc and that he expects this to take 2 HOURS!!!!

Now I have it listed as 2500 or best reasonable offer, and we have gotten some offers that have been 2K. But I have gotten a lot of people who have offered me some real low ball (offensive) offers.

How do I politely yet tactfully tell this man that I am not willing to spend 2 hours with him unless his offer is above that? Meaning 2K or above I am alreasdy nervous enough as my DF is usually with me for all of these test drives but we just couldn't make it work today so I am meeting this guy alone, but his teenage daughter is going to be there, which made me feel safer.

UPDATE- The JEEP IS SOLD!!! I am really going to miss it! They did give us a lower offer then we wanted, but we were able to get them come up to what we consider fair & reasonable I am sure first snow I will miss it!

 

[WL Fan]

He sounds awfully serious if he's willing to spend money to have a mechanic look at it (unless he knows someone who's going to do the check-up). Is there anyway you could have him leave you, like his driver's license and a credit card and let him take the vehicle to the mechanic without you? I can't imagine spending 2 hours in a waiting room with a strange dude just to sell a vehicle. And then, if he does try low-balling you, he's already got time invested, I hope you can just tell him "Nope, it's 2k or nothing."

Good luck. It sounds like something I'd be scared to get into myself.

 

[WriteDisney]

I am trying to sell an SUV, and I have a gentleman coming to see it today, in an hour. He just informed me that he plans to take it to his mechanic for a thourough look over (understandable) and a test drive etc and that he expects this to take 2 HOURS!!!!

Now I have it listed as 2500 or best reasonable offer, and we have gotten some offers that have been 2K. But I have gotten a lot of people who have offered me some real low ball (offensive) offers.


How do I politely yet tactfully tell this man that I am not willing to spend 2 hours with him unless his offer is above that? Meaning 2K or above I am alreasdy nervous enough as my DF is usually with me for all of these test drives but we just couldn't make it work today so I am meeting this guy alone, but his teenage daughter is going to be there, which made me feel safer.

If it was me, I'd just say no to it or reschedule it til a time that DF can go. If I felt even a little unsafe I would just say no that you don't feel comfortable with that (or that something came up and you don't have the time for that today and reschedule to when DF can go too). I've never had to sell a car personally, but if I did I would be uncomfortable with this (going somewhere with someone I don't know). I'm overly cautious though.

 

[Mellie2162]

I am trying to sell an SUV, and I have a gentleman coming to see it today, in an hour. He just informed me that he plans to take it to his mechanic for a thourough look over (understandable) and a test drive etc and that he expects this to take 2 HOURS!!!!

Now I have it listed as 2500 or best reasonable offer, and we have gotten some offers that have been 2K. But I have gotten a lot of people who have offered me some real low ball (offensive) offers.


How do I politely yet tactfully tell this man that I am not willing to spend 2 hours with him unless his offer is above that? Meaning 2K or above I am alreasdy nervous enough as my DF is usually with me for all of these test drives but we just couldn't make it work today so I am meeting this guy alone, but his teenage daughter is going to be there, which made me feel safer.

I would tell him just as you stated. Tell him that before you go with him you would like to know if he intends to make an offer at asking price, otherwise you will not be spending 2 or more hours of your time. Of course he could say yes and then not make a decent offer but I guess you have to decide if thats a chance you are willing to take. I personally wouldnt fool with him. I would have taken the 2000, but thats just me. Not worth my time and frustration for maybe a few hundred more he might offer you.

Oh and the going alone thing, that would never happen here. Way too many sickos in this world and how do you know thats really his teenage daughter?

 

[DVCLiz]

Negotiate the price before you let him take it to the mechanic. You can say that, assuming he finds no major repairs are needed when his mechanic takes a look at it, you'll sell it to him for 2K - or $2,200 or whatever your firm price is.

That way the ball is in his court - he knows what the offer is pending the approval of his mechanic and he is free to walk away if he won't meet your price.

 

[Tuffcookie]

OP, You have the interested buyer give you the name of the garage he is using for the inspection. Then you take it there and have the garage notify you when it is ready for pick-up.

I would only allow a certified garage mechanic inspect the car for 2 hours, no friends of his.


TC

 

[TinkerbelleAbbysMom]

I would call and say something has come up and you can't do it this am. If he ashs to reschedule then he probably is serious. That way DF can be with you. But the other thing is that at least here in TN there are companies that have mechanics to go to the car with you. Not sure if something like that exists in MD but if he is spending the money for this check, He shouldn't mind using a company that would come to the car (unless a friend is checking it for him).

 

[4Seasons]

You don't need to tell him anything other than the truth, which is you have a standing offer of $2000 and before things go any further if there is no intention of paying that much to please not come.

As for the mechanic I would honestly never let anyone take a vehicle I have for sale. Either the mechanic comes to MY home to inspect the vehicle or I drive it to the shop when it's convenient for me.

I would never show a vehicle alone either (speaking from a woman's standpoint).

Your are in the driver's seat (no pun intended) and if it doesn't make you comfortable don't do it.

I am trying to sell an SUV, and I have a gentleman coming to see it today, in an hour. He just informed me that he plans to take it to his mechanic for a thourough look over (understandable) and a test drive etc and that he expects this to take 2 HOURS!!!!

Now I have it listed as 2500 or best reasonable offer, and we have gotten some offers that have been 2K. But I have gotten a lot of people who have offered me some real low ball (offensive) offers.


How do I politely yet tactfully tell this man that I am not willing to spend 2 hours with him unless his offer is above that? Meaning 2K or above I am alreasdy nervous enough as my DF is usually with me for all of these test drives but we just couldn't make it work today so I am meeting this guy alone, but his teenage daughter is going to be there, which made me feel safer.

 

[dawson5]

When he gets there, make a copy of his license, find out where he is taking it. If it were me buying a used car, I would want it inspected. I don't have $2-2500 to spend on a car that I might need to spend additional money to make it "safe" for me to drive. I would assume that if something happens your insurance will cover it (granted no fun to deal with) but also if you tell them you had firm offers of a sale, I think they might honor that--they have with a friend of ours but this has been 20+ yrs).

 

[jen0610]

OP, You have the interested buyer give you the name of the garage he is using for the inspection. Then you take it there and have the garage notify you when it is ready for pick-up.

I would only allow a certified garage mechanic inspect the car for 2 hours, no friends of his.


TC

This is what we did years ago, when I sold my car. The guy who ended up buying my car, met us at the mechanics shop. We left the car there and told both the interested party and mechanic no test driving it without us there. We had written down the milage when we got there and it was spot on when we went back to get the car.

Jen

 

[AKL_Megs]

OP, You have the interested buyer give you the name of the garage he is using for the inspection. Then you take it there and have the garage notify you when it is ready for pick-up.

I would only allow a certified garage mechanic inspect the car for 2 hours, no friends of his.


TC

I agree. Sounds shady to me. Like this "mechanic" is a friend and is going to "find" things wrong.

$2000 is NOT that much money to need to ship the car to a mechanic for 2 hours! How the heck much more does he want to chip off the price!

You stand firm at your $2000... let him look under the hood, let him take a test drive. If he doesn't like that, tell him that if he wants to find a NEUTRAL mechanic to take a look under the hood, you'd love to take it and let the mechanic give him a rundown, and when it is convienient for YOU.

Good luck. Don't let this man scam you.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Hmmm, no DH here to ask.

However I would tell you to reschedule and my dh would probably go with him to the mechanic if that is what he wants to do. We have sold over 30 used cars including family.

If he balks, bye.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

When he gets there, make a copy of his license, find out where he is taking it. If it were me buying a used car, I would want it inspected. I don't have $2-2500 to spend on a car that I might need to spend additional money to make it "safe" for me to drive. I would assume that if something happens your insurance will cover it (granted no fun to deal with) but also if you tell them you had firm offers of a sale, I think they might honor that--they have with a friend of ours but this has been 20+ yrs).

As the seller you should have an inspection in hand already. They do run out however it is money well spent with regards to selling a used car.

 

[dawson5]

does anyone here listen to click & clack? Our local newspaper also runs the Q & A stuff in the Sunday paper. There are always questions about buying a used car and the first thing they say is "take it to your mechanic." I don't think it's strange to want to take it to a mechanic, one you trust, for an inspection.

(FYI Click & Clack is a radio show on NPR, I think they are usually on Saturday or Sunday mornings but sometimes our local station will re-air their shows over the weekend. http://www.cartalk.com/ )

As PP stated, having your own inspection can be helpful but if you are just as leery of accepting their mechanic, they might not be too trusting of yours. They could think it's your "uncle Bob" who made it look good. To me, it just makes good sense having it inspected.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

does anyone here listen to click & clack? Our local newspaper also runs the Q & A stuff in the Sunday paper. There are always questions about buying a used car and the first thing they say is "take it to your mechanic." I don't think it's strange to want to take it to a mechanic, one you trust, for an inspection.

(FYI Click & Clack is a radio show on NPR, I think they are usually on Saturday or Sunday mornings but sometimes our local station will re-air their shows over the weekend. http://www.cartalk.com/ )

As PP stated, having your own inspection can be helpful but if you are just as leery of accepting their mechanic, they might not be too trusting of yours. They could think it's your "uncle Bob" who made it look good. To me, it just makes good sense having it inspected.

We just would not allow another mechanic under our hood without our presence or at least checking the place out.

That just makes good sense as it is your car.

 

[WriteDisney]

We just would not allow another mechanic under our hood without our presence or at least checking the place out.

That just makes good sense as it is your car.

I agree with this. Someone else mentioned bringing it to a neutral mechanic on your own time and then having them check it out. I'd just have them pick a AAA approved one that we both agreed on and bring it there myself, or have them meet me there to get the analysis from the mechanic.

 

[dakcp2001]

Ok here is how it went! Thanks for all of your advice BTW I was super nervous until I met them.

When the guy showed up, he was with his daughter who was 19, I texted their license plate number to DF and my best friend. I told him we were looking for the asking price, and that if that was not realistic for him that he could skip the mechanic thing. I went with them to the mechanic, who DID try to find things wrong that were not really wrong, he said something about the exhaust, which is all brand new, and I showed them the receipt for the new exhaust less than 6 months ago. Then he sort of smiled, gave them a "look" and after that seemed pretty honest. He knew I was on to his plan.


I listed in the add that the car needed rear brakes and that the a/c has a leak. The mechanic did also mention the brakes, but i felt like they were def attempting to whittle down the price. I have to say though, they were very normal and seemed very reasonable and the mechanic was also very nice. I stayed for the whole thing, it took less than an hour for the trip there and back. It did appear to me that the daughter could use some more driving lessons, talk about backseat driver, I was terrified by her lack of coordination. She ran a stop sign and almost killed us all. At the end of the trip I asked if she was a new driver and she said no, but she had recently totalled her last car, after having had it for only 3 weeks.


I hope her dad is looking at safety ratings on crash tests, lol! My SUV has 5 stars. They said they have 2 more to see today and they wll call tonight.

 

[GOOFY4DONALD]

I agree with the neutral mechanic. Also I would meet him at the mechanic..not drive with hime there. There is no way in heck I would be home alone get in a car with a stranger and go with him. Anything could happen. After the inspection let him leave his old car with you (or the daughter) and he can test drive the car alone from the mechanics and back. Safer is better

 

[dawson5]

We just would not allow another mechanic under our hood without our presence or at least checking the place out.

That just makes good sense as it is your car.

I guess what I'm balking at is that a lot of people seem to think someone wanting to have a car that they are interested in buying, being inspected, they must be trying to scam them or something. In the past we've often bought cars and brought a buddy of his along (ASE certified) to look or taken them to him. He works at dealership and ran his own business on the side. Lots of mechanics do this without hanging a "sign" out front and usually get a lot of business by word of mouth. One guy we know actually works on his landlords work vehicles for a reduction in rent. I would trust him to take a car that I was seriously considering buying to him, with all the posts of "make sure ___" if someone does this, buddy and certified but on his own time, how could you make sure. I don't know, I guess I'm not conveying what I mean very well. I've dealt too long with cars & the car business that this just doesn't seem out of the ordinary to me.

 

[AKL_Megs]

After she ran the stop sign, I would have made her pull over! LOL! Luckily she didn't crash YOUR car!