Would you drive halfway to meet a buyer for your car?

lukester

We're talking about maybe 40/50 kms.

I'm not desperate to sell, buyer seems genuine but is currently offering 500 less than what I want but says 'we'll work something out'.

I'm wary of driving to meet him and being pressured into selling for less than I want. Either way, if he wants the car, he'll have to come to my home anyway- how will I get home otherwise?

I'd welcome advice.

Technique

If you are going to meet him, make sure that the price is agreed and tell him that there will be no haggling when you meet him.

Stating the obvious here, but make sure that he gives you cash and be sure to count it before you hand over the keys.

santiago

Make sure that you meet in a public place(pub,hotel,etc)and preferable take somebody with you.

996tt

If he sounds serious then I think that it is, in the current climate you may regret it 2months down the road when you cant shift it.

As was said above:
-Meet somewhere well lit and busy,
-Bring a mate if possible,
-If handing over the money be wary of being followed home,
-Try and meet at a time when a bank is open so you can deposit it straight away.

Twin-go

Sold my last car this way. Met at a hotel in Roscrea. He came from Dublin, I came from Limerick. If they are willing to travel that far I wouldn't think they were just tyre kickers.

mikemac

Good point above

If you are recieving money, do this during banking hours so you can deposit it.

Don't take it home.
Even if the buyer is straight up, some passerby might see the exchange and follow you home

lukester

One thing though- if he buys the car, he's going to have to follow me home anyway or drive home with me- how else am I supposed to get home?

So why not just get him to meet at my home?

pissed

So if he has to follow you home I assume he is going to have a mate with him as he can only drive one car back home with him. So make sure you have company with you too.

merc3ps

I have done this many times. Sometimes somebody drives with me and drives me home. Sometimes I get public transport home (meet in town near train station).

Once, i drove halfway, did a deal, drove to his house and he drove me back halfway, and I arranged for somebody to pick me up (Dublin Limerick)

Matt Simis

lukester wrote: »

One thing though- if he buys the car, he's going to have to follow me home anyway or drive home with me- how else am I supposed to get home?

So why not just get him to meet at my home?

Lol, use your head, bring 2 cars!?
Ive sold cars this way, demanding someone drives the extra 40km to your house as you cant be bothered to get off your ass doesnt paint you in a very good light.

galwaytt

....considering so many Irish people are prepared to take bus/Ryanair/train to UK, and drive/Ferry back, often for very modestly priced cars, then being asked to go a mere 40kms isn't exactly putting you out of your way, if you're actually interested in selling.

My 0.02.

dmac1989

Technique wrote: »

If you are going to meet him, make sure that the price is agreed and tell him that there will be no haggling when you meet him.

Stating the obvious here, but make sure that he gives you cash and be sure to count it before you hand over the keys.

Are you serious, agree a price before he see`s the car. Sure how is the buyer meant to know the condition of the car.
op this is very common, I have done it countless number of times. Take abus train back.simple

Anan1

OP - For me it'd be all down to my feeling on this particular person. I'd agree a good bit more detail before deciding, though - price, payment, how you're going to get home, etc.

CarMuppet

Just sold a car recently and met the buyer 10km from my house.. I drove him back to my house to fill in the Reg Cert and count the cash... I removed my insuance disc, he put his in.. Job done..


TBH as said about, you'll get a 'gut feeling' after a few phone calls....

hi_im_fil

OP, if you do meet half way, the buyer won't be expecting to have to drop you home afterwards. He will assume you will have your own way of getting back home. Get a friend to go with you so he can drop you home.

carlowed

no he has under cut you already and smells a sense of desperation and will slash a few hundret more off the price

hairyman

I drove 3 and a halve hours(Dublin to Finny Co Mayo) to collect my current car that I traded(privately) for my previous one as the seller could not meet me.
Myself and the other fella had chatted over the course of the two weeks prior to it and I got to know him well enough to make a decision as to whether he was a dosser or not.

We were completely honest with each other and forwarded details and pictures of any faults that either car had.

I arrived down to his place and was presented with lunch and a home cooked dinner by his wife, not to mention a car that was in the advertised condition with a full tank of fuel.

I am not into meeting in carparks or whatnot, I like to be able to take my time looking around the car and get a good gauge of character from the seller which I think can only be done in a comfortable scenario.

Mozoltov!

Meet him halfway at a bank branch that you have an account in. Bring the logbook and a pre-stamped envelope with you and all keys etc etc etc.

Lodge the money straight in to your account in the branch.

Bring someone with you to bring you home or get a bus. Bus would be fine seeing as you would have just put all that money in to the bank.

red menace

When I sold the my car, I met the girl in Red cow Luas stop because they didnt know their way around the city centre.
Interesting trip back in on the luas with 5 grand in Cash in my pocket and Macbook pro in my hand.
Had talked to girl a few times on the phone dealing back and forth so felt comfortable about the deal.

Worked out OK anyway but if I did it again I would get someone to give me a lift back in and try to get it done during bank opening hours if possible