Potential Buyers coming to look at car?

GetInTheHole!

Hi,

I'm selling my car at the moment and there will be people coming to look at it this week.

Having never done this myself before - I am just looking for basic advice.

I know to hold on to the Vehicle Registration Form and post it myself.

But what for example if they want to take the car for a test drive? Should I go in the car with them?

Any other advice please?

Bpmull

I would insist on going with them on a test drive. It's your car at the end of the day.

mickdw

Dont let the car out of your sight. Have a mate around when people are calling too.
Dont let the car go without cash in hand.

GetInTheHole!

GetInTheHole! wrote: »

.............

But what for example if they want to take the car for a test drive? Should I go in the car with them?

Any other advice please?

Go with them, proof they're insured and license etc too.

Having a friend with you is pointless imo unless you have hardened criminals as friends.

naughtysmurf

RoverJames wrote: »

Having a friend with you is pointless imo unless you have hardened criminals as friends.

Had a good laugh at that one but it's so true,

There is a sticky about selling a car, worth a read

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056392340

CiniO

I've bought privately 7 different cars in Ireland and never ever anyone asked me for proof of insurance neither never ever anyone went with me for a test drive.
It was always - here's the keys, go for a test drive.

mickdw

RoverJames wrote: »

Having a friend with you is pointless imo unless you have hardened criminals as friends.

If you say so.

mickdw

mickdw wrote: »

If you say so.

I said imo

If someone is going to take your car or rob your house when "viewing" it and you are a normal Joe Soap they won't be put off by you having another normal Joe Soap with you imo

Out of curiosity what are the benefits of having "a mate around when people are calling too" in your opinion? Seems as it was your advice.

keithsfleet

All great advice but to be honest I've not heard of many people having their cars robbed that way. I know there's horror stories but personally I've never heard of anyone I know or a friend of a friend.
My big advice will be to hone up on your haggling skills, set a minimum limit that your willing to let the car go and stick with it.
Know your market as well, check the average price going for your car and know what it's worth.
You'll get time wasters and tire kickers but don't give up hope and let it go for half of what its worth.

Edit
Also would it be worth throwing on 6 months tax to make it that bit more appealing.

Jimdagym

A very good friend of mine had his car robbed on him by letting the guy test drive on his own. The guy left his car outside but that was a stolen motor too!

Luckily for my friend, the insurance paid out.

bazz26

There is no way I would let a total stranger take my car for a test drive by themselves. Definately accompany them on any test drive, also when going for a test drive sit in the passenger seat first before handing them the keys to start the car. I would also see it as been no harm in having someone else there with you. Once you have got an idea of who you are dealing with then you can decide if you want your mate to accompany you both on the test drive.

Generally also I tend to meet them initially in a public place first time round rather than at my place. Once we have each other gauged and a deal is agreed I have no problem concluding the deal at home.

CiniO

bazz26 wrote: »

There is no way I would let a total stranger take my car for a test drive by themselves. Definately accompany them on any test drive, also when going for a test drive sit in the passenger seat first before handing them the keys to start the car. I would also see it as been no harm in having someone else there with you.

By going with someone for a test drive you are putting yourself into possible risks.
Person driving might be a criminal which is going to hurt or kill you just to steal your car. Or even if not, that person might crash and you as a passenger might be hurt or killed. (I don't like to sit as a passenger with completely random driver).

By giving someone a keys for a test drive, most you are risking is your car, which is covered by theft insurance anyway, and chances that person willing to buy a car is a thief are minimal.

The Pontiac

bazz26 wrote: »

Generally also I tend to meet them initially in a public place first time round rather than at my place. Once we have each other gauged and a deal is agreed I have no problem concluding the deal at home.

I wouldn't be potentially buying a car off you then. The first rule of thumb is to meet the seller at their home place.

You seem to be taking it all a little too serious.

Stheno

I've never gone for a test driver without the seller insisting on accompanying me.

horseburgers

+1 on proof of insurance and get a copy of the driving licence.

It is amazing the fake details that are given by crooks.

bazz26

CiniO wrote: »

By going with someone for a test drive you are putting yourself into possible risks.
Person driving might be a criminal which is going to hurt or kill you just to steal your car. Or even if not, that person might crash and you as a passenger might be hurt or killed. (I don't like to sit as a passenger with completely random driver).

By giving someone a keys for a test drive, most you are risking is your car, which is covered by theft insurance anyway, and chances that person willing to buy a car is a thief are minimal.

If they want the car that badly then they would probably forcably take the keys from you well before you got into the car with them for a test drive. Vetting the person by talking to them for abit before any test drive may also go along way to deciding if you think they are a genuine buyer or not.

bazz26

The Pontiac wrote: »

I wouldn't be potentially buying a car off you then. The first rule of thumb is to meet the seller at their home place.

You seem to be taking it all a little too serious.

I sold my last car this way and the buyer had no problem meeting me initially close by as I live in the stix, once they declared their interest in buying and a price was agreed we concluded the deal at my address over a cup of tea. It was totally painless.

In my experience buying a car privately involves more than one trip so first trip is a meet, greet and test drive, pending that outcome the second trip is to conclude the deal.

CiniO

bazz26 wrote: »

In my experience buying a car privately involves more than one trip so first trip is a meet, greet and test drive, pending that outcome the second trip is to conclude the deal.

If someone comes from other side of the country, they won't be coming twice to conclude the deal.

bazz26

CiniO wrote: »

If someone comes from other side of the country, they won't be coming twice to conclude the deal.

When my sister was selling her car, a very nice Eastern European couple came down from Galway to look at it. After test driving it they said they would need to think about it over something to eat. They rang back about two hours later to come and collect it.

mickdw

RoverJames wrote: »

I said imo

If someone is going to take your car or rob your house when "viewing" it and you are a normal Joe Soap they won't be put off by you having another normal Joe Soap with you imo

Out of curiosity what are the benefits of having "a mate around when people are calling too" in your opinion? Seems as it was your advice.

There is a certain category of person that while they will not attack you or whatever they just cant help themselves to stuff if it presents itself to them. Leaving someone behind at the house to look after any of the buyers that didnt go on test drive is not a bad idea.

CiniO

bazz26 wrote: »

When my sister was selling her car, a very nice Eastern European couple came down from Galway to look at it. After test driving it they said they would need to think about it over something to eat. They rang back about two hours later to come and collect it.

Heh, they probably went to see another car in the mean time, and just chose to get the better one.

Anyway Galway-Limerick is hardly other side of the country.
When I was looking for a car last time, I prepared a list and over 2 days I've seen over 10 cars all around Ireland (I've done over 1200km to see them all).
In the end I found the reasonable one, and took it straight away.
But you are right. If I didn't find any reasonable at the end, I would probably come back for one of those I've seen earlier, as I was saying to most of them that I might be back if I don't find anything better (unless something was that crap that I was sure I wouldn't take it anyway).

unkel

CiniO wrote: »

When I was looking for a car last time, I prepared a list and over 2 days I've seen over 10 cars all around Ireland (I've done over 1200km to see them all)

:eek:

I nearly always buy the first car I go and see. Do you do a bit of homework, ask a lot of questions, before you spend a lot of time and money going to see cars that you do not want to buy?

CiniO

unkel wrote: »

:eek:

I nearly always buy the first car I go and see. Do you do a bit of homework, ask a lot of questions, before you spend a lot of time and money going to see cars that you do not want to buy?

I was looking for mazda 6 so I've seen over 10 of them.
Maybe you are talking about buying nearly new car from dealer - then yes - it's usually just the first one.
But as I was buying 7 years old car privately, everyone is saying over the phone that it's a mint. Reality unfortunately shows something different - most of those cars offered for sale as mint condition should go straight to scrap yard.

2 days during which I had nothing else to do anyway, and 1200km to drive was not a big price to get a good car which proved to be good by being nearly 100% faultless for last 2 years.

mickdw

mickdw wrote: »

There is a certain category of person that while they will not attack you or whatever they just cant help themselves to stuff if it presents itself to them. Leaving someone behind at the house to look after any of the buyers that didnt go on test drive is not a bad idea.

Who is going to leave strangers alone in their house? Anyone who does is asking for trouble.

mickdw

RoverJames wrote: »

Who is going to leave strangers alone in their house? Anyone who does is asking for trouble.

I meant outside the house!
In my situation, which granted is probably different to the op, we are out the country and there is gear in farm sheds and around the yard that could easily be lifted. Hence the idea of having a mate to babysit if a few guys turn up.

Taylor365

As soon as the potential buyer arrives handcuff yourself to him/her and tell them you wont unlock it until they buy.

60% of the time it works every time....

niallu

To be honest there's plenty of good suggestions here....but mostly you need common sense.

You'll probably have arranged to meet up over the phone, so you can tell alot from a person on how they talk.

If they sound like a raging Ken Acker, then tell them it's sold.

If your selling a nice 6 series bmw, and someone just texts, i'd take it that the person isn't too serious or have the disposable income to buy it.

If your selling something fast like a 350z, Cayman etc etc you'll get a lot of chancers who just want to take it out for a razz...so you'll have to weed out the fakers ( definitely proof of insurance / licence).

If the person arrives out to your house, and you think there abit dodge, not willing to entertain them. Then just lie to them.

Say that you were just going to move it to a better space for viewing and the clutch just went. That way they should loose interest / and can't pressure you into taking it for a spin.

Of course, don't hand over the log book / sign it over without receiving the cash as mentioned above.

megafan

CiniO wrote: »

By giving someone a keys for a test drive, most you are risking is your car, which is covered by theft insurance anyway, and chances that person willing to buy a car is a thief are minimal.

Not to put the frighteners on you too much but could be theft insurance issues if you hand the keys over willingly..... travel with viewer & if possible have friend/family member in the home!! Just be carefull (& an innocent customer carring cash will also be wary so don't be too frightning with security?) my tuppence worth & good luck!!......

CiniO

megafan wrote: »

Not to put the frighteners on you too much but could be theft insurance issues if you hand the keys over willingly.....

True.
If you mentioned to your insurer that you gave the keys to the random lad and he never returned, then probably you wouldn't get a cent from them.

But in very unlikely event your car gets stolen, you can always say that key were taken from you forcibly.
In that case insurer can't refuse to pay, and it's nearly impossible that thief will prove you were lying.

Henry Ford III

CiniO wrote: »

True.
If you mentioned to your insurer that you gave the keys to the random lad and he never returned, then probably you wouldn't get a cent from them.

But in very unlikely event your car gets stolen, you can always say that key were taken from you forcibly.
In that case insurer can't refuse to pay, and it's nearly impossible that thief will prove you were lying.

That'd be ever so slightly illegal and fraudulant however.

kupus

Henry Ford III wrote: »

That'd be ever so slightly illegal and fraudulant however.

But thats the difference between getting paid for a stolen car or not.
so its a good valid point.

bazz26

CiniO wrote: »

Heh, they probably went to see another car in the mean time, and just chose to get the better one.

Anyway Galway-Limerick is hardly other side of the country.
When I was looking for a car last time, I prepared a list and over 2 days I've seen over 10 cars all around Ireland (I've done over 1200km to see them all).
In the end I found the reasonable one, and took it straight away.
But you are right. If I didn't find any reasonable at the end, I would probably come back for one of those I've seen earlier, as I was saying to most of them that I might be back if I don't find anything better (unless something was that crap that I was sure I wouldn't take it anyway).

To be fair very few car buyers are going to travel 1200km in total to view potential cars. Galway to Limerick is still over 100 miles round trip which would suggest they didn't come just to kick tyres. While they may have had a few other cars in the area to view my point is really that the didn't buy on initial inspection, they came back after thinking about it or viewing other cars.

discombobulate

How does a buyer go about proving insurance? I can't think of anything i'd have other than my disc.

mickdw

discombobulate wrote: »

How does a buyer go about proving insurance? I can't think of anything i'd have other than my disc.

Well some policies show that you are insured to drive any car as long as you dont own it and as long as you have permission of owner. That would be adequate.

Seweryn

GetInTheHole! wrote: »

I know to hold on to the Vehicle Registration Form and post it myself.

You keep the VR Document (and post it after the sale to Shannon) only if the buyer has an address in the Republic. In any other circumstances, i.e. buyer lives abroad, you must hand over the VR Document to the buyer.

Barry Barry

Taylor365 wrote: »

As soon as the potential buyer arrives handcuff yourself to him/her and tell them you wont unlock it until they buy.

60% of the time it works every time....

Always puts me off when a seller does this

Henry Ford III

kupus wrote: »

But thats the difference between getting paid for a stolen car or not.
so its a good valid point.

So are you suggesting a fraudulant insurance claim, if properly presented, is somehow ok?

Taylor365

Henry Ford III wrote: »

So are you suggesting a fraudulant insurance claim, if properly presented, is somehow ok?

Is it 'ok' to charge high premiums when you've never made a claim in your life?

I've spent 10,000 on insurance and not claimed once.

To hell if some yuppie steals my car and the insurance company keep more of my money while charging me a higher premium because of it.

Things must be bad if yuppies have resorted to car theft.

Anyone claiming their car was stolen from them forceably will be quizzed by AGS too and if the lad who robbed it is found there'll be some right fun when he's charged with assault too.

Once again too many posters living in fantasy island, I blame the tabloids and video games.

Henry Ford III

Taylor365 wrote: »

Is it 'ok' to charge high premiums when you've never made a claim in your life?

I've spent 10,000 on insurance and not claimed once.

To hell if some yuppie steals my car and the insurance company keep more of my money while charging me a higher premium because of it.

Yes it is. Motor insurance isn't a savings plan.

MugMugs

Taylor365 wrote: »

Is it 'ok' to charge high premiums when you've never made a claim in your life?

I've spent 10,000 on insurance and not claimed once.

To hell if some yuppie steals my car and the insurance company keep more of my money while charging me a higher premium because of it.

Your comment made me think of this article I read whilst bored one day.

The logic is that we've all topped up the pool, surely we're entitled to something out of it.

If you can't comply with your Insurance conditions then that's hardly their problem.

sean1141

CiniO wrote: »

By going with someone for a test drive you are putting yourself into possible risks.
Person driving might be a criminal which is going to hurt or kill you just to steal your car. Or even if not, that person might crash and you as a passenger might be hurt or killed. (I don't like to sit as a passenger with completely random driver).

By giving someone a keys for a test drive, most you are risking is your car, which is covered by theft insurance anyway, and chances that person willing to buy a car is a thief are minimal.

As said above if they are going to take the car they will take it either ways.

bazz26 wrote: »

There is no way I would let a total stranger take my car for a test drive by themselves. Definately accompany them on any test drive, also when going for a test drive sit in the passenger seat first before handing them the keys to start the car. I would also see it as been no harm in having someone else there with you. Once you have got an idea of who you are dealing with then you can decide if you want your mate to accompany you both on the test drive.

Generally also I tend to meet them initially in a public place first time round rather than at my place. Once we have each other gauged and a deal is agreed I have no problem concluding the deal at home.

This is the best advice on this thread. Its exactly what I have done every time I have sold cars

mickdw wrote: »

Well some policies show that you are insured to drive any car as long as you dont own it and as long as you have permission of owner. That would be adequate.

This is usually only third party (I know it is on the last few policys I have had) What happens if the testdriver runs into a tree etc? Are you the third party as you were letting them drive it or would it be a total loss??

The third party is the owner of the tree.

Henry Ford III

sean1141 wrote: »

...This is usually only third party (I know it is on the last few policys I have had) What happens if the testdriver runs into a tree etc? Are you the third party as you were letting them drive it or would it be a total loss??

Extension cover is 3rd party only afaik, so damage to the car itself wouldn't be covered.

sean1141

That's what I was thinking. Basically if you don't have open driven yourself your car won't be covered for damage so it's pretty pointless asking a potential buyer for proof of insurance as you can't get 1day insurance here?