Selling car privately - advice needed.

Shininners

Looking for advice on selling my car privately. I have two potential buyers (strangers) due to see it in the next few days. As a female, I'm a little anxious , probably unnecessarily so. I'm not sure how I should be going about it. I will meet them somewhere neutral and busy (and pray that they don't try to kill me, or run off with the car, or both! ) If we reach a deal, do I accept a bank draft? I think it's too much money for someone to have in cash. If you've been here before, I'd appreciate any advice. TIA

Atlantic Dawn

I would bring a friend or family member with you.

What price range are you talking about selling it for? I always try to deal in cash only but if your talking about a large sum like €10k plus I wouldn't feel safe holding that amount on me at home after the sale. For a bank draft only accept it if you can verify that it is genuine so this will require a call or visit to the issuing bank. You could also meet at your bank and get buyer to deposit the cash in your account.

Set a price in your head before sale that is the absolute minimum you will sell it for and don't move from this.

Don't reserve the car for anyone until they have a deposit down, if 10 people want to see it in one day let them, holding it for people will limit the sale and some will be no shows.

If you are meeting in a neutral area don't bring the logbook with you, tell them they can see if pre sale if they are buying.

Don't under any circumstances give the seller the logbook after the sale, you send this away yourself.

bazz26

Bring a male friend or relative with you.

The Cool

As much as I hate it, I'd also recommend having a male friend with you. I'm a girl in my 20s and recently selling my car, I had one person in particular looking at it who spoke down to me and when I stood my ground about the price I wanted (it was relatively low due to a couple of things needing to be done) his attitude was very much "sure you're a woman, what would you know". I didn't take any of his messing regardless but I think there would have been less of it if my boyfriend had been there. Saying that, the other guys who came to look and the two men that eventually bought it were all gents, but it does happen. Just to save yourself some grief.

Best of luck, hope you get it moved handy

Roger Mellie Man on the Telly

Bring a magnum in the glove box.

cyborg

Yeah there's nothing like an icecream to cheer you up after a beating.....

Flippyfloppy

I'm intrigued about your plan to meet somewhere neutral. Is that really what is advised? I always thought buyers of cars are instructed to only buy cars privately at the owners home, as in it could be stolen if you meet somewhere like a car park

jimb433

sell it from your home

stephenmarr

Meet them in your local garda station.
If your accepting cash then go to your bank and deposit it straight away.
Bring a male friend or friends

Atlantic Dawn

stephenmarr wrote: »

Meet them in your local garda station.
If your accepting cash then go to your bank and deposit it straight away.
Bring a male friend or friends

I don't think the Gardaí want the stations turning in to car sales zones.

bazz26

Flippyfloppy wrote: »

I'm intrigued about your plan to meet somewhere neutral. Is that really what is advised? I always thought buyers of cars are instructed to only buy cars privately at the owners home, as in it could be stolen if you meet somewhere like a car park

Initial meeting to view/test drive the car should take place in a very public neutral venue. That way buyer and seller gets to meet each other and gauge trust. Once both are comfortable and the buyer wishes to proceed with the purchase then conclude the sale at seller's address over a cup of tea. This process usually can weed out time wasters and dodgy wheeler dealer types.

But there is always a higher risk with buying and selling stuff privately.

Kop On

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

I don't think the Gardaí want the stations turning in to car sales zones.

I think they'd prefer it than having to investigate an assault or robbery. If someone is genuine they'll have no problem meeting at a Garda station, if they are bogey they won't meet you at the Garda station.

stephenmarr

Kop On wrote: »

I think they'd prefer it than having to investigate an assault or robbery. If someone is genuine they'll have no problem meeting at a Garda station, if they are bogey they won't meet you at the Garda station.

Very true. Garda should not have an issue with you going there.
if in doubt ask them first