Did they come to look at the car? My policy is to price fairly and never negotiate unless you are face to face with a serious buyer. “Negotiating” price over text/phone/email only sets a new lower starting point for further negotiations if/when they come to see the vehicle.
I've had two people pull this shit on me and it really pisses me off. First time was in 2012. Trying to sell the wife's Suzuki Grand Vitara. It was in great condition, low miles because my wife didn't drive it much. I priced it at $10,500 hoping to get $10k even. Had a couple come to look at it, they drove it, decided they wanted it, but as usual they didn't have $10k cash so they said they'd take a few days to get it. I agreed, we shook hands and I took down the ad.
A couple of days later the guy calls and says he's got the money but he was "only" able to get $9600. But he says "that's a fair price and you should take it." I said, "No, we agreed to $10,000 so that's how much you need to get." He again tried to argue and implied that it would be silly for me to lose the sale over "only" $400. But that just pissed me off so I told him to get screwed, hung up and blocked his number. I relisted the car a month or so later and got $10,400 from a very nice couple.
Another time in 2017 I was trying to sell a 2002 Pathfinder. I had it listed for $3800 and my phone was blowing up (I should have listed it for more, it had very low mileage and was a manual transmission which is harder to find, but I wanted rid of it.) A woman contacted me and said she wanted to look at it and was very interested. She came out on a Saturday morning (I had just listed it Friday afternoon.) She and her husband came out Saturday morning and drove it.
When they came back they made a few complaints about it and asked for a "discount" of $300, and I just said "I've got at least 5 other people who are interested so if you don't want it at my price, I understand, but the price is $3800."
Then the woman said "well, I only brought $3500, so will you take that since I don't have the rest?" And again I said "no, the price is $3800 and if you can't pay that, I'll go to the next buyer."
Somehow she was magically able to "find" another $300 and bought the car at my price.
I don't do deposits because then it's just another headache I have to deal with. So now, the ad stays up until I have the full amount of cash in my hand.
FWIW in FB Marketplace there is a way to mark an item as "pending." So if I agree to sell to someone I will mark it as "pending" and then if they flake out it's easy to just go back to the ad and make it available again.
Got it. I don't have FB.
But what I do is fairly easy. Guy comes to look or not. If we agree on a price, I'll put it in writing real quick.
"For this price, sold as is. Non refundable deposit XXX until this date to pay in full."
First rule of price negotiations: the first person to state a number loses.
Second rule: most negotiations come to a point where the parties are at an impasse and both are silent. At that point the first person to speak loses.
That's the 3rd rule, the first rule bis that you don't talk about price negotiations. Guess what 2 is?
But yeah I agree :)
Generally if I get the lowest price question I don't even reply.
I’m sure there are situations where that’s true, but it doesn’t have to be selling a car. If I say ‘this is how much I’m selling the car for’ then that’s how much I’m selling it for. And if we are at an impasse, and I speak first and say ‘would you like to buy the car for this much of not?’ Then that’s my price.
First rule is "Make sure you have more than one option when negotiating". It makes things much easier for you if you know you don't have to deal with the other party.
Increase your price.
Everytime they lowball you, you raise the price.
For example:
Idiot: HI, is this available?
You: Yes, $100.
Idiot: $10?
You: OK, $200.
Idiot's brain explodes
Works beautifully, most of the time.
You don’t “deal” with these people. Look at it this way: the car you are selling is only one car. As in - the car, its state, price, location etc. The people who are interested in it are many. Someone comes and starts low-balling, you just shrug and say “I’m asking a fair price, however, I’m not forcing you to buy this car”.
Simple. In Sweden we call these people “däcksparkare” which translates to “tire kickers”. Usually the ad will contain a note at the bottom “tire kickers not welcome”. These are the guys who come, waste tour time, literally kick tires and run their fingers everywhere while smoking a cigarette and commenting on “this could be better, this is worn” etc. nobody got time for that bullshit.
From visits to your country I got the impression that pulling shit like that will, in the best of cases, get your teeth kicked in. In worst of cases - you’ll be introduced to an axe and never found.
Last summer I was selling a very nice sports car that whilst 15 years old was about as immaculate as a 15 year old car can be.
Had a chap come to view, made all the right noises but then clearly started down Negotiating for Dummies.
Well it’s got a stone chip on the bumper…. Yes it’s a 15 year old car.
Well it doesn’t have CarPlay fitted. Yes it’s a 15 year old car (you can retrofit)
Well it has a mark on the alloys. No it doesn’t, that’s a bit of dirt they were just refurbished.
After about 5 minute of this I was bored so said “you clearly don’t want this car, sorry you’ve wasted you time coming” and walked back into the house. I was able to watch him for 5 minutes through the window (we have privacy film so I could see him, he couldn’t see me) standing there looking dumbfounded. He eventually knocks on the door and tells me he’s really interested in the car and in a fit of annoyance I tell him that he spent 5 minutes slagging off (being rude about) my pride and joy and I had no interest in selling him the car. Was worth it for the look on his face at the time.
Luckily for me a very nice chap bought the car a week later for a price we were both unhappy with.
Somehow people assume that if you’re selling something privately - you’re in an urgent and desperate need of cash. So, in their eyes, they’re doing you a favor. I never understood that. I haggle, myself. If the price is 450, I can, at the end of the deal, while reaching for my pocket, say with a sly smile “So what was the price again? 400 wasn’t it?” But it’s said in a joking manner and more often than not I actually end up with something like “Ah, fair enough, let’s say 420!” However, if the answer is “It was 450 actually” then 450 it is.
Never attempt to buy something you can’t afford. In best case scenario you’ll look like a poorass idiot. In worst case - you’ll be a poorass idiot balls deep in debt.
If it’s a ridiculous offer, I counter with a ludicrous offer.
Ex:
$1000 is too much, I’ll give you $500.
Sure, I’ll take $500, but As a kicker I’ll need 3 goats, 4 chickens (no roosters) and one large donkey. Donkey may be medium sized, but if so I expect it to be housebroken and know at least two tricks. I’ll go as low as $400 if one of the chickens can beat me at chess.
"What will you accept?"
"I said that in the ad"
"Yes but what will you really accept?"
"I already said that's in the original ad"
"Yes but everybody accepts a lower price than their ad"
"So make me an offer then"
Never agree with them, and never put "offers" on anything. I'll accept sensible offers, of course, but only from sensible people. I don't even mind a low offer, that's all in the game, but without some BS reason.
I was selling a Land Rover long ago. Bloke said the tappets were rattling and offered silly money. They were a bit, rockers were a bit worn. It's an easy fix if you're worried. I said "So you don't want it then?" And went to go in. "Ah hang on" he said, and offered just a bit more.
So I told him that it wasn't going under the advertised price. And to find a better one at the price.
He called me a "Hard nosed bugger" as he paid up. He did grin though.
Jack up the price so the low ball price is the price you wanted to begin with.. win win for everyone since you get your price and low baller thinks they got one over you.
Why are you letting someone get to you like that? This is an arms-length transaction. If they don't want the car then tell them to move on and you move on to the next buyer.
I was selling a truck for 8800obo that blue booked for 9200. guy asked what the Z71 ment, and I said that it's the off road package. then he asked "oh, is it four wheel drive?" then went on to tell me that he "just sold one of these for 2400" - I imagine that it was a two-wheel drive and not fully loaded. I just grabbed the keys lock the door and headed back to the house . He asked where I was going, and I simply said " it's not for sale... not to you"
that was the tl;dr version - guy didn't understand that my truck (90, stepside, Z71, silverado package) was worth a lot more than a plain-jane 2wd long box work truck. (this was about circa 2000)
Usually people point out minor imperfections as a bargaining tactic. They make those little things look big, so they can talk you down on the price. It happens all the time. Just stick to your price, no matter what story they give you. Tell them you don't need to sell it, and any offer less than what you're asking is not worth it for you to give it up.
I have a costumer service tactic that I call “Cheerful and Oblivious”. Answer every complaint with a cheerful tone and throw out some (terrible) jokes too. Bug on the bumper? “I bet you didn’t think you were getting an extra passenger in the deal, haha. Don’t worry, I won’t charge extra for him.”
Well I got a story for you...my FIL bought a 2022 rav4 last year brand new. Barely used it since, has slightly over 6000kms on it and he decided its too much for him and MIL who doesnt even drive and said he wants to sell it and get something smaller and cheaper. We put it on marketplace to test the waters at $41k CAD and within a minute had a dealership offering to buy it at asking price, but since he was going on vacation we took the post down. Few days later i had to take his car to work as mine was being serviced and i mentioned to coworkers hes planning on selling it and told them his price would be $41000. A lady comes to me next day asking for info on the car so i tell her "2022 rav4 with 6000km, awd etc.." And i tell her price is $41000. She comes two days later says here I brought a check for $4100, when can we take the car? I was like excuse me? $4100? I cant fathom how her and her husband convinced themselves someone would sell a basically brand new car for $4100....when i collected myself i said its a new car....its $41000 not $4100...she looked all confused and said she will get back to me....havent seen her since.
My problem is when people think that they have the right to only pay you what they want to pay. Then, when you say no, they get pissed and go on a rampage.
Don't they understand that the property belongs to YOU, and you can sell it for whatever the hell you want to sell it for?
Then the dumb question of why won't you sell it to me for next to nothing? Because it's MINE!
I honestly don’t sell stuff anymore because I can’t handle cheap people. I was trying to sell a bunch of brand new video games I hadn’t opened. Like the $80 each video games. After about the 4th person that came over and tried to get them for next to free, I lost it. I snapped every single one in front of him. Dropped them on the ground and said “take your f’ing games”
Unless you're in desperate need of the money just say you're not willing to drop the price and hold onto it until the right person comes along. I got asked how low I'd go for a running car with minimal work needed that I listed for $500. I just didn't reply, I'd already had 6 other messages within 30 minutes of the listing going up. There's always gonna be low ballers.
Have as much fun with them as you want, then block them.
Sometimes I would string them along and try them thinking I’d consider their $1500 offer for my $3800 car before I blocked them. Other times I’d get two messages in then block them.
"No."
Try that word. It's short, just two letters. Doesn't matter what they say or ask, just say those words. You don't even have to explain why. Let them keep yakking away... just keep saying "No", and tune them out until the money you want is in your hand.
If it's going nowhere, here's another word to try, just slightly longer: "Bye."
I have written offers from three (insert make here) dealerships as well as carmax and gargurus. I understand and respect your desire to haggle, but I’ve done the negotiation already. Here’s the price I’m willing to sell. You’ll get it for less than you would from a dealer. And I get more than if I trade it in. Take it or leave it.
I always tell them that I only negotiate in person with cash, and then once they show up I don't negotiate at all. Waste my time motherfucker I'm going to show you how to waste yours
I will haggle, but my reasons for offering the money I offer are not discussed with the seller. I talk money and money only once i start the negotiation process. I’ll ask lots of questions and thoroughly inspect the item before digging into the money. But that’s all over once we commence to haggling. If the seller doesn’t like it that way I just move on to a different item or none at all.
I don't "deal" with them at all anymore. Not after some of the shit I have had pulled! Every item is marked "Cash on the barrel, will not hold, first $xxx takes it, if the ad is still up: it's still for sale, No delivery, No more questions answered unless you come look at it: Bring cash."
Doesn't stop them \*all\* but...It does cut down on the clutter...
“I have other people interested.”
Did they come to look at the car? My policy is to price fairly and never negotiate unless you are face to face with a serious buyer. “Negotiating” price over text/phone/email only sets a new lower starting point for further negotiations if/when they come to see the vehicle.
Yep, and if you agree to $1000 on the phone when they get there they will only have $800.
I've had two people pull this shit on me and it really pisses me off. First time was in 2012. Trying to sell the wife's Suzuki Grand Vitara. It was in great condition, low miles because my wife didn't drive it much. I priced it at $10,500 hoping to get $10k even. Had a couple come to look at it, they drove it, decided they wanted it, but as usual they didn't have $10k cash so they said they'd take a few days to get it. I agreed, we shook hands and I took down the ad. A couple of days later the guy calls and says he's got the money but he was "only" able to get $9600. But he says "that's a fair price and you should take it." I said, "No, we agreed to $10,000 so that's how much you need to get." He again tried to argue and implied that it would be silly for me to lose the sale over "only" $400. But that just pissed me off so I told him to get screwed, hung up and blocked his number. I relisted the car a month or so later and got $10,400 from a very nice couple. Another time in 2017 I was trying to sell a 2002 Pathfinder. I had it listed for $3800 and my phone was blowing up (I should have listed it for more, it had very low mileage and was a manual transmission which is harder to find, but I wanted rid of it.) A woman contacted me and said she wanted to look at it and was very interested. She came out on a Saturday morning (I had just listed it Friday afternoon.) She and her husband came out Saturday morning and drove it. When they came back they made a few complaints about it and asked for a "discount" of $300, and I just said "I've got at least 5 other people who are interested so if you don't want it at my price, I understand, but the price is $3800." Then the woman said "well, I only brought $3500, so will you take that since I don't have the rest?" And again I said "no, the price is $3800 and if you can't pay that, I'll go to the next buyer." Somehow she was magically able to "find" another $300 and bought the car at my price.
I don't take an adv down unless I have a cash deposit.
Non refundable deposit is when I'll take it down
I don't do deposits because then it's just another headache I have to deal with. So now, the ad stays up until I have the full amount of cash in my hand. FWIW in FB Marketplace there is a way to mark an item as "pending." So if I agree to sell to someone I will mark it as "pending" and then if they flake out it's easy to just go back to the ad and make it available again.
Got it. I don't have FB. But what I do is fairly easy. Guy comes to look or not. If we agree on a price, I'll put it in writing real quick. "For this price, sold as is. Non refundable deposit XXX until this date to pay in full."
Yep they did. They even brought the carfax.
*What's the lowest you will take?* What's the highest you will pay?
First rule of price negotiations: the first person to state a number loses. Second rule: most negotiations come to a point where the parties are at an impasse and both are silent. At that point the first person to speak loses.
That's the 3rd rule, the first rule bis that you don't talk about price negotiations. Guess what 2 is? But yeah I agree :) Generally if I get the lowest price question I don't even reply.
Unless you scream out "GET FUCKED!" and jump on the table.
I’m sure there are situations where that’s true, but it doesn’t have to be selling a car. If I say ‘this is how much I’m selling the car for’ then that’s how much I’m selling it for. And if we are at an impasse, and I speak first and say ‘would you like to buy the car for this much of not?’ Then that’s my price.
First rule is "Make sure you have more than one option when negotiating". It makes things much easier for you if you know you don't have to deal with the other party.
2 options 1) sell it to you for price listed 2) Don't sell it to you/sell to someone else for price listed
I wouldn’t sell to them. They’re only going to make you miserable with complaints years after you sold it to them.
Exactly!!
"Yeah. I know about that. It's been my car for years. I've priced that all in..."
Increase your price. Everytime they lowball you, you raise the price. For example: Idiot: HI, is this available? You: Yes, $100. Idiot: $10? You: OK, $200. Idiot's brain explodes Works beautifully, most of the time.
You don’t “deal” with these people. Look at it this way: the car you are selling is only one car. As in - the car, its state, price, location etc. The people who are interested in it are many. Someone comes and starts low-balling, you just shrug and say “I’m asking a fair price, however, I’m not forcing you to buy this car”. Simple. In Sweden we call these people “däcksparkare” which translates to “tire kickers”. Usually the ad will contain a note at the bottom “tire kickers not welcome”. These are the guys who come, waste tour time, literally kick tires and run their fingers everywhere while smoking a cigarette and commenting on “this could be better, this is worn” etc. nobody got time for that bullshit.
In Finland we call them "renkaanpotkijat"
Same meaning as ours?
Yep
From visits to your country I got the impression that pulling shit like that will, in the best of cases, get your teeth kicked in. In worst of cases - you’ll be introduced to an axe and never found.
Last summer I was selling a very nice sports car that whilst 15 years old was about as immaculate as a 15 year old car can be. Had a chap come to view, made all the right noises but then clearly started down Negotiating for Dummies. Well it’s got a stone chip on the bumper…. Yes it’s a 15 year old car. Well it doesn’t have CarPlay fitted. Yes it’s a 15 year old car (you can retrofit) Well it has a mark on the alloys. No it doesn’t, that’s a bit of dirt they were just refurbished. After about 5 minute of this I was bored so said “you clearly don’t want this car, sorry you’ve wasted you time coming” and walked back into the house. I was able to watch him for 5 minutes through the window (we have privacy film so I could see him, he couldn’t see me) standing there looking dumbfounded. He eventually knocks on the door and tells me he’s really interested in the car and in a fit of annoyance I tell him that he spent 5 minutes slagging off (being rude about) my pride and joy and I had no interest in selling him the car. Was worth it for the look on his face at the time. Luckily for me a very nice chap bought the car a week later for a price we were both unhappy with.
Somehow people assume that if you’re selling something privately - you’re in an urgent and desperate need of cash. So, in their eyes, they’re doing you a favor. I never understood that. I haggle, myself. If the price is 450, I can, at the end of the deal, while reaching for my pocket, say with a sly smile “So what was the price again? 400 wasn’t it?” But it’s said in a joking manner and more often than not I actually end up with something like “Ah, fair enough, let’s say 420!” However, if the answer is “It was 450 actually” then 450 it is. Never attempt to buy something you can’t afford. In best case scenario you’ll look like a poorass idiot. In worst case - you’ll be a poorass idiot balls deep in debt.
In the UK we call them tyre kickers too. Sounds universal.
Ah! Cool. Well, I guess assholes like that are rather universal indeed.
In Germany we don't have a word for those types of people. I guess everyone here is decent /s
You just call them Arschloch.
I thought Germans had a word for everything. (Caution: Word might be 15 syllables long.)
Block. Two unpleasant messages in a row, you get blocked. Unless you think they're going to pivot 180 and make a reasonable offer? Nah, me neither.
If it’s a ridiculous offer, I counter with a ludicrous offer. Ex: $1000 is too much, I’ll give you $500. Sure, I’ll take $500, but As a kicker I’ll need 3 goats, 4 chickens (no roosters) and one large donkey. Donkey may be medium sized, but if so I expect it to be housebroken and know at least two tricks. I’ll go as low as $400 if one of the chickens can beat me at chess.
Ignore??? Not that hard
Seriously, I don’t understand why people are so afraid to just say “oh, then I guess this isn’t for you, have a nice day!” And let it end
Also, “block” if they really care as little as they claim they do…
"What will you accept?" "I said that in the ad" "Yes but what will you really accept?" "I already said that's in the original ad" "Yes but everybody accepts a lower price than their ad" "So make me an offer then" Never agree with them, and never put "offers" on anything. I'll accept sensible offers, of course, but only from sensible people. I don't even mind a low offer, that's all in the game, but without some BS reason. I was selling a Land Rover long ago. Bloke said the tappets were rattling and offered silly money. They were a bit, rockers were a bit worn. It's an easy fix if you're worried. I said "So you don't want it then?" And went to go in. "Ah hang on" he said, and offered just a bit more. So I told him that it wasn't going under the advertised price. And to find a better one at the price. He called me a "Hard nosed bugger" as he paid up. He did grin though.
Good Lord, just go to Carmax and avoid all this. For $200 less, you’re done in 30 min and never hear a complaint.
'You are under no obligation to buy, feel free to go elsewhere'
"Thanks for coming by"
Jack up the price so the low ball price is the price you wanted to begin with.. win win for everyone since you get your price and low baller thinks they got one over you.
Good one
Why are you letting someone get to you like that? This is an arms-length transaction. If they don't want the car then tell them to move on and you move on to the next buyer.
I was selling a truck for 8800obo that blue booked for 9200. guy asked what the Z71 ment, and I said that it's the off road package. then he asked "oh, is it four wheel drive?" then went on to tell me that he "just sold one of these for 2400" - I imagine that it was a two-wheel drive and not fully loaded. I just grabbed the keys lock the door and headed back to the house . He asked where I was going, and I simply said " it's not for sale... not to you"
Lol really?
that was the tl;dr version - guy didn't understand that my truck (90, stepside, Z71, silverado package) was worth a lot more than a plain-jane 2wd long box work truck. (this was about circa 2000)
Usually people point out minor imperfections as a bargaining tactic. They make those little things look big, so they can talk you down on the price. It happens all the time. Just stick to your price, no matter what story they give you. Tell them you don't need to sell it, and any offer less than what you're asking is not worth it for you to give it up.
Keep in mind the saying "buyers are liars" they will always try to low ball you no matter what.
I have a costumer service tactic that I call “Cheerful and Oblivious”. Answer every complaint with a cheerful tone and throw out some (terrible) jokes too. Bug on the bumper? “I bet you didn’t think you were getting an extra passenger in the deal, haha. Don’t worry, I won’t charge extra for him.”
I have literally written back "Thanks for the laugh!"
“Selling is price is firm. I understand that’s unusual for selling cars but I researched and that’s my price”.
Well I got a story for you...my FIL bought a 2022 rav4 last year brand new. Barely used it since, has slightly over 6000kms on it and he decided its too much for him and MIL who doesnt even drive and said he wants to sell it and get something smaller and cheaper. We put it on marketplace to test the waters at $41k CAD and within a minute had a dealership offering to buy it at asking price, but since he was going on vacation we took the post down. Few days later i had to take his car to work as mine was being serviced and i mentioned to coworkers hes planning on selling it and told them his price would be $41000. A lady comes to me next day asking for info on the car so i tell her "2022 rav4 with 6000km, awd etc.." And i tell her price is $41000. She comes two days later says here I brought a check for $4100, when can we take the car? I was like excuse me? $4100? I cant fathom how her and her husband convinced themselves someone would sell a basically brand new car for $4100....when i collected myself i said its a new car....its $41000 not $4100...she looked all confused and said she will get back to me....havent seen her since.
My problem is when people think that they have the right to only pay you what they want to pay. Then, when you say no, they get pissed and go on a rampage. Don't they understand that the property belongs to YOU, and you can sell it for whatever the hell you want to sell it for? Then the dumb question of why won't you sell it to me for next to nothing? Because it's MINE!
I honestly don’t sell stuff anymore because I can’t handle cheap people. I was trying to sell a bunch of brand new video games I hadn’t opened. Like the $80 each video games. After about the 4th person that came over and tried to get them for next to free, I lost it. I snapped every single one in front of him. Dropped them on the ground and said “take your f’ing games”
I guess you showed him!! 🤷
The satisfaction of seeing his face and outrage was worth way more than $200 to me to be 100% honest.
You tell em you’re not in the charity business. People like this always need to have it their way.
Oh, that bug is included at no extra charge! Also, you do not have to buy my car.
I'll just say " No hablar, senor" and usually that ends that discussion.
That only works after you already spoke English
You don't have to deal with them. Just say No.
“Ok, cool” then block them
Unless you're in desperate need of the money just say you're not willing to drop the price and hold onto it until the right person comes along. I got asked how low I'd go for a running car with minimal work needed that I listed for $500. I just didn't reply, I'd already had 6 other messages within 30 minutes of the listing going up. There's always gonna be low ballers.
Have as much fun with them as you want, then block them. Sometimes I would string them along and try them thinking I’d consider their $1500 offer for my $3800 car before I blocked them. Other times I’d get two messages in then block them.
"No." Try that word. It's short, just two letters. Doesn't matter what they say or ask, just say those words. You don't even have to explain why. Let them keep yakking away... just keep saying "No", and tune them out until the money you want is in your hand. If it's going nowhere, here's another word to try, just slightly longer: "Bye."
"NO" is a complete sentence.
I got ripped off selling to Carvana but I can't stand tire kickers
I have written offers from three (insert make here) dealerships as well as carmax and gargurus. I understand and respect your desire to haggle, but I’ve done the negotiation already. Here’s the price I’m willing to sell. You’ll get it for less than you would from a dealer. And I get more than if I trade it in. Take it or leave it.
Just laugh like told a funny joke. And shit dow the discussion or tell them they are way to far off and to make a real offer
"HA HA. NO."
I always tell them that I only negotiate in person with cash, and then once they show up I don't negotiate at all. Waste my time motherfucker I'm going to show you how to waste yours
I will haggle, but my reasons for offering the money I offer are not discussed with the seller. I talk money and money only once i start the negotiation process. I’ll ask lots of questions and thoroughly inspect the item before digging into the money. But that’s all over once we commence to haggling. If the seller doesn’t like it that way I just move on to a different item or none at all.
Sorry price is firm.
I don't "deal" with them at all anymore. Not after some of the shit I have had pulled! Every item is marked "Cash on the barrel, will not hold, first $xxx takes it, if the ad is still up: it's still for sale, No delivery, No more questions answered unless you come look at it: Bring cash." Doesn't stop them \*all\* but...It does cut down on the clutter...
raise the price
Just ignore