So what would you have done?

[GOTWING]

So here is the situation , two days ago I sold my 2004 dodge ram crew cab HEMI 4x4 sport to a co worker, today he comes to me and tells me that the water pump is leaking all over his driveway, at first I thought he was joking but he wasn't , I felt horrible ! my truck has been great to me , anyway so I offered to split the cost of the repair with him and give him $175.00 back which is half. My question is did I do the right thing? Or was that dumb and it was his problem now? It is a nine year old used truck.

[Kern Dog]

What crappy timing!
These things do happen, but not very often. I think you did the right moral thing even if you were not obliged to do it.
This happens with used cars on dealers lots as well. People trade them in because they want something newer. The used vehicle has several "ticking time bombs" bolted on it...Starter, alternator, Water pump....anything, really. A guy buys the used vehicle and stuff starts to break down. The customer thinks that they were screwed even though many times, the dealer didn't have a clue.

[twodko]

In my book thats honor and integrity. Well done.

[Cooter]

First mistake was selling anything to someone THAT CLOSE to you. The common misconception people have nowadays is that if anything goes wrong with it in the first 30 days, private owners need to "Step up" and help them with it. This works if dude gave you WAY over what the KBB value is. However, if he barely gave you what your bottom dollar was, then I'm all but positive you didn't tell him it was sold to him with any kind of warranty...

Kudos for actually helping him out though, but I would have understood if you hadn't. After the sale of truck, it kinda is on him. Ticking time bomb, bad timing, whatever. Dude knew what he was buying when he bought it. you said it yourself. "A nine year old used truck".

[tan top]

What crappy timing!
These things do happen, but not very often. I think you did the right moral thing even if you were not obliged to do it.
This happens with used cars on dealers lots as well. People trade them in because they want something newer. The used vehicle has several "ticking time bombs" bolted on it...Starter, alternator, Water pump....anything, really. A guy buys the used vehicle and stuff starts to break down. The customer thinks that they were screwed even though many times, the dealer didn't have a clue.

yes that so true  

In my book thats honor and integrity. Well done.

 i would of done the same !  


there is a but here though !!   , hope he wont keep come to you now every time a faults occurs !! between now & when he sells the truck  , some people have the nerve to do that , & cause you work / know the guy ,  you feel awkward about it .

[ws23rt]

In my book thats honor and integrity. Well done.

I agree. It was the right thing to do even if it was not your fault. Just reverse the situation. For the seller to come forward to help shows an ethic that we see too little of. The buyer is put back at ease instead of inventing stuff about you that you don't deserve.

[tan top]

First mistake was selling anything to someone THAT CLOSE to you. The common misconception people have nowadays is that if anything goes wrong with it in the first 30 days, private owners need to "Step up" and help them with it. This works if dude gave you WAY over what the KBB value is. However, if he barely gave you what your bottom dollar was, then I'm all but positive you didn't tell him it was sold to him with any kind of warranty...

Kudos for actually helping him out though, but I would have understood if you hadn't. After the sale of truck, it kinda is on him. Ticking time bomb, bad timing, whatever. Dude knew what he was buying when he bought it. you said it yourself. "A nine year old used truck".

true

[Cooter]

I kinda look at it this way.

I wonder how many would buy a 40 plus year old Charger in running/driver condition expecting the seller to help them with any water pumps that go bad when they try to drive it cross country after and Ebay purchase?
What's the Cut off in years, or time frame from purchase for sellers to "Help out" on a used vehicle?

[Fred]

First mistake was selling anything to someone THAT CLOSE to you.

Kudos for actually helping him out though, but I would have understood if you hadn't. After the sale of truck, it kinda is on him. Ticking time bomb, bad timing, whatever. Dude knew what he was buying when he bought it. you said it yourself. "A nine year old used truck".

    And never, ever sell to someone you know. They always expect more into the bargain.

Having said that though, I probably would have done the same.

[A383Wing]

never sell to family either...you will be paying for everything forever

Bryan

[Tilar]

First mistake was selling anything to someone THAT CLOSE to you. The common misconception people have nowadays is that if anything goes wrong with it in the first 30 days, private owners need to "Step up" and help them with it. This works if dude gave you WAY over what the KBB value is. However, if he barely gave you what your bottom dollar was, then I'm all but positive you didn't tell him it was sold to him with any kind of warranty...

Kudos for actually helping him out though, but I would have understood if you hadn't. After the sale of truck, it kinda is on him. Ticking time bomb, bad timing, whatever. Dude knew what he was buying when he bought it. you said it yourself. "A nine year old used truck".

I don't have a problem selling to someone I know, but it is said way before, during and as soon as the cash trades hands, No warranty. Period. Offering to pay half is honorable, and if it is someone you intend on working with for a long time I'm sure it took care of any possible bad feelings toward you, but I would be sure he knew this is a one time only thing.

[Fred]

First mistake was selling anything to someone THAT CLOSE to you. The common misconception people have nowadays is that if anything goes wrong with it in the first 30 days, private owners need to "Step up" and help them with it. This works if dude gave you WAY over what the KBB value is. However, if he barely gave you what your bottom dollar was, then I'm all but positive you didn't tell him it was sold to him with any kind of warranty...

Kudos for actually helping him out though, but I would have understood if you hadn't. After the sale of truck, it kinda is on him. Ticking time bomb, bad timing, whatever. Dude knew what he was buying when he bought it. you said it yourself. "A nine year old used truck".

I don't have a problem selling to someone I know, but it is said way before, during and as soon as the cash trades hands, No warranty. Period. Offering to pay half is honorable, and if it is someone you intend on working with for a long time I'm sure it took care of any possible bad feelings toward you, but I would be sure he knew this in a one time only thing.

I've done it.  Sold the wife's Corvette to a friend who was crazy about it  (he always said he'd buy it if she ever sold it) and he lives just down our street. Now, whenever he has problems with it (he's not big on maintenance) even if it's just a flat battery or something equally as simple, I'm the first one to hear about it. There's no blame or anything like that, just an appeal for help. So I've taken to maintaining the car for him.

[68X426]

I think you did the right thing. I would accept it if I'm the buyer.

Did he accept the offer ('cause that's all that matters)?

[Ghoste]

Your offer to him was fair.

[bill440rt]

MORE than fair offer. Shows you are a man of integrity.
Now, make him sign some "as-is, no warranty" papers.   

[GOTWING]

thanks guys, he didnt ask for it,  i just felt so bad i offered. Exc. condition private party value KBB was $11,600 i sold it for $10,500

[Old Moparz]

Selling to people you know can be tricky, but it sounds like you did the right thing. I'd have done the same thing in your shoes to sleep at night. Let's hope the trans or the rest of the drive train stays okay.  

Fixing things for people is very similar in that you never know what else is going to break. I remember fixing my sister's car once, a $150 1973 Dart with a 318 that I found for her, & it turned out to be the last time I ever touched her car. The radiator needed to be replaced so I did it, but the transmission line fitting was corroded, so of course the line kinked when I was working on it. I cut a section out, put in a hose where the kink was, & it was fine. Well, to me it was fine.    

I showed my sister the hose & told her what happened to it & she freaked the hell out.  

She took it to her boyfriend's mechanic & had all new lines installed that probably cost three times what the car cost.   

[stripedelete]

You did the right thing.

Agreed, selling to friends is tricky. Then when you have a "gem" (solid/bulletin proof/great value) you would like to sell to friend/family they aren't in-the-market or not interested.

[Troy]

A coworker will generally know you well enough to know how you treat a vehicle AND about your character. Who better to buy a used car from? If he thought you were the type of person to abuse a vehicle and/or try to pull a fast one on someone else I doubt he'd have bought the truck. By the same token, if you thought the guy was going to be a stickler or complainer you probably wouldn't have made the deal. It would be hard for the subject of the truck NOT to come up in conversation (say if you hadn't seen it in the parking lot for a few weeks) so mentioning it or any problems would not be the same as passing blame. I know if my new truck sprung a leak I would certainly give the previous owner a ribbing - but never expect him to do anything about it (except maybe come over and help me swap parts and drink beer). I think you did a very noble thing. Just because you don't have to do something doesn't always mean you shouldn't. A little kindness goes a long way and I'm sure it will come back on you.

Troy

[Old Moparz]

A coworker will generally know you well enough to know how you treat a vehicle AND about your character. Who better to buy a used car from? If he thought you were the type of person to abuse a vehicle and/or try to pull a fast one on someone else I doubt he'd have bought the truck. By the same token, if you thought the guy was going to be a stickler or complainer you probably wouldn't have made the deal. It would be hard for the subject of the truck NOT to come up in conversation (say if you hadn't seen it in the parking lot for a few weeks) so mentioning it or any problems would not be the same as passing blame. I know if my new truck sprung a leak I would certainly give the previous owner a ribbing - but never expect him to do anything about it (except maybe come over and help me swap parts and drink beer). I think you did a very noble thing. Just because you don't have to do something doesn't always mean you shouldn't. A little kindness goes a long way and I'm sure it will come back on you.

Troy

You know Troy, those t-shirts I got from you have threads hanging from the hem all over. Maybe you should stop by with your sewing kit & help me fix them & we can have a few beers. 

[GOTWING]

          

[Tilar]

I know if my new truck sprung a leak I would certainly give the previous owner a ribbing - but never expect him to do anything about it (except maybe come over and help me swap parts and drink beer). I think you did a very noble thing. Just because you don't have to do something doesn't always mean you shouldn't. A little kindness goes a long way and I'm sure it will come back on you.

Troy

You know Troy, those t-shirts I got from you have threads hanging from the hem all over. Maybe you should stop by with your sewing kit & help me fix them & we can have a few beers. 

   

[moparstuart]

In my book thats honor and integrity. Well done.

yup plus if he is happy its goodwill with someone you have to see at work everyday .

  Just dont let this lead to everytime there is a problem he comes back and wants more .   

[Ram07]

I would have done what you did....seems right to me, hope the buyer knows you didn't have to do it...so hats off to you, but in the future I would not sell anything to family or friends.

[hatersaurusrex]

The classy thing to do would be to offer to help as you did.  However the equally classy thing on his part would be to decline the offer and thanks.   You show integrity and he shows dignity.

On a long enough time line, all moving parts give out so buyer beware IMO.     My sister traded an Olds to a small used dealership about 20 years back.   It was sold 3 days later and mysteriously spun a rod.    The new owner found her info and came to her expecting her to fix it, and she was in tears.   Maybe they should have kept their foot out of a 10 year old smallblock right after buying it?