Why do people do things like this? (lowball offers)

[Troy]

I don't know why people are so intent on owning someone else's car. If I stop to look at a random car it's because I think it's cool and I like to hear the owner's stories. As a rule, I only try to buy cars that are listed for sale. Maybe that's just me? If someone approaches me, I generally just stop them right at the part where they ask if it's for sale (or sooner if I'm positive that I know why they are there). "No." I don't leave room for negotiation or give them an opportunity to throw out a number. That just opens the door for them to keep on harassing - plus, they go into "buyer" mode and start nitpicking the car. If you do give a price be sure to make it clear that you are firm and they can take it or leave it. And by all means, don't give out a number unless you'd really sell it for that price! I'm more than happy to discuss the car or cars in general because I get to meet some really cool people that way but I get annoyed very quickly if they don't let up.

Troy

[jmanscharger]

What gets me is the hypothetical sale ogres.  You tell these guys its not for sale and they want to play the how much would you ask it was for sale game so they can then play their little negotiation game.  I have learned to say it's not for sale and go look up the NADA price. These games used to work for some guys I guess.   People do the same thing with deals (houses and cars) occasionally lightning strikes and they get a deal or they go on living in a fantasy world?

[Old Moparz]

I never took any offense to any kind of low ball offer on a car or part, people just want a bargain, we all do. Having said that though, I almost never offer any price unless the seller gives me an idea of what price range they want. I'm not going to waste my time or anyone else's, if both parties are separated by a percentage in price that's too high. Like if I see a $5000 car & the seller sees a $20,000 car. Why bother? All I do is say I'll think about it & leave.

It's rare that I've met anyone obnoxious enough to irritate me during a sale, but I am a very patient person. There has been a few people, but I just politely say no & don't even make a counter offer. If I had someone knocking on my door asking, I'd be on my guard first & foremost since I live on the end of a private road that is more like a driveway. My house cannot be seen from the road at all, so if you're there, you were probably invited.

I think too many people, have read too many stories they see on forums about how someone found a rare & expensive car for the price of an old lawnmower that doesn't run.

[Mike DC]

People constantly pester the owners of cars w/o any "for sale" signs because they're hoping to scoop something out from under and owner for less than market value. 

[suntech]

People constantly pester the owners of cars w/o any "for sale" signs because they're hoping to scoop something out from under and owner for less than market value.

Maybe they  have been reading the treads about this here

There has been long treads here, with creative ideas about how to get a car cheap, that not really is for sale
Value of a car is simply the highest price somebody is willling to pay for that car.

[Magnumcharger]

This is what I used to do when people pestered me to sell "that old Charger behind the garage".
I'd either:
a) Ask for their offer IN WRITING (no matter how much it was for). This eventually lead to:

b) Tell them to write down their offer in a notebook I kept by the door for that purpose. In the notebook was a couple of dozen other offers (some real, some not) with offers for various sums. I called it my "standing offer book".
I always said that if I ever decided to sell the Charger, I have firm offers right here, and all I have to do is call the highest bidder. If he can't fulfill his offer, I'll just go to the next bidder.
This way they could actually see what others had "offered" and see that their chances for scalping me were slim to none.
Some of these guys put their name and number in the book, along with their low-ball offer. Good luck Charlie!!
Best part is: if somebody decided to come back to "shop" my backyard...I had a list of suspects!

[69charger2002]

but you could store it indoors where it deserves to be and call it good right?   
just messing with ya

[Magnumcharger]

but you could store it indoors where it deserves to be and call it good right?   
just messing with ya

Back then...I didn't have a garage...or a house of my own.
No shortage of project cars, and trucks though...

See above.

[Charger1973]

Yeah not having a garage sucks.  I rent my house and there is a garage, but the landlord has it full of maintenance stuff for his rental properties.      But he is in the process of putting up a new building and when its done the garage will be available.  That might even be enough convince me to live here a while longer.   

[BMOTOXSTAR]

That Charger looks better every time you post a new pic.

[Charger1973]

Thanks   I havent been able to work on it since fall because its so damn cold out there though. 

[sick dawg]

Becsause they are dumb!

[68RT4ME]

I got a call a work today from my son. Two young guys were at my house (uninvited) and wanted to buy my Charger and Challenger. Said they had a bunch of cash. We live down a private road that deadends into a lake after the next house. People don't just drive by. The cars are under the structure of the house in three sided carports.

It turns out one of these guys had followed me home when I had the 69 R/T SE for sale last May and seen my other cars. Anyway everything has it's price, so I told him to tell them $32K for the Charger and $65K for the Chally Vert (BB car with a 15K mile  1969 426 hemi transplant).

Anyway the guy immediately offers $20K for the Charger. So I had my son show him the end of the driveway. Why do people do thing like this? Does $20K sound anywhere near $32K to you?

I have a 55 YO Boeing Engineer at our summer swim club who has been trying to buy the car for $30K for the last two years.

What is with these BoZos

I hope you have taken precautions and secured the cars. Who's to say these guy's weren't there to check out the surroundings and to come back another time to help relieve you of your toys? Just a thought but always a possibility. I never leave my garage open when I'm inside the house. Bad enough that when I pull the cars out onto the driveway, I get rubber neckers and the occasional person stops to see the cars. Course I'm not a trusting fellow 

[triple_green]

this guy had visited me in May when I had the 69 R/T SE for sale. He had followed me home from a local gas station. If he wanted to rip me off he already had 6 months to do it.

The car ports are under the structure of my house. At night the Van is parked in front of the two Mopars. There is only one way out of our neighborhood. IT would be really hard to steal the cars. My wife  and college age son are home most the of the day too, between the tw of them.

But I do try to be careful and I have GREAT neighbors who look out for me./

3X

[hemihead]

 I guess I'm not as paranoid as most people   

[89MOPAR]

 "If he wanted to rip me off he already had 6 months to do it."  Very True.

  And, I'm guessing, 3X Green being a savvy fellow,  he probably has the cars insured for their full value.

Not much would help a guy being pissed off if his car was stolen, but having the funds to replace it with something similar is a comforting thought....
 

[BROCK]

I guess I have a pretty firm way of saying no when people ask me to sell my cars.
No-one has ever given a dollar amount.

[BMOTOXSTAR]

 

[Khyron]

First, Im gonna use the notebook Idea, thats freaking great! 

Second, When asked if my Charger is for sale I do just say No. I haven't gotten any follow up prices, but am often asked other questions about the car

Third, when asked how fast it is. my answer is always "Whatever the speed limit is"

Forth, If ever outright offered some crazy about of money, I very well may consider it.

Fifth, My car is garaged and locked up at home, and I have a gun. If my lights in there are ever on, and someone is in there. I may have to sell the Charger to cover my legal fees.

[Magnumcharger]

Good one!!