Date: Thu, 20 Jan 2011 11:37:06 -0600
Reply-To: mcneely4@COX.NET
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@COX.NET>
Subject: Re: first time buyer
In-Reply-To: <4D3868F2.8090202@cox.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
Well, I guess I would give a prospective buyer enough credit to believe that (s)he is desirous of learning -- I'd probably ask that question. I would point out that (s)he is not buying a new Japanese car, and I would refer them to this list and other sources, advising them that the vehicle, regardless of what either of us believes about it as an individual vehicle, will require more effort to keep up than most newer cars. But I'd let the buyer be the judge of whether (s)he wants and is willing to do that. I'm not establishing a father-son relationship with them, just trying to help them understand the vehicle.
I once sold an old Toyota to a young woman. The car had 195K miles, and needed a timing chain. I told her that, and that it was old, and likely in need of other work. She wanted it anyway. I told her that I was able to drive the car and make judgments about it as I did so, since I had driven it over its life and new it and what noises it made and why.
I don't see that when I am selling a vehicle I should deprive someone who wants it of having it, only that I should be up front about the car and its condition. And I should answer any reasonable questions the person wants to ask. Just because (s)he hasn't owned a vehicle of the same type, and is inexperienced should not mean that I should "give him the boot." Nice way to treat other folks? I would make clear to him or her what (s)he was getting into, in case (sh)he didn't know.
mcneely
---- mark drillock <mdrillock@cox.net> wrote:
> I am a VW van lover, not a car reseller. I still sell one from time to
> time when circumstances dictate. I generally won't sell one to a starry
> eyed fool who has no idea what they are getting into. They are free to
> ask questions and I will try to answer them, but that assumes they even
> know what they are asking about and what the answers mean. I am not
> interested in teaching every prospective buyer about old cars and how
> they differ from new cars. I sold an old Westy of mine recently and I
> rejected some interested buyers for their own good when their total
> ignorance became apparent. Even ones who then tried to offer more than
> my asking price to let them buy it.
>
> Mark
>
>
> Dave Mcneely wrote:
> > -
> >
> > "unless they uncovered a real issue that I was unaware of
> >> and hadn't already allowed for."
> >
> > But you would not give them a chance to uncover the "real issue." You may feel justified in your behavior, but if your vehicle is what you represent it to be, then you should help the buyer to come to understand that particular vehicle, on terms that the buyer can benefit from. If you are not willing to do that, then why are you in the business of selling a vehicle? You give, by your attitude, prospective buyers reason not to trust that your vehicle is as you represent it.
> >
> > I am not a complete idiot about vehicles, and I do have legitimate concerns in dealing with a person I do not know. Anyone who doesn't understand that ............ .
> >
> > I have walked from sellers who would not answer my questions, and I will do so again. "Why are you selling the vehicle?" is something to give the buyer the boot for? Good grief .............. . The buyer doesn't know if you are a reseller of one vehicle after another that you grab up from wherever you can get them, and try to flip them as soon as possible, or someone who is selling his old, beloved, and well cared for honey bucket.
> >
> > mcneely
> >
> >
--
David McNeely
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