Selling to people you know, guidance needed

I have always had a rule that I don't sell vehicles to friends, relatives or coworkers. Its not worth the hard feelings or damaged relationships if ownership of the vehicle doesn't go as planned. I don't try to cover up known problems, but I usually deal in older high mileage vehicles, so things happen. Well my cousin tells me he wants to buy my truck. Its a 02 Chevy Silverado 2500HD 4x4 with 200k hard earned miles. I went through it and fixed a lot of stuff, and it drives pretty well and runs good. When I bought it I had reasons for needing that much truck, but those reasons no longer exist. I still want a pickup, but not that much pickup so I mentioned I was thinking of getting rid of it for something with better fuel economy and he wants to buy it. Now heres the low down on my cousin, hes a great guy, heck he was best man in my wedding. He's also a very serious car guy. He knows all about my truck, and has been there to help for much of the work that was done. I feel like he knows what he would be getting and thats the only reason I'm considering selling to him. Hes also a very level headed guy who isn't going to get all bent out of shape for no reason, but I'm still worried about doing the deal. So what would you guys do, sell it to him or not? Now I'm afraid if I tell him I don't want to sell it to him that will cause hard feelings. I was thinking of telling him to take it for a week and think it over.

I think you answered your own question. Just be honest with him. You explained it pretty good right here.

Generally I agree with your no sale to friends/family policy. But if he is as informed as you say he is about the vehicle's history I would probably do the sale. I would still conduct it as any other vehicle sale, with a bill of sale in writing stating as is, no warranty blah blah... Also, if you could do the deal while another reasonable family member just happens to be there to be a third party it might be good for you. That way if things were to go sour, and your cousin were to start drama or talking behind your back, at least there's another person in the family who could speak up, like hey, that's not how the deal went down.

Based on what you have told us, sell it to him. But you may want to write the terms on the bill of sale.

My rules as well. Whenever I sell a vehicle I never want to see it again.

As long as he knows the real score, blah, blah. Things could still turn.

Good idea to let him try it out and think it over tho.

To me, it's about the person. If he's the sort that understands that you'll fully represent what you know about the truck but that stuff happens, go for it.

If he's not, then don't sell him anything.

I've sold cars to friends. Works just fine because we're all adults. There are people I would not sell a car to.

I was recently in the same circumstance, luckily there was a 3rd party, I sold it to a friend of mine who was then going to sell it to a mutual friends parents. It was a Iphone which was in good shape except the screen had some spots, nothing that prevented it from working or using it, I said to make it perfect you would need to replace the screen and battery which I told them you would be better off purchasing a new phone. Since they both live out of town I met my friend and the buyers were on the phone describing the item. As I listened to the buyer talking on the phone, I almost wanted to scrap the deal and say just buy a new one. I jokingly said I can't give you a 4 year warranty. In years passed this same buyer looked at one of my vehicles for sale, and after yanking my chain they told me their were to many owners, the fact that I had a stack of maintenance records did not matter. Sometimes I think people are better off purchasing new, especially when they can afford it.

Jaynen wrote: I think you answered your own question. Just be honest with him. You explained it pretty good right here.

this … and remind yourself of how much work he's put into this truck himself over the yrs .. and be prepared to help him as much as he has helped you

I won't do it under and circumstances

Had abuddy offer me more for the z than I sold it for, told him no.