Do you ever feel guilty?

When you score a really good deal? I've found my best bargains by trolling ebay or forums either just before school starts, or around Christmas time when people are broke and desperate for cash. Got about $1200 worth of truck parts for $200 the week before Christmas. Just scored a fancy $450 aluminum flywheel, and a set of gaskets... all for $200.

I don't feel guilty at all because I've been on the E36 M3 side of the deal enough times that I figure I deserve a break once in a while.

Never.

Getting deals like that make me feel good, not bad.

Nope. Last car I bought was one I had been watching on CL. Started at $1500, then $1200, then $900. The next version of the ad said "Make Offer - need money for Christmas". I had just gotten my Christmas bonus check (a $320 kick in the nuts) so I called and offered them that. They took it.

It's just business.

Do you ever feel good when you give someone else a good deal? I'm selling a decent BMW 1.8L M10 engine and an engine stand for $50 today. The engine stand is one of the $45 HF ones. (I bought it with a 20% off coupon - thanks GRM!).

It's taking up space in my garage and I have no immediate need for it, plus the guy is working on development of a M10 turbo manifold to fit 2002's so better to keep on his good side.

When I get good deals I feel good about them, and when I give good deals I feel good about them.

No, and its not due to having no sense of ethics. The closest I got to guilt was to buy a car that was not running (blown head gasket) knowing that this was a warranty fix! Even paid for the tow truck to the dealer. Seller wanted no part of the repair process, so......

Ya gotta give a bit back sometimes too. Looked at a car from a desperate single Mom..nice car...convinced the fuel system was shot because the mechanic told her that $1100 would fix it. She wanted $300 for a down payment on something new. After I pushed the inertia switch and started the car I asked her if she still wanted $300. Made a good friend that day.

I've been called a rare man for pointing out the flaws of a car I was selling.

A lot of folks lack the knowledge, desire or ability to make repairs that are simple to me. Do I feel guilty for my investment in tools, time and research?

No

Bruce

It depends on the person I'm dealing with. If they are a wheeler dealer, I'm happy for the good deal. I bought a clock the other day for $40. Ten minutes on the internet found the value to be a little over $500. No remorse there at all.

I bought my South Bend lathe from an old guy. He was a joy to talk to, and unloading it because he needed the money. His asking price was $200. The lathe was worth probably $1500+. I wouldn't pay him that little. We settled on a price in the middle. He was happy to get more than he thought he would, I was happy because I got a deal I wouldn't loose any sleep over.

Like others, I've been on both sides of the equation, have helped folks out, etc. I have even refused to take a really good deal when I knew the individual selling had badly underestimated the value...

One of my best buys came from a charity that I had offered to help fix and sell a high dollar car. Part way through the project the charity board decided they didn't want to go any further, thanked me for my help, and asked if I wanted to buy the car "as is" for about a quarter of what I told them they could expect to get from the finished car. Yes I did. ;-)

I do feel a bit guilty though when I find myself (either conciously or subconciously) taking into account how badly someone might need money before making my inital low ball offer.

I miscalculuated (badly) this week, went in way too low, and really PO'd a seller that apparently didn't need money that much at all... not sure now if I can salvage the deal at all... and know that if I do it will be at a premium price.

No. I've been on both sides as others have said. However, I have also gone to check out a car or two and saw that a simply fix would bring them much more money and suggested that. They balk at the repair, then I'm interested at the low price.

The days of the Internet has made it so anyone should know the value of something they are selling. The only time I feel bad is if I'm selling something I bought from a friend for a good deal. I always try to offer something back to the seller for the original price before I sell it outright, and I don't buy things from friends with the intent to "flip" them.

Joey

DILYSI Dave wrote: I had just gotten my Christmas bonus check

What's that??? Never heard of it...

I've given away a lot of parts, as well as computers, cameras etc. to friends lately... I guess it's just karma's way of coming around

I've made lowball offers that were accepted and rejected, but I don't think I've ever bought something from someone who was so hard-up for money that it influenced their decision. Many of the sellers I've dealt with seemed happy to have any offer at all.

I've HAVE made sympathy offers - as in I don't really need to have this, but I'll give you $XX for it. A long time ago, I bought a '67 Dart Conv. for $50 bucks, and the guy later told me he was just about to offer me $50 to take it away! (all it needed was ball joints and a windshield, BTW)

I do enjoy selling below market, or giving away to someone who seems to need a break in life.

What goes around comes around, I guess.

Lots of times people just want their pain to go away. They are convinced their item is old/broken/wrong, they want a new one, and all they need is a $50 bill to finish the decision making process.

From another standpoint, a guy wrote me a rubber cheque a few years ago. I waited until I knew his rent had to be in the bank, then I went and had the cheque certified. I didn't feel guilty at all- He started it.

Nope.

If they didn't want to sell $1200 of stuff for $200 they would not have taken your money and you'd be in jail.

I'm not a bad person, not an opportunist, but if I can help you when you're down on you luck, you bet I will.

Dan

It goes both ways, I like to sell stuff cheap so the buyer is stoked on it and everyone is happy.

As for buying, depending on what is being sold I usually offer between 50-75% of the asking price. If the add has been up for a while I'll let it mature then make an offer. Either the seller hasn't had any offers or the offers they have received are too low for them.

If you buy all sorts of stuff for a project then abandon it, it is not my duty to extricate you financially from the situation. I offer basically a price floor and the worst thing you can do is accept my offer.

In this country (for now) nobody is compelled to make business transactions. Two parties only exchange goods for currency if it is mutually beneficial. So, no.

It's unanimous! I get to enjoy my goodies... and can't WAIT to turn the key once that motor's plopped in.

Guilt is for people that have a conscience.Get over it and enjoy! You are performing a valuable public service.

Get screwed once or twice and it'll change your outlook.

I had an SVO that was rough but complete (most of the rare $VO parts were in nice shape), I had its complete history and maintenance records and I'd bought it from the original owner - original keys, no mods, original window stickers, everything. And it ran, of course. I was in a bind and the guy who bought it was an admin of one the popular 2.3t/SVO boards. I thought he was an OK guy and didn't think he'd totally take advantage of the fact that my back was against the wall. But he did. I cut him a deal, and then he pretty much cut that in half again with his offer. I had no choice. And it soured my outlook on cars, his site and him.

Years later, I bought almost the EXACT same car in mid-project condition (motor was out, it was a mess) and parted it out. I kept a lot of stuff for the parts for myself, but sold everything else and made out well on the deal.

From then on, I never 'cared' about cars the way I once did. They're just parts. I look for deals, but I'm fair.

"A lot of folks lack the knowledge, desire or ability to make repairs that are simple to me. Do I feel guilty for my investment in tools, time and research?"

^^^ That's a good way to put it, egnorant...

Disillydave wrote

Nope. Last car I bought was one I had been watching on CL. Started at $1500, then $1200, then $900. The next version of the ad said "Make Offer - need money for Christmas". I had just gotten my Christmas bonus check (a $320 kick in the nuts) so I called and offered them that. They took it.

light bulb just went on !!!! get your money together for great deals !

Oh and I mention my $1.00 Alfa

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/reader-rides/1932/

In reply to MikeSVO:

I'm not sure I see how it's really his fault, though. You didn't have to take his offer. He might have been a vulture, but you could still say no.

Joey

Lesley wrote: When you score a really good deal? I've found my best bargains by trolling ebay or forums either just before school starts, or around Christmas time when people are broke and desperate for cash. Got about $1200 worth of truck parts for $200 the week before Christmas. Just scored a fancy $450 aluminum flywheel, and a set of gaskets... all for $200.

I've never scored a deal so good that it made me feel guilty. I don't know if that means I suck at bargaining, or that I have no conscience.

Unless a weapon was used to your advantage in the deal, I wouldn't lose any sleep over it!

joey48442 wrote: In reply to MikeSVO: I'm not sure I see how it's really his fault, though. You didn't have to take his offer. He might have been a vulture, but you could still say no. Joey

Mike SVO Around here people would take out a title loan for when they are in a bind. Could you have done that?