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LionPride
LionPride New Reader
1/14/23 6:27 p.m.

Should have their toes twisted off with vice grips.

If they sell out from under you after you rented a car hauler, they should be strapped under a car, feet front, with their genitalia against a catalytic converter.  Then they should be driven thought the desert by a meth head that thinks invisible cops are after him and the best way to shake them is to aim for every bit teddy bear cholla he can see.

Alright now, you sons of bitches, you know how I feel.

 

ShawnG
ShawnG MegaDork
1/14/23 6:36 p.m.

Did you give the seller money?

Or just a promise that you would come get it?

EvanB
EvanB GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
1/14/23 6:54 p.m.

First person to put cash in my hand gets it. Backing out of deals goes both ways and I've had plenty of people say they are coming and never show.

I also won't tell any potential buyers I'm holding something for them.

dculberson
dculberson MegaDork
1/14/23 7:06 p.m.

It's not yours until money has changed hands.

NOHOME
NOHOME MegaDork
1/14/23 7:22 p.m.

I see about a 20 to 1 ratio of excited buyers who are "on the way now" to what actually shows up at my door to look at stuff. To say that I am cynical of FB marketplace buyers is an understatement. You get in the door with the $$$ first and you get the part. 

 

 

Shoe on the other foot, I have thrice now been asked by a seller, after I arrive, if I can pay more for a part than what was advertised  All three cases being Volvo parts sellers, I am left wondering if this is a Volvo personality thing?

LionPride
LionPride New Reader
1/14/23 7:25 p.m.
ShawnG said:

Did you give the seller money?

Or just a promise that you would come get it?

Seller (not a forum member or anything that I know of, no drama here) was 100 miles away.  We negotiated a price last night via text, arranged a time and place to meet.  He checked in with this morning I confirmed that I was still coming and in the process of renting a trailer.  I rent and hookup said trailer, give him an update and confirm I will be on time for meetup.  A little while later, he says he has someone looking at the car.   I asked why, did we not have a deal?

Crickets.  

Call.  No answer.

Wait.  Keep driving because I promised to stop by and see my parents that live in the seller's area and I do what I say I will.

Text "So I assume the car is sold to someone else."

Reply "Yes"

If he had told me that he was going to continue trying to sell the car after he had struck a deal, I wouldn't have anything to be unhappy about, but I also would not have committed to a deal on those terms, given the circumstances.

 

 

 

 

LionPride
LionPride New Reader
1/14/23 7:27 p.m.
dculberson said:

It's not yours until money has changed hands.

That's fine, but don't say you are going to do a thing and then not do it.

John Welsh
John Welsh Mod Squad
1/14/23 7:49 p.m.

In reply to LionPride :

I just wonder, "did you ever really speak and hold a conversation with the seller?"  You mentioned a text.  

I ask because I have been amazed at how far people will travel off just a few lines of text.   I find text to be horrible for "conversation" and best used for brief phrases.  Its hard to get full meaning and full intent from just a few lines containing no inflection.  

NOHOME
NOHOME MegaDork
1/14/23 7:50 p.m.

In reply to LionPride :

Agreed. 

That said, I bet there was a bump in $$$ that sold it out from under you.

Stampie
Stampie GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
1/14/23 7:53 p.m.

What I've learned is to at least offer a deposit.  If they say no that's fine then you're normally still good.  If they accept it then you're good.  Sellers want money.  Try to give it to them.

LionPride
LionPride New Reader
1/14/23 7:55 p.m.
John Welsh said:

In reply to LionPride :

I just wonder, "did you ever really speak and hold a conversation with the seller?"  You mentioned a text.  

I ask because I have been amazed at how far people will travel off just a few lines of text.   

We held a protracted conversation over Facebook Messenger and SMS.  

Does it make a difference?  Should it?

 

 

Stampie
Stampie GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
1/14/23 7:58 p.m.
LionPride said:
John Welsh said:

In reply to LionPride :

I just wonder, "did you ever really speak and hold a conversation with the seller?"  You mentioned a text.  

I ask because I have been amazed at how far people will travel off just a few lines of text.   

We held a protracted conversation over Facebook Messenger and SMS.  

Does it make a difference?  Should it?

 

 

Depends on the age of the other person.  You have to read the seller.

John Welsh
John Welsh Mod Squad
1/14/23 8:02 p.m.

In reply to LionPride :

I don't know if it should make a difference.  I only wonder if it could have made a difference.  What I wonder is did the seller understand your level of commitment and the hurdles you would be going through to get to him.  If he didn't know, should he? 

If he did know of the hurdles, had your words created a real bond with him.  Could a conversation, a conversation that could have wondered off to shared experiences or shared interests, created more of a "friend type bond."  Or, were you left as just another name on FB?

  
If not noticed, my background is sales where you try to make a connection and get a commitment.  

FieroReinke
FieroReinke Reader
1/14/23 8:02 p.m.

when I am going long distance I always feel out the seller to see if they are still entertaining offers and try to make it clear to them I am coming long distance with cash.   if I am not confident they are holding it for me then I don't go unless it's an amazing deal or I really need it.   

John Welsh
John Welsh Mod Squad
1/14/23 8:06 p.m.

In reply to LionPride :

Could price have been the big differentiator?  Had a price been established?  If yes, were you trying for a significant discount?  

It may be that at the low price, the car was yours UNLESS someone with more money gets here first. 

LionPride
LionPride New Reader
1/14/23 8:10 p.m.
John Welsh said:

In reply to LionPride :

I don't know if it should make a difference.  I only wonder if it could have made a difference.  What I wonder is did the seller understand your level of commitment and the hurdles you would be going through to get to him.  If he didn't know, should he? 

If he did know of the hurdles, had your words created a real bond with him.  Could a conversation, a conversation that could have wondered off to shared experiences or shared interests, created more of a "friend type bond."  Or, were you left as just another name on FB?

  
If not noticed, my background is sales where you try to make a connection and get a commitment.  

The seller knew this was a project car for a bunch of high school kids and what the opportunity meant to them.  

We had a fairly lengthy conversation.  He knew who I was, where I worked, where I lived, etc.

John Welsh
John Welsh Mod Squad
1/14/23 8:12 p.m.

In reply to LionPride :

Then, yes, it seems you had understanding of commitment so I'll say it could have been a dick move by the seller.  

ClemSparks
ClemSparks UltimaDork
1/14/23 8:12 p.m.
LionPride said:
John Welsh said:

In reply to LionPride :

I just wonder, "did you ever really speak and hold a conversation with the seller?"  You mentioned a text.  

I ask because I have been amazed at how far people will travel off just a few lines of text.   

We held a protracted conversation over Facebook Messenger and SMS.  

Does it make a difference?  Should it?

Should it make a difference?  Of course not. 

DOES it?  Abso-freakin'-lutely.

I grew up and cut my horse-trading teeth in the days of the classified ad and phone call.  Then on to internet ads and phone calls and emails.  And now it's texts/messenger and I'm the old guy (who texts in sentences and whole words, GASP!).  You can tell a lot about someone by how they communicate.

I'll definitely remember this story (LionPride's) next time I'm getting ready to put any significant engergy (and especially money/time/travel) into a deal.

In the past I've tried to be very clear with folks when I'm buying.  "I need your commitment that if I start driving your direction, I'm going to have the option to buy it when I get there.  I'm driving a long way and I think it's a reasonable request."  If they don't commit to that, they're not my kind of seller.   I'm trying to learn/remember that I don't need this noise and resulting frustration in my life.

When selling, I lead with "first with cash get's it" until presented with the same request for committment I would ask for.  If someone's serious enough to communicate with me in a way I appreciate and seems serious, I can hang onto it while they make the trip.

Sorry it happened to you LionsPride...it's a sucky feeling.  Try to not let it drag you down, learn for next time, and I bet tomorrow will bring an even better deal to make you glad this happened (we can hope, right?)!

LionPride
LionPride New Reader
1/14/23 8:18 p.m.
John Welsh said:

In reply to LionPride :

Could price have been the big differentiator?  Had a price been established?  If yes, were you trying for a significant discount?  

It may be that at the low price, the car was yours UNLESS someone with more money gets here first. 

We had price, place and time spelled out.  Yes, the price was good.  Maybe he used me to push another buyer?  I don't know. 

 

 

ClemSparks
ClemSparks UltimaDork
1/14/23 8:24 p.m.

Also...we probably ought to leave the Welsh out of this.  I'd suggest Crawfish as a suitable substitute group to disparage but in the future, I don't want to want to have to pull a Kent Brockman:

 

Sorry if it seems like I'm having fun at your expense, OP.  All in fun

John Welsh
John Welsh Mod Squad
1/14/23 8:25 p.m.

I was on the selling side recently of upsetting a potential buyer.  This was the entirety of our whole conversation about a rough Prius sold this past summer in the height of price craziness.  The listing was very clear of the condition and history of the car detailing rebuilt title and pictures of the previous accident damage and its repair...  

 

 

 

Is this still available?

Enter

Tim

 

 

You sent

Yes, can be seen today after 4:30

Tim

I have a calling hours to go to today, and I'm swamped for this week, if you sell it before then I guess that's how it goes, but if it's on the market for next week I'll message you again.

Enter

Tim

 

I'm very interested, but life is happening so

Enter

6/25/22, 2:17 PM

Tim

 

Hello, I am off of work next Tuesday and Wednesday, is it possible to see it on either of those days?

Enter

You sent

Yes, I could work with either of these days. I work from home some my availability is pretty open.

Enter

6/25/22, 6:42 PM

Tim

 

What about Monday? Could we meet maybe around 8pm? Its a 2 and 1/2 hour drive for me and I work until 4:30, so I can't do earlier than that. My brother has the same prius so I wanted to bring him along to check it out and he can only do that day or sometime the next week.

Enter

You sent

Yes. I can do Monday 8pm

Enter

Tim

It may be 8:30 because it's a bit of a drive, so I'll let you know on the day what time exactly.

Enter

Tim

 

I had some other questions about the car, it doesn't have a Rebuilt Title correct?

Enter

You sent

It does have a rebuilt title. But don't let that scare you. I bought the car from The Insurance company to be my daily driver. It only needed a plastic bumper cover and a Headlight, as shown in the last two Facebook ad pictures. This pictures were me towing it home and then me fixing it in my driveway.

Enter

You sent

Let's also be clear. It needs abs brake work before driving it home. It stops but you won't want to drive it more than parking lot speeds. I happen to live next door to a large parking lot, so, you can actually drive it around that parking lot

Enter

Tim

 

Definitely gonna drive it in the lot, would you do 2500?

Enter

You sent

Here's a video sample of the brake work it needs. https://youtu.be/6ykDaDt4jO0

Gen2 Prius - ABS Brake Actuator Replacement

Enter

You sent

Your profile says Newton Falls. Get the used brake controller from this guy in Ravenna. I bought parts from him once and he was great. https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/681311129802048/?ref=facebook_story_share

Attachment Unavailable

Enter

Tim

 

Yeah I've done business with him before. That's where my brother got his.

Enter

6/26/22, 8:49 PM

Tim

 

I Wanted to make sure you had the title notarized and ready to go before we show up, we won't be able to go to a notary at 8pm.

Enter

You sent

It is not yet notarized. I'll see what I can get done tomorrow during the day

Enter

Tim

 

Okay, if all goes well I'd Like to take the car tomorrow, so I don't have to drive back again.

Enter

6/27/22, 2:24 PM

You sent

I have a local notary lined up who can do it this evening

Enter

6/27/22, 3:01 PM

Tim

 

While we're looking at the car?

Enter

You sent

Local guy will stop by my house if you decide to buy

Enter

You sent

Oh... House is... 36 Rd Sandusky OH 44870

Enter

6/27/22, 6:16 PM

Tim

 

My GPS says 7:45, so expect us around then or 8

Enter

You sent

Okay

Enter

You sent

36 road sandusky ohio 44870 I live right next to a Country Club. Since you're towing a trailers park in the club parking lot, farthest from their main building. Tons of space at that empty end of the parking lot

Enter

6/27/22, 7:13 PM

You sent

Sold to the 6:45 guy... So sorry

Enter

You sent

Enter

You sent

Open photo

Enter

Tim

 

Yeah guess it would have been nice to know that before I was an hour and a half into the drive, thanks for wasting my time.

 

 

 

The brother then sent via FB:
Thanks for the heads up about the other buyer. Appreciate spending $65 on fuel and wasting over 2 hours just to get screwed. I hope the deal was worth the loss in credibility and honoring your word. Although nobody else is going to know that you did this, it speaks volumes about your character and your trustworthiness. This is the kind of behavior I'd expect from a teenager.

 

I took the high road of not responding to him.  

In my defense.  I was asking $3,000 for the car and the seller was trying to move me down to $2,500 even before arriving.  I expected he would try to go lower once he arrived.  
The one I did sell it to offered and paid the full $3,000

John Welsh
John Welsh Mod Squad
1/14/23 8:27 p.m.

Its a 5 letter last name that is commonly spelled/misspelled 4 different ways of Welsh, Walsh, Welch, and Welsch.  I will generally answer to all so, yeah, the title caught my attention.  But, no offense taken.  

ClemSparks
ClemSparks UltimaDork
1/14/23 8:32 p.m.

Lol...I was mostly just making a joke about ethnic slurs.  It did occur to me that your last name was also being disparaged in the whole thing, lol. 

(To be clear, I don't actually think the OP probably even realizes it, let alone means anything by it.)

John Welsh
John Welsh Mod Squad
1/14/23 8:41 p.m.

In reply to ClemSparks :

Zero offense taken.  Its not even displayed as my real last name.  It may be a slight ethnic slur but I have never been to Wales and have nearly zero attachment to it.  My mother's side was French via Nova Scotia for her father and Luxembourg for her mother.  But both those Grandparents of mine were born in the US.  

But, as copied above, someone recently accused me of Welshing on a deal.  

Curious so I looked up the origin of the term

Steve_Jones
Steve_Jones SuperDork
1/14/23 9:02 p.m.

In reply to John Welsh :

So he headed out assuming you'd do the $2500? I don't see where you said yes. That's dumb on his end. 

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