Haggling over the price of a car

eidolon

eidolon

eidolon

Soldato
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Newcastle upon Tyne
When selling a car, what sort of amount do you feel is acceptable to knock off the price?

I'm asking because I saw an Elise that I quite liked yesterday, I noticed that it had been up for sale for 5 weeks now so I contacted the owner. After various emails it sounded like it could be the MR2 replacement so I asked what sort of offer he'd consider to which I was told that he wouldn't accept a penny less than his asking price of £17,000. As the car needed one of the wheels refurbishing I asked if he'd knock £100 off the price for that. He replied with a resounding "no".

It's not like I'm asking for £100 off a £500 banger, it's a £17,000 car at the end of the day. He's had the car up for sale for a fair while and we're even with the same bank so I'd be able to do an instant transfer so he'd have an immediate sale.

Am I being unreasonable expecting something off the price or is he just being awkward?
 
He is definately being akward.

Although another way of looking at it is this, if it's the right one for you and you really like it, is it worth losing it over £100?
 
Just move on mate. He doesn't deserve to sell it and there are loads out there.
A hundred pound chip on a 17k motor is nothing.

You really don't want to know how much i would offer as i am a major cheeky ****** when it comes to bidding.
Not a lot feels better than kicking a seller in the gonads when it comes to buying cars i love the look on there face when you state your offer.

I do this for two reasons.
One being that if the guy considers my cheeky bid then i suspect the car for dodgyness much more and go over it twice as much.
Secondly.
If he holds firm and seems offended i take it as a sign that the car is good.

Either way buying motors is Sport to me i love it. I love looking haggling bidding buying sorting and selling. :cool:
 
The whole point of negotiation is that both of you feel you have a good deal. I like a haggle, I wouldnt feel quite so pleased with the deal if I was unable to knock anything off.

Maybe the guy is reluctant to sell or he can afford to hold onto it as long as possible.
 
When I was looking for my 406 it was up for £4995. Spent a good couple of hours looking around it (private sale). Then offered her £4000 :D. I thought she was going to pas out, got it for £4400.

Personally I would just be very cheeky, in the end you've nothing to lose.

Fog
 
>Good morning Steve,
>
>Just to let you know that I am not around this morning, so may not
>be able to reply to e mails before 3PM.. If you are interested in
>the Elise, it mght be quicker to give me a call on the mobile
>0712345678
>
>Just to let you know that I have adjusted the price slightly
>(upwards !) on the Pistonheads website, but of course will respect
>the our previous exchange of e mails ie £17k.
>
>Cheers
>
>Xxxxxx
Click to expand...

And my reply

Hi Xxxxxx

Thanks for letting me know but I've decided not to bother with the Elise.

I noticed that your car has been up for sale for at quite some time and knocking £100 off the price would've almost certainly secured a sale today with immediate transfer of funds. There is no shortage of Elises out there so I'll just keep searching.

Good luck with the sale.

Steve
Click to expand...
 
You dont ask what offer they will consider.
You offer the money in a very positive "I will give you £16,000" for it".

He says no, leave him your name and number its the type of car people go looking for and specifically want, if its been up for 5 weeks, no one wants it and he will get back to you.
If he doesnt, its his loss.

I see you have done it anyway while i was typing.

Top bombing!
 
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