My experience selling my old car.

voteoften on 30/01/2017 - 16:48

I recently replaced my car and had to dispose if the old one. I thought I'd get maybe $2500 for it - 2001 bmw executive 235,000 km.

The dealer where I bought my new used car checked with their buyers and offered $1000. I said no. Then I had a bit of a health scare and thought "holy crap, if this turns out to be bad, there's a chance I'll just let it sit there"

I texted the employee who sold me the car and explained why I now wanted to sell the car for $1000. He said he'd check the next day as he was off work. I followed up the next day, without even an acknowledgement. Of course all the unsolicited mail comes from them still - to the address I specifically said do not send any mail to this address.

So I found a couple of dealers who advertise online. One in Morley called giant, had an automated thing that said they'd pay around $5000 for the car. I knew that was nonsense. A girl called and said it'll be more like $2000, do you still want to come in? I said sure and drive 45 minutes to get there. They offered me $250, with the excuse that the rego had less than a month left.

So I advertised it on gumtree and said price was firm at $1750. I parked it in a nearby side street and asked people to go by and look at it first before asking for a look. Within a day, I had what seemed to be at least 12 genuine inquires Some asked me to hold it for them, some wanted to drive it. I was about to answer the emails when a last one came in. A lady wanted to come by the next morning at 5 am with $2000 cash and buy it based on the photos. I told her that the price was firm at $1750 as the rego needed paying and there was a headlight out. She had said that her car had died, she needed one urgently and that was all the money she had. She texted me at 450am already at the car and was with some guy, so we took it up to the shopping centre where he had a look under the bonnet. Did he even know what he was looking for? I had taken it to the car wash the day before and did an engine clean and car wash. I let him test drive it without following any of the advice I received on here. Lol

I did use the advice I had received on here and had set up a WA DOT account and did the $3.40 check suggested by spackbace, to show it had no money owing, hadn't been stolen or written off. By 510 am, I had the $1750 in hand and had transferred the car online and was walking home.

I know some people on here will think I should have taken the $2000 or that I could have gotten more, but for me, this was a good outcome. My daughter was cross I stuck to my price, but I gave her $50 and that shut her up.

I just thought I'd share my experience on here, particularly after feeling like I'd had my time wasted by that Giant car place in Morley.

Thanks everyone for your advice.

Automotive

Comments

  • Gunther on 30/01/2017 - 16:55

    Whats the Redbook price on the model car? You dont specify in your post…

    • tonyjzx on 30/01/2017 - 16:58

      2001 bmw 318 320 whatever?

      I surely they are worth more than $2k?

      • voteoften on 30/01/2017 - 17:03

        318i. I am happy with the price and will remain so, regardless of what people in here say. It suited my situation and stress tolerance for dealing with cars. I hate dealing with cars.

    • voteoften on 30/01/2017 - 17:01
      +5

      Doesn't matter to me. There was a wide range and this was below the lower end. I was happy with the price. I sold it with minimal,stress, which was my biggest concern over price. Maybe I could have gotten more, but I "made" $750 more than if the dealer had gotten back to me with a yes.

      • nomoneynoproblems on 30/01/2017 - 17:39

        Exactly, this. If you're happy with the price, sold it effortlessly then you're laughing. What more could you want?

    • spackbace on 30/01/2017 - 17:08
      +2

      Whats the Redbook price on the model car? You dont specify in your post…

      Please dont even try to mention Redbook on a 16yo car…

      • railspider on 30/01/2017 - 17:20

        Curious - what's wrong with trusting Redbook for an an old car valuation? Is it because the quality of the vehicle can vary so much after all those years of (possibly heavy) use?

        • spackbace on 30/01/2017 - 17:22
          +3

          For 1 thing, Redbook doesn't get consulted in the industry.

          And you're dead right - Quality of older cars can vary so much that the value is pointless. Are the tyres good or does it need 2/4, does it have rust, body damage, any check engine lights… the list goes on. All can make a $5k car worth $50.

  • voteoften on 30/01/2017 - 17:05

    The post was intended to be about the process and the dealers. I'm happy with the price received. The fact I got it gone so quick was worth $1000 to me. I have a real hatred of dealing with cars.

  • HardQuiz on 30/01/2017 - 17:50
    +1

    Good for you OP.

    I would've been suspicious/conscious of a 5am transaction, but glad all went well for you.

    • voteoften on 31/01/2017 - 00:30

      I actually set the viewing times in my ad. I said 5-8am or after 2pm. I'm older now. Us oldies don't really sleep. I had thought it would be light at 430-445m . No daylight saving in wa. There were a lot of enquiries for this car and she offered more than the asking price. I just figured she needed a car like she said. She wanted the vin number, etc so I figured she was probably legitimate.

      I really just wanted the car gone. I had had it for 14 years. I felt screwed by the giant place in Morley and was irritated by the fact the sales guy at the dealer where I bought the new one couldn't acknowledge my request to know if they could still honour the $1000 price. And I was worried that if my health scare was bad case scenario, that I'd leave the car until it was too late.

      I do put things off, as someone sort of asked about in another thread where I am seeking advice about moving a "new" 13-14 yo a/c unit. On GUMTREE. đŸ˜³

      My takeaway is I hate car salespeople.

      • spackbace on 31/01/2017 - 00:35

        My takeaway is I hate some car salespeople.

        Fixed ;)

        • voteoften on 31/01/2017 - 00:57

          Thanks sweetie

        • Kangal on 01/02/2017 - 16:50
          +1

          My takeaway is I hate most car salespeople.

          Amended :P
          (Suzuki salespeople are the best, or so I hear)

      • Euphemistic on 31/01/2017 - 11:17

        I like the idea of putting in viewing times on an add. Might borrow that idea when I post mine for sale soon.

  • TheOneWhoKnocks on 30/01/2017 - 18:55

    Nice and easy transaction, the ideal outcome. Nice one OP.

  • follow on 30/01/2017 - 18:56
    +1

    lol @ $250. I went there as I saw a sign out front that said 'Sell your car here'. When i arrived there was a salesman outside who asked me if I was looking to buy or trade. When I said I just wanted to sell, he said to go inside and speak to the front counter. Front counter had no idea what I was talking about and the salesman from outside said, while laughing, that he was joking and the actual person was over there. The person was talking to someone else and he then I was passed off to another person who was on the phone while talking to me. I left the sh*thole and always advise people never to go there.

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