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Thread: Spotting Serious Buyers

  1. #1

    Spotting Serious Buyers

    I'm selling my TB IX SE, and I posted on Craigslist. How can you spot a serious buyer from somebody that just wants to take a joyride? Do you guys have any tips or good questions to ask? Are there certain questions (how fast can this go?) or behaviors (just want to jump in and drive) that would tip you off and signal red flags?

  2. #2
    Quote Originally Posted by UCLAevo View Post
    I'm selling my TB IX SE, and I posted on Craigslist. How can you spot a serious buyer from somebody that just wants to take a joyride? Do you guys have any tips or good questions to ask? Are there certain questions (how fast can this go?) or behaviors (just want to jump in and drive) that would tip you off and signal red flags?
    never let anyone unless they have all the cash with them ready to pay,meet up at a very lit local place if the buyer wants to come and check the car out. If they are serious they'll contact you and want to meet up to discuss any further questions. BEWARE of those wanting to pay you via pay pal. It's a scam or if you get any sort of message saying they are buying it on behalf of someone else,if they say it's a surprise gift for someone,if they can only pay via paypal or money order since they can't pick the car up themselves and want to ship the car out. Don't rush it last thing you want to do is give away a Evo. Of they intend to pay via check meet at said bank and verify first. From personal experience I know it may take a while to weed out all the scammers and joy riders but rather it be a long process than to get screwed over the money and Evo. Hope it helps

  3. #3
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    Whiskers's Avatar
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    believe it or not, this is a frequently asked question. thread moved.

  4. #4
    Experienced Jcherb686's Avatar
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    Most dudes I have expericaned usually ask an ass load of questions right off the bat via text, such as VIN #, build history and if you have all the paperwork for it. I have had the misfortune of dealing with a couple tire kickers, all they wanted was to beat it up for a few minutes and then tell me some BS about how they would "work it with the bank"

    Stress that there will be no test drive or anything without cash or secured payment in hand i.e. bank check. I bought my VIII with a certified bank check and they guy lost his shit on me. He took it to walmart to cash and they wouldn't cash it since it was for 16K....he tried reporting the car as stolen.

    "Don't rush it last thing you want to do is give away a Evo"- At the end of the day, its your car and money talks. While I would hate to see my hard work and effort go to waste, cash is king and if the numbers are right, Im selling.

    Red Flags:

    1. No funds to buy car
    2. No knowledge of the Evo (most dudes getting an Evo know a thing or two)
    3. Pay Pal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    4. Wants to buy sight unseen
    5. Ask retarded questions like "whats it do in the 1/4","How fast does it go", "did you put the turbo on this" or my favorite "is it fwd or rwd"

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  5. #5
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    yup too many tire kickers out there. best place Id recommend is at a meet with a few other Evo owners. that will sniff them out in a hurry.

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    Experienced Jcherb686's Avatar
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    I got asked awhile back as I was coming through the gate to get on Camp Pendleton, "Hey man, is it for sale?" and I responded "Everything I own is for sale" to which he replied "Cool, question though, whats up with that massive radiator?" ".....it keeps it running really cool..."

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  7. #7
    Amateur Pornstar Treyzian's Avatar
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    Easiest way like others have said is "money in hand/cashier's check for test rides."

    Quote Originally Posted by Jcherb686 View Post
    Most dudes I have expericaned usually ask an ass load of questions right off the bat via text, such as VIN #, build history and if you have all the paperwork for it. I have had the misfortune of dealing with a couple tire kickers, all they wanted was to beat it up for a few minutes and then tell me some BS about how they would "work it with the bank"

    Stress that there will be no test drive or anything without cash or secured payment in hand i.e. bank check. I bought my VIII with a certified bank check and they guy lost his shit on me. He took it to walmart to cash and they wouldn't cash it since it was for 16K....he tried reporting the car as stolen.

    "Don't rush it last thing you want to do is give away a Evo"- At the end of the day, its your car and money talks. While I would hate to see my hard work and effort go to waste, cash is king and if the numbers are right, Im selling.

    Red Flags:

    1. No funds to buy car
    2. No knowledge of the Evo (most dudes getting an Evo know a thing or two)
    3. Pay Pal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    4. Wants to buy sight unseen
    5. Ask retarded questions like "whats it do in the 1/4","How fast does it go", "did you put the turbo on this" or my favorite "is it fwd or rwd"
    ^this lol.

  8. #8
    Evolved jiGGypiGGy's Avatar
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    test drives are $100 bucks, if you buy the car ill take it off the balance.

  9. #9
    How about you take them for a ride they ride passenger side of course. Cash in hand or bank check are ways to head off the knuckleheads who just want to beat your car.

  10. #10
    Experienced Jcherb686's Avatar
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    Im not wasting my gas to let some dude get a ride in my car. But the $100 for a test drive is legit...but you see the way my bank account is set up...

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  11. #11
    When I was selling my EG, kid insists on doing a compression check on the engine. So we go to the place he chooses and they do the compression check. When it comes to paying the money, he tries to use his credit card and the shop says no we only accept cash. So I have to front the cash otherwise I can't get my car back. So the kid later changes his mind and decides not to buy the car. Lesson learned.

  12. #12
    Experienced Jcherb686's Avatar
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    I would have lost it. I'm weird about having "a mechanic" look at it or taking it to a shop that the buyer wants to go to. I'm down to go to a reputable shop though, like if a guy from LA wanted to buy my car, we could meet at RRE or COBB depending on how far the guy was willing to drive. But that's just me...

    Another one to add to the list of things to be weary of is if they ask "will it pass smog...?"
    you know the game youre getting into so it should go without question that it will be on you depending on how modded the car is. I usually respond to that with a "Yes...I am including the stock emissions pieces, however SMOG is on you"

    I even got told "well its your responsibility to smog the car before the sale, and to ensure it passes" -Im giving you the stock parts, bro....

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  13. #13
    Like anything, use what people say as guidelines and tweak them based on the buyer. If you have an old fart coming in with obvious cash you can play with looser rules. When I bought my Evo, it was a very laid back experience for both the seller and I. But I do agree with most of this stuff, make sure they can afford it up front.

  14. #14
    Thanks for all the tips!

    Are cashier's check and money order guaranteed funds? Meaning, there's no way they can be canceled, no way they can not clear?

    For test drives, I was thinking I could drive it myself with them in the passenger seat too (heck, I didn't even get to test drive until I provided all my financial information), but I'm wondering if that doesn't give people enough feel for it.

  15. #15
    Experienced Jcherb686's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by UCLAevo View Post
    Thanks for all the tips!

    Are cashier's check and money order guaranteed funds? Meaning, there's no way they can be canceled, no way they can not clear?

    For test drives, I was thinking I could drive it myself with them in the passenger seat too (heck, I didn't even get to test drive until I provided all my financial information), but I'm wondering if that doesn't give people enough feel for it.
    Yes and no for the money order/cashiers check. I wouldn't take a MoneyGram or a western union, but if it is a legit bank draft then you're good. Like stated earlier, do financial transactions at the bank if possible, it will make life easier for both of you. Plus, if you still have a lien on the car, by going to your bank they can provide the buyer with a loan satisfaction letter to provide the DMV so he can register it.

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  16. #16
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    I think 90% of what needs to be accomplished on a test drive can be done regardless of who drives it. Listen to the engine, drivetrain, confirm that everything works, listen for weird chassis related noises, make sure all 5 or 6 speeds are functional, Engine can make a clean pull to redline (from about 3k to redline in 3rd gear would be my choice).

    That said, each car has it's own little nuances that could *potentially* be masked by an experienced owner. So if it were my money, i would still demand my own test drive, but that would be near the close of the deal just to make sure there isn't anything hiding before i hand over the cash.

  17. #17
    Experienced Jcherb686's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Apex Hunter View Post
    I think 90% of what needs to be accomplished on a test drive can be done regardless of who drives it. Listen to the engine, drivetrain, confirm that everything works, listen for weird chassis related noises, make sure all 5 or 6 speeds are functional, Engine can make a clean pull to redline (from about 3k to redline in 3rd gear would be my choice).

    That said, each car has it's own little nuances that could *potentially* be masked by an experienced owner. So if it were my money, i would still demand my own test drive, but that would be near the close of the deal just to make sure there isn't anything hiding before i hand over the cash.
    Nailed it! I would let you drive us to the bank..

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  18. #18
    Cashiers checks and money orders are NOT as good as cash because banks put holds on them. Wire or cash only for me unless you want to wait to take the car until after it is fully cleared by my bank and I have the full funds available.

  19. #19
    Experienced Jcherb686's Avatar
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    Someone did you dirty in the past...or you are just irresponsible with money. If I get a certified bank check for say 20k, I expect the bank to put a hold on the check in order to verify it with the other bank. I'm not that hard pressed for money to be worried about a hold on 20k for a day. But F&*^ a money order or a non bank drafted check.

    Also, and this is my opinion, you would be a full blown retard to travel to buy a car with a large sum of money. If you get robbed somehow and you have cash, you're pretty much shit out of luck, but if you have a bank check, all you have to do is call the bank and tell them what happened and BOOM! No money for the robbers.

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  20. #20
    ^Wow. Yeah I'm irresponsible with money- you don't have a clue about me and you need to learn to shut your mouth rather than assume things like a jack. And you can't manage to do a wire if you go buy a car some distance away?

    MODS JUST PLEASE DELETE MY COMMENTS HERE. I DON'T HAVE TIME TO ARGUE WITH RETARDS ON THE INTERNET. THANK YOU.

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