We like to ask questions of The auto seller. We want to know about your favorite cars or the challenges you’ve had keeping your fleet on the road. We usually ask friendly questions to learn about the automotive life of our readers. But not today!
I’m here to ask you a completely blunt and sharper question. What is the cheapest price you will sell your car for mate?
I am intimately familiar with how annoying this question can be. I just spent the better part of two weeks trying to sell my old Mercedes.
I didn’t have high hopes for the sale from the start. I dumped it on Facebook for $2,500, which was quite a bit less than I paid for it three years ago. When used car prices were at their highest, you were lucky to pick up a runner for under $2000. Given that my Merc was not only running, but relatively clean, I figured getting two stacks in shouldn’t be too difficult.
I sat and waited, hearing nothing but the crickets. After a day I dropped my price to two grand and the offers started pouring in. No inquiries about looking at the car, no questions about its condition. Just rude mouth breathers who saw fit to forego any respectful courtesies.
“last price” said the first drongo. They were not interested in inspecting the car or even talking to me as a person. They didn’t have time for tedious things like greetings or question marks. They just wanted to see how much they could get out of me before they got off the couch.
I recently met an even ruder customer. They didn’t ask, they told. “1100” came the message. Just a number! I guess I was expected to ask this guy to come and release me from the car for such a magnificent proposal.
I made the mistake of associating with one of these people. I replied to “Last Price” indicating that I was firm at $2000. They offered $1,400 and I thought I might as well give it a shot and go for it. It had been a week and the car was still here. I countered with $1500 and they agreed. I figured I was about to sell this thing. “Done,” they said. I figured they meant a deal, but whatever.
Of course, this was not the case. They failed to show up for our morning meeting even though they promised they had $1,500 in cash to exchange for the car. They ended up being two hours late, looked around the car and looked disappointed. They offered “1100 my best bro” and as you can imagine I sent them packing. They had the audacity to continue pestering me for the rest of the day, still refusing to honor the $1500 we had agreed upon. I chose to sell the car to a wrecker for $500 before this philistine ever touched my Mercedes again.
I abandoned Facebook Marketplace entirely. Two weeks produced no serious inquiries—only a continuous parade of helpless jugglers.
Instead I paid $19 for a Gumtree listing at $1800. The next day someone called and asked to see the car. They came down in two hours, liked the car and didn’t even haggle. They sent me $1,800, I signed the papers, and they drove off in their shiny Mercedes-Benz. Everyone left happy.
Ultimately, however, this is not the case Lewin bitchesIt is Autopian asks. So I ask you what is the lowest price you will take for your car? You can answer honestly by telling us how much you think your car is worth on the used car market. Or you can respond as if I’m a rude, disrespectful chance from Facebook. Avoid me for asking you to bargain against yourselves to satisfy your own selfish ends.
Bottom row? It’s hell outside. Be kind and do well and the world will be a better place. Lewin out.
Image Credits: Lewinous Bergatron The First
