No offers

bartelbe

Looking at secondhand cars to replace my dying banger, and I have noticed a few ads with this phrase. It just seems a stupid thing to put in an ad.

The reason why people make offers on cars is because value depends on condition. Two cars, same year, same millage, are unlikely to be worth the same.

I base what I offer for a car on my inspection and a test drive. I am not going to drive along way to see a car, if there is no chance of getting a few quid off if I find a fault the seller has missed.

martinthebandit

bartelbe wrote: »

Looking at secondhand cars to replace my dying banger, and I have noticed a few ads with this phrase. It just seems a stupid thing to put in an ad.

The reason why people make offers on cars is because value depends on condition. Two cars, same year, same millage, are unlikely to be worth the same.

I base what I offer for a car on my inspection and a test drive. I am not going to drive along way to see a car, if there is no chance of getting a few quid off if I find a fault the seller has missed.

Which is fair enough, but its also fair enough for the seller to say ' no offers' cannot see the problem really.

Gavin83

bartelbe wrote: »

I base what I offer for a car on my inspection and a test drive. I am not going to drive along way to see a car, if there is no chance of getting a few quid off if I find a fault the seller has missed.

Not everyone does this though. Most people have the mindset that they should get some money off a used cars original price regardless of any other factors. Some people price their cars expecting to have to reduce the price by a few hundred quid, some except no offers. Seems fair to me.

Nodding_Donkey

Some people price their cars to sell and having a succession of tyre kickers trying to get it for an unreasonably low price is teresome.

Hence the 'No offers'

colino

Pointless phrase to add to , genuine reason for sale, one careful driver, great condition et al.
If you see a car, inspect it, want it and have cash in your back pocket, you always bargain. They can only say no.

Aretnap

bartelbe wrote: »

I am not going to drive along way to see a car, if there is no chance of getting a few quid off if I find a fault the seller has missed.

Would you be happier if you did drive all that way, took it for a drive, offered him something below the advertised price and then he told you to take it or leave it?

If he's decided he's not going to sell it for less than a certain amount it seems better for both of you if he tells you up front - that way neither of you are wasting your time.

bartelbe

Aretnap wrote: »

Would you be happier if you did drive all that way, took it for a drive, offered him something below the advertised price and then he told you to take it or leave it?

If he's decided he's not going to sell it for less than a certain amount it seems better for both of you if he tells you up front - that way neither of you are wasting your time.

Well no, because as a buyer it puts me off, I don't like the attitude.

A car has a value, just because somebody thinks its worth x, doesn't make it worth x. If no-one is buying, then it is overpriced. It is nothing to do with "tyre kickers".

There is nothing wrong with bartering, and yes, most people expect some money off. In that case it is more sensible to price above what you will sell for, barter, rather than put buyers off.

DUTR

bartelbe wrote: »

Well no, because as a buyer it puts me off, I don't like the attitude.

A car has a value, just because somebody thinks its worth x, doesn't make it worth x. If no-one is buying, then it is overpriced. It is nothing to do with "tyre kickers".

There is nothing wrong with bartering, and yes, most people expect some money off. In that case it is more sensible to price above what you will sell for, barter, rather than put buyers off.

Remember the seller isn't always desperate for your money either.
They are not putting buyers off, they are deterring timewasters, if you see a better deal go and buy that one instead.

Richard53

It's entirely up to the seller what he/she is prepared to let a car go for. If they want to put 'no offers' or 'firm', then that is up to them. I personally think it's foolish as it tends to put people off (for all the reasons given above), but it's up to the seller how the ad is worded. If I see the words I tend to think the seller will be harder to deal with and probably look elsewhere.


My pet hates in second-hand vehicle ads are:


'Reluctant sale' (I still quite like the car, but there are some big bills coming)


'Genuine reason for sale' (the engine is about to fall out, but I will leave it vague so you think I have been given a company car or something)


'Will pass MoT easily' (but for some reason I won't risk £50 and sell the car for £200 more)

forgotmyname

You missed.

New car forces sale = Im not risking my life in that old death trap every again.

rev_henry

forgotmyname wrote: »

You missed.

New car forces sale = Im not risking my life in that old death trap every again.

Never understand that one. I always try to put an honest reason for sale when selling a car, not just saying that there is a 'genuine reason for sale'.