Frustration !!!

I have been trying for almost two weeks now to make a deal with a person that doesn't know what they want for their car but, when I make an offer I am simply told that the offer isn't high enough. I am never given a counter proposal so I have no idea what to offer back. I think I'm about to give up. Its a shame to because a potentialy nice MGB RB is going to sit in a driveway and rot away. Ok, rant over. Anyone else ever have this problem?

Regards John

Hi, John:

I would simply tell the other party what you've told us. Make one more bid and tell them that unless they make a counter proposal, they won't be hearing from you again.

Sortof - I know of a nice, very solid, 1976 RB Roadster near here. Problem is, it hasn't been driven in 10 or more years. It is all original, but the body and paint are in great shape and would only need polish. It could use an interior refresh and new roof. He asked me to take a look and tell him what it was worth - I said, on the road you might get $5,000 or $6,000 for it (it is possibly the worst year for the MGB).

I guessed it would cost about $1500 to $2000 to get it on the road - mostly brake work, so as-is you might get $3000 or perhaps a little more.

So he lists it for $5,000 and won't negotiate - go figure!

That is frustrating, sounds like they don't really want to sell. My big pet peeve is classified ads in the newspaper (or anywhere else) without a price. Is it a secret?

Ryan Reis Wrote:

About three years ago we saw a rough but very straight and rust free '71 MGB with a For Sale sign on it, and a phone number, but no price. We phoned a half dozen times and got a machine, but never a reply. Finally got ahold of the guy and he said he was just going into a meeting..could he call back? He never did call back. We concluded that he must not have been very anxious to sell, but why jerk people around?

John

Call them and say you would like to make a final offer. Quote them a price that is $100 - $500 less than your last offer. When they say it's less, ask them if they have any other buyers, don't wait for an answer. Close with you telephone number and let them know you will not contact them again. Then WAIT! If it's supposed to be your car they will call... if not, walk away.

Play them... don't let them play you.

Steve

It seems like a crazy emotional thing most of the time. They always swear they are going to put the car back on the road "some day". As long as they never sell it, they haven't failed.

john,you can never figure people out and i agree with the others,i would make them a final offer leave your number and walk away and forget about it.

He is just stringing you along and you will be an idiot if you keep giving him higher offers. If you really want the car, don't try to offer him a "steal" price. Offer him fair market value and leave it at that. The most important part of buying a car is learning when to say no, and just walk away.

There are hundreds of other RB MGBs out there (for you sensitive RB people, that isn't a putdown to RB cars), so what would be so special about this one that you have to have it?

make a fair offer leave your number and walk away.........once he figures out he is too high cause other people will probably laugh at what he is wanting for the car he will probalby call you .........now granted it may be 6 months from now but they usually will when they realize you probably gave the best offer going.

Ive had this happen hear the same old story im going to fix it up for my grandson or son.......ive had 2 that way and you know what when they finally realize they arent going to work on it or it isnt a gold mine like they thing they always come around..........jsut a shame cause both of them showed up when i was down and didnt have the cash to get them.....but you get my point

I've been watching what once was a clean 57 chevy rot in a driveway in my neighborhood for years, dont think the guy is willing to part with it, it's sad. Walk up to the guy with cash in hand, i've watched my dad do that, peoples minds change about how much they want to sell something when they see a load of cash in front of them. Seen him buy a car for a good $500 less and sometimes more just by having cash in hand. Good luck with it.