Dealing with buyers and hagglers

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Dealing with buyers


For many owners the worst part of selling a car is having to deal with potential buyers. It may feel as though they have all the power, but it doesn't have to be like this. Know what to expect, and how to deal with it, and you shouldn't be caught out by experienced hagglers, time wasters or criminals.

Test drives
First of all, never let the buyer go out alone, there's a potential risk that
they won't come back. They may leave you their car keys as security, but how can you be sure it isn't stolen? Also check they have adequate insurance cover, otherwise you could be liable for any accidents they may have.

Let the buyers follow their own route, as many are suspicious if you dictate
which roads to take. Be prepared for people to drive your car hard - but if it's a performance model and they are seriously abusing it, politely ask them to calm down, or demand they stop. It's your call - it's your car.

NEVER leave the keys in the ignition when swapping seats. Thieves may try to engineer such situations, so you should be especially aware.

Inspections
Increasingly complicated cars mean buyers are now far more willing to pay for used car inspections. If you're serious about selling the car, you shouldn't have any objections, but remember - they often take a few days to organise, so you may have to put other buyers 'on hold' until the inspection has taken place. A deposit from the buyer will prove their interest, as should the fact that they're spending money on checking your car.

Haggling
Buyers inevitably haggle about the price; it's all part of buying a car. So you
need to be firm, without being unreasonable. Set a price beforehand and keep it in your head during negotiations. This will mean you're well-prepared to remain firm.

Don't, however, refuse to take offers - this will see buyers walking away - and don't decline a sale for the matter of £50 or so. It'll cost you far more in
re-advertising fees, time and hassle.

Handling the money
If you're lucky, you'll be paid in cash. As long as you look out for forgeries,
and make sure you count it all out, this should be okay. If you feel unsure, you could take the buyer to the bank and have them give you the cash there. You can safely deposit it, and the cashier will ensure there are no forgeries.

Cheques are a little more trouble. NEVER let the car go before a cheque has cleared through your account, even if the buyer is desperate to get hold of your car. Why the rush? If they're genuine, they won't mind waiting a few days - or coming back with cash.

If possible ask the buyer to give you a bank or building society draft; it's the
best way to ensure you receive your money safely. This is as good as cash, as they can only be issued if the buyer has enough money in their account. There are forgeries, however, so be vigilant. Again, don't let the car go until the money has cleared into your account.

If you haven't already, ask the buyer for ID with an address and landline
telephone number. At least if something goes wrong, you'll know where to find them. If they are reluctant to give this information, you should be wary.

Finally, write a receipt for both you and the buyer, stating that the car is
being sold.