Buyers who bring friends 'who know cars'

[Linctrader 16]

Well guys,

It started off good. The sun was shining and the car was looking well. I was waiting for a pre booked appointment to turn up and buyer had been on to me a couple if times leading up to today so I knew he was keen. 

Then he arrived...with his friend. Who knew cars.

Said friend barely said hello before pouncing (literally) on the car to point out cosmetic defects. He was extremely enthusiastic, like he wanted to put my buyer off. He pointed out everything...

After nearly an hour of us talking and several discussions about how the car wasn't a dose as was been implied, I suggested a test drive. And myself and the buyer enjoyed 15 mins showing just how good the car actually is.

On our return I left them for a bit and 15 mins later I went out to see if we could put the deal together. And we did, one that both sides seem happy with.

We had almost shaken hands on it when (you know what's coming now don't you), the friend suggested maybe be best to look at other cars before deciding and that he couldn't live with himself if he watched his buyer friend complete the deal and the car turn out to be a lemon. 

2 hours and no deal.

Why? All he could fault was some minor cosmetics, mechanically (and overall the car is sound) and I struck a deal that allowed some of the issues to be rectified to his satisfaction...even though I know they will never be touched.

I appreciate bringing a friend who can check things out mechanically, but the buyer has eyes and anything that would actually upset him he would have pointed out himself without the need for an expert.

I'm annoyed and left wondering other than telling them maybe the car wasn't the one for him, how else do we deal with these people who end up costing us a deal as they put doubt in the buyers mind and let's face it, they know and trust these people more than us.

Discuss...swearing welcome.

Cheers. 

[It's me 613]

23 minutes ago, Linctrader said:

I suggested a test drive.

 

, how else do we deal with these people 

 

do not offer test drives unless they are committed to buy

you are not daddies taxi service we is here to take conkers not maybe s

[trade vet 697]

Who spends 2 hours with a punter ?

[It's me 613]

Just now, trade vet said:

Who spends 2 hours with a punter ?

a desperate linc trader

to be fair we've all done it and wondered why after the event

[Ek cars 17]

49 minutes ago, Linctrader said:

Well guys,

It started off good. The sun was shining and the car was looking well. I was waiting for a pre booked appointment to turn up and buyer had been on to me a couple if times leading up to today so I knew he was keen. 

Then he arrived...with his friend. Who knew cars.

Said friend barely said hello before pouncing (literally) on the car to point out cosmetic defects. He was extremely enthusiastic, like he wanted to put my buyer off. He pointed out everything...

After nearly an hour of us talking and several discussions about how the car wasn't a dose as was been implied, I suggested a test drive. And myself and the buyer enjoyed 15 mins showing just how good the car actually is.

On our return I left them for a bit and 15 mins later I went out to see if we could put the deal together. And we did, one that both sides seem happy with.

We had almost shaken hands on it when (you know what's coming now don't you), the friend suggested maybe be best to look at other cars before deciding and that he couldn't live with himself if he watched his buyer friend complete the deal and the car turn out to be a lemon. 

2 hours and no deal.

Why? All he could fault was some minor cosmetics, mechanically (and overall the car is sound) and I struck a deal that allowed some of the issues to be rectified to his satisfaction...even though I know they will never be touched.

I appreciate bringing a friend who can check things out mechanically, but the buyer has eyes and anything that would actually upset him he would have pointed out himself without the need for an expert.

I'm annoyed and left wondering other than telling them maybe the car wasn't the one for him, how else do we deal with these people who end up costing us a deal as they put doubt in the buyers mind and let's face it, they know and trust these people more than us.

Discuss...swearing welcome.

Cheers. 

Nothing surprises me with these parasites, better off not selling them and politely telling them if they are unsure THEN WALK AWAY U MUG !!

Edited April 15, 2018 by Ek cars

[Linctrader 16]

22 minutes ago, trade vet said:

Who spends 2 hours with a punter ?

It was a specialist car to be fair and it's been sitting a while with little other interest. And like I said, the buyer actually wanted the car and pursued me to meet today which is always a good sign.

I don't rush or pressure people but today I felt I was on the defensive from the outset which is not like me.

The 'car guy' was an arse but I guess I was one myself for entertaining his crap for as long as I did. I was trying to focus on the buyer which a struggle.

The problem is this buyer trusted the friend implicitly, clearly more than his own good judgement. 

Other than chasing them both away and potentially losing a genuine buyer, what else should I have done?

[Stephen 21]

Had Sunday off 

[justina3 518]

19 minutes ago, Linctrader said:

It was a specialist car to be fair and it's been sitting a while with little other interest. And like I said, the buyer actually wanted the car and pursued me to meet today which is always a good sign.

I don't rush or pressure people but today I felt I was on the defensive from the outset which is not like me.

The 'car guy' was an arse but I guess I was one myself for entertaining his crap for as long as I did. I was trying to focus on the buyer which a struggle.

The problem is this buyer trusted the friend implicitly, clearly more than his own good judgement. 

Other than chasing them both away and potentially losing a genuine buyer, what else should I have done?

What should you have done, now I know bhm will flip out here but I tend to butter these talentless morons up they almost have as much say if the deal goes ahead as the person spending the money.

i even agreeded with one last week just how quiet the timing chain is compared to a belt on a 58 fiesta boosted his ego a bit and the lady bought the fiesta just hope the belt never snaps on her.

[SC Derby 259]

Not much you can do imo. Had one last week bought an ex car painter friend 

he told his friend it had had a smart repair at some point so could have been in smash

result - customer left to have a think and lost a genuine low mileage car. 

[have a word with the wife 299]

20 minutes ago, Linctrader said:

It was a specialist car to be fair and it's been sitting a while with little other interest. And like I said, the buyer actually wanted the car and pursued me to meet today which is always a good sign.

I don't rush or pressure people but today I felt I was on the defensive from the outset which is not like me.

The 'car guy' was an arse but I guess I was one myself for entertaining his crap for as long as I did. I was trying to focus on the buyer which a struggle.

The problem is this buyer trusted the friend implicitly, clearly more than his own good judgement. 

Other than chasing them both away and potentially losing a genuine buyer, what else should I have done?

nothing, you wont win, wipe your mouth and move on 

 it happens every day all across the country, we've all been there, wanting to smack the "friend" right between the eyes, i usually find this "friend" knocks them on something mechanical, maybe he says clutch bites too high or theres a noise that nobody else can hear, the customers happy but the friend isn't, forget em move on, you will not win, and you wont hear from them again, because as you say, trusts friend more than "us".

What normally happens is here you get angry when theyve gone, and on wednesday you sell the car and take a part ex on which you make more than the original car, the sales done in 15 mins, and you think hey! why did i loose my head on sunday with them shits !

 

28 minutes ago, Stephen said:

Had Sunday off 

[NOACROSS 414]

Agreed. Good effort.  Move on and forget the twit. You wonder how they ever buy a car! We all get them from time to time and all you can do is be polite and leave them to it.

(Ha-I must be too long-in-the-tooth, because I barely spend five minutes at a time with a punter whilst theyre deciding. Especially if they’ve got a fool in tow.)

‘Let me know if I can help Sir/Madam.’ Ten minutes later ‘Any good?’. 

I don’t mind a test drive as it keeps the discs clean etc-but I will warn them that I can’t do anything on the price.

So called experts that come with them never are, and I quickly become the ‘Sales Prevention Officer’.

We all know deep down, that if they’re difficult before buying, they’ll be an arse afterwards so better it sells to someone else. 

 

[Screenman 47]

Were they cosmetics that should have been put right before you showed the car? 

[Arfur Dealy 823]

9 hours ago, Linctrader said:

Well guys,

It started off good. The sun was shining and the car was looking well. I was waiting for a pre booked appointment to turn up and buyer had been on to me a couple if times leading up to today so I knew he was keen. 

Then he arrived...with his friend. Who knew cars.

Said friend barely said hello before pouncing (literally) on the car to point out cosmetic defects. He was extremely enthusiastic, like he wanted to put my buyer off. He pointed out everything...

After nearly an hour of us talking and several discussions about how the car wasn't a dose as was been implied, I suggested a test drive. And myself and the buyer enjoyed 15 mins showing just how good the car actually is.

On our return I left them for a bit and 15 mins later I went out to see if we could put the deal together. And we did, one that both sides seem happy with.

We had almost shaken hands on it when (you know what's coming now don't you), the friend suggested maybe be best to look at other cars before deciding and that he couldn't live with himself if he watched his buyer friend complete the deal and the car turn out to be a lemon. 

2 hours and no deal.

Why? All he could fault was some minor cosmetics, mechanically (and overall the car is sound) and I struck a deal that allowed some of the issues to be rectified to his satisfaction...even though I know they will never be touched.

I appreciate bringing a friend who can check things out mechanically, but the buyer has eyes and anything that would actually upset him he would have pointed out himself without the need for an expert.

I'm annoyed and left wondering other than telling them maybe the car wasn't the one for him, how else do we deal with these people who end up costing us a deal as they put doubt in the buyers mind and let's face it, they know and trust these people more than us.

Discuss...swearing welcome.

Cheers. 

I completely sympathise. You either stay professional or tell him to leave. Me, I would of told him in no uncertain terms to be friendly or leave and that would have been within the first few minutes. I have no patience for idiots. 

This is one of the many reasons why I only appoint customers who have paid £100 upfront deposit. When they refuse, they tell you why, I’m waiting for the money, I haven’t sold my car yet, I’m just looking, I have 22 others I need to view first, I’m recovering from a lobotomy blah blah  ...

[Linctrader 16]

2 hours ago, Screenman said:

Were they cosmetics that should have been put right before you showed the car? 

Not on this one, no. 

56 minutes ago, Arfur Dealy said:

I completely sympathise. You either stay professional or tell him to leave. Me, I would of told him in no uncertain terms to be friendly or leave and that would have been within the first few minutes. I have no patience for idiots. 

This is one of the many reasons why I only appoint customers who have paid £100 upfront deposit. When they refuse, they tell you why, I’m waiting for the money, I haven’t sold my car yet, I’m just looking, I have 22 others I need to view first, I’m recovering from a lobotomy blah blah  ...

Simon, you are correct on this one.

I'm struggling with the deposit up front if I'm honest, esp on this one which has languished. I should have more conviction though and stick with it.

I smelt a buyer and folded lol. Lesson learnt...again.

[Arfur Dealy 823]

10 minutes ago, Linctrader said:

Not on this one, no. 

Simon, you are correct on this one.

I'm struggling with the deposit up front if I'm honest, esp on this one which has languished. I should have more conviction though and stick with it.

I smelt a buyer and folded lol. Lesson learnt...again.

There is no right or wrong so don’t be hard on yourself What’s good for you may not be for me.

My approach is admittedly controversial but as soon as you ask for a deposit which is (fully refundable) if not as described.... you’ll hear their reasons to buy or the usual excuses. You are calling their bluff.

I have absolutely no tolerance for time wasters. Genuine buyers only. 

[Dan W 57]

We often get the my friends a mechanic and wants to check the vehicle over or he wants it on his ramp before I buy, oh so basically you are saying you don't trust us as a garage.

he can inspect it all he wants once you have the car.

[MattR 177]

I had one of these 2 weeks ago. Lady with her friend because she said herself that she knew nothing about cars. They are always going to pick every fault out that they can see, thats why they are there, if they dont, they'll get grief from the 'customer' who brought them along.

On this occasion, they went back to their car and as I was mumbling to myself that she would never buy a car with him around and putting the car back in place on the pitch she came back..... on her own. She bought the car and the 'expert' wasnt even mentioned again. It doesnt happen often, but when it does, it gives you a big smile!

[EPV 631]

5 hours ago, Dan W said:

We often get the my friends a mechanic and wants to check the vehicle over or he wants it on his ramp before I buy, oh so basically you are saying you don't trust us as a garage.

he can inspect it all he wants once you have the car.

I wouldn't mind a mechanic coming, he'd be hard pushed to find much wrong with my stock. The DIY/Amateur mechanic can fuck off though. In such a situation I'd be upfront in asking him;

 

"Are you a qualified mechanic sir?"

"erm, no but I know my way around a car"

"yes, so does my qualified mechanic and the tester who on behalf of VOSA has assessed this car to be 100% roadworthy"

"Well, they don't cover things like gearboxes and clutches do they?"

"No sir but my warranty does (Turn to buyer) I do appreciate you have said you don't know anything about cars but without wishing to cause offence, your friend possibly doesn't know anything either so with all due respect, I won't be spending the next hour of my life listening to a non qualified person tell me what's wrong with this car when I've had a qualified person tell me that nothing is wrong with it. If the 12 months MOT, service history and PDI doesn't convince you this car is in a condition commensurate with it's age and mileage but a non qualified person does then perhaps you might not be best placed to consider a used car as your next purchase"

 

[grant8064 219]

We had a similarly twatish one on the weekend. Five seconds in and the bonnets up and the punters friend is telling him it's broken because it won't rev up. He eventually accepts that VW's are rev limited but didn't appreciate the way I told him apparently, nor the recent belt, pump and 9 stamps in the book. The only decent thing to do is wave them goodbye and wish them luck

[D&M 66]

1 hour ago, EPV said:

I wouldn't mind a mechanic coming, he'd be hard pushed to find much wrong with my stock. The DIY/Amateur mechanic can fuck off though. In such a situation I'd be upfront in asking him;

 

"Are you a qualified mechanic sir?"

"erm, no but I know my way around a car"

"yes, so does my qualified mechanic and the tester who on behalf of VOSA has assessed this car to be 100% roadworthy"

"Well, they don't cover things like gearboxes and clutches do they?"

"No sir but my warranty does (Turn to buyer) I do appreciate you have said you don't know anything about cars but without wishing to cause offence, your friend possibly doesn't know anything either so with all due respect, I won't be spending the next hour of my life listening to a non qualified person tell me what's wrong with this car when I've had a qualified person tell me that nothing is wrong with it. If the 12 months MOT, service history and PDI doesn't convince you this car is in a condition commensurate with it's age and mileage but a non qualified person does then perhaps you might not be best placed to consider a used car as your next purchase"

 

Perfect!

[justina3 518]

4 minutes ago, D&M said:

Perfect!

 

1 hour ago, EPV said:

I wouldn't mind a mechanic coming, he'd be hard pushed to find much wrong with my stock. The DIY/Amateur mechanic can fuck off though. In such a situation I'd be upfront in asking him;

 

"Are you a qualified mechanic sir?"

"erm, no but I know my way around a car"

"yes, so does my qualified mechanic and the tester who on behalf of VOSA has assessed this car to be 100% roadworthy"

"Well, they don't cover things like gearboxes and clutches do they?"

"No sir but my warranty does (Turn to buyer) I do appreciate you have said you don't know anything about cars but without wishing to cause offence, your friend possibly doesn't know anything either so with all due respect, I won't be spending the next hour of my life listening to a non qualified person tell me what's wrong with this car when I've had a qualified person tell me that nothing is wrong with it. If the 12 months MOT, service history and PDI doesn't convince you this car is in a condition commensurate with it's age and mileage but a non qualified person does then perhaps you might not be best placed to consider a used car as your next purchase"

 

each to there own but i really dont see the need for the get on your high horse attitude, the name of the game is to sell cars ? I just put up with there jibberish and sell the car, i have faith in my stock so couldnt care less what the halfords wana be mechanic says it will be a good car and the customer will be happy. 

[EPV 631]

Just now, justina3 said:

 

each to there own but i really dont see the need for the get on your high horse attitude, the name of the game is to sell cars ? I just put up with there jibberish and sell the car, i have faith in my stock so couldnt care less what the halfords wana be mechanic says it will be a good car and the customer will be happy. 

Yes I suppose that does come across as a bit high horsed. I meant really if the "expert" is as the OP said, leaping on every cosmetic fault. I do realise some people want the comfort of a second opinion which is fine.

[lastyboy 23]

I dont normally mind "a friend who knows cars" but if they push it too much I normally ask a few questions to make the "friend " look pretty unknowledgable.

However i did have to educate one recenty.

Had an 09 Audi A3 2.0 Tdi which had a bit of conjealed mush under the filler cap. Now every single one of these has this issue, its caused by condensation. The "friend" said definite head gasket and said he had never seen it before. At this point, i removed my glasses  offered them to this "friend" and said if you have never seen this then maybe you should borrow these. Didnt go down well but sold the car and it has no faults.

[BHM 994]

I’m not sure there’s one particular way of dealing with these as we’ve all done it to shift a ‘sticky’ car but that’s usually when you’re caught out but these timewasters.

Punters can roll-up mob handed for all I care BUT as soon as I hear “my mechanic” then I know it’s going to go one of two ways;

1) A genuine mechanic will have a cursory look over the car & under the bonnet for a minute or two, while the punter looks at cosmetics, then want a test drive. These are a pleasure to deal with & will make your job easy - sit back & let them talk up the car.

2) The home mechanic (which often means some twat with access to the internet & plenty of spare time on his hands) should immediately be questioned on his area of expertise & where he works, back them into a corner. If they then start their usual shite they should be firmly told & if they continue then tell them the car’s not for them & to leave.

In my experience there is absolutely no point in trying to deal with these cheeky twats who want to crab a car to death & think nothing of making allegations as to your professionalism (head gaskets, write offs, dodgy MOTs etc., the usual shit that spews from these crackpots). I have a low tolerance for imbeciles so they’re told straight & sent on their way.

On 15/04/2018 at 9:13 PM, Stephen said:

Had Sunday off 

+1. Sunday is crackpot tyrekicker day in this game.

[Lakeside 94]

I had one last year, Chevrolet Captiva. Customer turns up with “car friend” who instantly starts pointing out/making up every fault he can find. 

He opens the boot and spots a water mark on the interior trim, probably left from when the car was valeted. “Car friend” tells the customer it’s clearly been used off road and must of been under water.  He then carries on to say it’s one to avoid and that I’ll never get the asking price in a million years.

Sold it the next day to a dealer from London who was delighted with it.