Moral Dilema

[Z Kid]

Whilst not a technical emergency, it is a moral emergency. I have tried to buy this Z car twice, the first time the owner wanted me to think about its worth, then make him an offer. So tonight I rang and made an offer just short of his asking price. Then the Son of a Bit%h has the nerve to turn around and say he needs some time (not a problem, needs to think about it) then says I want to put your offer to the guy who was intersted, see if he will pay a bit more. Well, with steam coming out my ears, i said call me back when you've thought about it. Now according to most people I should ring the guy and tell him to shove the Z up his arse, and the phone up his left nostril, but I want this car. What is the correct way to deal with wankers like this guy. I need/want this Z, I have the money, and know its full history. Conversely I don't want to get into a bidding war with another young chap who is interested, and seems like a top bloke.

Cheers Chris

[That Ozzy Guy]

You don't need it and you don't want it. At least that's the attitude you should show. If you show him that you really want this car he will play you for all you are worth.

And don't get upset as it's up to him who he sells to and how much he gets rid of it for. It is a sellers market in Aus afterall.

Goodluck Chris.

ps. wait for him to ring you back. Do not call him again.

[sjcurtis]

Z Kid , I must agree with Ozzy guy. It is one of the hardest things to hide, that "this is it and I am going to have it" look. What ever you do don't ring even if it kills you, and when he rings LIE tell him you just bought a Z ( embelish it if you want) but dont cave in).

You have to keep searching, You will get a good Z one day.

Good Luck Steve

:classic:

[Ben]

It really sux that he's playing 2 potential buyers off against each other.

You could tell him that your offer is valid there & then. If he's not interested, you'll look elsewhere. If you manage to convince him, then he has to decide to either sell & maybe miss out on a few extra $$ from the other buyer (but still sell), or risk losing the sale completely if the other buyer isn't interested in the higher price.

If the sale completely falls through, then you could be in a position to offer a slightly lower price & pick it up.

Incidentally, where (if at all) was the car advertised?

[peterc]

Hey Z,

Don't you just hate buggers that do that, and this guy has the nerve to tell you he's doing it!!?!?

I think Ben's advise is best. If you really want this particular Z, well sometiomes you just gotta plug your nose and do it.

Call him one time only and tell him that you don't like being played off against another bidder and that your offer expires in (x) hours (you decide how many, but the shorter, the more pressuse HE'S under to decide).

Now the monkey is on his back. If you get the Z, well congrats, you got it on YOUR terms . If not, you at least have the satisfaction of not being played for a fool.

[XYZ]

this is a difficult situation. You really want the car but the guy's an arse. I've been there and what you have to decide is how bad you want the car. Are you willing to pay full price? Are you willing to walk away? How long are you willing to negotiate with this guy? All things to consider.

I think you've gotten good advice in that you make an offer you think is fair and give him a deadline. You can always make a different offer than the original or change the terms as nothing has been closed. This plays into the negotiations, it's a big game and he's playing it. I don't necessarily think you never call again. You can call to find out if he's made a decision yet and based on that information decide how to proceed.

Good luck.

[Mr Camouflage]

Ok time to play devils advocate.

The guy has every right to hold out for his asking price.

You offered a price less than he was asking, and he's got someone else interested, of course he's gonna wait and see how much the other guy will offer. You don't just sell to the first person that walks up and makes an offer. Just dont get into a bidding war.

You should have told him that was your final offer when he wanted time to think about it, and that he should accept it, and not let him play you for a chump.

Or maybe he is a wanker and there isn't another buyer and he's just trying to make you pay a bit more.

When he phones you back say you've reconsidered and offer him a bit less than before, and give him reasons like (is this the one with the skyline box? thats a big reason to offer less, rust, missing trim all the usual crap).

There are other zeds out there.

How much is this guy asking anyway?

[carguyinok]

All good advice.

If it was me in this little game. I would call him back and tell him that I would like to know if he has the other offer. Then tell him you have a line on another car and would like to be fair about your offer with him before you spend your money with another seller. If he says the other offer isnt in yet give him some kind of time line that you need to know by.

Doing this will turn the heat up on the seller and the other person that is looking at buying it. If there is another person.

GAME ON

[EScanlon]

All excellent advice, but CarguyinOK said it best.

If you call and offer him more money, that plays into what he wants. How much more are you willing to pay? He can either chump you along and play the "Let's see what the other guy will offer." B.S., or he can hesitate and accept. OR He doesn't call you back for 2 weeks, and then you get desperate and offer him way more than you should, and the same scenario develops.

First check to see if you can find another car for a little more money in better condition. (Or even better, better condition, less money.) If that's possible, walk away and go for the other car.

However, if there is something specific about this car that kind of "forces" your hand to buying THIS specific car (This was the car you borrowed in school, and it's where you first got to 3rd base.), then, using the scenario CG in OK said, call, tell him that you've reconsidered your offer would like to sweeten it but only if the seller can make up his mind NOW, if he chooses to call the other guy yada yada, then your original offer stands.

[Daniel]

The fact that you were just short of his price means your close in price.Give him a day or two and check back. Remind him that you have the cash NOW.Ask him if he really wants to sell it or just talk about selling it.Everyone at this site would hate to sell their baby.I'm sure he's no different. Remind him it will get a good home.As far as the angered phone call.Of course we can think about it but,the reality is that time would be better spent finding your Z.If he has a Z odds are he has Z friends.Who knows,If this falls thru you may get a phone call from one of his friends that also has a Z for sale.Stranger things have happened!Don't burn bridges.Should you give him the asking price 6 months from now would you see that baby in you garage and say Damn,I paid full price! I don't think so.Opportunity is a heavy burden. Daniel

[Alfadog]

Let's just hope he isn't watching this board!! ROFL

[That Ozzy Guy]

Thats what I was thinking last night.