MetaChat - Is this too shady

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26 March 2009

Is this too shady So I'm going to look at a car tonight. If the ad is even 75% accurate I'll buy it on the spot. If he's asking $1800 would it be shady to have $1500 in an envelope ready to go and then $300 in my purse if he won't take the lower offer?→[More:]
I just worry if I pay him the higher amount I'll look like a huge douche.

(I'm also not above the "just laid off" sob story)

I also went to look at a car today... it was in the ghetto (which isn't necessarily a big deal), in the fenced parking lot of an out of business repair shop, and the guy who was going to meet me was nowhere to be found. Like, this was Buffalo ghetto so there wasn't an occupied building for at least three blocks. It was just very strange.

But I did walk around the car enough to see the airbags had very clearly been deployed and reset, so I know it's not for me. I won't mess with salvage cars.

post by: kellydamnit at: 11:20 | 8 comments

It's totally legit to have cash to offer. You might want to take a friend for safety. You should absolutely get the car inspected. Find a garage who can do it for you. Totally worth while.

posted by theora55 26 March | 11:39

Kelly, your plan to go, prepared to buy, with enough cash to cover his asking price, but offering a lower amount doesn't sound in the least shady to me. It's how we sold our refrigerator and how we bought our spare laptop. Be sure you have whatever DMV docs you need to prove sale for him to sign, though.

posted by crush-onastick 26 March | 11:41

I think it sounds like a very smart plan. (Having a friend along, with that amount of cash on hand, is an excellent suggestion, though.)

posted by BoringPostcards 26 March | 11:42

Shady? No way. Smart? Absolutely.

posted by trinity8-director 26 March | 12:13

It sounds like a good plan, given the advice of bringing a friend along.

We got our stationary recumbent bike like that - she wanted $300 but we only had $200 in cash with us, Plan B being hit the atm if she wanted more. Cash in hand is potent - she didn't balk at all.

The seller probably doesn't expect full price anyway. Keep your $300!

posted by chewatadistance 26 March | 15:43

That doesn't sound shady. I've had people respond to an add on Craigslist (lawn equipment for $100, in this case), offer me $80 as "everything in their pocket," then offer me the $80 they had in their other pocket when they saw I had a fridge for sale, too. I honestly didn't bat an eye. That's how it works.

posted by muddgirl 26 March | 15:52

LOL muddgirl!

posted by chewatadistance 26 March | 18:49

Hey, congrats on the new car--when can we see the pics, and hey--I wish I was as smart as you, and had the lower price of $1500 in hand, and an extra $300 just in-case, if he did fudge.

Smart move, and good price I'm guessing too. (Let's see, 1500 Dollars would be... sixty thousand Rupees, so youch, great deal. Have fun with the car!!!)

posted by hadjiboy 26 March | 22:28

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