Opinions on a Negotiation Experience? (2024)

Zeke808

Join Date: May 2018

Location: Mid-America

Posts: 125

I was just thinking back to a few years ago when I first decided I was gonna get an NC and my first experience of checking one out and negotiating a deal and was curious what others thought about it.

It was summer 2018. I live in St. Louis. I'd been looking on CL and etc for a few weeks when I spotted a 2006 GT for sale by owner in a small town about 90 minutes away.

I spoke with the owner on the phone, got an okay vibe from him, so we made plans we're I'd come out and test drive the car, but I told him I always sleep on big decisions and even if I thought it was perfect for me I wouldn't be purchasing that day.

He's okay with that, so, I drive out. It's a Sunday afternoon. First NC I'd ever driven. Seemed fine. Wasn't expecting a powerful sports car or anything, was just looking for a solid manual transmission NC with reasonable mileage (IIRC ~50K) I could build on and it seemed to fit the bill. It was in nearly perfect condition.

The number of previous owners was a sticking point for me too. Three was my max and the current owner claimed to be the third owner.

One thing concerned me: It had a trailer hitch. The owner claimed the PO used it to tow one of those lightweight motorcycle trailers on road trips but nothing heavy. (Side note: Later when actually purchasing my NC - not this one - I read in the manual NOTHING should be towed with the car LOL - but I didn't know this at that point). At the time, I mulled over the trailer hitch but came to the conclusion it was probably no big deal.

So here I am in the middle of nowhere, the first NC I've ever driven and I'm now like "Oh snap, I'm pretty sure I want this car, but (A) I haven't seen the CarFax and (B) it's my rule to always sleep on big purchases". ...BUT, it's Sunday evening. I gotta work Monday thru Friday typical office hours and getting back out there during those days is just not gonna be possible.

We start talking possibilities, which leads to some negotiation pending the CarFax checks out. IIRC he had it listed for $9500 but would let it go for $9200. I said that sounded reasonable as long as the CarFax checks out, but tell him it's gonna be tough for me to get out there during the week.

He's apprehensive about waiting until Saturday to do the deal. He suggests I can wire the money to his bank and come pick up the car Saturday. Which I politely decline

He says he can hold it for me, take the car off the market until we can do the deal Saturday, for a $200 non-refundable cash deposit. I'm on the fence big time... But I listen to my gut and walk.

So, I get home, get the Carfax.... And, wait for it... There are two additional PO's. So this guy is the 5th owner. Which now makes me much less interested in the car, and trusting the owner and I decide to pass, thankful I listened to my gut.

Based on the vibe I got from the owner, If I'd left the $200 deposit, I'm not optimistic I would've gotten it back when complaining the car wasn't exactly as advertised.

At the time, I hadn't bought a car in like 10 years, so definitely not up on how it works. Is a non-refundable deposit like this normal?

Also, maybe I'm overly paranoid, but there is no way I would wire someone that kind of money and pick up the car/title later.

When purchasing the NC I eventually purchased, which BTW, was a great experience with a really great guy who lived only about 10 minutes from me, we did the deal at my bank, signing the title over in front of a notary when exchanging the funds. Curious if anyone would be okay with wiring cash like that with the promise that they could pick up the title/car later in the week?