"I just want an older car for very cheap, clean, no rust, and with no problems at all"

These words were spoken to me last night by a perspective buyer of a '95 Grand Cherokee I'm selling. it's gotta be the cleanest ZJ grand cherokee east of the mississippi, certainly cleanest in Michigan. It has less than 150K on it, very clean inside and out, with a few minor issues (needs t-stat, window regulator, and an adjustment to the t-case shifter). I'm asking $2400. The guy come out, wastes almost an hour of my time and decides to pass based on the needs I just mentioned. Fine, buy, don't buy, whatever. But it was the words he uttered before he left; "I just want an older car for very cheap, clean, no rust, and with no problems at all" that made me want to throttle him. Really?! It's a 23 year-old Jeep. While he's doing his way too long walk around, and burning all my gas on the test drive, he kept commenting on how clean and solid it was. Everything works on it, but THAT was what really ticked me off.   

Then he goes on to tell me that he looked at another ZJ earlier in the day. It was $600 more than mine, needed 5 tires, had a check engine light on, broken O2 sensor, ABS light on, falling headliner and was leaking oil.   

I'm not sure what he expects for $2400. Oh wait, I do. He expects a literally perfect car for $2400.  

Done venting.

almost forgot. Here's a few pics. 

This is why I pay people to sell my cars. I don't have the willingness to deal with stupid people any more. 

In reply to DrBoost :

Great looking Jeep.

That guy is delusional. And he no doubt will be very disappointed the rest of his life.

I was fearful for a minute that I did this at a (small) dealer awhile back.   Then I realize that the radio was broken, carpets stained, interior pieces missing and they were asking perfect condition KBB.

I'm not a jeep guy, but that thing looks CLEAN for a Michigan car, let alone a jeep/truck.  I don't know the jeep market but that looks like alot of jeep for $2400.

I want to shoot Tiffany cuff-links out my ass, is that too much to ask?

The Facebook car groups are currently full of people asking for clean, no issues under 100k miles for 1500 bucks. I'm pretty sure people are delusional. 

Seriously, nice truck, nice price.  

Yeah, if I wanted a Jeep I’d gladly pay $2400 for that.

Sorry, guy. Old cars have rust and problems. Why? Because they’re old.

Not as clean as my ex's, but she's neurotic. 

If that were a 4.0 6 with a 5 spd, I might be in trouble.

That's only slightly better then when i was selling my 240sx years ago. the 'buyer' did a good walk around and test drive. gets back and says "man this thing is awesome, i just wish i had the money to buy it". I would have been more mad but that car was junk, I was asking $700 OBO, it burnt a quart of oil a week, and it only had 1st and 3rd (automatic driven by 17 year old me didn't last long). but even at that don't just show up and drive peoples cars without atleast money in your pocket.

Also reminds me of those maddening CL scams where someone purports to be in some sort of Dire Straights and "needs" a good, reliable car for $1000.  

Even if the scam in question turned out to be a real person, you don't need a good, reliable car for $1000.  You need a bus pass and a grounding in reality.  

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2015/02/no-fixed-abode-gotta-rich-cheap-car/

I recently got a 6.0 LS for my project then discovered it will not work on my set up. I sold it to a "Friend" for 100.00. He came back a couple days later saying the plastic intake had a crack so he wanted his money back and keep the engine. I showed him the door and told him to never come back.

I hate dealing with people nowadays, I refuse to put anything on Craigslist. I just give everything away so it cant come back on me. But then again I dont have anything worth any money.

Years ago I was selling a Nissan Micra for $400 or so. Someone came and checked it out. Wanted to "make payments" on it to buy. How they expected to pay insurance, license plate costs I have no idea. I cannot fathom how these people manage to get through the day without killing themselves or getting fired.

Had a fellow come to look at a car that I had done some repairs on. His spiel was that he did not believe that I fixed the parts claimed and was trying to scam him. His "mechanic" had told him to never believe anyone about recent work done. Humored him for a while as I showed receipts for tune up items, wiper blades, plugs and wires, timing belt and water pump (I replaced these because 100,000 miles and previous owner told me he never changed them) along with ball joints, brake parts and tires. These also showed various other items like oil, antifreeze, bulbs, cleaning stuff.  I even showed him the parts I had removed! I realized I was talking to a silly guy quickly and was determined to A. NOT lower my price. B. Ignore his personal implications about my trustworthiness and C. Call his bluff and offer to go with him to his mechanic!

I had fun frustrating this guy as he tried different arguments. He claimed he looked at a similar car for half what I was asking. I asked for the address so I could go buy it! He found 3 things that needed fixing, a dent, a hole in a seat and a cracked windshield. Told him if these things were fixed I would be asking $400 more!

Enjoy the dance even if the dance partner is a bit of a pill!

Bruce

MulletTruck said:

I recently got a 6.0 LS for my project then discovered it will not work on my set up. I sold it to a "Friend" for 100.00. He came back a couple days later saying the plastic intake had a crack so he wanted his money back and keep the engine. I showed him the door and told him to never come back.

 

refund him the $100, take the engine back, then sell it to me for $200! everyone wins!

Appleseed said:

I want to shoot Tiffany cuff-links out my ass, is that too much to ask?

Watch out for the diamonds they can be sharp

I've never had a hard time selling/buying a car. But this is my first time going through Facebook. I thought, since tour name is linked to it, it'd be better. 

NOT

I’m looking for a reasonably priced, rust-free Datsun 240Z - $3-$5,000 Target price.

I’m going to die looking for it.   

I want that too.... but I also live on Earth and know better. 

My dad always told he was looking for bird E36 M3 in a  cuckoo clock when I asked. 

I had a guy come to look at a neon once. Had his ride DROP HIM OFF 100 miles from home and leave. Guy had no cash with him, and assumed id take him on his word.

No.

He also planned to daily the car as is. It was advertised with a rod knock and needing an engine. He later bought the car, signed documentation stating the he KNEW the car had a bad engine, drove it for 3 months, and tried to sue me for selling him a lemon.

berkeley people.

In reply to Dusterbd13 :

WTF.  Did he think you'd take is giant brass ballz as collateral? That's just crazy.

That guy wasn't going to buy any car today. 

maschinenbau said:

That guy wasn't going to buy any car today. 

I agree. Him nit even making an offer tells me that. I think he's in the shop-around phase, looking to see what's out there. I get that too, but an hour of my time??