"Testing the waters" the latest annoying trend in listings.

[Armyvet25]

some of the funniest are when you're willing to trade for similar/other goods, got offered a pear bowling ball once, bout fell outta my chair. For a car project no less

 

[Unkle Krusty]

FREE.
Is the catch word I used in my last adds for XS1100 motorcycles.
But it seems the item has to be running quite well, and I provide free delivery.
But my add also says. If the items are not picked up by the third week in January, they will go in the big steel bin.
Modern youth can not make something run if it has carbs, and they can not make it run if it has fuel injection.

 

[Armyvet25]

FREE.
Is the catch word I used in my last adds for XS1100 motorcycles.
But it seems the item has to be running quite well, and I provide free delivery.
But my add also says. If the items are not picked up by the third week in January, they will go in the big steel bin.
Modern youth can not make something run if it has carbs, and they can not make it run if it has fuel injection.

cracks me up when ads say if not sold by this(insert day) going to the scrap yard, but they're asking 1k to 2k for the item the scrap yard will prob only give 2-3 hundred for, and they won't budge on price, liar liar or retarded

 

[1967coronet]

I have always liked to raise the price when dealing with A holes. That seems to get the point across pretty fast.
You list a part or even a car ect and the 1st call or text is( what's your real price or bottom dollar ? )
I just respond with a higher price than what I had listed.
You wish to deal, ask me legit questions , ask me for more detailed pics or a time to meet and look it over.

 

[Unkle Krusty]

I already checked at our local recycle yard. They have a tractor that can lift the bikes off my trailer. Might cost me a little bit.
It cots them about $400 to get the bin to to the big island.
I will remove a few items that may be needed later on.
I am switching from heavy tanks for winter riding, to lighter weight bikes.

 

[Armyvet25]

I already checked at our local recycle yard. They have a tractor that can lift the bikes off my trailer. Might cost me a little bit.
It cots them about $400 to get the bin to to the big island.
I will remove a few items that may be needed later on.
I am switching from heavy tanks for winter riding, to lighter weight bikes.

wrong thread??

 

[padam]

FREE.
Is the catch word I used in my last adds for XS1100 motorcycles.
But it seems the item has to be running quite well, and I provide free delivery.
But my add also says. If the items are not picked up by the third week in January, they will go in the big steel bin.
Modern youth can not make something run if it has carbs, and they can not make it run if it has fuel injection.

Hahaha this reminds me of a funny (kinda long) story.
Back when our kids were little my wife took them to Alabama to visit her parents and fam. She brought home a mongrel puppy in addition to the kids when she came back to Ohio.

This puppy was incorrigible and would bite like the dickens. One of my kids was still a baby and I didn’t want to take chances, so I put an ad in the local trader paper (pre-internet) for a FREE puppy. Clearly stated that the dog was NOT good with children.

The only call I got was a younger urban sounding lady who asked if I could deliver it. I had to think about that for about 1/2 second before I said yes.

So I took the puppy there, a house on the edge of town that seemed like 4 generations of the family lived there. Including a bunch of young kids. What!?!
I turned the dog over, and started talking to an old guy who seemed to be the patriarch. We shot the bull for awhile til one of the kids came running up crying and said “Grampa that dog bit me.” He replied “That dog didn’t bite you. Quit your lying and go back in the house.”

I figured that was a good time for me to leave, so I said goodbye and got on down the road.

 

[Dibbons]

I don't have a problem explaining why I'm selling, I just tell the truth: (i.e. "restored two vehicles already and funds are no longer available to restore a third)

 

[kiwigtx]

People dickering over the price of a cheapish item always reminds me of this gem.....

 

[toolmanmike]

People dickering over the price of a cheapish item always reminds me of this gem.....

View attachment 1969735

 

[SlingLow]

True barn find. It was right there under all that vegetation.

As far as asking about the reason for selling, I often ask a series of seemingly unimportant questions to see if I can pick up any useful info from the answers. Occasionally you will get a sense of the seller's honesty, dishonesty or other clues about the item for sale. Conversation can be helpful to your assessment.

 

[XS22J8R]

My experience trying to sell cars in recent times has left me wondering about ways to deter the rif raff. Because rif raff is about 95% of who responds to car ads now.
Maybe saying “testing the waters” isn’t a good way to discourage flipper types out hoping to find desperate sellers to take advantage of. But what is?
The last time I advertised a vintage car, I listed a price, and said negotiable upon your inspection of the car.
I figured that would at least free me from all the pests whose first question they ask about the car you’re selling is “what’s the lowest you’ll take?”
I’ll negotiate, but not negotiate the asking price.
All in all it seems easier to try to figure out where to keep a car I don’t have room for anymore, than deal with low ballers and picture collectors!

 

[ckessel]

The price is $3000.
Will you take $1500 ?
No, the price is fair so I’m firm on that.
But I’ll give you $1500 in cash
Really? CASH? No ****? What ELSE would I take? $1500 worth of ground beef? Landscaping tools? Erotic massages? No… cash is ALL that I want and you’re way short with a half price offer.

When I had the 1929 Chrysler 75, I was trailering it to the MATSLV show. Had a for sale sign on it and some squirrel saw my number and called about it. Some movie producer. Yeah right! Anyway, he wanted to give me half of what it was advertised for. I said sure, what half do you want? How would you like me to do the cuts? Straight down the middle or sideways or diagonal? He said something colorful, then hung up.

 

[Mopar Hunter]

If I don’t sell it by Friday, I’m taking it to the crusher.

 

[kiwigtx]

My father sold his boat about 8 years ago now....had it advertised for something like 50K....for at least 6 months.

No bites until he raised the price another 5K. Phone rings and the guy says he'll pa the previous price........old man says NO. New price is $55K.

Boat sold without much fuss for $55K

 

[Armyvet25]

Happens everyday, all week. Just had a marketplace guy asking about my Marlin's for sale, wanted more details and more....pics. So I explained a few details and asked him to come look at them or call. His response unfortunately I'm in Michigan. um...so how was you going to eventually buy them(I'm in Ohio)? Telephones quit working in Michigan? Response, I can see why you still have them. Told him, I don't deal with people whom aren't serious buyers, picture collectors or are afraid of the telephone boogieman.
These people aren't buyers if the have a fear of interaction with real people in person or the phone.
This happened this morning.

 

[Armyvet25]

and yes, after a years worth of dealing with morons, I get a little bitter.

 

[68BabyBlue]

and yes, after a years worth of dealing with morons, I get a little bitter.

When I started thinning my herd, I sold one by word of mouth, the other here on FBBO. Both methods provide a filter not available with the internet at large. When I sold a few of my earlier cars through print ads in Hemmings in decades past, the 95% riff raff rule was in full force.

 

[Armyvet25]

When I started thinning my herd, I sold one by word of mouth, the other here on FBBO. Both methods provide a filter not available with the internet at large. When I sold a few of my earlier cars through print ads in Hemmings in decades past, the 95% riff raff rule was in full force.

Right now, not as many buyers out there with the economy worried about food prices, electricity, gas etc. So the guy with very little disposable cash that might want to undergo a project is clutching his pennies tightly looking towards what the future might bring. Seems to be the trend for the last several years. My Marlins are/were on here, but I noticed the thread is closed, assuming due to being 6 mo's old, will have to re-post, old ad listed at a little over 3k for both now at a firm 2k, need the room badly.

 

[torredcuda]

Agree, I see it on FB a lot - totally annoying when they post "thinking of selling", "testing the water", "coming up for sale soon" etc. Either you are selling it or not and if so post up a legit for sale ad with PRICE, LOCATION, pics and good description otherwise -