If you want to buy it - make me an offer...

[nb_racing]

Time waster. I was initially thinking thief casing the joint but as you disbanded that theory I won't repeat it.
I think it very rude to ask what you paid for it especially as it's not even for sale and he approached you.
Personally I'd have picked a sky high figure just to shut him up and get rid.
Has he been back?

 

[automaniaman]

He probably didn't offer a price, so as not to embarrass himself

 

[grober]

My rough and ready rule with " cold callers" ---and essentially that was what that guy was---- is ----sorry not interested Bye. Life's too short. They inevitably are a waste of time or are after something . When you come to sell it --that's the time to start showing people you don't know from Adam round your vehicle . Sure he's a taxi driver now- what about all his drinking mates he was on remand with when he was younger ? Have you got their "business" cards?
There is a huge market for older mercedes benz in the former Soviet block and the third world. More so than than newer models. No complex electronics to match up and star systems to deal with yet still a prestigious motor. Some get shipped in containers other are stripped for parts. Simply not worth raising the car's profile unless you are selling imho.

 

[tanuie]

If you don't want to sell it you should have told him to F**k off.

 

[C36fan]

Don't sell it palferm I just sold my 36 and I'm absolutely gutted!

 

[Teflonso]

To be fair to the chap... if it was a chance meeting, you can hardly expect him to know off hand the going rate for an E36 of your model year? It is not unreasonabe to expect that you - as the owner - might have some idea.

Spot on.

No-one is going to have a number in mind for a casual walk past and even if you gave him a big money price off the top of your head he'd at least have the option to go away and think about a counter offer. Some older car owners have hugely inflated ideas about what their car is worth and it's not a good negotiating position if you begin with a perceived insult.

But I'd still get the burglar alarm serviced and maybe invest in a lockable post in front of the garage.

.

 

[Palfrem]

Don't sell it palferm I just sold my 36 and I'm absolutely gutted!

No plans to sell just yet.

 

[After Shock]

I still want to believe there are genuine people in this world and continue to live in hope.

Maybe he has always liked one but hasn't seen one recently or, as has been said, is hoping that you would come up with a good price (for him).

Interesting!

 

[Dieselman]

He probably didn't offer a price, so as not to embarrass himself

I suspect he didn't offer as the owner may have a value in mind and the prospect may not really know the value, so wants to sound the owner out.

As a buyer, I wouldn't offer a price in such circumstances, but would show intent, let the owner think about it for a while and get back to me.

I know someone who offered to buy an expensive house by sending the occupants a letter.
They weren't selling, but eventually, when they were, they came back and a deal was struck.

 

[Palfrem]

I suspect Dieselman may be correct. He reeled of a list of cars he had owned over the years and he'd had 1 or 2 nice AMGs, older MBs and M cars.

I got the impression he would most definitely like to buy the car though, but he didn't realise ( unless he's a better poker player than I think) how few of these cars are left.

If it were me and I really, really wanted a particular car, I'd have done some price research and with my max budget in mind I'd make an offer of around 85 - 90% of it to test the water.

Nice enough chap and we had a pleasant chat though.

 

[Darrell]

A friend of mine does this sort of thing rather often. He also plays a bit dumb.

Eventually he gets what he wants albeit cars, houses etc. He is a right wheeler dealer and loves the thrill of the deal.

Worth a fortune as well!

 

[Will]

I'd never offer 85-90% of my max budget!

For all you know, he may have been prepared to pay, say, £10k. And you (or whoever the seller may be) could have thought it worth around £5k.

It's always nice to get a bargain when buying, and likewise always nice to get top money when selling.

I think he was 'testing the water', so to speak. Letting you show your hand first.

The risk is he may have offered more than you were prepared to take - so might not have got it as cheap as possible.

 

[219]

My rough and ready rule with " cold callers" ---and essentially that was what that guy was---- is ----sorry not interested Bye. Life's too short. They inevitably are a waste of time or are after something . When you come to sell it --that's the time to start showing people you don't know from Adam round your vehicle . Sure he's a taxi driver now- what about all his drinking mates he was on remand with when he was younger ? Have you got their "business" cards?
There is a huge market for older mercedes benz in the former Soviet block and the third world. More so than than newer models. No complex electronics to match up and star systems to deal with yet still a prestigious motor. Some get shipped in containers other are stripped for parts. Simply not worth raising the car's profile unless you are selling imho.

My mum gets this sort of thing quite regularly re my Ponton , which is parked on her drive .

The callers are always politely told that the car is not for sale ; sometimes they leave cards with contact numbers , I always thank them for their interest but point out , having had the car 30+ years , I am not selling .

 

[jotter22]

I'd never offer 85-90% of my max budget!

For all you know, he may have been prepared to pay, say, £10k. And you (or whoever the seller may be) could have thought it worth around £5k.

It's always nice to get a bargain when buying, and likewise always nice to get top money when selling.

I think he was 'testing the water', so to speak. Letting you show your hand first.

The risk is he may have offered more than you were prepared to take - so might not have got it as cheap as possible.

I am not sure the last line makes sense?...How can he offer "more" than you are prepared to take?

Tony.

 

[219]

I read it as meaning the buyer may have offered more than ( the lowest price ) he would have been prepared to accept , therefore might have paid more than he needed to .

 

[MBDevotee]

I am not sure the last line makes sense?...How can he offer "more" than you are prepared to take?

Tony.

If I would be prepared to take £5000 for the car to sell it and the buyer offers £100000 then he has offered "More than I would be prepared to take."


I agree - he might have a figure of £9k + in mind, but hopes you have no idea of the value of the car and would accept £5k.


If you'd said you'd take £5k he'd have hummed and ahhed and then offered £4.5k or something, haggled, and if he'd had to pay £5K then he'd have figured he'd had a proper result!