I've hardly ever posted, but picked up an incredible amount of valued help and I appreciate it all. I'd like some opinions. I've been looking for TT for awhile and found what I thought was a good deal on Cars.com. I just feel I should give others here a heads up about a negative (imo) experience with another member. I realize since the car wasn't posted here my rant may be for naught but this guy is a member. At this point I don't know if it's inappropriate to ID the guy so I won't.

I drove from NY to DEL (350 miles round trip) this Saturday to take a look at his 996 turbo. Shook hands on a deal and left him a 500.00 deposit. Car had (imo) major paint chipping on hood and bumper, I had second thoughts and emailed and called him to tell him so. Yesterday he calls me back and says he'll get an estimate to repair chips and agrees to adjust price (very considerate). At this point we agree and have a deal. He's supposed to get a ppi done today and we're done. Like an *** I run out in anticipation of a done deal get my funds, ins., etc ready to drive down w/ a friend and p/u. He emails me back this pm (no ***** to call) and says:

"Hi Ron,
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This sale just wasn't meant to be...
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Someone called this AM (locally), looked and paid for it while*I was at work!
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I don't know if this is a relief or a disappointment for you...but I'm sure you'll find another soon as there are a handful out there.
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I have already shredded your check.
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Good luck with your search...it's half the fun, I think!"
*
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Sincerely,....."*

I thought a hand shake and a deposit still meant something in the world. Don't get me wrong, it's his car and he can change his mind, but I gotta tell you I think it sucks for this guy not to have the courtesy to call and give me a fair shot. I'll find another car, but I figured I'd just vent and let others know in case this guy is hawking parts on the site. If he reneged on me.....
Rono

 

hmmm tough call...I mean it sounds like you first agreed to buy the car and then had second thoughts and wanted him to take care of the paint...seems like you reneged (or renegotiated) yourself. Although I suppose a call is appropriate, I would actually prefer email as I have a "documented" trail. He is right...there are other cars out there. Perhaps he didn't feel comfortable with you so he sold it.

 

Crappy, Yes...but look at it this way, he probably didn't get the PPI done and someone else bought his problem? Plenty of cars out there for not a lot of money...when you find the "right" one you'll know...
Good Luck!!!

 

Good call not posting the name as that would not be good. I had a similar situation, however it was with a dealer so that probably makes it worse and they had cashed my deposit. It all worked out better for me as I got a lower mile cleaner car local to me for about the same $$$ but it was a PITA getting my 1k deposit back. Sorry to hear about your luck but I am sure you will find your car as there are a lot of nice ones out there now and the next one will probably be meant to be.

 

As you said, it's his car and he can sell it to whoever he wants..but the right thing would have been for him to have contacted you, explain that he got a better offer from someone else and then given you the opportunity to match or beat it.

That said, I imagine he was a bit put off by you changing your mind after the deal had beeen made wrt the rock chips on the hood and bumper. In all honesty, I would have been put off by that as well. You both acted a tad wishy-washy on this deal, IMO.

 

+1 and +2^^ and btw...stop payment on the check to be sure..

 

dont sweat it plenty of nice cars out there, let us know when you get your dream car!! good luck

tom

 

I appreciate the feedback. It's good to get the opinions, puts it in perspective. I guess I'm just disappointed more than anything, but I know I'll find another one.
Rono

 

Natural reaction to be upset/disappointed....in my opinion its probably better for you... There are plenty of them out there...hopefully the one you ultimately buy makes this experience worth while

Good luck with the search!!

 

I think you may have a case. He shook on it and you gave him a $500 check for consideration. Sounds solid to me. Should have been a done deal.

 

Consider it a blessing. Now you'll have the opportunity to find a nicer car. When one door closes another opens. Besides, you weren't that happy with the car anyway, that's why you had second thoughts.

 

I'd let it be. Let's not forget that he is the one who reopened the negotiating after the handshake. The seller got out of doing extra work, and the buyer will find a car that meets his expectations sooner or later. Let the courts deal with real problems. (like awarding 900k to the drunken brothers who threw batteries at a tiger until he got an adrenaline surge and jumped out of his enclosure and mauled them. Darwin would cry if he saw what we've become.)