Honest & Candid Talk Pave The Way To Car Sale

Ok - just one more car-search story, only because I think the point is very important, short & sweet. ALWAYS be honest and candid when selling your car. If you’re not 110% brutally forthright in communication with your potential customers, you’ll damage the the developing seller/buyer relationship, creating distrust that can easily make a no-sale. And, don’t insult your potential buyer’s intelligence (give them SOME credit - they’re looking at your car, aren’t they?) by using disingenuous tactics to drum up interest in a decidedly ho-hum vehicle.

For example, I emailed a seller on Craigslist about a Ford Taurus sedan that looked like it would fit the bill. No phone number was included, so I asked for contact information - a phone number. The car was local and to see it, I would need to get in touch with the owner. And here was the reply:

“I’ve received several offers so far - I’ll be showing the vehicle tonight and tomorrow night to a couple potential buyers - pending the outcomes - I’d be happy to show you the car.  I’ll let you know ASAP

Feel free to contact me at this e-mail address with any other questions in the meantime.
Thanks,
XXX”
The guy has already had “several offers” and the car has been listed for one day? I will have to salivate at the thought of a 1997 Taurus with 97,000 miles for another two days until some “potential buyers” reject the car? Notice the lack of any contact information - must I answer back, begging for a phone number? The car is priced about $500 over KBB value - I figure it will be around for a while. The right answer would be something like this:
Here’s my phone number, give me a call and we’ll set up a time for you to see the car. I know you’ll be pleased with what you see.
Thanks,
XXX
My answer?  “Please let me know when you’re ready to sell.”
That’s the truth!

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