Dealing with rude potential buyers

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Dealing with rude potential buyers

April 06, 2021, 05:56:17 pm

A few months ago, a young man stopped by to see if I would sell my LD. Now, I don't mind people inquiring about my LD, it was the way he did it.

First of all, he pulled his huge dually roofing contractor truck up into my driveway, trespassing on my property. I know that may be normal in other areas, but not where I live. He knocked on my door and said “Do you want to get rid of that thing?” and jerked his thumb toward my LD. Not pleased by this, I told him it was not for sale and he left.

About a week later, he came by again, pulled his truck up into my driveway again, came to the door and said “I can take that thing off your hands for you.” Annoyed and not inspired by his generous offer, I told him I like my motorhome and it was not for sale. He left. Not that I would ever consider selling my LD to anyone who referred to it as a nuisance that needs to be discarded.

After about another week, he drove up into my driveway again and came to my door. Giving me his best sales pitch he said “Don’t you want to get rid of that old thing? I can get it off your property for you”. Not persuaded, I told him I'm not interested in selling to him and I'd appreciate it if he would not come by any more. A little put off, but persistent, he handed me his business card and left. My husband used the card to call the man and tell him to stop coming by. I've not seen the man again.

I just can't understand how someone could think making disparaging remarks about someone else's property is a good way to persuade a person into a transaction. Has anyone else had a similar experience or dealt with rude, pushy people over the sale of a car or RV?

Re: Dealing with rude potential buyers

Reply #1 – April 06, 2021, 06:04:33 pm

He's using an old trader tactic, I sell used stuff for a living & always joke to sellers & buyers alike that if I'm buying it, it's all wore out , if i'm selling it it's "Rare & exotic". I once had a business partner that got tired of a particular customer knocking the merchandise......he asked him "How would you like it if I came by your house a commented on how ugly it & the kids in it were" the guy was shocked,

(the fact that he came three times means he knew what you had & he was looking to "cut a fat Hog")

Re: Dealing with rude potential buyers

Reply #2 – April 06, 2021, 06:08:56 pm

"I just can't understand how someone could think making disparaging remarks about someone else's property is a good way to persuade a person into a transaction."

I would have taken down his License plate number and informed the police... the business card would also have helped.

Re: Dealing with rude potential buyers

Reply #3 – April 06, 2021, 06:18:50 pm

I dread selling anything.
I've listed items for very small amounts of money and still was asked if I would take less.

Or when you first place and ad and people make ridiculously low offers right from the start. I tell them I just placed the ad and to check back with me in 2 weeks.

Re: Dealing with rude potential buyers

Reply #4 – April 06, 2021, 06:43:12 pm

Hi Ted; Everybody assumes that the seller will reduce the price at least a little. So at the start of bargaining, people are testing to see how resistant you are at reducing your asking price. So just respond that your asking price was arrived at after carefully deciding what you think it is worth. The potential buyer may not know how long it has been on the market, and may not really know much about the relative merits of your motorhome, or any other motorhome for that matter. So discuss various good points that you think are features, point out things that are improvements, upgrades, or recent routine repairs. Your 26 year old motorhome, if it weren't a Lazy Daze, could be in terrible shape, and most buyers have potentially looked at other brands that were. If not conversant with LD, the buyers won't even know what some of your 'features' really are. RonB

Re: Dealing with rude potential buyers

Reply #5 – April 06, 2021, 06:50:03 pm

The tacky method described here must work every so often.

Likewise with lowball offers, sure 99 out of 100 are offended, but you’ll get a bargain on the 100th.

I am firmly in the offended camp.

Re: Dealing with rude potential buyers

Reply #6 – April 06, 2021, 07:00:08 pm

You may want to post your property with No Trespassing and No Soliciting signs. A big dog in the yard would help too. 🐕‍🦺

Re: Dealing with rude potential buyers

Reply #7 – April 06, 2021, 07:01:02 pm

It's a relic of old school sales training that is still way too common.

The old way is to turn every interaction into a transaction. Pester, persist, nag, and keep at it. Never give up.

The new way is to find the subset of people who have a need that you can meet. Targeted marketing and all that.

There are people who were taught the old way, and they still think it works. 30 years ago, a seller might ask their friends and acquaintances if they know anyone who is looking for a RV. These days, anyone who wants to find a buyer can reach thousands of them with Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace.

Sorry you had to deal with that.

Rich

Re: Dealing with rude potential buyers

Reply #8 – April 06, 2021, 07:37:42 pm

Business cards are cheap. I must have removed two cards a week from all of cars. When this ploy all started a few years back I would call the business on the card and told them I and my associates would boycott their business. I’ve given up on that tactic and simply recycle the cards. That’ll show em.

How dare they consider any of my beloved Toyotas as “Junk Cars”!

There outta be a law.

Kent

Re: Dealing with rude potential buyers

Reply #9 – April 06, 2021, 07:39:26 pm

"Pester, persist, nag, and keep at it."
---
This pushy, in-your-face approach from a buyer or a seller, particularly if accompanied by patronizing overtones, is the quickest and surest way to kill any potential deal and lose me as a customer - forever.

Re: Dealing with rude potential buyers

Reply #10 – April 06, 2021, 08:11:23 pm

For unwanted guests at your door. I'm reminded of the comedy routine that said...
To open the door naked and invite them in for some heroin.
That seems to help.

Re: Dealing with rude potential buyers

Reply #11 – April 06, 2021, 08:22:04 pm

Quote from: SoCal-girl - April 06, 2021, 05:56:17 pm

First of all, he pulled his huge dually roofing contractor truck up into my driveway, trespassing on my property. I know that may be normal in other areas, but not where I live. He knocked on my door and said “Do you want to get rid of that thing?” and jerked his thumb toward my LD. Not pleased by this, I told him it was not for sale and he left.

I have found that by far the most successful technique to blow off persistent con-folk is to engage. In this case, I would have started the negotiation by asking what he would offer. Keep it going by considering his offer - take a lonnnng time, hem and haw, then say 'no, I'm going to need more than that'. He will likely say 'Then how much?' and you reply 'Welllll, make me another offer.' At his response, well, the idea is to waste as much of his time as possible until he gives up in disgust, realizing you are just playing him. However, never offer him a price, no matter how ridiculously high - he might say ok.

Steve

Re: Dealing with rude potential buyers

Reply #12 – April 06, 2021, 11:18:28 pm

Reminds me of the time I got a knock on the door while I was doing some kitchen demolition with a big 10 pound sledge hammer. So I go to the door and greet the fellow with hammer in hand. The look on the fellow’s face was priceless. Funny... he took my “no not interested” response to heart rather quickly!

Re: Dealing with rude potential buyers

Reply #13 – April 07, 2021, 08:03:28 am

We have a sign at our ranch that’s effective: “NO TRESPASSING, WE ARE TIRED OF HIDING THE BODIES”. 😀

Re: Dealing with rude potential buyers

Reply #14 – April 07, 2021, 10:13:29 pm

Quote from: Mike Coachman - April 07, 2021, 08:03:28 am

We have a sign at our ranch that’s effective: “NO TRESPASSING, WE ARE TIRED OF HIDING THE BODIES”. 😀

Gonna need a bigger Backhoe....

Re: Dealing with rude potential buyers

Reply #15 – April 07, 2021, 10:27:45 pm

Quote from: RonB - April 06, 2021, 06:43:12 pm

Hi Ted; Everybody assumes that the seller will reduce the price at least a little. So at the start of bargaining, people are testing to see how resistant you are at reducing your asking price. So just respond that your asking price was arrived at after carefully deciding what you think it is worth. The potential buyer may not know how long it has been on the market, and may not really know much about the relative merits of your motorhome, or any other motorhome for that matter. So discuss various good points that you think are features, point out things that are improvements, upgrades, or recent routine repairs. Your 26 year old motorhome, if it weren't a Lazy Daze, could be in terrible shape, and most buyers have potentially looked at other brands that were. If not conversant with LD, the buyers won't even know what some of your 'features' really are. RonB

We have ours sold.
First look today.
My wife saw a local want ad. The buyer lives 1 mile away.

We and they are thrilled.
😊

Re: Dealing with rude potential buyers

Reply #16 – April 08, 2021, 12:07:03 am

I've had Ghost Rider stalked many times. I'm in a fairly rural area, as some of my mooch-docking friends can attest. I do get nervous, pissed, annoyed with the various tactics, the worst being someone sitting out on my street blowing the horn to get my attention. I also have 5 dogs, and they aren't little! I have "Dog on Property/No Trespassing" signs on my fences. Doesn't stop them, although they haven't opened the gates!
I also have 3 classic vehicles and until I get the "Not For Sale Barn" built, they are all out and some are covered. It's as annoying as texts and phone calls wanting to know "DO YOU WANT TO SELL YOUR HOUSE?" When did we become soooooo rude??

Re: Dealing with rude potential buyers

Reply #17 – April 08, 2021, 06:20:20 am

JonS, No problem, we have a backhoe with two different sizes of buckets. Maybe we should park it near the sign

Re: Dealing with rude potential buyers

Reply #18 – April 30, 2021, 03:07:29 pm

Remember that guy from my original post, he's back again. He must live nearby because he seems to travel the street frequently. Yesterday he came by again as I was working on my LD and asked if I would sell it to him. He went into a story of how his sister has two little kids and really needs an RV and don't I want to help out a needy family? And I could really help her out by selling my RV to him. I told him I've got camping reservations for the next six months (which is true), and I'm not selling. There are RV dealerships all over SoCal with plenty of inventory, I don't know why he's so interested in mine.

Re: Dealing with rude potential buyers

Reply #19 – April 30, 2021, 03:31:52 pm

Quote from: SoCal-girl - April 30, 2021, 03:07:29 pm

I don't know why he's so interested in mine.

You live in prime beach country.
Shorter RVs are hot with the beach crowd, you can park an old, narrow 22’ or 23.5’ LD (pre-2003) in parking spots at the beach, can’t do that with longer rigs at many parks. I get offers to buy regularly at home or when buying gas. My answer is always “$109,000, that’s what a new one cost”, they never counter-offer. Recently the question is “do you live in it”?

Larry

Re: Dealing with rude potential buyers

Reply #20 – April 30, 2021, 04:38:56 pm

Quote from: SoCal-girl - April 30, 2021, 03:07:29 pm

I don't know why he's so interested in mine.

Maybe he thinks you are a soft target. Or maybe he hits everyone that way.
Try "What part of NO do you not understand?"
Joel
Illegtitimae NonCarborundum

Re: Dealing with rude potential buyers

Reply #21 – April 30, 2021, 07:48:08 pm

Quote from: SoCal-girl - April 30, 2021, 03:07:29 pm

I don't know why he's so interested in mine.

I hope your LD is safe and secure. He makes me nervous. Roll camera.

Re: Dealing with rude potential buyers

Reply #22 – April 30, 2021, 11:58:01 pm

SoCal-girl, I’m wondering if he’s a flipper like someone mentioned on a recent post? I find him creepy. I guess you’d need to have a No Trespassing sign in order to involve the police? It still might be worth telling him you’ll call them if you see him on your property again. IDK? When my Dad passed away I had his nice Caddy sitting here. Some guy stopped and wanted to buy (steal) it. He drove Uber so it would have been perfect for him but I wasn’t ready to let it go. He went on and on in spite of my clear insistence I was not interested. A week later I came out of the grocery store and he had put his card under my windshield wiper. It was unnerving.

Re: Dealing with rude potential buyers

Reply #23 – May 01, 2021, 05:54:56 pm

Quote from: Mike Coachman - April 08, 2021, 06:20:20 am

JonS, No problem, we have a backhoe with two different sizes of buckets. Maybe we should park it near the sign

Mike, I can make the sign, can I borrow your backhoe?

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