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As you all know, recently I sold my RX7 FC3S. As much heart ache as I went through after the delivery of the car .. I'd like to say that I went through hell as well during the process of selling my ride. Hence, I came up with this quick guide for BUYERS and SELLERS. These comments are based on the collective feedbacks and my observation of online forum car sales...

Do's and Dont's

For Seller:

Do's

- Do some research on the market price of your ride. Putting higher prices may hamper the sales of your ride

- Put as much information as you can about your ride

- Pictures is a must but please blank out your number plate and make sure your ride is clean and neat

- Your expected price i.e RM xxx,xxx.xx and whether nego or o.n.o

- Condition of your ride : please be as honest as you can, this sets the expectation right. If not,  the buyer will expect to see 100% good condition hence wasting both his and your time, i.e:  - Engine leaking oil , dashboard cracked, kena bang before, rust, need to repaint, etc.

- Always be realistic. I.e, old car - no loan. Dont put ambiguious statement like, maybe can loan or don't know whether can loan.

- Put your phone number and state when the potential buyers should call, i.e. 9.00am to 9.00pm.

- Be firm, especially when you have taken deposits. State 1 week, if not burn. Dont say, nevermind la, i give u another day. That "other day" can drag to another month


Dont's

- Be realistic, dont sell your car based on market price + modifications. CAR DEPRECIATES and the world dont owe you anything for your modifications. You may however, put the car slightly above market price. Enthusiasts will appreciate your car + price.

- Brag. Dont brag about how much hp your car got and how fast it can go. If you wanna show how powderful your ride is, post the dyno sheet.

- Dont take pictures of your ride in front of your house especially of got landmark behind. It'll give a clear indication where your house is and where to get your car or the items inside for free.

- Dont pose infront of your car like you are Andy Lau. People want to buy your car, unless you are willing to blow your buyer off for free, don't do it.

- Dont post other people's rides in your thread and claim it's your ride or 'that kind la'

- Dont bother posting without pics. Seriously, it's pointless

- Dont state - pm me. You and I know you are not 24/7 online. It frustrates buyer that you are not replying.

- Dont over promise : My car can outrun Space Shuttle, My car is trouble free. Just pump and Go! or best part is, personal guarantee 1 week, then change your phone number

- Dont go see potential buyer thinking they will not snatch your cars. It's a dangerous world out there. Think I'm shitting u? well, it's better be safe than  sorry! ALWAYS BECAREFUL!

- Dont go offer to your potential buyers to view your car at night. It's so dark, view what? Serious buyers wont ask to view at night

- Dont let the potential buyer test your car if you are not comfortable with it especially highly modified cars. Take him for a round in your car. Ask him what is the preference of his "test".

- Dont "fish" your buyers. I.e, eh, Mr A offer me this much, so how? Just be honest.

- Dont judge your buyers by the way the dress. Some of the sleaziest or shittiest looking buyer has the most cash. Trust me, i went through this personally.  I didnt judge him but i sort of, was afraid of him.. ahahhaah..

- Dont think your buyers are idiots, "My car ah, wah, got high cam, 500bhp, can go to the moon". People are not as dumb as you think they are.

- Dont bother to sell if you are not willing to part with it or willing to part half heartedly. I've known a friend who was just 2 corners away from taking his newly acquired wheels and the seller decided to back out. This creates tension, frustration and distrust.. may even lead to black listing to your street creds.

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For BUYERS:

Do's

- Be firm and solid on what car you want. Make, model, year and BUDGET!

- Do research on the issues that may arise from the your desired choice of ride.

- Be realistic on what you can afford and maintain, not just 'afford'. I've got a friend who bought a very 'nice car' only to find that it guzzles gas and had to sell itt for something less. What you can afford and what you like to have is totally different thing altogether.

- Call the buyer during stated hours or reasonable / sensible hours, not like, 2.00 freaking AM in the morning

- Ask about the ride first not the modifications, it's the base of the car that is important.

- Based on what you've researched, by now you would have know what are the common problems, do ask if they have been addressed by this seller.

- Ask to view the car in a sensible day at a sensible place. Dont ask to go Jalan Alor at 2.00am or during rush hour. You know you cant view the car at peace.

- If you are short on cash, please check with banks if they still offer loan for that type of car and if not, check with credit company.. worse case scenario, check with MBF finance - Mak Bapak Finance

- If possible, make an appointment with your trusted mechanic or anyone PROVEN to know cars very well to view it with you. 2nd opinion is very important as sometimes we as humans make errors based on impulsive decisions. Please bear in mind that if the car is 'joint car'... seller may be long gone by the time Puspakom inspects it.

- Get your own runner to do trasnfer. Get all the tranferring process all planned out.

- If the car you are getting comes with tinted glasses as OEM, do discuss with the seller to work out something to replace them during inspection. The cost perhaps could be borne by both parties?

- Do ask details of the "Geran". I.e what year it states the car to be and whether the car engine has been replaced before and has it been registered, etc.

- When in doubt, always ask but be sensible. If you find the car abit 'dodgy' walk away. You are not obligated to buy.


Dont's

- Dont call at all if you've got no budget. This is reality. If you DO NOT KNOW THE SELLER, dont ask him, "Bro, can I pay u x% and balance i pay installments?".  Remember, THE SELLER DO NOT KNOW YOU! HOW CAN THEY TRUST YOU?!

- Dont expect to spend all your budgetted money buying the car. Always leave spare cash for fixer upper. Remember, YOU ARE BUYING A USED CAR. Nothing's guaranteed no matter how well the seller describes the car to be or is promising you.

- Dont ask stupid questions,  "Your car fast ah?". Dude, that's the most idiotic question you can ask. What's your benchmark of 'fast'?

- Dont ask questions that is time wasters. I.e, "Bro, your car got what mod ah?" when everything is already posted there for you to read.

- Dont reply an online thread asking "Can loan ah?" ... refer to the above DO's

- Dont ask "Got rust ah"..If i ever get asked got that question, i'll ask if he's blind ah...

- Dont think you are Mr Know it all and go see the car alone. Sometimes our judgement gets clouded. Always bring a friend .. but make sure your friend is not some blonde fella with lots of tattoo. The seller may run away.

- Dont assume the world owes you everything, if not, dont think the seller owes you. Dude, he's selling his car, not begging you. Dont counter offer with ridiculously lowered price.

- Dont throw your problems to the seller, i.e "My mom wont lend me that much la.. My gf wont let me buy so exp. car la, can you lower the price ah?" - Dude, that's YOUR problem, not his. Refer to Do's - get your budget sorted out first.

- Dont comment on an online for sale thread if you've got nothing good to say BUT if you find the seller abit dodgy, you may ask him to clarify the specific area that you think they may be bullshitting.

- Dont ask stupid questions like "Eh, reliable ah this type of car", 'Eh, is the fuel consumption poor?", "Eh, Police block ah your car?", Always DO YOUR HOMEWORK FIRST!

- Dont buy the car if you are paying 60% of your salary for the monthly installments.

- Dont buy the car if you have doubts

- Dont view the car if you have no intentions at all to buy, window shopping for cars is one thing, to call a buyer to meet you and show you his car is  another. It's really time consuming.

- Dont view the car with a girl friend in your own car waiting. You know she's gonna bitch about it and rush you. Leave her at home. Be the man, make the decision yourself.

- Dont seal the deal lower than agreed price. The seller has every right to walk away with your deposit. Some fellas think they are damn smart, agreed on a price, then when paying time, "Bro, i only got so much, discount can la"... Can.. can go fxxx yourself.

- Dont fxxx with the seller...

 And finally.. for both parties..

- Just dont fuck it up - BWAHAHAH

GOOD LUCK!