Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

tbirdmarco

 Wow a lot going on in here today catching up now personally think everything everyone says Woody queen of salt and slowly earn their trust if I want to ha ha 

tbirdmarco

 Sold a 79 Thunderbird 12 years ago cash the guy gave me and my dad there to tell me make sure was good and another one I bought on eBay so paid through PayPal think it was then sold the one for cash to this was 12 years ago personally would take cash or if it’s a larger purchase bank check no personal checks from anyone buying a car from me 

Mr_Shiftright

fintail said:

I suspect any paper check can be easily faked these days. If you want to be certain, perform a transaction at the bank, and have the cash validated before completion.

I am pretty sure in the great world of the past (it isn't coming back), there were plenty of scammers, too. Today the tech is better to aid in the scamming, and people are definitely no less gullible. There's a way to not have to put up with any of it, simply refrain from large in-person physical transactions.

Craigslist scammers are issuing fake cashier's checks like they were leaves and it was autumn in Vermont.

Mr_Shiftright

ab348 said:

cdnpinhead said:

Cashiers cheques rule, certified, not so much. If the deal is cash, make sure you have one of the little pens that gives you a bit more confidence that the cash is real.

Isn't it wonderful that we have to go through all this? Your key ring and your three-page password list (in my case, anyway) are monuments to the fact that enough people are a**holes that we have to go through all this. I grew up in small towns where no one locked anything up. Now I'm here and have to put up with all this crap, besides which I get the "negative" label.

I started out very different. Today's so-called society got me to where I am today -- trust no one at the outset; wait and see -- maybe they're worthy (but probably not).

I get it.

When I bought the ATS last year I brought my checkbook to the dealership on the day that was set to do the paperwork and pick up the car. This would be the 6th vehicle I had bought from a dealer, and in all of the previous 5 I just wrote a check for the amount. Given this was the 3rd consecutive vehicle I had bought at this same place I had no inkling that would not be the same this time. It wasn't. They insisted on a certified or cashiers cheque. No wire/E transfer either. And they wouldn't take a sack full of cash because of money laundering woes. I had to trek to the bank and get a cahier's cheque and then go back to the dealership. I was rather irritated.

What? Wire transfer is as good as gold.

tbirdmarco

 Hope your test went well today snack your easel maybe it was another poster just finished looking through everything ha ha Ha a lot when I’m in here today which is fine 

tbirdmarco

 You are so welcome driver 100 I’m glad you liked the video on the new general 

tbirdmarco

 On Facebook and a few other social platforms just using them for attempted not working that’s about it don’t comment much on peoples postings didn’t get involved with all the political stuff was going on maybe I would comment on some respect other people‘s views and let’s not fight with each other I got a few people bashing me still I did happen to vote for tromp because I personally wanted to put these younger people in my generation all of them this is what they simply do there he said no need for it all 

carnaught

Congrats and well done on the house buy and sell, Michaell!

tbirdmarco

 You like what you like regardless everyone has their opinions that’s life for you as you all know take everything with a big queen of salt in life I don’t trust the news media no matter what channel or radio station they all have their own agendas no matter what they claim Ha ha ha I love how people get worked up over the news my response to them at work or wherever don’t trust him 

stickguy

interesting Michael. Good luck. Opposite here. I have been trying to get traction on moving for 2 years and can;t get the wife going on it. And she could not belief you were going that fast. If I gave her a year to get down to just the stuff we should keep in a move, she still would not be close. So either we stay here being sucked dry, or I give up and get a 2nd moving truck to take a whole lotta crap I don't want That would likely all be stacked up somewhere in the new place, and boxes never opened.

will make it easier for the kids though, when we kick the bucket and they toss everything she saved into a dumpster (and they already said they were going to, and mean it!)

stickguy

I like that house. It is basically what I am looking for. And your property taxes were so depressing it made me cry.

cdnpinhead

oldfarmer50 said:

My original question was meant to ask how a seller could avoid giving test drives to lookie loos or joy riders who had no means to buy . . .

Well, the sad fact (in today's world) is that you'd need to "profile" the potential buyer -- you know, look at him/her, make some (OMG) judgements. So far, that's still legal, I think.

driver100

oldfarmer50 said:

stickguy said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Question for you rich guys:

If you were selling a more expensive car ($20k+) how would you screen for ability to pay? Would you demand bank statements, loan guarentees from a financial institution, cashiers check....what?

Are you selling? Just get a big bag of cash. Otherwise a bank check from a local bank, that you can verify at the bank with the buyer. That other stuff only makes sense if you are financing.

That hassle, and sales tax credit, is why I’m much more likely to trade in a car with decent equity.

Not selling currently although my relatives may be selling an almost new Civic. I was just pondering on how you would weed out the joy riders from serious buyers. A bag full of cash would do the trick but I'm wondering if there is a more practical way.

I sometimes see car ads that state "must show ability to buy before test drive".

That is a good question if someone has the answer. My brother is going to have a low mileage Hyundai Accent that I will probably have to sell. It is a 2014 I think, with low mileage.

Is it fair to say, I will drive it...you can be a passenger? I don't think I want someone driving it....it is under my responsibility. Also, what if some unsavory character shows up.

driver100

Michaell said:

You know how, some mornings, you wake up and think to yourself "Gee, I think I'm going to buy a new car today"? No forethought, no research, just - BOOM! - you make a decision and you follow through with it. And a new car is in your driveway by the end of the day.
muy caliente?

A full price offer is submitted on our house this past Tuesday and we accepted.

We close on the sale of our house on 5/7 and the new house on 5/11. Which means I have less than a month to sort, organize, toss out, donate or give away anything and everything we don't want to take with us. And pack the rest.

My head hurts.

Wow! But, it sounds like it was meant to be. In a way it worked out perfectly....almost too perfect, but, I think the fast sale of your place is a good thing. you have lots to do though......good luck, and congratulations.

stickguy

you can say that. just don't expect many people to be interested in the car. And better tell them before they come out.

OK to let them drive, and certainly OK to go along with. I always did.

driver100

tbirdmarco said:

Mike so happy to hear your son I mean grand son got a scholarship that’s awesome very nice

+1

driver100

tbirdmarco said:

 You like what you like regardless everyone has their opinions that’s life for you as you all know take everything with a big queen of salt in life I don’t trust the news media no matter what channel or radio station they all have their own agendas no matter what they claim Ha ha ha I love how people get worked up over the news my response to them at work or wherever don’t trust him 

Smart! You listen to the news you want to believe.

tbirdmarco

All intresting

driver100

cdnpinhead said:

oldfarmer50 said:

My original question was meant to ask how a seller could avoid giving test drives to lookie loos or joy riders who had no means to buy . . .

Well, the sad fact (in today's world) is that you'd need to "profile" the potential buyer -- you know, look at him/her, make some (OMG) judgements. So far, that's still legal, I think.

So a guy shows up that doesn't look to trustworthy....what exactly do you say to him/ Sorry, it just sold.

driver100

stickguy said:

you can say that. just don't expect many people to be interested in the car. And better tell them before they come out.

OK to let them drive, and certainly OK to go along with. I always did.

The last time I sold a car myself was in about 1986. People were a lot more trustworthy then. I think there are a lot more scammers around these days. I am not looking forward to selling his car privately.....I may just try a dealer.

oldfarmer50

driver100 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

stickguy said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Question for you rich guys:

If you were selling a more expensive car ($20k+) how would you screen for ability to pay? Would you demand bank statements, loan guarentees from a financial institution, cashiers check....what?

Are you selling? Just get a big bag of cash. Otherwise a bank check from a local bank, that you can verify at the bank with the buyer. That other stuff only makes sense if you are financing.

That hassle, and sales tax credit, is why I’m much more likely to trade in a car with decent equity.

Not selling currently although my relatives may be selling an almost new Civic. I was just pondering on how you would weed out the joy riders from serious buyers. A bag full of cash would do the trick but I'm wondering if there is a more practical way.

I sometimes see car ads that state "must show ability to buy before test drive".

That is a good question if someone has the answer. My brother is going to have a low mileage Hyundai Accent that I will probably have to sell. It is a 2014 I think, with low mileage.

Is it fair to say, I will drive it...you can be a passenger? I don't think I want someone driving it....it is under my responsibility. Also, what if some unsavory character shows up.

You wouldn't sell it to me under those conditions. I've bought cars where the owner wouldn't let me drive because of "insurance" and discovered some problems later that I would have seen had I been able to "feel" from the driver's seat.

BTW, where did you get that picture of me?

ab348

Mr_Shiftright said:

What? Wire transfer is as good as gold.

I know, right? But they supposedly were not set up for it. Couldn't believe it.

xwesx

driver100 said:

That is a good question if someone has the answer. My brother is going to have a low mileage Hyundai Accent that I will probably have to sell. It is a 2014 I think, with low mileage.

Is it fair to say, I will drive it...you can be a passenger? I don't think I want someone driving it....it is under my responsibility. Also, what if some unsavory character shows up.

It's an Accent! Just give him the keys and run.

xwesx

Michael, I like what you did with the house. However, I think I would feel claustrophobic living there; the house is nearly as large as the whole lot, and it looks like the surrounding places aren't much different!

Heck, I feel crowded at my place, and I have 1.2 acres. My wife has been talking about wanting to buy a 42-acre property in PA. That seems a little more comfortable. I guess I've never quite shed my rural mentality (and I hope I never do!).

qbrozen

Michaell said:

We did hold the open houses - many of the showings were concurrent with those times. Yeah, Denver housing market is hot, but not Seattle hot. We priced the house right and decided we didn't want a bidding war. First offer included everything we wanted (including an accelerated closing schedule), so no point waiting for more. The couple who are buying our house included a cute letter explaining why they were in LOVE (their caps, not mine) with our house, how they would take care of it, etc. We never got emotionally attached to this house. If anyone is interested, the zillow listing is here

So that is the house you sold, not the one you are buying, right?

qbrozen

stickguy said:

I like that house. It is basically what I am looking for. And your property taxes were so depressing it made me cry.

It is crazy to think of how much more house (or car) we could have if our taxes were like CO. Wow.

stickguy

I did some quick mental math. To get the same monthly mortgage payment, at my tax level, the house would have to sell for about $225,000, maybe less.

flip side is, when I finally move, I could buy a more expensive house and have the monthly nut drop by a lot.

abacomike

tbirdmarco said:

Mike so happy to hear your son I mean grand son got a scholarship that’s awesome very nice

Thanks.  Actually, it was the second scholarship.  He got a 65% tuition/room and board athletic scholarship from the university and another $5000 a year as an academic scholarship from the scholarship committee at his mother’s work.

Tuition, Room, Food costs $43,500 per year.

His University scholarship covers $28,250.

His academic scholarship covers $5000.

He receives $1000 in student aid from the university.

He has applied for 2 other grants which should get him another $4000.

So, that leaves about $5000 my son will have to come up with.

Not bad considering the cost of college nowadays. He’s very excited about this opportunity and it will be the first time he will be away from home for an extended period of time.

Good grief, I went to NYU from 1961-1965 and tuition and books cost $2200 per semester.  Today, it’s $27,000 per semester.  Ouch!  And that does not include room and board (meals).

Michaell

@qbrozen - yes, the link is to the house we sold.

@stickguy - my property taxes are going to double in the new house. Where we are going isn't an HOA community, but rather a "Metropolitan District". Not quite a town or city, but does have the ability to levy property taxes. But, there are still HOA dues of $50/mo in addition to the extra taxes.

@xwesx - yes, the houses tend to be crowded here. The lot isn't that much bigger on the new house, sadly. but we will have a bit more privacy. Since we have little dogs, and grown up kids, we don't need a big yard.

Not that I have an exit strategy going or anything, but I've been doing some calculations on the appreciation of the new house. In 13 years, when I hope to retire at 67, we'll have over $200K of equity if the house appreciates at 2% annually; if it's 3%, then we'll have over $300K. At that point, we sell and move somewhere where the cost of living is cheaper.

isellhondas

oldfarmer50 said:

stickguy said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Question for you rich guys:

If you were selling a more expensive car ($20k+) how would you screen for ability to pay? Would you demand bank statements, loan guarentees from a financial institution, cashiers check....what?

Are you selling? Just get a big bag of cash. Otherwise a bank check from a local bank, that you can verify at the bank with the buyer. That other stuff only makes sense if you are financing.

That hassle, and sales tax credit, is why I’m much more likely to trade in a car with decent equity.

Not selling currently although my relatives may be selling an almost new Civic. I was just pondering on how you would weed out the joy riders from serious buyers. A bag full of cash would do the trick but I'm wondering if there is a more practical way.

I sometimes see car ads that state "must show ability to buy before test drive".

I think I would say in the ad..." Please, I am a serious seller and I expect all inquiries to come from serious buyers. I don't have the time to waste with dreamers or non serious people and I won't waste your time either. You will find me very easy to deal with. If you are planning to offer much less than my asking price please be aware that there are lesser cars out there for less money and you may be happier with one of those cars"

Yes, that sounds a bit arrogant and it will piss off some potential buyers. It " should" weed out the flakes and that's what you want. When the call, be very nice and professional. If they ask what your bottom line is, let them know that they will need to look at the car and that you may consider a close offer. There is nothing worse than a non serious joyrider.

stickguy

or, price it to move and let me have a shot at it for my kid!

explorerx4

Started the Mustang yesterday after topping off the battery.
It needs work, but started right up, first time since October, and still sounds good.

stickguy

I mowed the lawn for first time yesterday. checked the oil (full and still looked clean since I changed it late last season). Filled up with fresh gas (I did manage to run it dry last time I used it in the fall). 1 yank on the handle, and fired right up.

tjc78

Gotta get step 1 fertilizer down this week. Already saw a dandelion or two. Lawn is nothing great, but I try to keep those devils away at least.

tjc78

explorerx4 said:

Started the Mustang yesterday after topping off the battery.
It needs work, but started right up, first time since October, and still sounds good.

Have you replaced the TV bushing in that car? If not have your mechanic put a brass one in. By now the plastic one is brittle and can slip out. Nothing kills an AOD faster than a failed bushing.

It is a really cheap and easy fix. This all assuming it’s an automatic

oldfarmer50

xwesx said:

driver100 said:

That is a good question if someone has the answer. My brother is going to have a low mileage Hyundai Accent that I will probably have to sell. It is a 2014 I think, with low mileage.

Is it fair to say, I will drive it...you can be a passenger? I don't think I want someone driving it....it is under my responsibility. Also, what if some unsavory character shows up.

It's an Accent! Just give him the keys and run.

I've driven a number of Accents with 40k+ rental miles and for what they are they hold up pretty good.

oldfarmer50

isellhondas said:

oldfarmer50 said:

stickguy said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Question for you rich guys:

If you were selling a more expensive car ($20k+) how would you screen for ability to pay? Would you demand bank statements, loan guarentees from a financial institution, cashiers check....what?

Are you selling? Just get a big bag of cash. Otherwise a bank check from a local bank, that you can verify at the bank with the buyer. That other stuff only makes sense if you are financing.

That hassle, and sales tax credit, is why I’m much more likely to trade in a car with decent equity.

Not selling currently although my relatives may be selling an almost new Civic. I was just pondering on how you would weed out the joy riders from serious buyers. A bag full of cash would do the trick but I'm wondering if there is a more practical way.

I sometimes see car ads that state "must show ability to buy before test drive".

I think I would say in the ad..." Please, I am a serious seller and I expect all inquiries to come from serious buyers. I don't have the time to waste with dreamers or non serious people and I won't waste your time either. You will find me very easy to deal with. If you are planning to offer much less than my asking price please be aware that there are lesser cars out there for less money and you may be happier with one of those cars"

Yes, that sounds a bit arrogant and it will piss off some potential buyers. It " should" weed out the flakes and that's what you want. When the call, be very nice and professional. If they ask what your bottom line is, let them know that they will need to look at the car and that you may consider a close offer. There is nothing worse than a non serious joyrider.

I've seen ads that say simply "no dreamers or tire kickers" but that sounded a little terse.

When you were selling how did you avoid people who thought nothing of wasting your time test driving with no intention of buying?

driver100

Michaell......I like your house. they did have one on the same page I really liked though;


Just $5.2 million and only $21000 a month.

driver100

oldfarmer50 said:

driver100 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

stickguy said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Question for you rich guys:

If you were selling a more expensive car ($20k+) how would you screen for ability to pay? Would you demand bank statements, loan guarentees from a financial institution, cashiers check....what?

Are you selling? Just get a big bag of cash. Otherwise a bank check from a local bank, that you can verify at the bank with the buyer. That other stuff only makes sense if you are financing.

That hassle, and sales tax credit, is why I’m much more likely to trade in a car with decent equity.

Not selling currently although my relatives may be selling an almost new Civic. I was just pondering on how you would weed out the joy riders from serious buyers. A bag full of cash would do the trick but I'm wondering if there is a more practical way.

I sometimes see car ads that state "must show ability to buy before test drive".

That is a good question if someone has the answer. My brother is going to have a low mileage Hyundai Accent that I will probably have to sell. It is a 2014 I think, with low mileage.

Is it fair to say, I will drive it...you can be a passenger? I don't think I want someone driving it....it is under my responsibility. Also, what if some unsavory character shows up.

You wouldn't sell it to me under those conditions. I've bought cars where the owner wouldn't let me drive because of "insurance" and discovered some problems later that I would have seen had I been able to "feel" from the driver's seat.

BTW, where did you get that picture of me?

I don't think I would buy a car without trying it out as well. It probably has less than 20k miles on it...I am guessing. I think it would be ideal for a student or just for zipping around the city....wouldn't want to take it out on a highway, though, like oldfarmer says, these cars are pretty solid.

oldfarmer50

explorerx4 said:

Started the Mustang yesterday after topping off the battery.
It needs work, but started right up, first time since October, and still sounds good.

It's turning to freezing rain here tonight so mine went back under a sheet in the garage. Then it's wait until the next rain storm washes the salt off the roads.

imidazol97

First day of the seasonal and weekly car shows for me in this area. I've waited all winter for car shows to start again. I even dug out a T-shirt with horizontal stripes to take a selfie with a nice car at one of the two shows today that I could post here...

AND it's raining. Grrrrrrrrrr.

driver100

We are in for freezing rain today, overnight, and into tomorrow. This is caused by cold arctic air being low to the ground, and warm air coming across the mid west USA. So, this time, our crappy weather has been caused by youz guys.
I bought enough food so that we don't have to go out again until Monday, just hope we don't lose power. Charging up my E-reader just in case though....how can we live without TV, Netflix, lights for reading?
Both cars are in the garages in case of hail.

sda

Michaell said:

You know how, some mornings, you wake up and think to yourself "Gee, I think I'm going to buy a new car today"? No forethought, no research, just - BOOM! - you make a decision and you follow through with it. And a new car is in your driveway by the end of the day.

(warning - lost post ahead)

My wife is like that - except it is with houses, not cars.

The Tuesday before last she decides she wants to move to a new house (there are legitimate reasons for doing this, not a complete whim). She found a house that was interesting to her on line that morning. We call our realtor and set up an appointment for that afternoon. We look at the house, decide it's the one she wants, and we make an offer. Offer accepted about noon the next day, which means we have to get our house prepped to be put on the market ASAP (our offer was not contingent on our house selling).

One day staging the house and having pictures taken - half our garage is now filled with furniture and accessories that didn't make the cut. House goes on MLS a week ago today. We decide to hold two open houses - one Saturday, one Sunday. We schedule over a dozen showings in those two days - did I mention that the real estate market in Denver is muy caliente?

A full price offer is submitted on our house this past Tuesday and we accepted.

We close on the sale of our house on 5/7 and the new house on 5/11. Which means I have less than a month to sort, organize, toss out, donate or give away anything and everything we don't want to take with us. And pack the rest.

My head hurts.

Wow! That was quick. Congratulations and good luck with the move.

sda

ab348
Just now catching up and read about your procedure. Didn't sound fun at all and hope it went well. All the best, Steve

driver100

imidazol97 said:

First day of the seasonal and weekly car shows for me in this area. I've waited all winter for car shows to start again. I even dug out a T-shirt with horizontal stripes to take a selfie with a nice car at one of the two shows today that I could post here...

AND it's raining. Grrrrrrrrrr.

Are you at a car show in Germany?

Be sure to post a picture of you in that horizontal striped T-shirt,......to relieve some of the pressure off of me.

jmonroe

snakeweasel said:

jmonroe said:

stickguy said:

I have taken a cashiers check at my house. That is a judgement call. I felt good with the guy (plus his family was there), and it was a local bank. Plus the receipt was in the envelope. So I rolled with it.

I have also stood in my garage counting out piles of small bills on the trunk of the car. That was find too! Cheap cars, easy. I don’t think I would try to private sell something in the 20k range though.

Cashiers check, certified check (I can't remember now what the difference is) but at one time they were the most secured way to pay for something. Now, with scammers, nothing seems to be fully secured.

I've sold a few cars and I only accepted cash. I think the most expensive one was around $850 back in the early 80's. Like you, I counted it out on the trunk of the car.

Interesting story about a cashiers/certified check:

The day before we are going to close on our second house, the attorneys office where the closing will take place calls me. The woman wants to make sure I know how much money I have to provide. I asked if it had to be a cashiers or certified check. She said, "you can write a personal check". That didn't sound right to me so I asked her to repeat that. She did, so the next morning I had money transferred from our savings account to our checking account. It saved me the small fee that either of those checks would have cost me. It wasn't much but why do it if I don't have to.

Fast forward to the closing that afternoon. We are now done with all the paper signing and the closing officer says, "all I need from you is a check for $ xxxxxxxxxx". I passed the personal check to him and he said, "I can't take a personal check". I told him that I was told that he could. He wants to know who told me that. I told him the woman's name and the attorney at the office where we are closing, excuses himself and comes back in a few minutes and says, "yeah, Sally admits to telling him that. She should know better". I said, "I can go to the bank and get what you need. The bank is only a mile down the road". The closing officer said he had to be on the other side of town for another closing and he didn't want to wait for me to go to the bank.

He said, "OK, Mr. jmonroe, I'll take your check but I want you to know that passing a bad check at a closing is a FELONY. Do you still want to give me a personal check"? I tuned to Mrs. j and said, "you're the one that wrote the check. Do you still want to give it to him"? I heard an uneasy laugh come from the closing officer. Man, those guys have no sense of humor.

Just in case you guys are wondering, the check was good. Just like all the checks Mrs. j writes.

jmonroe

Cashiers checks are checks written on a banks own account after the person requesting the check turns the funds over to the bank.

A certified check is a check written on a personal account that a bank certifies that there are funds to cover the check in the account.

Thanks Snake. I knew there was a difference, just couldn't remember what it was.

jmonroe

sb55

stickguy said:

I mowed the lawn for first time yesterday. checked the oil (full and still looked clean since I changed it late last season). Filled up with fresh gas (I did manage to run it dry last time I used it in the fall). 1 yank on the handle, and fired right up.

You mowed the lawn!
We are supposed to get 3-6" snow by tomorrow afternoon. This winter just won't quit!

jmonroe

@michaell, Nice job selling your old house so fast although I don't envy you all the packing you are going to be doing.

So, out of the clear blue, Mrs. Michaell wakes up one day and decides she wants a new house. That is one scary lady to be married to. And here I thought I had worries when Mrs. j roles over some mornings, stretches and says, "I think I'll go to the mall today". You got me beat. I ain't even close to being in your league.

Just curious, are you getting pros to move you or are you getting a U-Haul?

Good luck.

jmonroe

graphicguy

Michaell....Congrats on the new digs.

I’m the same way, big ticket purchases like cars, houses, etc. I buy on a whim.

But, I was just doing research on high capacity SD Cards, and spent two days researching all the 128GB cards to find the best for the price. How much? About $60.

tbirdmarco

 Driver 100 yes correct you got it right