Posted by RDavis on Friday, March 07, 2003 at 6:49PM :
In Reply to: What to offer posted by GRUNT on Friday, March 07, 2003 at 11:42AM :
First off, was it 4-sale or did you just stop and ask about it.
If it was 4-sale and she wants you to make an offer then she is testing the waters to see what you'll offer and most likely doesn't have a clue to what its worth.
If you stopped and asked, she now knows you want it which may lead her to suspect that it will be worth more than you offer.
Some women have a good mind for the value of things,even vehicles. She may remember what her husband paid for it.
Its too late for you now but, I usually stop and act ignorant as to "what kinda truck is that" "is it some kinda old army truck?" "I wonder if you can even get parts for that thing", so never act too excited, just curious and ignorant as to what it is and what was it used for,etc. Will it run? Can I hear it? Hey thats a chevy engine in this Dodge truck. Then turn the tables as in you wouldn't know what to offer for an old truck you know nothing about,then ask her what she'd take for it if she was gonna sell it, as you have no clue as to what it would be worth. I've got a $1500 saved up and was gonna build a dunebuggy for something to play with on the weekends, I'll give you $1000 for that truck instead,that will leave me some money to fix what might need fixing, it might be more fun to play with. If she says no offer the whole $1500. If she still says no then ask her what she wants and if the price is worth it, act as though that seems like too much and make it seem like your fixin to back away from the truck altogether and act as if your wife most likely would not agree to let you spend any vacation money on an old truck, then ask her if she'll take and hold your $1500 as ernest money till you can save up the rest.
Anyway thats how I'd do it myself, never letting on that I knew anything about those type trucks.
As has been said on this forum by so many, its a sellers market so I figure its a buyers market as well! If I can get gas for 50cents a gal., why should I pay what everyone else is paying. If someone doesn't take the time to get help in evaluating the worth of something their selling and I get it cheap or for nothing ,then it my good luck
even if it is an old widow woman or widow with kids.But if my consience dictates giving more I would. I never let myself worry about paying too little for a thing,if the seller is happy and I'm happy, then it is a good deal for us both. Try bartering for the truck like painting her house and/or other work she may need done.