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Robbie R. · 08-14-2009, 03:26 PM

On several potential deals I have had a problem with the seller not wanting to give me a chance to get the loan or money together on my word alone (a one day deal with constant phone contact).

Even when I say I will call from the bank and let them talk to the loan officer etc.

Not all but several occasions the sellers have said something like, whoever brings the cash first gets the camper.

What is your opinion if a buyer goes to the bank and is getting a loan and calls the seller and says the papers are being signed and the sellers say hurry because if someone comes with cash ahead of you it's sold.

Deposits are good but sometimes you would think a persons word and constant phone and email contact would be good enough.

Am I completly wrong ?

Robbie R.

Janets Husband · 08-14-2009, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robbie R.

On several potential deals I have had a problem with the seller not wanting to give me a chance to get the loan or money together on my word alone (a one day deal with constant phone contact).

Even when I say I will call from the bank and let them talk to the loan officer etc.

Not all but several occasions the sellers have said something like, whoever brings the cash first gets the camper.

What is your opinion if a buyer goes to the bank and is getting a loan and calls the seller and says the papers are being signed and the sellers say hurry because if someone comes with cash ahead of you it's sold.

Deposits are good but sometimes you would think a persons word and constant phone and email contact would be good enough.

Am I completly wrong ?

Robbie R.

Best bet, have the cash in hand. Second best have a deposit to hold the purchase. The seller only has to transfer title upon payment, everything else is sellers choice.

**Kevin245** · 08-14-2009, 03:52 PM

Just my thoughts...

Your thinking seems reasonable, but money talks, and if I'm the Seller you would have to give me a deposit before I'd ever commit to holding it from sale to others.

That's fair business, and from the Seller's perspective they need reasonable assurance that you're willing to pay-to-play. If you're serious about the deal, cut the Seller a check to hold it for you with the understanding that they will deduct the amount from the final sale price. Also set a time limit. They will hold it for you for X days. If the deal doesn't go because you change you mind, fail to qualify, etc. The money is the Seller's for the delay unless they are generous. It doesn't need to be a huge amount.

Cash doesn't Talk...It Screams!!!!

I know you've been searching. Hang in there, your deal will come along.

Best of luck,

Kevin

danalee · 08-14-2009, 03:53 PM

I think many of us can tell stories where we have lost a sale because of someone saying they were getting the money and then didn't come through. The best bet as Janet's husband has said, is cash or a significant down payment.

slowmover · 08-14-2009, 04:06 PM

I sold mine on a handshake and check for deposit and return in a week. One hour later a man showed up with cash to buy. First man got it. Second would have if by following Saturday no word from first. Both made 400-mile roundtrips.

blacksheep · 08-14-2009, 04:11 PM

I hate you are having such trouble with your search Robbie. But that just means it will be that much sweeter when the fruit finally arrives!

Godspeed,
Trent

Robbie R. · 08-14-2009, 04:17 PM

I do understand the deposit thing.....and agree.

I guess what I am wondering is when will the seller consider your intentions to be "next" in line.

In other words, I have had several jump in front of me even when I was doing paper work.........

I was told by one seller that even if I had the check in my hand and said I was at the post office mailing it that they would sell to a person who had the cash.

This is wrong in my opinion.......but I have run into this on several occasions trying to buy an airstream camper.

In fact, in all my years of buying and selling I can honestly say I
have never had as much trouble buying anything as I have an airstream.....And it has nothing to do with getting the money........just getting the money to the seller faster than the other buyers do.......and just simply getting the sellers to say, ok I'm waiting for you to get here with the money.........

And it's not like I am asking the seller for anything extra except time to get my credit union on the phone and get the check signed......

I recently went to look at one and talked to the seller almost the whole way there just so he would not sell before I got there to give him a deposit.......It ended up I did not like the camper so I declined.

Robbie R.

stufarmer · 08-14-2009, 04:41 PM

Money talks....all else walks. Buying and selling is a business, business is handled with money. I don't know you...and really am only meeting you under these circumstances, I may never to see you again. No reason to take your word, taking your deposit starts the business end of the "deal".

kevin242 · 08-14-2009, 04:44 PM

Robbie,

If you have not left the seller a deposit and do not have a binding agreement, then other people are not really jumping ahead of you. Once the seller has a deposit from someone - there is no more next in line. It's over. Sold.

If the seller agrees to hold it for you and is willing to pass up another buyer's cash.. well... that's just lucky on your part and is not overly smart on the seller's part since the cash payer might go elsewhere or change their mind. Best bet is for you to have a receipt that shows the date, deposit paid, the purchase price agreed to, terms and conditions, trailer model and serial number, names of all parties involved and signatures. You have that, and you have something binding.

Terms and conditions might include acceptable inspection report from an RV dealer, seller to provide title, or 5 days to secure financing, etc..

Remember, sellers hate complicated and LOVE cash or a bank certified cheque... I once sold a truck where the prospective buyer wanted 30 days to sell a purebred dog in order to get the money and he wouldn't leave a deposit. I just told him good luck and I agreed to the price offered IF the truck was still available when he got it all together. He called back 6 weeks later wanting more time to raise the money. I informed him the truck sold on day 3.

Robbie R. · 08-14-2009, 05:05 PM

Cash or check deposit FIRST it will be then.........

Airstream here we come !

Robbie R.

tallytwo1994 · 08-14-2009, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robbie R.

Deposits are good but sometimes you would think a persons word and constant phone and email contact would be good enough.

Am I completly wrong ?

Robbie R.

I don't think you're wrong, and wish I had a trailer to sell you: just to rectify your faith. I believe it's mostly a cultural thing. In other words, how a person is raised defines their expectations, and the allowances they are willing to give.

Very simply put, "we southerner's" are a, slow moving, considerate, trustworthy mess.

God's luck finding someone who is your match!

Carol

oh2bcarefree · 08-14-2009, 05:50 PM

Looking for "your" TT is frustrating especially when they aren't in abundance and amazingly everyone else is looking at what you want for some reason.

I personally would accept someones word and a small deposit (cash or check) with a time limit agreed upon. If it's a long distance transaction, then depending on how it goes on the phone would be a decision of the moment.

We looked for our TT for a while and had several deals go sour over sellers wanting to sell to the first person with "cash" who was right there, not 3 hours away and willing to jump in the truck to get there.

After losing a couple of "deals" we drew cash out of our account and kept it in the safe "just in case." We had to be careful of the "buying with the heart not with the head" and by keeping the money in the safe, it was also a tool to keep us in our price range. We knew what we wanted to spend, but I've been know to go up because I thought something was unique about it. (My husband has the more level head!)

So, we lost a few deals, dealt with a few folks who weren't as forthcoming as their descriptions, and ended up finding a TT less than we were willing to spend and now the $$ is being frugally doled out for restoration.

The right one will come along as it's meant to be. But it isn't easy being patient!

Good Luck!

Tina

Robbie R. · 08-14-2009, 06:01 PM

Thanks everyone for the advice. There is a bunch of great people on here and I should clarify that all the people I have dealt with have been super nice.........just strictly business.

Carol, thanks for the kind words........wish you had a nice 30' Excella 1000 with a kitchen table to sit at and drink my coffee and look out the window.

Robbie R.

Silverwanabe · 08-14-2009, 08:02 PM

From the sellers point of view, the owner would like the purchaser to have the financing already completed.

I have heard many who say, "I have to talk to the bank or credit union".
The worse response is, "I have to ask my wife". Make me puke.....

Those folks never came back.

When you think you will never sell the vehicle, magically someone pops in and buys it.

With regards to a cash purchase, I would rather have a cashier's check. I do not want $1,000's in cash. It's not safe and the bank might be suspicious.

We had that happen with our boat in 98, a man brought out 12k in cash.

wahoonc · 08-14-2009, 08:12 PM

Cash Deposit

Money talks, BS walks. I have sold and purchased a fair bit of equipment over the years. If I had $5 for every person that looked at something and was going to "get back with the money tomorrow" I could probably retire.

If someone offers me a reasonable deposit 1%-10% of purchase price I would be willing to hold it for a reasonable period of time. Not months on end. If I want to purchase something and don't have the money or the check handy I will ask if they will take a deposit and have one ready to give them. There are quite a few people that I deal with where a word is as good as a deposit, but we have been dealing with each other for years.

Aaron

utee94 · 08-14-2009, 08:38 PM

I understand how frustrating a long Search can be, but I can say as a seller of boats and other such merchandise-- there are a LOT of people who have assured me they are in love with the product, and then disappear never to be heard from again. They have "called from the car, on the way over" and never materialized.

It's not really any skin off my back, I wouldn't hold it for them anyway. First buyer to my house with cash gets it. That's just business, and even as a Southerner, I just don't have the time or patience to deal with flakes. So, I don't bother.

The sentiment doesn't help you any, but I hope the information will.

And finally, I will pass on the BEST bit of advice I received as I conducted my Airstream Search-- there is ALWAYS another one.

You WILL find yours, and when you do, you will be delighted.

Good Luck,
-Marcus

rosspoletis · 08-14-2009, 08:53 PM

Well old friend we never had this problem. Your good word was always good enough for me, we just could not get it down to you!!! I hope you find your dream unit for you and Linda.

Robbie R. · 08-14-2009, 10:23 PM

Andy, you are very correct. Your camper still looks so good to me.

Linda and I will find one someday but it sure is a lot harder than I thought it would be.

A couple deals have really surprised me since I talked to you and you were so easy to talk to..........

Thanks for joining in here and and my sincere best wishes to you.

Robbie R.

sempi2 · 08-14-2009, 11:35 PM

When we found our TT we put a deposit down on our A/S the sellers were very accommodating. We got money from our credit union w/o any problem. If we would have thought there might have been any trouble with financing, and we were serious buyers, would make sure to have the funding arranged with before making an offer. Cash is King, but if you have your financing approved before hand you really shouldn't have much trouble with sellers.

JimGolden · 08-15-2009, 08:40 AM

I've been on both sides of this coin. I want to trust people, but I've been burned several times selling things just as some of you others on here have by unscrupulous buyers. Hard not get jaded by that.

I would hold it a couple days if the guy really seemed genuine. But that's all.

When I sold my Excella, I said "cash only." A guy came along and I did agree to hold it for him, on his word, for a couple days for him to get cash (said he could write me a check right there), but had he not shown up, she'd have gone back on the market. But, the guy came back the next day with cash and it was a done deal.

When I bought my Avion, I drove nine hours to get it. I took a big stack of Benjamin's with me. A little risky maybe, but you bring the full amount in cash and the seller knows you're serious. He had the clear title, I had the cash, done deal. Now I'm a happy camper

Best of luck,