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We were going to buy a van from on of our friends. We had to get the money which took about a week and a half. So we have the money now... and she calls my mom to let her know that she has sold it. Dh is livid... he hung up on me when I told him!He says, "e had a deal". That she shouldn't have sold to anyone else.She was kind of pressuring me to get it NOW. I should mention that she lives 3 hours from us.She was callingmy mom's house almost every day to see if we still wanted it. I had to finally call her and tell her to stop bugging my family that we still wanted it. 2 weeks ago, she told me we couldn't get it till the middle of June.Fine. Then she calls and says after Memorial day. Fine.Then she starts calling and saying we need to come and get this van... she can't afford having insurance on 2 vans(she got her parents old one).I told her fine, I have to make arragenements with the kids so I can go up and get it. But all this headach and she sold it! So now we have to find another van(which we desperatly need. UGH!!!
Has anyone bought a vehicle from the want ads in the paper? Is it worth it? I have seen some ads that say van is good condition. How true is this? Any thoughts or suggestions?
Sorry this is so ling and confusing.
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I'm sorry to hear your friend did this to you. Honestly though, you might be better off not having bought it from her, she sounds a little to frantic to sell it, that would make me wonder what is REALLY wrong with it??
Yes, i have bought cars thru ads in the newspaper. My dad is also a mechanic so i was lucky that i had him to bring along to check things over and test drive it with me. I would suggest if you go that route, try to take someone along that knows cars and mechanics well to check it out with you.
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I agree with Countrymouse - you're better off not having this vehicle from such a flake - God only knows how she drove and took care of it!!
I, personally, would buy from a reputable dealer so you have somewhat of a warranty. I know people have had good luck buying independently, but unless you have a mechanic in your back pocket, I wouldn't.
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I'd probably have to give this "friend" a good piece of my mind...and then be thankful you didn't get it. I hate doing big business like that with friends, family and church acquaintances...so we just normally don't. If something goes wrong, then there are no hard feelings or no friends lost.
We've bought vehicles from newspaper ads...I always have someone go that knows alot about vehicles. As for not having a warranty, I've never even owned a used vehicle off of a car lot that had a warranty...and the vehicle I drive now came from a reputable lot, but it's JUNK. I guess they got a lemon and it's the one we picked off of the lot.
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If you decide to buy a car through an ad, either take someone with you that knows a lot about cars or take it to a mechanic and have it thoroughly checked. Get the VIN and run a Carfax on it. Also, do a lot of research on the model you're interested in just to make sure it's a reliable vehicle to own. I like using edmunds.com for car research.
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Bummer- though it does sound like its probably better that you didn't get the van from your "friend". You can totally get a decent van from want ads- just make sure you do your research. Find out the blue book value of the vehicle, consumer reports on the van type, accident history, test drive it, have mechanic look at it, ask why they are selling, etc. Many vehicles have warranties that can be transferred/extended even if car is sold so ask the seller if they have one.
I know that we have both bought and sold cars through ads. Rather than trying to sell to dealer when we weren't needing a trade in we let several decent cars go through want ads and I like to think both parties got a good deal since we got more than a dealer would give us and purchaser paid way less than cars were selling for at lots. Of course, there are dishonest folks everywhere so ask a ton of questions adn get the car checked out before buying. If they won;t let you take it to a mechanic I'd be leary of its condition
Good luck van shopping!! I hope you find a great deal