One of the best things about living in Britain was the way that we did business, where we agreed a price, shook hands and that was it; now however, all that has gone and nobody sticks to their word. A friend of mine is an electrician and he refuses to work for Indian people, because they keep wanting extra work done for the agreed price, culminating in one customer who started demanding extra work without paying for it angering my pal so much that he pulled all of his wires back out of the walls and told him to stuff it.
A guy agreed to buy my beautifully restored early Honda C90. He drove 150 miles in a hired van and duly turned up bang on time. Nice chap only it turned out he's 'misunderstood' the price we'd agreed and only brought an amount 350 pound short. Silence. Stared at me waiting for me to say that as he had come so far etc etc. I remained silent too. Eventually, he goes back to the van and 'finds' the rest of the cash..... cheeky sod.
I've been in retail for nearly 40 years and I have never ever sold anything to an Asian. I don't even bother too reply to them anymore as they piss you about or try to barter on the price and just waste a load of your time and still end up not buying anything. I guess it's all part of their culture, to barter on the price, but when they live here in the UK they should at least know by now that you are not going to get anywhere by adopting their approach, especially where a bespoke product is concerned. Well said Paul. That is the right approach. 👍
100% Paul. I had a bike for sale for 3500 one fool offered me 2k and said that that was even to much . The bike was worth 4k so i had already knocked of £500 . Chancers every where and will push my buttons and just tell them to walk away in short jerky movements . Like you i run a small workshop on my own and work bloody hard for my money . NO way am i going to give someone my hard earned cash. 👍👍👍
It is the same in Australia, I learnt a long time ago when an Indian guy agreed to a price on a rare 1954 700 RE Meteor I had, he came with his sidekick mate to pick it up, this is after I had given it a complete service and detail which I said I would do, he offered cash at 25% less than the price we agreed, cash makes no difference to me, I told him to get stuffed and be on his way, he tried to back off and pay the agreed amount but I refused. Once bitten twice shy, no more of his type.
I concur with you Paul....I've always put realistic prices on things I'm trying to move on from, but I've always encountered ridiculous offers, it is human nature to get as much as they can for as little as possible, I know what things are worth and I price them accordingly...opportunists abound everywhere!😢
You're a very good and honest person Paul , I'm not sure what engine it is but I know for a fact that it would be a bargin coming from you . If the guy brought it for £600 he would probably put it straight back on eBay for £1200 .
If I’m selling something and I want £900 I’ll advertise it for £1100 then “ do a deal” with the bully who wants discount,sometimes I’ll drop as far as £900 😂
I’ve sold lots of vehicles privately, cars and motorcycles. I just like to buy vehicles and improve them and then I get bored or want something else. I’m 59 now and have done this since 15 so well over 100 vehicles sold.. you could say I’m experienced. Also I did live in Asia for 15 years for 38 years old to 53 years old and still bought and sold a lot of vehicles. What have I learned. Ignore anyone whose first question is about price. I always clearly list asking price and say either no offers or sensible offers considered. “What’s your best price” to me is a big red flag. To be honest many people asking 900 for something will take 600, if the offer is genuine it’s cheeky but not a piss take unless you stated “no offers”.
As far as eBay goes what some people don't think, or care about is the seller has fees to pay to eBay for the transaction so what ever an item is listed at, if buy it now or what ever price an auction ends at the seller has to pay eBay a percentage of the final price for their services.
G'day Paul, stand your ground, people like a discount but they shouldn't demand it, no means no, l had a complete 650 Norton engine and gear box going when pulled out of the bike, a bloke found out I had it and over a year l was pestered with low offers and all the reasons l should sell it, well l still have the motor, will sell when I'm ready, cheers mate, Neil 🤠.
I had a Guzzi V50ii in very original condition. Running and riding bike at £1500, Chris Hall Motorcycles offered £800 he went down the B/S route. He said he'd come and view it, he didn't turn up twice then messaged meat 12-30am to try and arrange another viewing. I rang him and advised him in no uncertain terms to refrain from ever contacting again. I advertised another Guzzi, the buyer came saw the V50 and bought it for £2000 aswell as the one he came to buy. So as you can see I'm fully in tune with your post. Well done
Had a guy wasted all day for me. Told me on the phone he would definitely buy the bike. Spent all day waiting for him. After three hours listening to him here he decided he did not want the bike. Talk about time wasters.
