How do you make an offer on a Model A?

Model A Man

Model A Man

Well-known member
there has been 3 model A's that I would have be interested in buying but the prices were way out of line (in my opinion) I feel the realistic prices should have been about half or a little above that of what they are/were asking. I have passed on these model A's because of the prices without making an offer because I did not want to offend the seller. How do you go about making a fair offer without offending the seller when the offer would be about half of what they are asking?
Thanks
 
I don't think you can. The seller has a figure in mind and if you offer half of that, you will always be someone who tried to cheat him. Just pass on it and find another.

I always ask what the least is that he would accept without feeling I cheated him. I tell him that if I can afford that then I will buy it for that price, if not I will pass on it without making a counter offer. I have lost out on the car but never on the friendship.
 
Politely ask them if they're open to offers. You can judge the next move by how they answer. If they answer, that they're open to offers and admit that they weren't sure of the price when they listed it, you can give them what you think is a fair offer with an explanation as to why. Remember though that a lot of people (thanks to the BIG auctions on TV) think their car is worth a LOT MORE than it really is. Then you can thank them for their time and give them your contact info if they decide to take you up on your offer at a later date. It really depends on how motivated the seller is. I really think some people put their cars up with a reserve/price to see what the market will bear.
 
I wouldn't worry about offending a seller is his prices seem offensive to you. When I look to buy something, I'm not looking to make friends, I'm looking to get a good deal.
My advice, back up your offer with cash on the spot. Start by offering even less than you want to actually pay. Be firm and be prepared to walk away if the seller hems and haws. Most of the time the seller may reconsider or counter offer and you'll have the cash to accept the offer.
 
If you're serious about the cars, I would politely explain yourself to the seller, make your offer in terms of " this is the best that I can do " and leave your contact info.

Probably not worth the breath expended trying to explain to them the realistic value of the vehicle, unless they ask... and maybe not even then.


About 10 years ago, I almost bought a '24 Model T coupe... I 'd had my eye on it for years, and happened to pass by the day the For Sale sign went on it. It was an older amateur resto, but a good candidate for a driver.

The owner started it up, let me take it around the block, and so-on. We finally started talking price. He said "We were asking Twenty-four, but we'll take twenty-two.." Well, little naive me, he was talking Twenty-Two THOUSAND and I was hearing "Twenty-Two HUNDRED"... I didn't realize this miscommunication until I was looking at the receipt he had given me after a $200 deposit... my balance was $21,800.00. :eek:

I had given the deposit on a Saturday, intending to come back with the balance ( that I thought was going to be $2,000 ) the following Monday when banks were open.

I agonized over how I was going to get out of this... and finally wound-up telling the owner that "I couldn't make it work, my wife went through the roof, etc".

He was understanding and gave my deposit back with no further discussion. ( I did not bother trying to explain that their price was out of this world ! )

About two years later, I got a call from the owner, letting me know that car was "Still available and they had come down to $18,000." I politely declined.

Two more years later, I got a call again, informing me that "I could have the coupe for $5,000"... I thought this was still a bit high, but getting into the realm of reason.

By this time, I was really not in a position to buy another car, otherwise I would have probably made a counter-offer and wound-up buying it.

I heard that it finally sold for around $4,000 and went to a good home.

Long story, point being if you make an honest offer and sit back, you might be surprised.

It would take a very talented diplomat with a heavy dose of psychology to successfully explain to someone why their $25,000 "Barret-Jackson" car is really only worth half that , or less...

Herman Munster makes a good point too, to have cash ready and also a trailer to bring it home the same day.
 
tamagrouchy said:
Politely ask them if they're open to offers. You can judge the next move by how they answer. If they answer, that they're open to offers and admit that they weren't sure of the price when they listed it, you can give them what you think is a fair offer with an explanation as to why. Remember though that a lot of people (thanks to the BIG auctions on TV) think their car is worth a LOT MORE than it really is. Then you can thank them for their time and give them your contact info if they decide to take you up on your offer at a later date. It really depends on how motivated the seller is. I really think some people put their cars up with a reserve/price to see what the market will bear.
Click to expand...
Always have available
 
I usually wave the money in their face and if they're not interested, I walk. Been burned over the years and now really not too concerned about their "feelings". JMO
Paul in CT
 
If I feel something is worth half of what they are asking I just pass.I will not make a lowball offer.Things have changed in the last few years with TV and the internet,and a lot of people with cars that know nothing about them will feel they are worth double what they really are.Selling stuff I have found in the last few years I really have to drive a stake in the sand on price.If I advertise something for $10,000,I might go to $9500.I am not going to put a price of $10,000 on something I really want $8000.for.If somebody offers me $5000.on an asking price of $10,000 I just say no thanks,I'll just wait a few more years until the price is up again.Also,at that point,they are not getting it for $9500.either.I won't insult them or anything like that,but I also won't take their name and number for a just in case.I just tell them,you know where I am if you decide to come up with the $10,000.I've only sold a few A's.but the last two went to rodders.The best offers from A guys were less than half of what I paid.
 
You have a friend, who isn't interested in buying the car, make the half price offer, just to test the waters. Then when the seller accepts the offer, your friend will buy it and resell it for a quick profit, and you have just lost the car and a friend!:D
 
I deal in cars and any real offer is a welcomed offer. I have never been offended when someone makes a low ball offer because it is a least a starting point and sometimes after a little back and forth negotiations, a deal can be struck and both the buyer and seller are happy. However, if you make an offer, realize that you are making a real offer and not a "think about it" offer. I have had people make offers on cars that were below of what I originally wanted and then, when I agreed to sell the car, they either fall off the face of the earth or reply "I'll think about it". So don't be afraid to make an offer but also be prepared to back it up.
 
All posts are good. Two more points:
-1-When buying anything, I usually say truthfully that I'm not arguing about the value, I'm just offering the most I can afford.
-2-My late father's great advice was to not try to "steal" an item, but to offer a price where, in a crisis, you could get back what you paid within a year or two (assuming unchanged condition).
 
I would not make a 1/2 price offer if the seller was a widow. That's my wife's rule and she's got a good point. It seems that a guy goes to check on accomodations in Heaven and finds there aren't any garages there so he leaves his precious Model A's in his earthly garage (and probably never looks back).
Then his poor, left-behind wife has to deal with all the slimy Model A hoovers who think they can snarf up another good Model A for 1/2 price. Shame is the name!
I've countered all those lowballers -- in advance -- by wandering around the garage and other places that precious stuff is stored and remarking to my wife what I think a reasonable price would be -- in case she finds me gone-to-heaven.
I've also done the same with my brother, my son-in-law, and some trusted Model A buddies WHO ARE LOTS YOUNGER THAN ME! They are promised to help her dispose of the lovlies at fair prices.
You, if you really want to be fair with the (widow) seller, need to help her get her price. If you help her list it on FordBarn, eBay, and, maybe, Hemmings and she doesn't get any full price offers, then you can throw out your lower offer -- in good conscience.
HOWEVER, if you are dealing with a guy who is flipping cars or who got it from an auction or whatever, dicker to win!
 
I think that if it's worth 50% of what you think it's worth then there no point sticking around. If you're at 75-80% then make an offer. If he doesn't like it then leave your info and tell him "if you don't sell it in the next month give me call. If I haven't already bought another maybe we can get together on a price". That puts the ball in his court and shouldn't offend him.
 
Having been it that position I said "I am sorry but this is all I can afford to spend on it, please keep me in mind if no one comes up with your price."

Bruce, any car guy who has not told his spouse who she should have help her sell things should they pass, is doing a diservice to thier spouse. Otherwise they end up working with the friendly idiot you drink beer with, or the know it all guy you never really trusted .
 
My only advice on this is, only make an offer if your really going to buy it. I bought some cars at a good price after making a cut price offer. The seller said that they will sell at the price if I pay now. Out comes the cheque book and a deal is made. Sometimes the seller says "only if you pay now" under the assumption your just a tyre kicker and don't have the money available.
 
Cash in hand talks.
Many times people will balk a little, but they will ultimately take your cash as opposed to sitting on the vehicle any longer.
As a buyer, it's up to you to try and make the best deal possible. As long as you're both comfortable with the results, that's all that matters and if you can't come to terms, so be it.
 
Mitch, I dont ever go into a hobby thing like this and buy something that I want to be able to get my $ back on. There is the cost of owning and playing. If I bought only what I could get my $ back on I would own nothing. I have Harleys , Model T's, Model A's Hotrods and all other kinds of toys, I have yet to get my $ back or make a profit on any of it.
 
Mike's A-Foradable's news letter this week lists a beautiful collection of Model A's a widow asked Mike's help in selling. It seems a reasonable solution to me.
 
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