How do you handle buyers and appraisers when selling

[Kenneth H.]

Quick question. I’m going to be selling my 1970 LT1 Convertible and was wondering how everyone handles prospective buyers and appraisers. I’m primarily concerned with individuals representing themselves as prospective buyers and then driving off with the car.Also, the value of the LT1 is in the original engine and I don’t want anyone abusing it while on a road test. So the question is do you let buyers and appraisers drive the car? If so do you let them take it out alone or is it a decision made once you‘ve had the chance to check out the buyer or appraiser.

Any other input or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,

[Joe R.]

Re: How do you handle buyers and appraisers when selling

If a potential buyer wants a ride, I drive them one way and let them drive back. Never let anyone take your Corvette out alone. That's just asking for trouble as most buyers are not familiar with Corvettes. They are looking at all the controls and not the road.

JR

[Mike M.]

Re: How do you handle buyers and appraisers when selling

the only time i let a prospective buyer drive a vet i'm selling is AFTER its sold and i'm in possession of the frog skins. i'll drive them to their hearts content tho. mike

[Bill M.]

Re: How do you handle buyers and appraisers when selling

Ken
I have found that when a person is insulting or nitpicking the car they are buying the car just to flip it. You can usually tell within minutes. I never let anyone drive the car I always take them on the ride. I live in the country by a highway the ride to and on the highway is enough for them to get a feel of the car. the appraiser will always lean towards who hired the service.

[Don H.]

Re: How do you handle buyers and appraisers when selling

When I've bought my two corvettes, I didn't test drive them. A quick ride around surface streets and up onto the freeway, with the owner doing some accelerations and a couple full brake stops with hands off the wheel, followed by inspection of the engine bay and underside told me all I needed to know both times. Your eyes and ears tell the tale.

[Floyd B.]

Re: How do you handle buyers and appraisers when selling

Ken,

You got some interesting responses but I have a different perspective. I've never sold a Corvette and have only been on the buying end 4 times. You also have to consider that I've never dealt with a high value car like an LT-1. I think it depends on the car. Of course I wouldn't expect to take a 99% trailer queen or museum exhibit for a test drive but also wouldn't buy a car being sold as a driver without a test drive. That would be a big red flag - I would have to assume the seller is hiding something. I have no problem with the owner insisting that he/she ride along. In fact the one time the seller sat in the driver's seat was the most informative test drive I had - it became an interactive q&a session. One seller had a short form that I signed. It simply stated that I accepted responsibility for any damage that occurred on the test drive. Of course the sellers wanted to see my drivers license and proof of insurance. One even made copies that he handed back to me at the end of the drive.

-Floyd-

[Dick W.]

Re: How do you handle buyers and appraisers when selling

So the question is do you let buyers and appraisers drive the car?

Any other input or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,

From an appraisers perspective. I have had owners be very eager for me to drive the car, and some get insulted if I sit inside the car. Unless the weather is foul I at least expect a ride (if I get that far into the appraisal. Some dogs just do not get past the smell test). By the time you have gone through the rest of the car you know if you need to drive/ride or not.

[Greg W.]

Re: How do you handle buyers and appraisers when selling

Ken, Did you get my PM?

[Frank D.]

Re: How do you handle buyers and appraisers when selling

When I bought my 61 the owner drove me around and showed me all aspects of the performance and handling and asked if I wanted to drive it - I said 'no need' and bought the car right off. The owner of the split window I bought (whom I knew sightly) threw me the keys and said take it out..

I drove around Ohio country roads for 30 minutes alone; after that -- it was all over but the signoff.

When I sold my '67 souped up Chevelle, the older gent had driven from Texas to Florida with a friend to close the deal. I took he and his pal for a "performance ride" with WOT runs, etc.. out on the main road. I did let him drive it around the neighborhood -- slowly! I was a bit concerned about his skills in a car approaching 500hp..

[Kenneth H.]

Re: How do you handle buyers and appraisers when selling

Greg, PM sent. The LT1 is now listed in the classifieds section.

Thanks