Monday, Oct 14, 2013 at 20:12
Don't display your trailer numberplate in any photos where it's for sale.
Always get peoples contact details when they express interest and want to know where its located (I get potential buyers name and phone number before I release any details about location).
Don't reply to any inquiries where the buyer puts "urgent" in an email or expresses extreme urgency in the query - it's guaranteed to be a scam.
If someone expresses interest, and wants you to "hold it for them" while they sort out finance, borrow money off a BIL, or pawn stuff at cash converters to get the money - then write up a simple sale agreement itemising the buyers and sellers names and addresses, a deposit value, the sale price, the date (important), a description of the caravan (including rego number), and any conditions attached to the sale (such as what is included and what's not).
This agreement doesn't have to be something written up by a lawyer - but its a legal agreement with legal standing when it comes to a stoush. Most importantly, it shows you're serious and professional, and you're asking the buyer to be the same.
THEN - get the stated and agreed deposit off the buyer - in folding stuff, on
the spot.
This deposit is usually around 10%, but it can be as low as $50 or $100 - or a sum that ensures you don't end up losing out on other buyers, if the original buyer never shows up again.
The deposit should be non-refundable, and is a guarantee that the buyer is genuine, and he's not going to leave you in the lurch by failing to proceed with an agreed deal.
Handshakes are all very
well - but folding stuff changing hands is the only thing that seals a deal. "Time is of the essence" as the legal mobs say.
If a buyer puts down a non-refundable deposit and fails to carry out his side of the deal by finding the rest of the money, then you are entitled to compensation for being stuffed around.
Letting a "buyer" leave your premises without getting a deposit means any tyre kicker can stuff you around - he can change his mind 5 secs after leaving your driveway - and you can end up knocking back genuine buyers with handfuls of big green notes - all because you've been made to feel obliged to a dubious buyer who has had buyers remorse, and hasn't told you about it.
Good luck with selling, you'll end up tearing your hair out with the number of bleep s and tyre kickers that turn up, and you have to sort them out from the genuine people.
Cheers - Ron.
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