Would you sell to a friend?

[sailor55330]

Let me start by saying this is 100% hypothetical. I am not looking to sell at this time (directed at you BBP! LOL---maybe someday, maybe tomorrow, but not today). I have a very good friend who knows my boat since day one and is looking to add to his stable of toys as a second boat. He has told me several times, including this weekend that if I ever decide to sell or trade up, he wants first right of refusal. Now, I know my boat, I know the meticulous maintenance and care and use it receives. He also knows that. BUT, this is where my question comes into play. Do you sell mechanical things or big ticket items to friends? I have always made it a practice not to sell to someone I know as I worry that something will go wrong and ruin the friendship. I sold a car to a friend of my dad's one time and about a week later, it started having issues. They didn't blame me, but I felt terrible. I sold it after taking care of it the same as do all my stuff. Since then, I've really steered away from selling to friends. Sure it's sold in good faith and buyer beware, but....what do you all do/think?

[Driller]

Yep, I would sell or buy from a friend. Has to be made clear there is no warranty, implied or otherwise. I sold a Lexus GX470 to my boss. Provided him all the service records and let him look them over prior to the sale. He drove the car for about 6 years without any major issues. That said, there was no mechanical issue of which I was aware prior to the sale. If there was I would have mentioned it. He stated numerous times afterwards, that I really took care of my vehicles and kept the records to prove it.

Now that said, I might not have given the same courtesy to a dealer. They should do their own due diligence.

[AsLan7]

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Not a standard practice of mine. I’m on the exact same page as you Sailor. I think we are in the minority though.

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[Big Block Power]

You can sell it to me then I'll sell it to him. Prob solved.
I didn't know bfun before I sold him my boat but we had mutual friends. And it's worked out even better.
Sailor I can see your fear but bi wouldn't hesitate to sell him your boat tomorrow. I'll buy it today.

[Tuscany]

My sports cars are trucks. My first new truck was a 99’ crew cab Ford diesel. It never saw winter.
Perfect in every way with 44k on the clock. I bought a new Lariat LE DRW in 03’ so I sold the perfect truck to a friend and ran it through my dealers books.
While he owned it, the transmission went out twice, and the third time was junk. He had nothing but problems. He was 180 degrees from me when it came to being anal. He tore the custom mud flaps off going through a field, so 2+2 equals 4.....

He never created an issue with me or complained, but it was the last time I would do that. Now, everything goes to the dealer. Every situation and relationship is different and fate rules the future. IMO, It’s not worth the hassle.

[tgrace98]

I’ve never sold a big ticket item. Car, boat, house to a friend and I don’t think I would. Same reasons as others and you have stated. I’d feel terrible if something went wrong.

[jhnmdahl]

I've sold one vehicle to a friend, but normally wouldn't. My old BMW 330xi, for $3500, to a cousin. I told him it was old and would likely fall apart at any time, encouraged him to get an independent shop to check it out first, and that it was probably only worth that much because the snow tires/wheels were reasonably new and were worth over $1k alone. And then I fixed every little thing I thought might cause him trouble.

I wouldn't have done even that except I told him for years if I ever sold the car he'd get first dibs, going back some 16+ years (I bought it new and sold it with 250k+ on it), and it was so cheap I knew it wouldn't be a big deal for him. It's the same car I drove mid-winter to Kansas City and Neodesha last winter, so is still a reliable daily driver.

[Norris_Boating]

I would sell it to someone I know wouldn't be in financial hardship due to repairs/upkeep.
I sold some jet skis awhile back and a friend wanted them an also wanted a friend discount and was splitting it with another friend. Didn't do it because it sounded like a disaster waiting to happen.
I don't care if strangers have the financial ability to maintain, but I do with friends.

[Ytmsn]

Oh jeesh you guys are really tender! I buy, sell, trade and swap all the time from my friends, to my friend's, and for my friends. I have two really close riding buddies that don't talk much until you get to know them (and then they never stop talking) and I have brokered trucks, cars, motorcycles, and RVs for both if them.

I've searched, located and bought several vehicles for folks over the years through the auto auctions. Machines are machines, and even the best and well maintained will break. Or not...

I tell them "Here it is. Nothing is guaranteed. I've driven it (10 feet, 10 miles, 10 days, 10 years) and in that time I've had to replace the yadayadayada but everything's works fine now. Hope it serves you well, but if it breaks in half at the end of the driveway, you own both ends, and I'll help load them on the trailer for you."

But so far, that's never happened!

[Big Block Power]

I'll put a 100 bucks on it that Matt is the same as Yt and myself. Prob just the business we are in. I love watching the taillights go down the road. I get a high off of it.

[Ytmsn]

I'll put a 100 bucks on it that Matt is the same as Yt and myself. Prob just the business we are in. I love watching the taillights go down the road. I get a high off of it.

For years I always said "Down the road Motors" is what I would call a car lot if I ever had one. Then a buddy (and fellow Auctioneer) asked if he could have it. I said sure, so he took that name and ran with it, and has done very well.
But I like "Taillights" too!

Names are important. If I ever have a band I'm going to call it "Free Beer" Then I think I'd have more people show up, at least at first!

[Ytmsn]

SOLD!!

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[akorcovelos]

I've sold to friends, and bought from them. As long as you're totally open and honest about what they are getting I don't see a problem.

[cmattj]

I’m assuming sailors issue may be also the “ Friend Price “ before it goes public.
I’ve had the same issues on cars when asked what I would sell it to them for. Then to list it for the same price when selling it can be less of what the perception of a deal is.
So Sailor... would you allow your hypothetical friend to purchase your boat “after” you listed her on Boat Trader?
Anyway, have no fear as your concerns are understanding. But don’t deprive your friend of what could possibly bring them joy! ( geese I sound like a preacher )

[Driller]

I would sell it to someone I know wouldn't be in financial hardship due to repairs/upkeep.
I sold some jet skis awhile back and a friend wanted them an also wanted a friend discount and was splitting it with another friend. Didn't do it because it sounded like a disaster waiting to happen.
I don't care if strangers have the financial ability to maintain, but I do with friends.

Good point. My assumption was that my friends are able to afford any repair, but that it a very important point.

In addition, I sell it to them for the dealer offer + the tax credit. This is usually a better deal than they will find on the free market.