Is it a good idea to sell a car to someone you know?

[GARFIELDKOOL]

I am trying to sell my car. This ex co-worker is interested. But she wants me to get the wipers fixed (they don't work) and sell it to her at the lowest price. I told her If I get the wipers fixed, I will add on another $100 on to the price. 3 people at work told me not to sell it to her because I know her, and if she buys the car, I will always hear from her about what might be wrong with the car. I understand that, but if she got the cash, I am going to sell it to her and tell her take everything as is.

[James"Thunder"Early]

I would sell it

[Janice]

The prevailing wisdom is to not mix business with friends or family. That includes selling anything, renting to them, even going into business with family or friends.

I know these things can and often do work out, but I know of some real horror stories where relationships ended over this sort of thing.

[Ireneparalegal]

It's not worth it Kool, because if something goes wrong with the car, and it will, she will talk bad abt you at work, or mention it at work, etc. and it won't be good. Easy money yes. Easy enemy, YES!

[Mijada]

If she wants the car that badly and is willing to pay you what you want for it and no better offers come your way I would sell it to her. Just make darn sure that she knows up front that she is buying the car at her own risk and that there is no guarantee that something won't go wrong with the car in the future. If you do know of any current problems please let her know in advance so you won't have to hear about them later.

[GARFIELDKOOL]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I forgot to add that someone else told me to write down information on the car, and make an agreement and have her sign it, that way she can't ask for a refund and attempt to take me to small claims court.

[Mijada]

Originally Posted by GARFIELDKOOL

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I forgot to add that someone else told me to write down information on the car, and make an agreement and have her sign it, that way she can't ask for a refund and attempt to take me to small claims court.

That's a very good idea. You also might want to make copies of receipts of any maintanence you had done on the car and give them to her. That way she has some proof that you took care of the car while it was in your possession. Even if she does buy it and something goes wrong with it I highly doubt that she would get anything by taking you to court. People need to realize when they buy a used car that they are always taking a risk and should anticipate that something will most likely end up going wrong with the car sometime in the future instead of assuming that the car will never give them any problems.