This is the final installment 
I didn't sleep on the Tuesday night and had work the next day. I watched the clock the whole day feeling a little more relieved every passing hour that I didn't get any further contact from the seller. Then at 5.30pm, just one hour from the agreed collection time I got a phone call from a number I wasnt familiar with. I answered and a man on the phone said "I am with my client (sellers name) and you can't collect the car this evening but Friday suits". He went on to say the seller had "a few beers" and couldn't be bothered dealing with that car today.
I said - "absolutely not I have already rescheduled and I will be there shortly". I could hear him saying to the seller "he says he is coming" and I hung up.
I knew I needed a witness there and I was not sure what really was going on at this stage. I had a strong feeling the seller was preventing me from collecting the car and planned on keeping my deposit. One thing I didn't include on the sales agreement was that the deposit becomes refundable if the seller prevents the completion of sale. Very important to include that as legally I would have been in a bad position. So I knew it was all or nothing that evening! And I had plans in place.
I had my GF go with me as a witness. We took her Merc Jeep and a tow rope incase I had to take the car that way. I had the transporter arranged and I made sure he would be in time. I decided to set off early immediately after the bizzare phone call trying to put me off.
We pulled into their house driveway, blocking it with the jeep. There were other cars there so I was relieved someone was there at least. His elderly parents answered the door and immediately started saying "did you see him, he just had a row and stormed out the gates!!" I was really confused but also angerred by this - I thought they were having me on. So I let rip. I explained quickly but very firmly that their son had signed a sales agreement and I was there to complete the sale as agreed and with the full remaining cash. And also that if this sale wasn't going ahead tonight I was not leaving without my cash deposit and I fully intended to take legal action for other expenses lost as a result. They had phoned their other sons who started pulling into the driveway. At this stage we were inside the house with them walking in so I didn't know what to expect- was it going to be hostile(?)
Thankfully it was not hostile. They listened to what I had to say and I had the paperwork their son signed. I showed them the cash and that I already have a transporter coming. I said their son had already signed the sales agreement so he did not need to be there. They all agreed it was fine and that they would help me get the car out of the garage.
I gave them the cash and we went out to the garage. The seller had said he would have the car ready to go but of course he had done nothing it was sitting the same as my photos early in this thread. His Dad said for me to check was the key in the car. It wasnt. I said I would dolly the car out regardless and still take it. But his Dad went into the house and found the key in his sons bedroom.
I remembered about the spare wheel and found it under sheets in the garage. I gathered up the boot trim etc quickly and threw all inside the car and started pushing it outside. We moved our jeep and a path was cleared for the car. His Dad said to me the son was still around and he might steal the key from the car!! So to take it out.
At that point the transporter arrived and we got the car hoisted onto the trailer without issues. They also said they had reached their son on the phone and he agreed the car was good to go. (Of course it was but that gave a small amount of relief) His brothers did tell me two good things. That the car engine was running perfect when it was laid up and it was / is a great car. And that the seller had another buyer who was giving him more money for the car! (I knew it, however not my problem. Who knows, there could have been more irate people turn up at their house)
Before we left his brother made a comment of "watch that drunk idiot doesn't turn up at your house and screw the wheels of the car". I mean WHAT? Just a fitting parting comment on the whole bizzare experience.
We got the car home and unloaded. But for a few days it felt very strange. Normally buying a car is a pleasant, exciting experience. The sellers wish you good luck etc. Not this one, I handed over a large sum of cash for the full sellers asking price and not once did anyone say thanks or enjoy the car.
My house is very secure so whilst I wasnt worried about the seller arriving, it still made me watch the cameras for a while. But after a few days the unpleasantness of the seller started to fade and I realised the car is genuine and actually much better condition than I gave it credit for. So I am happy, and the car is fantastic. I didn't think I'd have a 500E and a Cosworth together which is pretty cool.
I summarised this as best I could. The whole deal was the most stressful I have ever carried out but I got the car home in the end and if I didn't act quickly and very firmly on the Wednesday I have no doubt I would have been messed around and lost the deposit.
I didn't sleep on the Tuesday night and had work the next day. I watched the clock the whole day feeling a little more relieved every passing hour that I didn't get any further contact from the seller. Then at 5.30pm, just one hour from the agreed collection time I got a phone call from a number I wasnt familiar with. I answered and a man on the phone said "I am with my client (sellers name) and you can't collect the car this evening but Friday suits". He went on to say the seller had "a few beers" and couldn't be bothered dealing with that car today.
I said - "absolutely not I have already rescheduled and I will be there shortly". I could hear him saying to the seller "he says he is coming" and I hung up.
I knew I needed a witness there and I was not sure what really was going on at this stage. I had a strong feeling the seller was preventing me from collecting the car and planned on keeping my deposit. One thing I didn't include on the sales agreement was that the deposit becomes refundable if the seller prevents the completion of sale. Very important to include that as legally I would have been in a bad position. So I knew it was all or nothing that evening! And I had plans in place.
I had my GF go with me as a witness. We took her Merc Jeep and a tow rope incase I had to take the car that way. I had the transporter arranged and I made sure he would be in time. I decided to set off early immediately after the bizzare phone call trying to put me off.
We pulled into their house driveway, blocking it with the jeep. There were other cars there so I was relieved someone was there at least. His elderly parents answered the door and immediately started saying "did you see him, he just had a row and stormed out the gates!!" I was really confused but also angerred by this - I thought they were having me on. So I let rip. I explained quickly but very firmly that their son had signed a sales agreement and I was there to complete the sale as agreed and with the full remaining cash. And also that if this sale wasn't going ahead tonight I was not leaving without my cash deposit and I fully intended to take legal action for other expenses lost as a result. They had phoned their other sons who started pulling into the driveway. At this stage we were inside the house with them walking in so I didn't know what to expect- was it going to be hostile(?)
Thankfully it was not hostile. They listened to what I had to say and I had the paperwork their son signed. I showed them the cash and that I already have a transporter coming. I said their son had already signed the sales agreement so he did not need to be there. They all agreed it was fine and that they would help me get the car out of the garage.
I gave them the cash and we went out to the garage. The seller had said he would have the car ready to go but of course he had done nothing it was sitting the same as my photos early in this thread. His Dad said for me to check was the key in the car. It wasnt. I said I would dolly the car out regardless and still take it. But his Dad went into the house and found the key in his sons bedroom.
I remembered about the spare wheel and found it under sheets in the garage. I gathered up the boot trim etc quickly and threw all inside the car and started pushing it outside. We moved our jeep and a path was cleared for the car. His Dad said to me the son was still around and he might steal the key from the car!! So to take it out.
At that point the transporter arrived and we got the car hoisted onto the trailer without issues. They also said they had reached their son on the phone and he agreed the car was good to go. (Of course it was but that gave a small amount of relief) His brothers did tell me two good things. That the car engine was running perfect when it was laid up and it was / is a great car. And that the seller had another buyer who was giving him more money for the car! (I knew it, however not my problem. Who knows, there could have been more irate people turn up at their house)
Before we left his brother made a comment of "watch that drunk idiot doesn't turn up at your house and screw the wheels of the car". I mean WHAT? Just a fitting parting comment on the whole bizzare experience.
We got the car home and unloaded. But for a few days it felt very strange. Normally buying a car is a pleasant, exciting experience. The sellers wish you good luck etc. Not this one, I handed over a large sum of cash for the full sellers asking price and not once did anyone say thanks or enjoy the car.
My house is very secure so whilst I wasnt worried about the seller arriving, it still made me watch the cameras for a while. But after a few days the unpleasantness of the seller started to fade and I realised the car is genuine and actually much better condition than I gave it credit for. So I am happy, and the car is fantastic. I didn't think I'd have a 500E and a Cosworth together which is pretty cool.
I summarised this as best I could. The whole deal was the most stressful I have ever carried out but I got the car home in the end and if I didn't act quickly and very firmly on the Wednesday I have no doubt I would have been messed around and lost the deposit.
