[rant]So I'm in the market for a Volvo 740 or 940 Turbo. I've been scouring the Craigslists for up to 200 miles away for weeks. In that time I've written over a dozen sellers expressing interest (Mind you, these are sellers that left NO CONTACT INFO other then their email addresses) and in that time I have had exactly ONE seller write me back, and that guy ignored my questions entirely and gave me a bunch of info I DIDN'T ask for...

Geez, you'd think if you want to sell your car enough to put an ad up, you'd make the effort to actually ANSWER someone when they tell you they want to BUY it![/rant]

Thank you, I feel a little better now...

Always FIRST--answer the direct question that was asked --then you can answer the one you made up in your mind.

Well think about a used car salesman. These are people who make their livings selling cars. Are you thinking intelligence and competence?
What do you expect from amateurs?

I just want them to answer their GDed email, that's all. It would be like posting my phone number but never answering the phone. What's the point? Why even put the ad up in the first place?

[This message has been edited by OKflyboy (edited 01-28-2011).]

Is your email worded like "just another scam email", perhaps?

It's funny because when I read about CL scam emails, they are written just about how I would write a legitimate email, so no one would likely respond to me emails, either.

Honestly, your email and/or their replies might have ended up in yours (or theirs) SPAM box or got filtered out...

Had that happen a few times. *grumble*

There's a reason it's referred to as "Flakeslist"...

Have you tried autotrader or cars.com?

The ones that REALLY annoy the crap out of me are the ones that put "SOLD SOLD SOLD" at the end of their ads. They took the time to edit their ad to say its sold instead of just deleting it like they're supposed to and in the mean time I see their ad and it gets my hopes up.

I try to mix it up so I don't sound Generic. Instead of "Do you still have the item", if its a Volvo 740 Turbo Wagon for example I'll say "Still got the 740? I'm interested but I need to know..." and ask my questions. I ask SPECIFIC questions, as well, so (hopefully) they know I know what to ask in regards to Volvos. But, so far no bites.

However, since posting there might have been a silver lining. I really wanted a 740 or 940, but I'm willing to compromise on this for the right 240. Turns out there's a decent 240 Wagon (non-turbo, unfortunately, but my buddy's got all the stuff to add a Turbo) in the next town over that is overpriced but word has it the guy is willing to be talked down. My Volvo guru buddy is going to go with me on Monday to go check it out and, hopefully, help me talk this guy down to about half of what I would have paid for any of the 7/940s I'd been emailing about. The budget's been set and the money set aside so, less money in at purchase means more goodies that can be added after purchase.