Dear Abby,
Sister in Law recently sold her car to a trader. Last week she got a call from the new owner, who had tracked her down from the documents. He wanted to know if she had the spare key. She rootled and found it. Then he rang again and wanted to know if she had the original jack. She rootled and found it. Now he wants her to drive to him and deliver these items
Sister in law is not only the kind of person who would see nothing wrong in that - she has asked if I would deliver it as I sometimes go roughly in that direction. She also doesn't want him coming to the house in any event.
My reaction consists largely of telling new owner he can either whistle for it or pay up to have it couriered, but this will upset sister in law. She seems to think it's her fault for not rootling before she sold the car to the trader he bought it from, so somehow owes him the bits.
Am I being selfish, or should I just keep quiet and deliver the wretched things at my time and cost (about 30 miles out of my way) for the sake of family harmony?
Advice, forum?
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>>She seems to think it's her fault for not rootling before she sold the car to the trader he bought it from, so somehow owes him the bits<<
So do I.
>>Am I being selfish, or should I just keep quiet and deliver the wretched things at my time and cost (about 30 miles out of my way) for the sake of family harmony?<<
If you sometimes go "roughly" in the area, then it wouldn't hurt to deliver the items, failing that ask for p&p up front.
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just deliver them would be my answer. if he turns out to be rude then you can always leave quickly, in fact i wouldnt get out the car just pass them through the window
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Dear Cracknut
For the sake of harmonious family relationships, tell your S-I-L that you will handle it, let peace on earth and goodwill to all family members reign supreme. DO NOT slap your sister in law and tell her she is a silly cow, and what would she have done if the car got a puncture, and the jack was at home under the sink!
However, in the background tell the bloke who bought the car, that it was bought by him without these items. You are prepared to deliver them, at a cost of 45p per mile return journey.
Abby.
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It is understandable the new owner wants the items, particularly the spare key.
To be fair to him, the option of doing his own legwork is not open because s-i-l doesn't want him at her house.
You delivering the items seems the simplest solution, after all, the milk float does a million miles to the gallon, so it won't cost you a lot.
The grateful owner may offer you something for your trouble, I would.
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>> Last week she got a call from the new owner...
How did he ask for these things eg. 'Is there any chance...' or more demanding?
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Am I the only person here who thinks the new owner should simply have gone back to the trader he bought the car from and asked to be supplied with a jack, if not the spare key? The trader is supposed to sell the car in useable condition isn't he?
What if she hadn't been able to find the jack or key?
I believe his beef is with the trader - otherwise half the world would be tracing previous owners for toolkits, red keys and goodness knows what.
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Tell the new owner the key and jack will be with the trader ( assuming the trader is local or closer)
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If you are giving the spare key, make sure it really is the new owner.
It could just be someone who laid eyes on the V5.
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>> If you are giving the spare key, make sure it really is the new owner.
>> It could just be someone who laid eyes on the V5.
>>
That thought did occur to me, I'd deliver the bits to the dealer and tell the cheeky so and so to pick them up from there.
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I agree, in the interests of harmony and seasonal goodwill, just deliver them.
I don't think I'd have had the gall to contact a previous owner for trivial items, but there we go.
I'm having a barn sort out at present, part of the price of being allowed to buy another classic car. I've found all sorts of bits from previous cars. Would any current owners like me to deliver the following:
Tin of touch-up paint for a Morris 1100 - Connaught green (dried up)
Jack for Volvo 240
Jack for Morris minor
Jack for Renault 4
Other jacks - unknown cars
Spare wheel (rusty) for Morris minor with tyre (perished)
Keys for Volvo 240
Keys - unknown cars
Tyre chains, rusted, in rotting canvas bag. Unknown wheel size.
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Maybe its me but my ex wife was the target of one or two boughts of odd behaviour, strange phone calls of a stalking nature that i won't go into, one particular bod whom the poilce traced and caught.
This bloke may just be a cheeky sod, but i'd be inclined to deliver the items and let slip that you've done him a favour as your SiL's husband, a military man of short fuse, would not have taken kindly to him calling....you get the gist of where i'm going here?
Not saying this bloke is in any way peculiar he may well be the pillar of his community, but opportunists are called that for a reason.
edit...you then get to have a look at him and can report back that i'm well off the mark hopefully.
Last edited by: gordonbennet on Wed 21 Dec 11 at 11:13
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Thanks all. A range of opinions, none of which other than those backing me up were going to make me change my stance, although I appreciated them, until GBs post. That's a very good point, having also been the subject a complete weirdo in my time.
I'll not be mentioning specifically why to Mrs C or her sister, but yes, I now think I'll deliver the goods with an attempt at good cheer.
Ho Ho blinking Ho.
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>> Ho Ho blinking Ho.
>>
Oh dear i have a feeling my ears will be burning as you mutter oaths around my name on the way back from this clandestine meeting.
edit...Stu'd post is pertinent, would the trader be more convenient for you CC, maybe you telephone the bloke and explain the bits are there.
Last edited by: gordonbennet on Wed 21 Dec 11 at 12:42
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The car was traded to a trader - they accepted it as is, the responsibility for checking if all the associated bits where there was the traders, buyer beware applies to traders aswell as private individuals.
They then sold the car presumably either not having checked or not having cared about these details.
If this new owner wants these bits, do it through the trader as SIL's contract was with the trader as was the new owners.
The new owner bought the car and should have known there was a missing spare key at point of sale ( you only need count to two ), at which point trader could have contacted previous owner there and then to arrange the items to be dropped off.
Its fine to ask a previous owner to if they have these items, but id not feel any responsibility to subsequent owners in terms of delivering them, really thats down to the trader.
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Another vote for doing it through the trader. Failing which possibly send them, but certainly not go to the extent of hand delivering them!
Season of goodwill? Bah humbug!
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Leave it with the dealer.
Long shot I know, but what if the Jack collapsed.......could there be legal implications
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Dealer sold. Dealer sorts. The Guy on the 'phone can whistle Dixie. The dealer should have been more aware from the outset at least regarding the 'missing' key. Usual mess.
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AND to be honest (if the call was of a certain nature) I would register my concerns with both Trading Standards and Police and in the latter obtain a Log No. (These days not something easy to do I am informed).
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Calm down dears, he's only a car buyer.
All this talk of the guy being a weirdo is way over the top.
He's bought the car and wants the jack and spare key to go with it, who wouldn't?
Contacting the previous owner is the obvious thing to do, it doesn't make him a stalker.
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A few years ago I bought a car at auction. The front of the stereo was missing so I contacted the previous owner. I exchanged it for a box of chocs and bunch of flowers.
Everyone was happy.
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A delicate situation - Dog
