Am I wrong here?

[kellogg]

I sold my truck on Tuesday for $7000. Prior to the transaction the buyers asked that I take the car to their mechanic and have a pre purchase inspection done. The car checked out fine and the money was exchanged. All is well every one is happy.

Flash to today. The new owner calls me saying that they heard a clicking noise when they drove with the windows down. ( I had never heard this noise ) She said she took it to the same mechanic and they said the U-Joints are going bad, and they need to be replaced for around $300. The woman said it was "Only fair" if I pay for half.

I told her sorry, but its not my fault the shop didn't catch that during the inspection and I can't give you any money. I was not aware of this issue and I can't be responsible for the mechanic's (Her mechanic) failure to find this problem.

She went on and on about how irresponsible that is and asked me "IS THAT ALWAYS HOW YOU DO BUSINESS?!" I just kept telling her, "I'm sorry its not my responsibility....things break on cars, whether its one day after the sale or one year, the previous owner cannot be held responsible. Its the mechanic you should blame." She got very mad and hung up on me.

Am I out of line in my thinking here?

 

[Thai]

I am on your side with what you said.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I am on your side with what you said.

:iagree: x2

 

[drmorbius]

I sold my truck on Tuesday for $7000. Prior to the transaction the buyers asked that I take the car to their mechanic and have a pre purchase inspection done. The car checked out fine and the money was exchanged. All is well every one is happy.

Flash to today. The new owner calls me saying that they heard a clicking noise when they drove with the windows down. ( I had never heard this noise ) She said she took it to the same mechanic and they said the U-Joints are going bad, and they need to be replaced for around $300. The woman said it was "Only fair" if I pay for half.

I told her sorry, but its not my fault the shop didn't catch that during the inspection and I can't give you any money. I was not aware of this issue and I can't be responsible for the mechanic's (Her mechanic) failure to find this problem.

She went on and on about how irresponsible that is and asked me "IS THAT ALWAYS HOW YOU DO BUSINESS?!" I just kept telling her, "I'm sorry its not my responsibility....things break on cars, whether its one day after the sale or one year, the previous owner cannot be held responsible. Its the mechanic you should blame." She got very mad and hung up on me.

Am I out of line in my thinking here?

You did everything that was asked of you prior to the sale, how then can you be responsible for anything after the sale? Don't let her push you around. It's a used vehicle, period.

 

[Thai]

Actually, the BIGGER crime is that you sold your 4runner!!

 

[peter78]

I had some bad CV joints and it took a long while before I had to replace them. If they hear some clicking, they probably think it is the CV joints. When the car starts shaking at speed, then your CV joints are going bad. It is interesting that my dealer, Marietta Toyota said, they replace the whole driveshaft, which by the way was $800.

I think she is being over cocerned about the CV joints, plus buying a used car, you can't expect it to be perfect. I would say, that unless you were hiding something, you can't be liable for problems in the future.

 

[CSL]

Your posting this thread shows that you have a genuine concern in your conscience to do the right thing. I applaud you for that and believe it will lead you to knowing what the right thing to do is. From your description I believe you have appropriately completed the sale, but only YOU can know that for sure.

The same thing happened to me when I sold my blazer to buy my runner. I showed the buyers all the reciepts for the work I had done, and the bids for the work that needs to be done that I choose not to do. I was honest and open about everything. It didn't make me a very good salesman, but it did make me feel comfortable to say the sale was over when it was over.

Probably thinking I was a push-over the buyer called me a few days later complaining that the ball joints were bad, but I quickly reminded them of everything I disclosed and I comfortably and politely told them that I wish them the best.

Remind them that you will take the same risk when you buy your next used 4runner.

 

[kellogg]

Thanks guys, I feel better about my decision.

Her claims were kind of desperate, especially when she yelled "I WORK AT A LAW FIRM, I KNOW MY RIGHTS".

I sold my 2WD because reading this forum makes me want a 4WD I am avidly looking for one

 

[MikesToy]

Don't sweat it. You owe nothing.

 

[mklttdv]

What is the law firm that she is working at? So we know which one to avoid ))

 

[alaskaman]

Give the dangerous ***** her candy.

and yes I agree with you.

 

[kellogg]

Thanks, I think she was just mad because she couldn't afford the maintenance. Maybe she didn't realize vehicles are ongoing investments. Oh well, I'm not losing sleep over it. I have the money and she has the truck.

 

[leftyguns21]

yeah you are in the right...you have no idea what happens when it leaves your hands. she could have messed it up for all you know. same thing happened to me...i sold some HID headlights and i offered to install them for the person and do everything i could but he said nope...went home and 1030 at night he calls me saying they dont work and wants his money back [an to top it off he wanted me to drive to him, over 40miles, to give him the money back] i said nope sorry i have no idea what you did with them after they left me and cant be responsible for them..turns out he hooked them up wrong and they work fine.