The three phrases you should never say when buying a used car, according to a seller

When purchasing a used car, we must consider several factors to ensure a successful transaction for both parties.

But sellers also have their own methods for checking whether the sale is going to be successful, and one way to do this is by listening to what the potential buyer says.

Joe Betty , the boss of Berrow Motors, is a regular on YouTube thanks to his channel Shifting Metal, where he gives advice and shares industry news.

In an article published by the Mirror , Betty shares the three phrases you shouldn't say to a salesperson.

"The first thing on my list is 'how much for paying cash?' Customers ask how much of a discount they can get when paying for a car with cash. Cash rules, of course, is a phrase we hear often, but let me explain why cash doesn't rule," he says.

"A: It's not 1980, B: I have to pay to deposit that money in the bank, C: I have to sit there, count it, and make sure the money is good and real. And then someone has to go to the post office or the bank, deposit that money, and wait in line, " Betty continues.

"You have to deal with all those details, and the delay is enormous compared to a bank transfer," the seller adds.

Joe Betty also reveals another question he fears buyers might not ask: asking about the cost of car insurance . While car insurance costs are rising for nearly all drivers, causing many to reconsider the expense of their next vehicle, Betty says it's difficult to provide off-the-cuff estimates due to the many factors at play.

The commercial points out that the most important variable for auto insurers is the driver, with age, occupation, and location being key influences. He advises potential buyers to consult price comparison sites for quotes before viewing a car, to get a clearer idea of ​​the costs involved.

Joe Betty also mentions that when buyers say "no rush," he knows they're usually the most impatient: "This isn't a question, just a statement from the customers. They're saying, 'No rush, when the car is ready.'"

"When we sell a car, as we'll have several at the dealership, we haven't yet had their vehicle inspected or serviced, but we always tell customers that we'll prepare the car within seven days and arrange a pickup date with them, ensuring it's clean when they come to collect it," he says.

"The client will then say, and alarm bells will ring in my ears, ' Yeah, there's no rush because I can't pick it up for a couple of weeks.' If a client tells you that, 99% of the time they'll call you within three days to ask how it's going," he says.

Finally, Joe Betty advises that car buyers should be honest if they decide not to buy a used vehicle, and suggested that there is one particular response that is overused.

"It's not that I don't like hearing it, but it always has a secret translation: when a customer sees a car, they walk away and say, 'We need to see another car and then we'll get in touch.' The only reason I don't like hearing that is because it's a very long-winded way of saying, 'You'll never see me again.'"

"I'd rather you said, ' I don't think it's for me , but if I change my mind, I'll call you.' I guess that's people trying to be polite, and it can be awkward, but I hear it so often it's a cliché," she concludes.