hjles

Kind of a dumb question on my part, but do I have a PPI performed before negotiating price, or do I make sure we can agree on a price, then make that price contingent on a clean PPI?

cluster_fsck

Not a dumb question at all, and it might depend on the disposition of the seller. I had my PPI performed before we negotiated the price so I could potentially include any items in that negotiation. I can't stand protracted negotiations, so I like to have as much information up-front. If the PPI turns up anything, you can do some research with the party performing the PPI, and on the Internet, to determine a course of corrective action and get an idea of how much it will cost you. Then you can use that information as part of your negotiations.

Good luck!

WindyCityC2S

I actually go the other way. I don't want pay for a PPI if the seller will not even be close to my price. If I want to pay $50,000 (provided PPI is clean) and he is not going to take less than $55,000. All I did is waste our collective time and $400 on a PPI.

I will use items on the PPI to "adjust" the offer.

997_Toronto

You can negotiate with the assumption that the PPI will be clean and have a renegotiate or backout clause of the PPI shows issues. If you REALLY like the car, that puts the seller in a position of power and they might want some level of commitment upfront.

Tcc1999

Seems to depend on how much you are willing to spend and what the seller is asking. If you are only willing to pay $50K and the seller wants, say $57K you may not be able to come to terms and the money spent on a PPI before negotiating is wasted. If the top of your budget is $60K, however, and the car looks good, then the PPI before negotiating couldnt hurt.

mattyf

That's exactly how I did it as well.

extanker

ppi

blackbull

For conversations sake let's say you Do wind up paying for a PPI..... THEN the deal doesn't close.....can you "sell" the PPI results back to the current owner????

SPD YLO

nobody takes my car anywhere until a deal is struck

Alan C.

I've always negotiated the deal pending passage of a PPI and if something shows up the problems are addressed and deducted from the original offer. I have no issue doing the reverse if I am the seller.

sandwedge

Exactly.

WindyCityC2S

I guess that depends. Most of the data will likely be discussed during further negotiations. So they will likely know most of the details.
But if the car is sight unseen and I have to pay to learn something they should have shared, or should have known...I might get petty. The report is mine. Now if they are willing to pay for it (or pay enough for it), I might give it to them under this example.

The above applies to a private sale. I am not paying to educate a dealer, they pay full price...

RollingArt

This is exactly how a smart buyer and seller will get'r done.

PHX 911

This.
The PPI language should be on the offer.

Dan in Florida

Agree, The indicated price would be contingent on a clean PPI. If the PPI is not clean, you negotiate the price down accordingly. If the PPI shows a serious problem, you walk.