What does "Selling for a friend" really mean?

Im seeing this extremely often and more times then not it seems its on semi questionable parts.

Do people think this exempts them from anything? Or am I missing something?

I am doing it right now helping a friend sell his 63 Dodge 330 race car, he is an older guy and isn't computer savvy. Nothing shady about it, I handle the posting and most questions and weed out the serious buyers then refer them to him via phone. His new car is almost complete and he is ready to sell the 63. I am not getting a commission or would I accept any I am just trying to help out a long time friend.

But what is the importance of putting that in a listing?

At the end of the day it makes zero difference in the sale or does it it?

It means you are a flipper and you never transfered the title into your name. Keeps you from having to get a dealers license after a number of sales.

I've done this a few times for older people who have zero clue how to use the internet.

But as Mr. Potatohead says, who really cares whether its for a "friend". What it really says is I can't negotiate with the seller.

'Selling for a friend' is a little like 'Asking for a friend'. It's just a deflection.

Some people just don`t want to be bothered with it and maybe the guy is willing to do all the work for little or no reward. There could be so many reasons it is hard generalize.

I look at it as it may not be possible for someone to answer all your questions because it is not their car. When I see this in an ad I that it what it means to me so I get prepared to have them make a list of the questions they might not know so they can get back to me after they talk with the owner...

I have a Dart on here listed that way. All I am doing is listing for someone who does not really do anything to do with the internet. I know its hard to believe but there are people who have no interest in the internet. When I am contacted I send them the sellers info and let them deal together. I have no interest in getting envolved with the sale. I just want buyers to know that it is not my car before they contact me. I believe this will help so there is no confusion on who owns the car.

Folks find it hard to believe there are people that wouldn't know how to post on a computer because most of us have been doing it for years. But, I just got my first cell phone in August. When I tell people that, they look at me like I'm from Mars. Honestly, never needed one until then.

I've done it looking or selling parts. Got a buddy that doesn't want any part of a computer. I do it just so the person I may be dealing with knows I have to relay any messages, so an answer may not be a few minutes.

Tells a potential buyer that the one who placed the ad isn't the owner and doesn't vouch for the condition. Kinda like "just saying".

Doesn't matter how bad I need something, if "selling for friend" is in the ad, I move on.

Usually no price is listed and the "friend" wants a ridiculous amount of money when you go through the hoops to talk to them. Waste of time.

Plenty of 60+ people don't have the internet, or have no idea how to use anything on it. Ebay? Craigslist? What are those things? These types get their grandson or neighbor to help them list it online.

I've talked to older people who have never heard of Summit or Jegs when they ask me where I bought xyz for my cars.

One time I talked to a UPS counter guy who had never heard of a Dodge Dart before, and he was old enough to have had contact with one at some point in his life.

same/same ... ASKING for a fiend !

I did once list a car here for a friend who wasn’t a member and wasn’t active on the internet.
I work a desk job and have been using computers at work 25 years, had one at home for 20 years, and have 2 iPads I use for most of my personal online needs now. But I still have a flip phone, and people around here look at you like a dinosaur if you don’t have a smart phone, it’s almost an assumption everyone has one. At work they are scolding and even starting to punish anyone who calls the IT help desk with login issues. There is an online link to reset passwords when you get locked out, but how to access it if you are locked out of your PC? By using your smartphone of course... but I don’t have one. I may end up getting fired for calling the IT help desk and it is all due to my refusal to get a smartphone!
I’m tired of seeing everyone staring at their phones constantly and don’t want to be like them, but the pressures of society seem to force you to have one.
It’s hard to imagine people living with not even internet access now.

Man some of you yahoos sure do generalize. I have a good friend that is disabled from a severe head injury and has a hard time doing most anything. i have helped him sell several items. I'll list the item, take the calls and answer the questions. When it comes to payment he is paid directly. I do not own the item, receive the money or charge a fee there for I'm not flipping anything. I do it to help out a friend in need because that is what friends do.

Well done my Friend! ^^^^^^^^^^ And that is what a fella in the race forum did for me since the Dr.s won't let me drive my car! You,sir, are an asset to the hobby! My hat is off to you!

I've never sold a car "for a friend" but I have sold quite a few parts for friends who, as said above, don't do the internet/forum thing. I'll normally say that in an ad just because some questions will take longer to answer because I have to ask the friend. Without saying it, it could appear as flaky. Most buyers are understandable, but every so often I'll get someone who thinks they're Sherlock Holmes and just uncovered a million dollar scam ring.

I had a "friend" sell my house for me in FL. I am not a salesman. I fix things, he sells things, worked out for both of us.

Well said Mark.

If you wanna criticize useless statements in a for-sale ad how about "original owner"?

So typical of Moparts lately , I took a break from it for awhile because of things like this.. I am helping a friend sell his car and I get criticized for it , time for another break … back to FABO and FBBO , kind of ironic I was just talking to another long time Moparts member at the track yesterday about this very thing and he agreed he doesn't really go on much anymore either. Try to be honest about a sale and right away people have to nit pick.. would you rather call or message me then I tell you? I have removed the ad so you all can breathe a sigh of relief .. now you can find other ads to be criticized.

I sold a 62 Imperial convert for a friend one time. He asked to store it in my pole barn "for a few weeks." A few years later it was still here, and my stuff was sitting out in the weather rotting, despite his many promises that he would come and get it. So I listed it on Ebay with no reserve, then called him up and told him about it, and that he should bid on it if he doesn't like the price. He wasn't too happy at first, but then it sold for a price he liked.

Wow, it was just a general question as I see ads all across the internet with the for a friend deal. Some easily ruffled feathers here for such a general question.

God forbid one asks about the "Selling for health reasons" as is the seller looking for a sympathy buyer or one not to haggle the price because of a potentially ill seller? But thats another question I wont ask.

But it is good to see peoples thoughts on the "For a friend" type sales. Because people view them very differently.

Thanks Tboomer and John.
My point is not everyone in the automotive world is a crook or a flipper. I also spend a lot more time on FBBO and FABO these days and I love potatos.

So, no disagreements or bickering there, ever? Never heard of a board like that.

I have a friend that has ALS, and he has asked me to help his wife sell his 1970 340 Swinger when he dies. When it happens, I will be "Selling for a friend". Although I am not looking forward to him dying.

Usually it means:
-I'm a flipper and the title is not under my name.
-I'm a flipper and don't know anything about what I'm selling so don't ask me any questions about it.
-I don't want to take offers or negotiate on price so I have to "ask my friend".

Must be a Canadian thing.

I've always interpreted this to mean I know no details about the item so I don't take responsibility about the discrepancies. I'm sure some of these are genuine helping out a friend deals, but often it seems as a way to sell dilapidated crap and is an obvious buyer be very aware deal.