They Sold Their Friend a Car for Far Less Than It Was Worth, Yet He Still Struggled to Keep Up

A Troubling Car Sale Situation

Have you ever encountered someone in your life who, no matter how much you try to help them, ends up messing things up? If so, you might find this story of a problematic car sale deeply relatable. It's a tale that highlights the challenges of dealing with someone who consistently fails to meet their responsibilities.

The story begins with a person who sold their 2008 Lexus 400h to someone they already had a difficult relationship with. The car, which has low mileage, was sold for $2,000. Even though it had some dings and wear and tear, the Kelley Blue Book value for a private party sale is around $6,000. The seller tried to be kind and move past any issues, but the buyer wasn't asking for the full amount upfront. Instead, they agreed to a payment plan of $300 per month.

To make things easier for the buyer, who was going through tough times, the seller even waived a payment on their birthday. They also traded something for a month’s payment. However, in total, the seller has only received $300, leaving $1,100 still owed for the car alone.

When you sell a car, there are several legal requirements you must follow. The seller released liability, but the buyer didn’t register the car, and it's now past due. This led to a ticket for expired tags, which the seller now has to contest. Then, last week, the car was towed because it lacked a parking permit. Since the buyer didn’t register the car, the seller had to pay $395 to get it out of car jail.

For those doing the math, this means the seller actually lost $95 on the deal. At this point, the seller decided they had had enough and refused to give the car back unless it was fully registered. However, the buyer called the seller a "jerk" because "they’d do it if it were anyone else." The buyer also claimed they couldn’t get the money to give back the car if they couldn’t drive it.

The buyer added more accusations, saying the seller treats them like a second-class citizen and isn't a true friend. The seller felt overwhelmed by these claims and questioned why they had to keep taking losses while the buyer failed to manage their responsibilities. This led to the buyer sending texts filled with hate and victim mentality.

The seller is unsure whether they're being subjected to a narcissistic "Fog" or if they’re actually the one being the "jerk" by hindering the buyer’s potential good deeds if they had a car. The seller has a tendency to set terrible boundaries, but when they do, they often face pushback from people who don’t appreciate limits.

Despite the situation, the seller is 99% sure they aren’t the "jerk" here. They would love to share the thread with the buyer if they’re not the "AH." The seller hopes this makes sense, as they’re tired.

So, the question remains: Is the seller a "jerk" for not giving the car back so the buyer can make money?

The comments on the post reflect a range of opinions. Some argue that the math doesn’t add up and that the seller is already in a bad position. Others offer hot takes, calling the situation a complete mess with no easy way out.

If you found this story interesting, you might also enjoy another one about a man who created a points system for his inheritance, only for a family friend to end up getting almost all of it.

Sign up for the Twisted Sifters weekly newsletter to stay updated on the best internet culture news.