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I took my 150M to show to a prospective buyer today, at an airport about 20 minutes away from my home airport.

What a great day!

After he looked over the airplane, we decided to go flying.

We're both pretty big guys, and I figure we took off about 30 lbs over gross (no, not really... but, yeah).

It's a cold day here, though, and after about a 1500 foot takeoff roll, we settled in to a 500 fpm climb! Not bad, huh?

After levelling off, I turned the controls over to him, and directed him toward the Sutter Buttes (the smallest mountain range in the world... yes, really) for a scenic tour.

It was beautiful! The air was crystal clear, the grass was green, and my 150 did me proud.

I hope the prospective buyer was impressed. I know he had fun on the flight, and he seems to be the kind of guy who will get a lot of enjoyment out of flying his own airplane, which is important to me.

Yep, it was a great day!

Good job, Steve.

I know it'll be bittersweet if he buys the plane, but it sounds like you and your plane gave a selling performance.

Good luck.

Did you get a deposit from him?

No... I'm not exactly a high pressure salesman, and he's a first time buyer who needs time to think it over.

However, that brings up a dilemma....

I've got another guy who seems very interested in the airplane, who is coming to look at it on Tuesday. I think he'll probably give me a deposit at that time.

Now, I really liked the guy who flew with me today, and I don't want to pressure him by saying "you'd better hurry, because there's someone else who wants it...."

On the other hand, I wouldn't want him to miss out just because he didn't know another party was interested....

I guess I'm inclined to sit quietly and see who makes an offer first (if at all).

It's entirely possible that my plane isn't what either of them is looking for....

Remove yourself emotionally from the sale. I am as ethical and well-meaning as anyone when I buy or sell. If someone tells me "I'll take it" and my feeling of his character is that he means it, I will hold it for him until he gets the money or tells me he can't swing it.

If I am a bit concerned about the persons sincerity, I will say "either a deposit, or it is still for sale" up front.

In your case, the "nice guy" may be that and very sincere, but he did not say he would take it, so the airplane is for sale and you must operate under that premise.

If guy number 2 brings you the money, then you have a sale.

If guy number 1 calls you before then, you will have to decide if his word is better than cash then live with your decision if he flakes. I don't believe you have a dilema at this point since guy 1 did not tell you he wanted the airplane.

You can't argue successfully against Mr. Jeff Davis on moral issues. He's right! There is no dilemma here. The first buyer has not yet secured his place in line either morally or legally.

It would not be "pressure" to inform any prospective buyer (at any time) that the airplane is actively for sale until a deposit is received. It is a courtesy you extend to all parties to help eliminate the possibility of a misunderstanding.

Steve, do *not* hold up a sale on the promise of another. Promises are broken every day (unfortunately) and as they say, only "money talks."

You can inform the first potential buyer, but were it me, I would tell him that unless his deposit reaches you first, you will accept the other guy's offer should he extend it.

I won't bore you with my own story of how I got burned exactly this way. Good luck!

The person I bought my plane from told me he had a guy coming who was pretty confident he would be buy the plane.

That person would be coming in on a Thurs. If I got there before he did, first buyer takes it. The other guy didn't have a deposit or firm commitment. When I showed up and did the deal, the seller told me that he was happy I bought it, because the other guy was going to put the plane in a flight school.

Still, first $$ or purchase agreement or deposit usually takes it or has first right of refusal..

Gee Carl.....did I come across too high and mighty there. I hope not....I am supposed to have a bit of humility too and don't do that well at times. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

I sold my 66 150 in l990 when we moved from where the plane was hangared. You need to let buyers know that unless there is a deposit (maybe refundable in part), the first one with the $ will fly the nice plane home. A potential buyer called me and said he and his wife are looking for a plane like mine (later I found out he was a "scalper" who would buy a plane and then sell later at a profit), but since he could not get to his bank, if we could hold it until he could fly out and look at it. I of course figured he was honest and therefore it was off the market as he seemed like he was going to buy it for sure. When he came and looked and flew it, he said it was not what he and his wife was quite looking for. From now on, whoever indicates they want it (with a $ deposit), is the one to deal with. I am sure this potential buyer tells this same line to all those involved in selling planes. This was in l990 and I sold the plane for about $300 less then I paid for it 16 months before---$7,200! is what I sold it for. So planes have more then doubled in price since l990. I figured the condition of this plane would go for about $17,000-$18,000 today. Who has bought a 150 before l990 and what is the price range then?