5 Star FB Marketplace Experiences Restore Faith in Humanity
Some Marketplace sellers stand out above the rest.
Years ago, I traveled three hours with my dad to a community near St. Louis to buy a used car off of Facebook Marketplace. It was getting dark as we exited the interstate and met the seller at a convenience store under the awning lights. I really wanted this car, as it was something I had wanted for awhile as a spare vehicle: a 2003 Nissan Maxima Titanium 6 speed.
The car was in good shape and I was happy with the miles and price. I test drove it around the small town with the seller and he told me they had had it for about two years, but his teenage daughter was not interested in driving the manual. I was able to haggle a little off the price and was feeling pretty good about the purchase. We exchanged title, bill of sale, and cash and he left with his wife to head home.
My dad got in my Camry SE to follow me home for the three hour drive back home. I topped off the Maxima and went ahead toward the on-ramp.
At the on ramp was my first real “foot down” time to see what all the 3.5 had. Instead of power, I came down the on-ramp at half power, the headlights were barely visible, the radio and air conditioning turned off, and the battery and check engine lights came on. Coming into interstate traffic at 7:00 on a Friday night became even worse when the car died about a quarter mile from our starting point. I coasted to the shoulder and hoped Dad would see me as he was fighting his way onto the busy highway, too.
Immediately knowing the alternator and possibly battery were shot, I called the seller as we had no other contacts in the area. He did not answer.
I tried again. He did not answer.
Five minutes passed, and he called me back. I explained the situation and asked if he could help get us off the shoulder. He said he was on his way.
When he arrived, he was very embarrassed and wanted to help. He jumped the Maxima and it stayed running, with all lights and accessories turned off. Not thinking it would make it the three miles to the next exit, I turned down the grass bank on the shoulder towards the access road that paralleled the interstate, driving as cautiously as possible back to the gas station.
At the gas station, the seller asked what I wanted to do, since now I was on the title. I asked if he would have the alternator replaced and we could come up again when it was ready, but let me hold the title. He agreed and gave me $200 bucks back for the trouble, and we limped the car to his house.
About a week went by when I got a text from him saying his family had to go to Kansas City and he could bring the car to a town on I70 that was only 20 minutes from my house. I excitedly agreed and made the trip to the local McDonalds. There was the Maxima with a new alternator AND new battery.
It is individuals like this that make up for all the iffy and terrible Marketplace sellers. The Maxima ended up being one of the best cars I’ve ever had, and I am grateful it worked out the way it did.
By Michael Tyler
