Unbelievable......buyer beware

Anti Venom · 09-05-2007, 10:46 AM

Got a call from a new customer last week, said that he had just bought a 1969 corvette and it was being delivered from California. He wanted it delivered here instead of his residence. This way he could have me give it a checkout to see where it might need attention. It was stated to him buy the seller ( A used Corvette dealer in California ) that this car could be driven immediately, and as a matter of fact it could be driven to and from work. Well, the transport arrived Saturday morning and we got in the car to drive it off the transport and this car first has NO BRAKES whatsoever. Barely runs then put it in reverse (automatic) and no reverse then no drive. Nothing. $18,000 is what he paid for this car.....$900.00 for transport here. Got it into the shop and found the vacuum for the headlights etc was plugged off and it was spray painted everywhere, the "new paint job" is awfull, it did not even come with the stuff on it displayed in the photos.

The intention of this post is first for me to spout off, second to simply say, if you want to buy a car long distance, PLEASE buy a plane ticket and see the car first! Then drive it. If its local just ask me to inspect I have no problem with that.

zzzona · 09-05-2007, 11:37 AM

THOR · 09-05-2007, 12:24 PM

A very painful lesson. I totally agree with your assessment.

CHASZ51 · 09-05-2007, 12:25 PM

I was there also when the 69 was dropped off, it did look pretty rough for $18,000.

Shadow · 09-05-2007, 12:46 PM

The purchaser may have some recourse depending on the ad? If you want to have him contact me I'll be happy to see whats up?

If you can't afford the plane ticket or can't get time off to go look at it yourself, get someone you trust to do it for you.

I've looked over several cars for forum members in the past. It's not that big a deal and sure beats gettign ripped off

I hate thieves and scammers!

Kap142 · 09-05-2007, 01:18 PM

When I bought my 72 BB I started off by exchanging e-mails and phone calls back and forth with the previous owner in Alabama

. Every question I had he would patiently answer

. He was forthright and sent me a ton and a half of photos

. My knowledge was limited but (by gawd) I was doing my home work and learning from every direction I could. Super people like Nytro

and others offered advise and I used my new found info to seek more answers. Now keep in mind that until this Vette I had never owned one and started out knowing little (heck I probably only know a bit more now).

I learned "numbers matching" and "tranny ID's" and "rear end numbers" and "bonding strips" and to say the least "documentation".

My Sweet wife then took and late December trip to Pell City Alabama with me to look at this 72 coupe and see if, at least, I could look like less then a durn dumba**.

I paid a price but the problems were nothing a 30+ year old restored BB wouldn't have.

I WAS LUCKY, I was dealing with an honest guy.

Yep as you guys (and gals Ms Anti Venom and my gal Classy) might remember I did my share of brake work and such and even replaced a radiator and such. But my first Vette was really my dream car.

Honestly if I'd had nothing to work on It would have been just someone else's car I now owned.

I guess, based on my past life in investigations, I tried to plug every hole I could to make the purchase what I hoped it would be.

Be critical, be questioning, go look, go have people look.

My humble opinion is if we do not have the expertise, surround yourself with those who do. Particulary here, everyone( did I say everyone?) is willing to help.

Ken (in my humble opinion)

Anti Venom · 09-05-2007, 01:25 PM

I really wish that the guy would have contacted me before he had purchaced. He talked to me before, then I would have given my advice. Funny thing is that this car is really nothing special, base horsepower 350 with an automatic. Now, I had to be the bearer of bad news. The bad thing is that yesterday I was shown the ad for the car. At the bottom it had disclaimers. "buyer accepts this car as is with all faults and shortcomings" Now that should have been the first signal not just to turn your back, but run away. So... that being said; if anyone wants any purchacing advice I will be MORE than happy to tell what to look out for!

Suicide King · 09-05-2007, 01:43 PM

Sorry to hear this. Crooks and Thieves suck a$$.

I feel sorry for the buyer. I’m sure he was very excited to get the car and now you have to inform him it’s crap. Hope you can fix it up for him.

Anti Venom · 09-05-2007, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suicide King

Sorry to hear this. Crooks and Thieves suck a$$.

I feel sorry for the buyer. I’m sure he was very excited to get the car and now you have to inform him it’s crap. Hope you can fix it up for him.

It is completely up to him on fixing this car. Everything is completely do-able, but obviously it comes at a price. I mean needs 4 calipers, 4 rotors, brake hoses, all hard lines, master cylinder, brake booster. That is just the braking system needs....not to mention a trans, suspension, power steering, and a marginal engine. When does someone draw the line? I am the first to admit that a 38 year old car WILL need something, but If this car's nameplate was not Corvette, but Nova, Vega, Camaro, then the price would have been nowhere near $18,000, but maybe one tenth the price. This man's dream car could end up as his nightmare. This car can easily suck down another $10,000 before paint. I really want to thank everyone for letting me rant on this subject.

Rich427 · 09-05-2007, 02:12 PM

Back in 1989 I found my '69 BB Vert in Manchester NH. I spent a ton of time on the phone asking questions about the car and its condition. I then felt comfortable sending a deposit to hold the car until I had someone local go look at. I got in touch with a restorer in that area and paid him to go look the car over. He sent me a 5 page list of items that were right and were wrong.

I then negotiated a deal predicated on my flying there inspecting the car and if the car was as advertised and was in my inspection report, I would cut the deal. I bought a one way airline ticket to NH and the car was pretty close to what I had expected with all the information I had received. But by know means was it perfect.

I completed the deal, pulled into the closest gas station and filled her up. About 15 minutes into the trip I started to get this funny feeling that it was stupid to think that I should drive this car from NH to Maryland. I started hearing noises in the engine, suspension, ...I felt every stone or tiny pebble I may have run over. To be honest, the first hour of the drive was not comfortable at all. I was talking myself into a nervous breakdown.

After that first hour, just all of a sudden, the engine smoothed out as if it cleared its throat. Then the ride started to smooth out as well. The trip back to Maryland was very uneventful, but I would not recommend this to anyone. Yes, do your homework, have the car looked at by an independent third party, and go see it. Then put the car on a trailer and tow it home. I am convinced that a portion of my grey hair was from the first hour of that trip. The balance of my grey hair is from raising my daughter, but that is another story!