• Got the Contributing Memberships stuff finally worked out and made up a thread as a sort of "How-To" to help people figure out how to participate. So if you need help figuring it out, here's the thread you need to take a look at -> http://www.corvetteflorida.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3581 Thank you, everyone! Rich Z.

Unbelievable......buyer beware

Anti Venom

Anti Venom

Wrencher
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.
 
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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!
 
I was lucky.....

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:shrug01: . Every question I had he would patiently answer:shrug01: . He was forthright and sent me a ton and a half of photos:thumbsup: . My knowledge was limited but (by gawd) I was doing my home work and learning from every direction I could. Super people like Nytro:thumbsup: 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):dancer01:
 
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!
 
Sorry to hear this. Crooks and Thieves suck a$$. :thumbsdown: 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.
 
Suicide King said:
Sorry to hear this. Crooks and Thieves suck a$$. :thumbsdown: 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.
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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.
 
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! :rofl1:
 
If I had a camera still, I would take pics, and put them side by side to the pics on the site, There is spray paint on the tires from spraying the rims, In the picture it had a new set of kelly chargers, and it landed here with some cheap tires on it.
The oil cap was missing, the headlight bezel was missing. they painted the headers with spraypain,t the whole exhaust is painted over rust (looked really good in the photos)

The paint is all orange peeled and they painted over chips and cracks with one stage. From 20feet away it was one of the nicest c-3s I had ever seen, then I got closer
Its just upseting because it was purchased from a "REPUTABLE" company. And the man that bought it is a very honest man.
 
For the life of me I don't get why people buy cars from the other side of the country, sight unseen. Especially a Florida person looking for a Vette. There are probably more Vettes in Florida than any other state. But people rag on me because I paid a little extra for a pristine car from a local dealer. :rolleyes:
 
The disclaimer won't necessarily protect a car thats been falsely advertised of changed from it's original condition (as advertised) after the sale.
 
Gannet said:
But people rag on me because I paid a little extra for a pristine car from a local dealer. :rolleyes:
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Gannet, it is not important what other people think about your car or the price you paid. It is only important what you think about your car. If you think you got a fair deal for the car you bought, then you got a fair deal! It is just that simple. The only way I would let anyone rag me about what I paid for any of my Vettes is if they participated in paying for it. If they want to keep their hands in their pockets, then they can keep their opinions there too! Enjoy the ride, it is a great looking car man. :yesnod:
 
As taken from the advertiser:

ABOUT THE CAR
THIS IS AN ORIGINAL 1969 CORVETTE 350 CUBIC INCH OPTIONED 350 HORSEPOWER WITH NEW PAINT, NEW INTERIOR, NEW CHROME, NEW WEATHERSTRIP AND NEW TIRES. A/C P/S P/B AND AUTOMATIC MAKE THIS ONE SWEET RIDE! MORE DETAILS AND INTERIOR PICS TO FOLLOW!
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The vehicle description is accurate to the best of seller's belief, based upon a visual inspection. No mechanical work, computer analysis or investigation whatsoever has been made regarding the history, mechanical integrity or condition of the vehicle. The seller makes no express warranties whatsoever, limited or otherwise, oral or written, regarding the subject vehicle. Without limiting or qualifying this disclaimer, the seller makes no representation of fact or promise concerning the condition, reliability, quality, history or value of any vehicle that it sells. This disclaimer is deemed to be specifically negotiated by the parties, pertains to every aspect of every vehicle sold, and is part of the bargain between the parties and is hereby agreed to before any sale has been completed. In addition to the above, the seller makes no implied warranties whatsoever, oral or written, regarding any vehicle that it sells. Without limiting or qualifying this disclaimer, the seller expressly disclaims the implied warranty of merchantability, if any, and the implied warranty for a particular purpose, if any, together with any and all other implied warranties, if any, based upon applicable state or federal law. Further, the purchaser has read and acknowledges each of the following:

1. The vehicle that you are purchasing is being sold "AS-IS" or on a "with all faults" basis.

2. The entire risk as to the quality and performance of the vehicle is within the control of the purchaser.

3. Should the vehicle purchased by you prove to be defective following this purchase, you, as opposed to the seller, assumes the entire cost of all necessary servicing and repair.

4. Mechanics are allowed to inspect the vehicle prior to purchase.

If a dispute arises concerning the vehicle or the purchase of same, the sole and exclusive jurisdiction shall be Orange County, California, and the purchaser hereby waives any claim to jurisdiction other than Orange County California for resolution, litigation or arbitration of any such dispute.
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The quote"About the car" makes the disclaimer null and non-applicable. The car is advertised by the seller as in reasonable good condition, with the ability to be driven. With the condition of the car as Ms.A/V notes it would seem that the seller did not complete the terms of the "contract" and the buyer would have legal recourse against the seller.

my opinion,
Joe B.
 
Well, behind every dark cloud there is a silver lining. After a week of back and forth communication, the seller has agreed to a refund! And will pay return shipping. So, for all of this, he only has a small hurt, the shipping from California Not much more than that plane ticket that he should have bought. So......now, I have agreed to help him find a LOCAL car to buy! This way I can approve of what he wants to buy. Anybody know of a nice 69 corvette for sale within 150 miles of Tampa? He wants a 69-72 he would like to exclude the 68's from the search due to the difference in door handles. Big block, small block, auto, stick, whatever. BUT it must have BRAKES, and run decent.:rofl1:
 
Anti Venom said:
Well, behind every dark cloud there is a silver lining. After a week of back and forth communication, the seller has agreed to a refund! And will pay return shipping. So, for all of this, he only has a small hurt, the shipping from California Not much more than that plane ticket that he should have bought. So......now, I have agreed to help him find a LOCAL car to buy! This way I can approve of what he wants to buy. Anybody know of a nice 69 corvette for sale within 150 miles of Tampa? He wants a 69-72 he would like to exclude the 68's from the search due to the difference in door handles. Big block, small block, auto, stick, whatever. BUT it must have BRAKES, and run decent.:rofl1:
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Glad to hear that...
sarchevyman has a 68 for sale on this forum.
 
That’s really great news IF and when he gets his money back.
I just hate to hear things like that. I hope he gets a way better one for a cheaper price now.
Good luck with finding him a new one.

My buddy is selling this but it’s a bit pricy and it's not a Vette.

The car in the vid is the same one as in the pics. His car is the first one off the production line. #1 OF 25 are made each year and his says #1.

Here's the vid.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyRCLIm1jEw

Pic
That's my bike
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suncoastshowssc026bj8.jpg

suncoastshowssc027ub8.jpg
 
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