Pity Party

[sawyerrm]

This truck is literally around the corner from where we live. In the last six months it has not moved one inch.

http://pbua.com/images/IMG_0195.JPG

We know the family and see them every year at our Labor Day block party. How ironic I thought, that I would search the entire great state of California for a 67-72 and find one in my own backyard. So one day, as many of you have probably done, I boldly left a note on the windshield offering to buy my neighbor's truck. I went by an hour later and the note was gone but he never called.

Late at night as I tossed and turned I thought, "maybe the note blew away, maybe I wrote down the wrong number, maybe he's busy with the holidays and forgot to call ...."

HE AIN'T SELLING



Have a good one,
Rob

[davepl]

I always put "If you're not interested now, please stick this note in your globebox in case you change your mind at some point in the future" or something like that.

No one thinks they'll sell when they first find the note, but maybe it'll churn in their mind. Of course I guess being your neighbor he knows where to find you, but I just mean in general.

[YBNORML]

Notes annoy me. I just throw them away.

Now, if someone actually comes and talks to me and is genuinely interested in buying and not just a flipper, I will take their info and save it. Although I have no intention of selling anything I own and I tell them that.

I did I this to a fella with a one family truck years ago. I sat around and waited for him to come out and had a nice conversation about his truck. Must've been there for over over an hour. In the end he took my info and I took his. I kept in touch periodically over the years and just before Xmas he called me and we made a deal for the truck.

[zeldman]

My neighbor down the road has a 71 or 72 sitting in their parking lot. It has been there since I moved here 9 years ago. It has not moved one inch and is sitting out in the weather.

5 years ago a 65 or 66 mustang showed up next to it. Same story.

I was told by another neighbor that the vehicles were bought for an investment, but I don't see how they are increasing in price by sitting outside.

[hugger6933]

I have on several occasions handed out a business card with all of my contact info and told them if they ever changed their mind I would love to have a shot at it. But all it has ever done is get them thinking about it and them sell to someone else.

[leftybass209]

Someone had left a note on my truck when I was still in Texas. I just threw it away. The way I look at it if I wanted to sell, it'd have a for sale sign on it. When and if things change, then I'd put a for sale sign on it. Usually at gas stations I get the "nice truck, is it for sale?" Comments. I find it kind of disrespectful in that context.

I don't mind notes on the door, but it's a very passive way to try and do business.

[Stu Pidd]

I'm driving the '71. The '68 is just sitting in a hangar at the local airport.

I recently put a picture of the '68 in the glove box, so if anybody asks if I want to sell, I'll ask them if they want a 50th anniversary instead.

[sawyerrm]

Originally Posted by leftybass209

Someone had left a note on my truck when I was still in Texas. I just threw it away. The way I look at it if I wanted to sell, it'd have a for sale sign on it. When and if things change, then I'd put a for sale sign on it. Usually at gas stations I get the "nice truck, is it for sale?" Comments. I find it kind of disrespectful in that context.

I don't mind notes on the door, but it's a very passive way to try and do business.

Good point, I hadn't looked at it that way, thank you

[MARKDTN]

Depends on the neighborhood, but you may not be able to put a for sale sign on it.

I do agree that a note alone is not a very strong way of getting a shot at it. If you know who he is, just go talk to him.

[n33k0]

I don't mind people asking me if my truck is for sale, I was once a truckless man searching for a local deal, too. What does bother me is when they won't take no for an answer. I'll be polite when replying, but some people seem to get offended when I say no without even hearing their offer. I always tell those persistent ones, "for the price I have in my head, you could buy yourself a much nicer truck".

One day I might sell, and the first names that will pop into my head are the polite and friendly ones that I know appreciate these trucks.

[Grumpy old man]

This is why I have gates on my driveways . Guys will see the trucks and drive in wanting to know if they are for sale , My UPS driver asks everytime he's here .

[tommy3horse]

hello;

I just the other day I went to have new tires installed and a young man (18 or 19) who was doing the work very politely asked if the truck was for sale. I told him that I was not interested in selling, that I was having way too much fun with it. He went on to tell me that he had been looking for one for awhile...I told him that one would come along that would be just what he wanted. He smiled and thanked me. I did let him know that if I ever did want to sell, I would give him first dibbs.
The gas station thing "is your truck for sale?" thing never gets old, but folks asking see a true patina truck and may think they can snatch it up on the cheap...


Tom

[michael bustamante]

Originally Posted by tommy3horse

hello;


The gas station thing "is your truck for sale?" thing never gets old, but folks asking see a true patina truck and may think they can snatch it up on the cheap...


Tom

HEAR HEAR!!
alot guys think patina is a sure sign its just an old pickup that you drive because you cant get any better, then they hear the purr or rumble of the LS or 383 stroker under the hood...
but in retrospec, I love talking to other enthusiasts about old chevy's, and when they come to me just to shoot the s%*#, i don't mind one bit if they ask if i'm thinking of selling. I'ts easy to say "not at the moment"

[30 a truck]

Everything I own is for sale, at MY price.

[Coley]

Originally Posted by n33k0

I don't mind people asking me if my truck is for sale, I was once a truckless man searching for a local deal, too. What does bother me is when they won't take no for an answer. I'll be polite when replying, but some people seem to get offended when I say no without even hearing their offer. I always tell those persistent ones, "for the price I have in my head, you could buy yourself a much nicer truck".

One day I might sell, and the first names that will pop into my head are the polite and friendly ones that I know appreciate these trucks.

....good point.
I'm the same....I always appreciate and respect the 'ask' and enquiry on my truck if it occurs. Its complimentary and nice to know you have something worth wanting.
Where you have to be concerned is when people completely stop asking or never ask if its for sale....then you know you a problem......ie: no market or not much of a vehicle...lol.
All Good
Coley

[MARKDTN]

Originally Posted by n33k0

.... What does bother me is when they won't take no for an answer. I'll be polite when replying, but some people seem to get offended when I say no without even hearing their offer.....

YES! that drives me crazy too. Let me get this straight: you came to me unrequested, you asked me to sell something not for sale, and are offended that I won't sell it. I want to tell them what to do with themselves, but I'm too nice. I love to talk about my projects and sell things from time to time, but if you ask me to name a price and you don't like it, just go away nicely.

[Already Gone]

I'm old, so when I get asked if my truck is for sale I say Sorry, I promised it to my Grandson when he's done University or my children are getting it as part of my Estate. I always get an oh, okay when I say those things.

[zeldman]

Originally Posted by Already Gone

I'm old, so when I get asked if my truck is for sale I say Sorry, I promised it to my Grandson when he's done University or my children are getting it as part of my Estate. I always get an oh, okay when I say those things.

My next question would be.... "Are you wanting to adopt..??"

[vics stuff]

I get asked all the time when I am out driving my truck. Not wanting to sell , my response anymore is sure , their eyes get real big , then I replay $50,000.00. That shuts them right up.
Vic

[sawyerrm]

My neighbor finally called me the other day and invited me to see/drive his truck. It's a sweet six cylinder and 3OTT. We had a good talk about life in general and what he had done to the truck. Turned out he had done most of the mechanical work but the paint and rust removal remained. I drove it a couple of blocks and really enjoyed it even with manual brakes and steering. I thought to myself, "this could really work". When I got back, I asked how much and got a price about double what I anticipated. I said to myself, "you fool what did you expect?". Not really in a position to haggle since I approached him. Good thing is that I got to know his a little better.

Moral of the story: If it ain't for sale, don't try to buy it.

Yes, I know, I deserved what I got...

Rob

[engineer_gregh]

Nah, I don't agree that you got what you deserved. I've chased trucks for years before buying them. You've successfully planted the seed and you never know, you may just end up with the truck. Keep the faith brother.

[special-K]

You always have th right to haggle.

[Already Gone]

Originally Posted by sawyerrm

My neighbor finally called me the other day and invited me to see/drive his truck. It's a sweet six cylinder and 3OTT. We had a good talk about life in general and what he had done to the truck. Turned out he had done most of the mechanical work but the paint and rust removal remained. I drove it a couple of blocks and really enjoyed it even with manual brakes and steering. I thought to myself, "this could really work". When I got back, I asked how much and got a price about double what I anticipated. I said to myself, "you fool what did you expect?". Not really in a position to haggle since I approached him. Good thing is that I got to know his a little better.

Moral of the story: If it ain't for sale, don't try to buy it.

Yes, I know, I deserved what I got...

Rob

If you dont haggle people will think they aren't asking enough. I've lost deals over the years cause I agreed to their asking price but didnt have the cash in my back ( or front) pocket. Said I'd be back the next day with cash and at 10pm the call comes and the seller says " We've been thinking about it and are going to hang on to it for a while."

[68bowtie]

Originally Posted by sawyerrm

My neighbor finally called me the other day and invited me to see/drive his truck. It's a sweet six cylinder and 3OTT. We had a good talk about life in general and what he had done to the truck. Turned out he had done most of the mechanical work but the paint and rust removal remained. I drove it a couple of blocks and really enjoyed it even with manual brakes and steering. I thought to myself, "this could really work". When I got back, I asked how much and got a price about double what I anticipated. I said to myself, "you fool what did you expect?". Not really in a position to haggle since I approached him. Good thing is that I got to know his a little better.

Moral of the story: If it ain't for sale, don't try to buy it.

Yes, I know, I deserved what I got...

Rob

sometimes people just don't realize their price is too high. i've bought things for well under half of the initial asking price. i was very sensitive and courtious, but communicated the value to me and why. and kept the door open by letting them know if they changed their mind to let me know. and i had to wait for them to come around. it doesn't happen every time but you have to keep that door open! if they really are priced too high they will figure it out eventually on their own. when they do (or if they run into a financial pinch) you need to be the first on their mind!

[54blackhornet]

My motto when I started buying cars back in the late 60's was to not give up ! Persistence pays off. I noticed a 1960 Austin Healey parked under a carport in 73, spoke to the gentleman who bought it new and after a short time agreed to a price. Boy what a car. When I moved to Oregon in 1991 I had the same experience. Parked behind a furniture store was "Olivia" 71 GMC. Old man, stores owner said he was going to restore it one day. Every time I needed a piece of furniture I would buy it from them. Moral of story the house is full of furniture and he said yes to selling her in 2013. The hunt sometimes is more fun then the vehicle itself !