Golden rules for truck/car buying - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

chuckmc8 · 08-12-2009, 05:46 AM

I thought I'd start a list, add your rules also.

*THE GOLDEN RULES OF CLASSIC AUTO BUYING*

1. IF IT IS NOT WORTH GOING TO LOOK AT FIRST, ITS NOT WORTH BUYING.
2. ONLY PAY THE ABSOLUTE MINUIMUM TO HOLD THE CAR, THEN PAY THE REST IN CASH WHEN YOU INSPECT IT AND PICK IT UP.
3. NEVER TRUST A FART WHEN TRAVELING OR A SELLERS PHOTOGRAPH.
4.VERIFY VIN NUMBERS AND TITLES B4 YOU SWAP $$$$$.
5. REALIZE THAT "HONEST SOUNDING AND FRIENDLY" ARE COMMON SELLER TRAITS, NOT AN INDICATION OF TRUSTWORTHINESS.

*GOLDEN RULES OF AUTO SELLING*

1. NEVER TAKE ANYTHING BUT CASH, AND THEN ONLY AT A BANK. DO NOT,NOT,NOT TAKE CASH AT YOUR HOME AFTER BANK HOURS. The bad guys have been known to come back during the night. I TELL THE BUYER THAT THE TITLE IS AT THE BANK AND THAT WE NEED TO DO THE TRANSACTION THERE. then I deposit the $$ and make sure the buyer knows it. This isnt AS critical on $500 but it is on $15k.

2. DELIVER OR MEET ONLY IF YOUR MILEAGE IS PAID NON REFUNDABLE WITH CERT FUNDS TO COVER THE ROUND TRIP BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME.
IF YOU MEET SOMEWHERE ON THE ROAD, MEET AT A LOCAL BRANCH OF YOUR BANK, TAKE CASH AND REFER TO RULE #1. DONT DRIVE AWAY WITH 10 GRAND. WHO FOLLOWED THE BUYER IN THE OTHER CAR?

CHIME IN WITH OTHERS.

big_al_71 · 08-12-2009, 09:41 AM

Big Al's input.....

* Touch it, Feel it, Drive it & look at it in PERSON.......
* Don't meet anyone by your self Take another person preferably a male that is in shape and has a set of cojones in case something goes down.
* Go to the Tag agency to make sure your car is off your name if not get a bill of sale notarized that as of this moment you DO NOT own the vehicle anymore.

PanelDeland · 08-12-2009, 10:08 AM

Call about insurance before paying out the big bucks.(My B-I-L bought a Vette that cost more to insure than he paid for it)

CB24 · 08-12-2009, 10:56 AM

What about using paypal? Good or bad idea?

brn agn · 08-12-2009, 11:42 AM

I'll add a couple:

-Never look at a vehicle at night (even when it is in a lighted garage)
-If you purchase a non-running or non-driving vehicle, expect twice as much to be wrong with it then what the seller discloses

big_al_71 · 08-12-2009, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CB24

What about using paypal? Good or bad idea?

Can't stand paypal with their fees and attitude towards solving problems.

mclairmo · 08-12-2009, 01:47 PM

1. Check DMV back fees/fines, if any.
2. Use a magnet to check for bondo.
3. Check, smell, feel and look at all the fluids that you can to verify condition.
4. Dress in your dirty clothes so you can crawl under the car/truck and check for rust, frame damage, bad body work, bondo, leaks, damage, etc.
5. Bring a flashlight.
6. Verify it is not stolen.
7. Draft and sign and purchase/sale contract.
8. Send to DMV a release of liability form after you sell.
9. Assume that all repairs will take 3 times longer to perform and cost three times more than you think.

chuckmc8 · 08-12-2009, 02:29 PM

If the seller sez "It only needs __________ to be runnning/fixed and it will only cost a few dollars",... offer to pay the few dollars and have him fix it and you'll pick it up as soon as its ready. Watch 'em back peddle on this one!

If selling, dont allow buyers to come to your home. Meet at the nearest quickie mart to your home. I had a rough bunch (rednecks) over from an ad on CL last week. I wont do that again. If what your selling isnt mobile, have someone like Al describes to be at your place when the 'lookers' arrive. It may be a little rougher where I live than other places.

**leddzepp** · 08-12-2009, 02:31 PM

One of my favorites:

"A/C just needs a re-charge"

LOL...well then, how come you haven't done it yet?

cparman · 08-12-2009, 05:26 PM

Dang you guys are hard!!
BUT SPOT ON !

If it sounds to good to be true, it is.

When I bought my Blazer, I went to look at it with NO MONEY, and an attitude! I wanted it, but was looking for a reason not to. We all work hard for our money, and I was determined not to buy the Blazer. The PO had it on a rack, up in the air when I got there. It had been there all night. Spent 30 minutes under it looking with a flashlight for trouble. Found some, and the dropped it down and went for a ride. Found other issues, but no deal breakers.
The PO said " the A/C is there but does not work " I took that to mean $1000. A week later I went back and bought it. Drove it home 100 miles.

70chevytruck · 08-12-2009, 05:52 PM

Never buy a truck off Evil Bay without first inspecting it!!!!Even if you have to have a third party check it out first!
$3000 lesson learned the hard way.....

truckster · 08-12-2009, 06:00 PM

I'll add one of my cardinal rules- BE PATIENT. If you don't feel like you need to jump at the first one that comes along, you can usually get a good deal. At the same time, know what things are worth, so when you do find that killer deal, you don't let it slip by.

**71swb4x4** · 08-12-2009, 06:47 PM

Most of the advice is sound, but I have a couple things to add. If the vehicle is a lot of money, taking cash to purchase the vehicle may be a BAD idea. What if the buyer is setting you up to be robbed?

It is not 100% necessary to see and touch the vehicle before you buy it. But, you must do your due dilligence if you are buying site unseen. I have bought six vehicles site-unseen and have been happy with five of them. The sixth I was mildly disappointed, but the problems I found probably wouldn't have been deal breakers anyway. If you aren't going to look at it, get an impartial third party to look at it for you, preferably someone you know. Have them take pictures for you. Make certain they know that their job is to tell you all of the bad things.

cparman · 08-12-2009, 07:01 PM

I agree with this also. I have a client that sent me to California to look at a street rod. When I called him, I told him all of the things I thought he would not like. The current owner was listening to the conversation, and he agreed with my description, and at the end of the phone call my client had bought a 65k street rod. 3 weeks later It was in Jax Fl, and is 'AS DESCRIBED " I knew we would have an issue with the A/C, but MAN this is a nice ride. The trick of having someone that is impartial is huge when you are buying expensive cars 15k and up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71swb4x4

Most of the advice is sound, but I have a couple things to add. If the vehicle is a lot of money, taking cash to purchase the vehicle may be a BAD idea. What if the buyer is setting you up to be robbed?

It is not 100% necessary to see and touch the vehicle before you buy it. But, you must do your due dilligence if you are buying site unseen. I have bought six vehicles site-unseen and have been happy with five of them. The sixth I was mildly disappointed, but the problems I found probably wouldn't have been deal breakers anyway. If you aren't going to look at it, get an impartial third party to look at it for you, preferably someone you know. Have them take pictures for you. Make certain they know that their job is to tell you all of the bad things.

**70cst** · 08-13-2009, 12:43 AM

Geeeeee...if I follow all these rules I will never again foolishly but a truck on the spur of the moment.

prairewolf · 08-13-2009, 05:24 AM

only tell people you trust and like/love the final $#'s, ... everybody else will just suck the life out of an otherwise enjoyable moment, by telling you you paid too much or sold too cheap.

chuckmc8 · 08-13-2009, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70cst

Geeeeee...if I follow all these rules I will never again foolishly but a truck on the spur of the moment.

I know this is a typo, but I laughed out when I read this. I have foolishly 'butted' a few in my time, too

**70cst** · 08-13-2009, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckmc8

I know this is a typo, but I laughed out when I read this. I have foolishly 'butted' a few in my time, too

oooooppppsssss.

What I said...

Quote:

Geeeeee...if I follow all these rules I will never again foolishly but a truck on the spur of the moment

What I meant

Quote:

Geeeeee...if I follow all these rules I will never again foolishly buy a truck on the spur of the moment

When you learn to spell like me you all can become a MOD to.

08-12-2009, 09:41 AM	#2
big_al_71 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: South Florida Posts: 11,375	Re: Golden rules for truck/car buying Big Al's input..... * Touch it, Feel it, Drive it & look at it in PERSON....... * Don't meet anyone by your self Take another person preferably a male that is in shape and has a set of cojones in case something goes down. * Go to the Tag agency to make sure your car is off your name if not get a bill of sale notarized that as of this moment you DO NOT own the vehicle anymore. __________________ Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please!!!!!. Sylvester's build thread >>>http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ht=big+rebuild

08-12-2009, 10:08 AM	#3
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,992	Re: Golden rules for truck/car buying Call about insurance before paying out the big bucks.(My B-I-L bought a Vette that cost more to insure than he paid for it) __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

08-12-2009, 10:56 AM	#4
CB24 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Surprise, AZ Posts: 138	Re: Golden rules for truck/car buying What about using paypal? Good or bad idea?

08-12-2009, 11:42 AM	#5
brn agn Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Youngsville, NC Posts: 952	Re: Golden rules for truck/car buying I'll add a couple: -Never look at a vehicle at night (even when it is in a lighted garage) -If you purchase a non-running or non-driving vehicle, expect twice as much to be wrong with it then what the seller discloses __________________ 1969 C10 SWB Project Charity Case AKA "Roscoe" 1971 Cheyenne Super A Combined Effort The Service Station-A practical ministry for those in need

08-12-2009, 01:47 PM	#7
mclairmo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Take Off Posts: 1,908	Re: Golden rules for truck/car buying 1. Check DMV back fees/fines, if any. 2. Use a magnet to check for bondo. 3. Check, smell, feel and look at all the fluids that you can to verify condition. 4. Dress in your dirty clothes so you can crawl under the car/truck and check for rust, frame damage, bad body work, bondo, leaks, damage, etc. 5. Bring a flashlight. 6. Verify it is not stolen. 7. Draft and sign and purchase/sale contract. 8. Send to DMV a release of liability form after you sell. 9. Assume that all repairs will take 3 times longer to perform and cost three times more than you think.

08-12-2009, 05:46 AM	#1
chuckmc8 It's alsways something..... Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Douglasville GA Posts: 1,171	Golden rules for truck/car buying I thought I'd start a list, add your rules also. THE GOLDEN RULES OF CLASSIC AUTO BUYING 1. IF IT IS NOT WORTH GOING TO LOOK AT FIRST, ITS NOT WORTH BUYING. 2. ONLY PAY THE ABSOLUTE MINUIMUM TO HOLD THE CAR, THEN PAY THE REST IN CASH WHEN YOU INSPECT IT AND PICK IT UP. 3. NEVER TRUST A FART WHEN TRAVELING OR A SELLERS PHOTOGRAPH. 4.VERIFY VIN NUMBERS AND TITLES B4 YOU SWAP $$$$$. 5. REALIZE THAT "HONEST SOUNDING AND FRIENDLY" ARE COMMON SELLER TRAITS, NOT AN INDICATION OF TRUSTWORTHINESS. GOLDEN RULES OF AUTO SELLING 1. NEVER TAKE ANYTHING BUT CASH, AND THEN ONLY AT A BANK. DO NOT,NOT,NOT TAKE CASH AT YOUR HOME AFTER BANK HOURS. The bad guys have been known to come back during the night. I TELL THE BUYER THAT THE TITLE IS AT THE BANK AND THAT WE NEED TO DO THE TRANSACTION THERE. then I deposit the $$ and make sure the buyer knows it. This isnt AS critical on $500 but it is on $15k. 2. DELIVER OR MEET ONLY IF YOUR MILEAGE IS PAID NON REFUNDABLE WITH CERT FUNDS TO COVER THE ROUND TRIP BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME. IF YOU MEET SOMEWHERE ON THE ROAD, MEET AT A LOCAL BRANCH OF YOUR BANK, TAKE CASH AND REFER TO RULE #1. DONT DRIVE AWAY WITH 10 GRAND. WHO FOLLOWED THE BUYER IN THE OTHER CAR? CHIME IN WITH OTHERS.

08-12-2009, 02:29 PM	#8
chuckmc8 It's alsways something..... Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Douglasville GA Posts: 1,171	Re: Golden rules for truck/car buying If the seller sez "It only needs __________ to be runnning/fixed and it will only cost a few dollars",... offer to pay the few dollars and have him fix it and you'll pick it up as soon as its ready. Watch 'em back peddle on this one! If selling, dont allow buyers to come to your home. Meet at the nearest quickie mart to your home. I had a rough bunch (rednecks) over from an ad on CL last week. I wont do that again. If what your selling isnt mobile, have someone like Al describes to be at your place when the 'lookers' arrive. It may be a little rougher where I live than other places.

08-12-2009, 02:31 PM	#9
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 20,114	Re: Golden rules for truck/car buying One of my favorites: "A/C just needs a re-charge" LOL...well then, how come you haven't done it yet? __________________ 1972 C/10 Cheyenne Super SWB. Restored, loaded, slammed. 1968 C/10 50th Anniversary LWB. Unrestored, stock, daily driver/work truck. RIP ElJay RIP 67ChevyRedneck RIP Grumpy Old Man RIP FleetsidePaul

08-12-2009, 05:26 PM	#10
cparman sharp as a marble Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: atlantic beach,florida Posts: 1,082	Re: Golden rules for truck/car buying Dang you guys are hard!! BUT SPOT ON ! If it sounds to good to be true, it is. When I bought my Blazer, I went to look at it with NO MONEY, and an attitude! I wanted it, but was looking for a reason not to. We all work hard for our money, and I was determined not to buy the Blazer. The PO had it on a rack, up in the air when I got there. It had been there all night. Spent 30 minutes under it looking with a flashlight for trouble. Found some, and the dropped it down and went for a ride. Found other issues, but no deal breakers. The PO said " the A/C is there but does not work " I took that to mean $1000. A week later I went back and bought it. Drove it home 100 miles. Last edited by cparman; 08-12-2009 at 05:27 PM.

08-12-2009, 05:52 PM	#11
70chevytruck Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Buda, Texas Posts: 865	Re: Golden rules for truck/car buying Never buy a truck off Evil Bay without first inspecting it!!!!Even if you have to have a third party check it out first! $3000 lesson learned the hard way..... __________________ 70chevytruck

08-12-2009, 06:00 PM	#12
truckster Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 8,020	Re: Golden rules for truck/car buying I'll add one of my cardinal rules- BE PATIENT. If you don't feel like you need to jump at the first one that comes along, you can usually get a good deal. At the same time, know what things are worth, so when you do find that killer deal, you don't let it slip by.

08-12-2009, 06:47 PM	#13
71swb4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brookings, SD Posts: 10,499	Re: Golden rules for truck/car buying Most of the advice is sound, but I have a couple things to add. If the vehicle is a lot of money, taking cash to purchase the vehicle may be a BAD idea. What if the buyer is setting you up to be robbed? It is not 100% necessary to see and touch the vehicle before you buy it. But, you must do your due dilligence if you are buying site unseen. I have bought six vehicles site-unseen and have been happy with five of them. The sixth I was mildly disappointed, but the problems I found probably wouldn't have been deal breakers anyway. If you aren't going to look at it, get an impartial third party to look at it for you, preferably someone you know. Have them take pictures for you. Make certain they know that their job is to tell you all of the bad things. __________________ Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

08-13-2009, 12:43 AM	#15
70cst Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: New Madison, Ohio Posts: 21,377	Re: Golden rules for truck/car buying Geeeeee...if I follow all these rules I will never again foolishly but a truck on the spur of the moment. __________________ A husband can be right...or...A husband can be happy. 67-72 Chevy and GMC Trucks...The Classic Truck for the Classic Folk. 1970 CST Two tone green, 402BB, 400 Automatic, Tach, Buckets, AC, AM-FM, Tilt, GM CB, GM 8 Tract, LWB, etc JOHN 17:3...The better side of "LIFE" Remember: Everyday is a good day...Some are just gooder!

08-13-2009, 05:24 AM	#16
prairewolf Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: south dakota Posts: 1,897	Re: Golden rules for truck/car buying only tell people you trust and like/love the final $#'s, ... everybody else will just suck the life out of an otherwise enjoyable moment, by telling you you paid too much or sold too cheap. __________________ eat,work,spend,sleep,repeat. Last edited by prairewolf; 08-21-2009 at 06:17 PM.



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