Wasted Trip For Parts Blazer - Ranting

[rsavage]

Found a Craig's list ad for a 72 GMC Jimmy for parts a couple weeks ago in Michigan (about 300 miles from me going across Canada). Called on it, asked if it had a title (was told yes) asked about what was there etc. and decided that I'd buy it. Sent a postal MO deposit and made arrangements to go today. Rented a uhaul auto transport and headed out. After about a six hour drive (and 2 border crossings) I arrive only to be told that the owner can't find the title. Obviously, I am not going to attempt to take a vehicle across the border and back into the states with no paperwork, so I got my deposit back and went back home. 600 miles total. Can't believe someone would tell you they had a title and then a week later they can't find it. The A hole knew I was coming as I had spoken with him on the phone Saturday to insure that Wednesday would be good for pickup. And to top it off, it was sitting on 4 flat tires with beads rolled off the rims. Great prep. Maybe in the end it was a good thing. Photos ands description were much better than the real deal. An absolute total rot box with the only usable metal being the windshield frame (I think). Okay - done with my rant.

[truckster]

Very frustrating. I sympathize with you.

[YBNORML]

I hear ya, I've lost count of how many wild goose chases I've gone on.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the hunt. I just hate it when people misrepresent what they have.
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[vtblazer]

Been there...

Drove up into the upper most part of Maine from VT, so far up you couls see Canada across the river.

Only to have the same out come, the 'really nice' blazer I went to pick up was a total POS, to top it off, all the restoration work the guy said had been done (which is what made it 'so' nice) made it even worse...total hack job!

Drove all the way to Mississippi once and came home empty too...

[cleszkie]

I hear that. I found a set of rims on craigslist and called the guy to verify the rim width before I made the road trip. He assured me that they were the 9.75 width I was looking for. Long story short, I ended up spending 6 hours on the road (round trip) only to find that the rims were 6 inch wide. I wanted to crush the guy's skull with them

[scooterskoolkustoms]

some people are a holes.I'm finding a lot of them on craigslist why is that?

[chuckmc8]

I learn this stuff the hard way also. Having the guy send either a clear photo of both sides of the title or a scan has to happen b4 I drive more than an a hour.

(EDITED: I expect to receive the title image with the last part of the VIN and Title # blacked out, sorry I didnt include this in orig post, I assumed people knew this. Clear to me means that the photo or scan is legible. Sending the pic or scan just lets me know that the title is in this persons name and for the specific type vehicle we are discussing works)
.

If I can find someone local to put an "eyeball" on a vehicle b4 I hook up the trailer works good, too. I have had others look for me and I have done this for others as well.
Both have saved me time, $$ and frustration....

[Jtrux]

It goes both ways too, I've had CL buyers show up without all the $ or any at all for that matter, I always include lots of pics ( no matter what I'm selling ) and a full description and seem to attract " tire kickers". Not everyone is desperate for money and they always seem to think u will take a lot less money since they r right there in front of u. My last bad experience was with some furniture, the couple insisted that they would take the stuff home, set it up and then pay once they saw how it looked. They said they did it all the time where they were from (foreigners), I didn't even try to be polite when I kicked them out, i completely lost my cool using every word on the book, they even had a moving crew with them and actually thought I was gonna go for it. I'm getting mad again just thinking about it!
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[teeitup]

I feel for you, some craigslist guys are flakes. I called and emailed a guy about a truck, he didn't reply, then 3 days later I text him asking for pics, finally he replied, he said it just a $500 truck, I said I'd like to see pics before I drive the 4 hour round trip, so I told him how he could send me pics through email, he told me I was rude for telling him that and wanting pics. I tried to tell him I like to see what he has before driving to buy it. Then I told he could keep it, wow I wasn't very happy with him accusing me of being rude, I was trying to buy the thing

[old man jimmy]

Originally Posted by chuckmc8

I learn this stuff the hard way also. Having the guy send either a clear photo of both sides of the title or a scan has to happen b4 I drive more than an a hour.
If I can find someone local to put an "eyeball" on a vehicle b4 I hook up the trailer works good, too. I have had others look for me and I have done this for others as well.
Both have saved me time, $$ and frustration....

Just my two cents worth... But I would highly recommend that nobody on here send a perfect stranger a clear copy of their title...