Took a local trip, saw some trucks, got pissed off

[Vintage Windmills]

Found a 71 4x4 on craigs about an hour and a half from here. Guy wanted 1100 and it sounded pretty good other than rusty cab. Extremely original, including non HEI ignition. 350 lwb 4spd. So i talked to him 2x yesterday and confirmed today that I would be up there at 2:30-3:00. So we rented a trailer, loaded up the winch and straps, and drove the 1.5 hours. Then I get a call 20 mins before we arrive and he says he just sold the truck! Jackhole SOB!!! So now I'm po'd because we just spent $ on a trailer rental, many miles, and running a 11 mpg truck up there! Why wouldn't he tell the other guy stop out at 4:00 in case I didn't take it. I am so fed up with the idiots on craigslist. Ok, end rant. Thanks for letting me vent.

Then, trying to salvage the trip, I called on a project 69 for $450 that just happened to be pretty close by. It is the black and gold one below. It was dissappointing because it was a rusted and extremely rough CST. Pretty stripped down for a 3/4 CST though. I did not even offer anything since the only good part was the tailgate, and he wouldn't separate. It is the black and gold one below- yuk.

His friend had a 69 in primer, base model with more rust than it looks like for $950. Again, only good part was the tailgate and they wouldn't separate.

Next, my friend wanted to go to Cabelas since we were near there.

On the way home, things were looking up when we found this 69 CST with AC, BB, for $1100. He is going to take the BB out (not original engine anyways) and I'm thinking about it. The cab is pretty rusty but the bed is solid and it has some parts I want.s Below is a pic of the SPID.

Oh, and we had some adventure with the trailer rental too. No pin in the jack but a strategic wedging of it by rental morons led to it dropping down on the highway. Then later one of the ramps fell down because the spring clip had no spring in the keeper! Cop stopped to ask if we needed help. At least the state troopers here will stop and offer to help if you are on the side of the road.

By the way, how come I can't choose where the photos are placed in this message?

[mtdave2]

That kind of stuff does make you mad. Though I will say I have been on the other side dozens of times now and it has given me a different perspective. When someone would call me and say they wanted to look at something at a specific time, I would change plans and make sure I was there. I would say 6 or 7 times out of 10 they would not show up.

I would have people come look at something, said they wanted to buy it and would be back tomorrow. I would then have 2 others show up with cash in hand wanting to buy, I told them it was sold but to check back. Can you see this one coming? Ya, they first guy never came back, the other 2 never checked back....last time that happened.

Every add from then on I posted in the add, fist one with the cash in my hand gets the item. no holding. now if someone who was in the situation you were, would have given me 50 bucks and said they were going to rent a trailer and comeback tomorrow. I would have held it. But you can’t blame a guy for not holding something just on the word of as stranger.

[big_al_71]

unfortunetly this happens both ways there are all kinds of flakes out there....

[special-K]

That sucks. If someone looks at a truck and says they'll be back tomorrow without leaving a deposit (non-refundable) it don't mean jack. That vehicle would still be for sale. If someone is due to come look at a specific time I have to assume they are coming. If someone gets there quicker it doesn't matter. They have to wait until the other person fails to do as they said before I give them a shot. They can look it over and offer to buy if the other deal fails. But there's more to it than 1st one with cash in hand. It's first to respond,not whoever can get there first.

[Classic Heartbeat]

I feel your pain!!! I have been looking for a low mile Duramax to replace my Silverado I traded in on a motorhome. I had been checking craigslist for months when a 2003 GMC extended cab long bed, with matching lund canopy popped up. It had only 36000 miles and when I called him was able to negotiate a 20,000 price for the truck. He told me he couldn't sell me the truck that day because he was in Portland visiting family over the weakend, but would be back monday. He also said he would call me when he got home so we could do the deal. He had previousely told me where the truck was and said that I could look it over to be sure that I wanted it. I did that and the truck was like new!! So needless to say I was excited and prepairing to accept my new truck!! Well monday came, and I waited untill about noon for his call. So when he didn't call, I called him figuring he must be coming in late, and I called him. When he answered I told him who I was and I was coming over with cash in hand to purchase his truck when he got home. He said to wait, because he had talked to someone else and he was coming over in the evening to look at the truck, and that guy sounded pretty seriouse about it. If that guy didn't purchase the truck he would call me to make the deal. I reminded him that we had already struck a deal 2 days befor and he just brushed it off. Needless to say the other guy bought the truck and I was left holding the bag!! WES

[too much stuff]

I think the second one pictured has been on craigs list for quite awile.
Not sure why the first guy didn't give you a little more time. I always try to get names and numbers of interested parties because there are so many that will "call back" or "come up this weekend". It is easier to call them back. I would still give X amount of time to make the trip. Especially traveling a distance like you did. Which direction did you go?

[Vintage Windmills]

Originally Posted by special-K

That sucks. If someone looks at a truck and says they'll be back tomorrow without leaving a deposit (non-refundable) it don't mean jack. That vehicle would still be for sale. If someone is due to come look at a specific time I have to assume they are coming. If someone gets there quicker it doesn't matter. They have to wait until the other person fails to do as they said before I give them a shot. They can look it over and offer to buy if the other deal fails. But there's more to it than 1st one with cash in hand. It's first to respond,not whoever can get there first.

Amen, he could have just said to the 2nd guy (guy who bought it) to check back after 4:00. That way, even if I didn't buy it, the other guy would not be turned away for more than a few hours at most. At the very least, he should have given me a chance to look at it first. He knew I was coming from a distance, would be there between 2:30 and 3 and that I was interested in taking it. I had not seen the truck before, this was my first opportunity to see.

When I am the seller, I do what special K said.

Too much stuff- This 4x4 was by princeton.

[Vintage Windmills]

Also, I have a question on the SPID i posted. What is the Windshield Glass II option? Are the heavy front springs rare for a 3/4 ton 2wd?

Thanks,

jud

[mtdave2]

Originally Posted by special-K

It's first to respond,not whoever can get there first.

i used to think so too. after you loose a few sales because of trying to do this, a guy changes his mind.

now don't get me wrong, if someone called me and said they are on the way right now, with money in hand, and will be there in an hour. I probably would hold it. if another wanted to buy it, i may call him to make sure they are coming. though this would not be something i would do often.

to me it truly is who ever get there with the money first gets it. i think that is more fair and anything.

[Vintage Windmills]

Any thoughts on the windshield option on the SPID? Actually it says WINDSHIELD GLASS T1.

[Rob H.]

I know this feeling very well, in 1985 I was 17 and found a freshly painted 69 stepside, nothing fancy but at 17 I thought it was the coolest truck ever and I'd been hunting for one from the time I started driving. The old guy said $1100, he wouldn't take a check, wanted cash, I told him no problem, that I'd be back the next day after school with the money. I went to the bank and got the money from my account and had Dad run me up there. We pulled in the driveway and no truck, the guy wouldn't even come out and talk too us, he sent his daughter in law out to tell us he'd sold it that morning. The worst thing was I saw it everyday on the ride to school after that and knew the guy that bought it. I laughed at him when he wrecked it 6 months later and he knew why!