PO's son wants it back

[88Lt1wagon]

Well, the previous owner's son found me yesterday while I was raking my yard. Apparently his dad sold his truck out from under him two years ago to me. He wants to buy it back from me. Problem is I've been using it a lot lately, and I've got more into it than what I paid for it between the T5 swap, aftermarket gauges and wheels. I don't really want to sell it, but I know how irritating it must be to him since my grandpa did the same thing to my dad with his '60 Apache about 30 years ago, and my dad is still bitter.

Am I out of line to ask $2000 for it? I paid $650 originally, but it's not the same truck I bought. I don't want to gouge the guy over sentimental value, but I'm going to have to turn right around and buy another truck, and people aren't giving them away right now. Do a T5, aftermarket gauges, wheels, new battery, carb rebuild, reverse lights, HEI ignition, and a few other odds and ends justify the $1300 increase? I don't know, it has sentimental value to me as well.

[tincan1966]

tough call, I agree, especially since you are experienced in both sides of the situation.
Good luck, sorry to say I have no advise, but understand.

[markeb01]

I think a reasonable profit for your time, investment, and own interest in the truck is more than fair. Consideration toward selling it at all is a thoughtful gesture. If you can live without it, him reaquiring at a fair market value would truly be an act of kindness. We've seen it before on this forum. But I wouldn't take a loss on it either, you deserve to be treated fairly as well.

[1963c-10]

I agree with Mark. I would not take a loss on your time and work. If your not overly attached to it, let the kid have it for a fair price and get another project, but on the same token....its your truck now and your blood, sweat, tears and money that have gone into it and if you have an attachment to it, then keep it. Odds are that if it was his grandfathers, he will want to return it to the configuration that it was originally, which means that all the work you did he will probably undo. If this is his intention, I'd tell him to go find another truck. If you can live with parting it and finding another, and he can enjoy the work you did to it than maybe you have some middle ground.

[MikeS.]

If you decide to sell you definitely deserve to recoup your investment. Why did it take so long for him to ask for it back?
Posted via Mobile Device

[Tshort1]

I say keep the truck, His dad/Grandfather did not will/or sell it to him for a reason. My dad has a 1954 Chevy Deluxe that he has owned since I was born in 1974, I have made it very clear to him that it will be mine when he passes. I will hold on to it until my daughter get it. If she does not want it then I will keep it till the day I pass. If this truck was important to the Kid then he should have made arrangements prior to the truck being sold.

[Tshort1]

I would also like to add that I know how the kid feels. My Grandfather passed and my dad sold all of my Grandfathers Metals from WWII to include his purple heart. I have 20 years active duty Air Force and was mortified that my dad did not even think to ask if i wanted them. I pitched a fit and my dad talked to the dealer he sold them to and I was lucky enough to get them back. So I do know both sides. So like other said it really up to you, deciding how attached you are to the truck. If you do sell it back, be sure to recoup your money if he wants it back bad enough he will pay it. I would have paid double what my dad got from the dealer to get my Grandfather metals back.

[Izedabye]

I think you should definitely at least recoup the costs that you have put into it. Including sweat equity. Lots of people wouldn't even entertain the idea of selling it back to the PO's son, let alone take a loss on it as well. I think that is going above and beyond.

[cleansquare]

I wouldnt sell it. Kid can find another truck. Why should you?
Posted via Mobile Device

[88Lt1wagon]

Originally Posted by MikeS.

If you decide to sell you definitely deserve to recoup your investment. Why did it take so long for him to ask for it back?
Posted via Mobile Device

My dad asked that same question, it's been two and a half years, that's a long time to wait. I thought maybe he just happened to drive by and see the truck in my driveway, but I don't know.

I guess I didn't make it clear, the son is in his mid thirties, he's not a kid.

Thank you guys, I think I'll go ahead and offer it to him, but you're right, I shouldn't take a loss for him.

[Rogue 64]

Good on you, It took me 12 years to get my grandfathers truck back.
2k sounds like a smoking deal for a running driving V8 truck.

[McCoyAZ]

Funny how a lot of father's and son's can't or wont communicate with each other.

If it were me I would sit the guy down, explain that you had dreams and plans for the truck but that you understand his desire to own it and that if he paid you back what you have in it you would sell it to him, although you are under no obligation at all to do so.

[LEEVON]

Sounds like a family matter. If the Dad sold the truck then clearly it wasn't his son's. I get the sentimental thing but there has got to be more to the story...I mean is the Dad just a complete A-hole who would stiff his son over $650 or what? Doesn't matter, if you have to convince yourself to sell it then you won't be happy when you see it in his driveway.

Tell him you're not interested in selling but if/when that he will be the absolute 1st call and it will make him feel a little better. Otherwise, you don't owe squat! I guess it really all depends on the character of the son though.

[61K10]

who's name was on the pink slip/reg. when you bought it? the dad's or the son's? he might be pulling a fast one on you. (nice wheels and stuff) not everyone is straight up these days. the guy's 30+---

[Rich 5150 69]

This is something that will be your call, When I bought my truck 20 some odd years ago, basket case, seller didn`t have time for it, I really think he got in over his head, one year later the PO came by and wanted to by it back, well the truck had already had new motor/trans, ps pb, alum bed, paint and updated interior, when I told him it wasn`t for sale he got upset....I some how believe this may have been a family thing as well, but I had spent too much time and money at that point to fix his mistake...

[78f1hundo]

You are in a tough situation, you use the truck and invested your time and labor. Which we all know that time and labor is a wash when it come to this hobby. If your truck is in good condition, it will be hard to replace. I would talk to the previous owner and set some terms, money invested must be returned and time to locate another truck.

You should not be out money, time and labor are a wash sometimes......

[oem4me]

If you sold the truck to the guy without gouging him, you would instantly qualify for gentleman status. There are no t-shirts or ribbons or prizes that go with earning that title. It is it's own reward, so to speak.
What the fellow is after is something that cannot be found anywhere but with your truck. No offense please, but if you paid $650 for it not too long ago, my guess is a replacement that was in similar or better shape could be found easily enough. When arriving at a price you should definitely compensate yourself for your investment. If the guy thinks he should get it for what you paid ...well, he's a little late.

[Reyals Bemus]

What everyone has said. I would personally not sell the truck.

[68Redhead]

"It's not for sell but it can be bought."

We don't get back every dollar we put into our projects but don't set yourself up to be so far in the hole for when you have to buy another truck. If he wants it that bad, he'll gladly pay for the upgrades. The people saying you can buy another truck, so can he, there's not another truck that could possibly come close to one that was actually in the family. My grandfather sold his a few years ago at a time when I couldn't buy it, I was either about to get laid off or was on unemployment and was fortunate to find it on Craigslist on Christmas Eve 2011 by the guy he sold it to. I wasn't even looking for a truck and honestly had no interest in one but when I saw the picture, I knew I had to have, price not a concern.

Look around before you sell so you won't have much downtime, perhaps you can find one that's been upgraded some as well.
Posted via Mobile Device

[T Smith]

I'd keep it or have him find me a suitable replacement.

[DesertCat]

Originally Posted by 88Lt1wagon

I guess I didn't make it clear, the son is in his mid thirties, he's not a kid.

Thank you guys, I think I'll go ahead and offer it to him, but you're right, I shouldn't take a loss for him.

Wow. Really? In his 30's? I wouldn't coddle him for a second.

If I have something that isn't for sale, I had better be offered a very compelling price for it. Regardless of the drama.

Honestly it sounds like you don't have much life experience and maybe he is taking advantage of you. Best of luck whatever you do.

[rob_stang2000]

Originally Posted by T Smith

I'd keep it or have him find me a suitable replacement.

That is a good idea if he really wants it make him do the leg work to find you a decent replacement. Then you arent out a truck and he gets what he wants.

Is he local?

[Clyde65]

I would need him to convince me WHY he should have the privilege to buy it back. You have put some money in it granted, but it has been 2 1/2 years! where has he been? this all might be purely honest and up front, but then again......

Talk with the young man, sit him down over a cup of coffee or a beer and discuss.

[bonehead]

He should make you an offer you can't refuse.

No charity is warranted

[1963c-10]

After 2nd thought and the timeline and age off the man involved, I think that I have to agree with alot of the comments here. I think that its your truck and he will just have to go find another one. If it was a 12-16 year old kid, I'd feel different about it. I see my original 63 that our family had when I was 8 or 9 all the time. I learned to drive in that truck, got my license in that truck, 1st vehicle I ever wrecked......but I have another truck and Im building what I want out of my current 63 as I wanted with my original truck.