Ebay truck - potential buyers cautioned to do due diligence

[DeadheadNM]

Many issues with this 72 truck not addressed by the seller - I saw several bids and don't want to see a member get stuck with something less than they were expecting:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevrolet-C-...US_Cars_Trucks

[teeitup]

wow 2wd body, upper trim is WAY to high. Love the rivets on the vin plate. I'm sure there is more, I just took a quick look

[teeitup]

I emailed him Pete, I wonder if he will reply

[CastIron]

Wrong year engine, a lot of parts painted over. Shouldn't a K20 have 8 lug wheels? And it says "restored" lol. More like hacked together from multiple vehicles.

[71K20chevy]

Might be the absolute worst "restored" truck I've ever seen. Shoulda just left it alone...

[Z10]

I just emailed him asking him to explain the altered VIN.

[Lattimer]

I like the picture with the missing lug nut and wheel stud.

[57taskforce]

Nothing says perfect restoration like a broken lug stud, 6 lug axles with 20 badges on the side and the sellers not its a 1/2 ton and not a 3/4 like he accidentally listed it as. It's fine to change things from stock, but at least be honest about it and present it as such. I can't imagine why there's no spid pic??? The rivets on the vin tag are another thing entirely.

[leftybass209]

I think some of you should respect the owners choice of preferences for his vehicle. This isn't a forum for bashing and pointing out flaws on vehicles. The vin is cause for concern but could have been removed for paint. The 3/4, 1/2 ton issue is somewhat explained in the ad. If you truly have an interest in the truck email the owner and discuss your concerns.

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by leftybass209

I think some of you should respect the owners choice of preferences for his vehicle. This isn't a forum for bashing and pointing out flaws on vehicles. The vin is cause for concern but could have been removed for paint. The 3/4, 1/2 ton issue is somewhat explained in the ad. If you truly have an interest in the truck email the owner and discuss your concerns.

Thank you. Now I don't have to type it out.

[Unionwelder]

[teeitup]

Leftybass209, I understand what your saying BUT with vin tag being a 2wd vin and the tag having wrong rivets, if someone in a state that inspects them, they would be screwed on getting a title in their state. In Kansas in order to get a clear title frame and vin have to match. Its clearly misrepresented, look how new the rivets are. Someone who spends the kind of money he is asking for it is going to be real pissed when they go try to inspect and register it. He replied to my question and said its a 2wd vin but says its legal since his DMV inspected it and gave him a clear title. Inspection would not fly in Kansas, once the frame numbers didn't match. Then the buyer would have a $12000 (depending on what you had to pay for it to start with) atleast in a truck that he couldn't get clear title for, then he would have to go through and spend more money to get a KS title, which I have done and its a pain. My learning experience only cost me on a $5000 truck

[Lee H]

I appreciate members pointing out problems with ads. Could help help a fellow member avoid problems.

[LockDoc]

-
The facts can be stated without bashing.... It's all in the choice of words. Some realize that and some don't. It's the ones that don't that get the threads locked.

LockDoc

[Aruba1]

For something being sold as "restored", I would be concerned about the large corrosion showing on the driver's side rocker panel. Shoot, if I was the seller I sure would have stated that in the description. Just saying....

[70cst]

Folks .... lets be positive in our responses.

Thanks

[Aruba1]

Sorry if it was me :-)

[Z10]

I sent the following to the owner:
Dear northwestm4x4,

Can you explain why the Vin Plate on your truck was removed and reattached with the wrong rivets? Does this Vin go with this truck. Would you be willing to have your DMV certify that it belongs to the truck?
Thanks,

His response:

Dear *****,

has been inspected by the dmv already so I have a title and matching vin that belongs to this truck there's no further inspection necessary. I assume the plate was removed while painting then reattached but not for sure.

My response to him:
Dear northwestm4x4,

You probably aren't aware of this, but your vin tag is for a 2 wheel drive truck. Also, the proper rivets used for attaching a vin are called rosette rivets. If inspected by your DMV, or another states DMV the truck could be confiscated as a stolen truck, and of course you would be held responsible. I do like your truck, but this is an issue.
Best Regards,


I'm betting this guy has no idea that he has a problem with the VIN. Hopefully he will do a little homework.

[70cst]

No problem ...

I think a positive response is healthy.

To inform is ok...to bash is a no no.

Sometimes the line between to two is thin

[redbaron]

I'm glad Deadhead started this thread and other members pointed out the peculiarities of this truck. I live in the great state of Idaho where the seller is also from and guarantee you I would not buy the truck. He may have got lucky with his local DMV rep there. Here our DMV rep is very strict and looks at the frame vins. Also look on the sellers ebay history, there is a negative response for misrepresenting another truck a buyer bought on it. I just don't understand why some members on here are being called basher. The facts look to speak for themselves.

[teeitup]

I'm not sure how to inform without bashing on this one. I guess if you get burnt by someone like this before you hold hard feelings.
He knows its a 2wd vin but does not state that in add, he personally told me through email he knew it. Its a drum brake front end with a rockwell transfer case, 67-70 model. Its very hard to be positive when there are so many red flags. I'm just being honest, if its against board rules I'm sorry, but I'd hate for a board member to buy this and find more issues

[70cst]

Originally Posted by teeitup

I'm not sure how to inform without bashing on this one. I guess if you get burnt by someone like this before you hold hard feelings.
He knows its a 2wd vin but does not state that in add, he personally told me through email he knew it. Its a drum brake front end with a rockwell transfer case, 67-70 model. Its very hard to be positive when there are so many red flags. I'm just being honest, if its against board rules I'm sorry, but I'd hate for a board member to buy this and find more issues

Easy...

Good reply...
"Thats a nice looking truck but is ??? correct?"

Bad reply...
"Who would buy this truck...Look at all the issues this truck has ..."

Glass 1/2 full or half empty approach.

[C10_ustacould]

Just some perspective from someone who got hammered on a truck purchased here on this site. I welcome all comments with regard to items that are intentionally misrepresented in their description. In fact, I wish someone who had seen the last truck I bought in person would have spoken up before I bought it. There are some instances when the owner doesn't know what he is selling, this type of person is ignorant and a buyer not a builder, and would hopefully react positively to concrete proof provided to correct the description on the vehicle for sale. But, there many instances where the seller is out to take advantage of someone for profit and that person is open season to be challenged in my opinion, the trick is knowing which person you are dealing with. The douche bags need to be outed and the ignorant need to be educated. Just my 2¢…

[70cst]

Originally Posted by Bucks68

Just some perspective from someone who got hammered on a truck purchased here on this site. I welcome all comments with regard to items that are intentionally misrepresented in their description. In fact, I wish someone who had seen the last truck I bought in person would have spoken up before I bought it. There are some instances when the owner doesn't know what he is selling, this type of person is ignorant and a buyer not a builder, and would hopefully react positively to concrete proof provided to correct the description on the vehicle for sale. But, there many instances where the seller is out to take advantage of someone for profit and that person is open season to be challenged in my opinion, the trick is knowing which person you are dealing with. The douche bags need to be outed and the ignorant need to be educated. Just my 2¢…

Well said ...

[DeadheadNM]

Lately I've seen several trucks for sale that are misrepresented and suspect this may happen more frequently as these trucks (and K5's) continue to gain more popularity. We should have an outlet to critique vehicles for the veracity of claims made by sellers - I see this as a community service to myself and other interested members who may want (as I do) to learn more about the trucks in general.

Maybe the best way to approach any criticism is to do so as if you believed the owner was reading the thread. I agree that disparaging remarks about things like paint color or wheel selection are unnecessary but do see educational value in pointing out errors on builds advertised as "restored" vis-a-vis items like trim placement, possible sites of hidden rust, wrong cab, incorrect drive train, etc.