Dealing with professional curbstoners: Off-topic discussion forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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Aug. 27, 2010 8:12 a.m. wcelliot Reader

Every find yourself considering doing business with someone you think may be a hustler because of the possible opportunity of a good deal on something you want?

Not a Nigerian type of scammer, but a pro (or semi-pro) curbstoner type that advertises the same car at widely varying price points in different venues and also runs a bunch of those "junk cars removed free" and "cheap mobile bodywork done on your premises" sorts? His car ads typically sound like he's moving soon and is desperate to sell the car.

I'm sure many of us here could at one time or another be characterized similarly while conducting completely ethical legal transactions (heck, I have 5 cars listed on Craigslist myself right now), but this is also the refuge of criminals who prey on those less informed.

So this guy has a car that I like and (in his lowest priced ad) at a price down near to what I'd pay for it... likely over dealer auction pricing (pretty much my desired price point) but below KBB or NADA trade in, so not in the "too good to be true" realm... but low enough that I'm a more than a bit wary given his other adverts.

Think it's worth my time to engage? Or should I trust my intial instinct and ignore?

Bill
Aug. 27, 2010 8:38 a.m. JtspellS New Reader

Former car slaesmen? lol
Aug. 27, 2010 10:18 a.m. egnorant Dork

Have you actually see the vehicle up close? If the deal seems a bit off kilter...you can always walk away with your money still in your pocket.

Bruce
Aug. 27, 2010 10:34 a.m. wcelliot Reader

I haven't even gotten to the point of contacting them yet. I dread them burning up my time if I'm going to get jerked around.

Before I'd even consider it, I'd run a CARFAX (it's new enough) and want to see a title... of course that hurts the "spontaneous low ball offer" that's so often successful.

Bill
Aug. 27, 2010 10:40 a.m. MrJoshua SuperDork

I would expect to be lied to. There is also a much higher chance of a headgasket in a can or sawdust in the diff type of repair. Check the body for painted over rust, evidence of wrecks, etc... Basically, go into it assuming they are trying to screw you and then try to figure out how. After all that, they are selling cars they bought really cheap, so they can usually sell lower than market value so you can sometimes get a deal.
Aug. 27, 2010 11:12 a.m. wcelliot Reader

Interesting phone call with him.

First, he refused to acknowledge who I was speaking with until I clearly indentified myself and why I was calling. Immediate alarm bells going off.

But after that point, he sounded like a kid and had mostly the right answers (though he mislead me about the mileage if one of his many ads is correct) to a series of questions that he wouldn't have been prepared for (unless he's really, really good).

The car is apparently at his parents' house, his dad is retired and at home, so I can "go see it at any time".

While claiming it's mechanically sound, he volunteered a list of cosmetic flaws (possibly because he fears I would discover that he used a "stock" photo of the car in his ad, not an actual one.) Of course a pro lists a long list of minor flaws to detract attention from big ones...

Unfortunately it's all the way across town and I don't want to deal with Friday afternoon traffic, so I'm making plans to go see tomorrow.... if the kid is for real (and the car anywhere close the condition he claims) a lowball cash offer is sounding like a possible winner here... but my gut still tells me I'll be wasting my time.
Aug. 27, 2010 11:21 a.m. oldtin HalfDork

Mixed bag - only way you'll know for sure is to go check it out. His interest is turning inventory. Approach with caution.
Aug. 27, 2010 1:06 p.m. foxtrapper SuperDork

I've bought from them. I'm buying the vehicle, not the salesman. So I'm inspecting the vehicle, not the salesman. I'm listening to the vehicle, not the salesman.

The only thing the salesman usually has to say that I am interested in is the price.

Seriously, a salesman at a used car dealership knows nothing more about the used car they are selling me than a curbstoner. Inspect the heck out of the car.
Aug. 27, 2010 8:35 p.m. Knurled HalfDork

JtspellS wrote:

Former car slaesmen? lol

They aren't always former. I went with a friend to look at an XR4Ti, and in the guy's oral diarrhea (tip: Don't talk much. It makes them talk more) it came out that his son owned a used car lot, and half of the cars on his property were also for sale.

My guess is, he was "privately" selling cars that he wouldn't be able to move on the lot.

Also, it's good to be wary of fresh paint, on a "never rust 100% clean" car. That has no rockers. Oh, and apparently, "no rust" means "no rust visible from a standing position". At least, that's what he said after we pointed out that we could touch carpet without opening the doors...
Aug. 27, 2010 8:40 p.m. Knurled HalfDork

foxtrapper wrote:

I've bought from them. I'm buying the vehicle, not the salesman. So I'm inspecting the vehicle, not the salesman. I'm listening to the vehicle, not the salesman.

Meta-data, man. There's the data, and then there's the value of that data.

You know the value of the data from your own inspection. However, if the guy is obviously feeding you a line about some things, that throws up a red flag: what else is there that you're NOT seeing?

I'm far FAR more likely to buy from somebody who is honest about a car's issues because of this.
Aug. 27, 2010 8:57 p.m. ignorant SuperDork

I had some guys come and buy a truck from me that I'm sure were pro's...

They chiseled me down to half price.. (Ok I expected it, the trans was shot)..

A/C Broken, Trans Shot, front end loose, and bad locking hubs. That was my 98 ranger sold for $2900 with 160k miles on it.. I wanted $4700 originally. Ha ha.
Aug. 28, 2010 3:18 p.m. wcelliot Reader

Car ('93 Vette conv LT1/6sp) was a dump and the deal questionable at best... (it was wearing just expired Maryland plates and a just expired VA inspection, meaning either the plates aren't for the car ot somebody felt the need to get an unnecessary VA inspection on a MD car. (Car was inVA)

I don't think he was a curbstoner... seemed more like a young enthusiast in over his head in a long-poverty owned unmaintained car...

I'll make another post on the car itself... he's motivated to sell and this could be a really cheap price of admission into an LT1/6sp vert for someone willing to take on a project... I think just about any cash offer would have taken it... I couldn't even bring myself to make a salvage value offer, afraid he'd take it...

He did have an awesomely cute sister though. ;-)

Bill