Oh where to start?
Not to bad off, I was lucky to have friends close by who new British cars.
The first one was billed as perfect, good enough to drive home, well worth
the trip, a great car. Asked my buddy to check it out. He sent a two page,
single space description of the car, nothing positive. He could see the
ground through the floor, I would say floorboards but there were not any
there. When he put it in reverse the rear left wheel flew off the hub. Of
course it did start. The next car came with the same description and I had
a friend check it out and it was as described and I bought it.
On the other hand, I have also been a seller and oh the promises to buy,
"Please hold it for me, I will be there this weekend", "I will send you a
deposit first thing in the morning". Even had one guy run me ragged taking
pictures and mailing them. He even sent me a small deposit and asked that
I hold the car until Spring since money was tight. I agreed, turned down
two other very serious buyers and waited. Called a him a time or two to set
up a time to get the car, finally got a letter stating he changed his mind.
He called back a month later and said he changed his mind and wanted the
car. I asked for the balance and he agreed. Ten days later another letter
saying he changed his mind again. This after I turned off another serious
buyer.
Anyway, things always work out. I think I will keep the car, the weather
has turned warm....
THANKS!
----- Original Message -----
From: Bruce Burrows <bburrows@webtv.net>
To: <mgs@autox.team.net>
Sent: Tuesday, March 14, 2000 8:40 AM
Subject: Travelling to buy - horror stories
> Yesterday I wrote regarding the need to mention location in "MG for
> sale" ads. I appreciate all the responses, both from those who agreed
> and those who disagreed. I did get one nasty unsigned response (just
> one), probably from somebody who had never thought before of the entire
> issue. Funny.
>
> But one responder here touched upon an important matter which is related
> to the foregoing. It probably has happened to many of us:
> misrepresentation at a distance.
>
> You call, the car is further away than you wish it were, but the
> description is glowing. You make the trip and the car is Gawdawful.
> Here is just one of my stories:
>
> An MGA for $1500 (this was early in 1999). Engine was out and car
> needed everything, but the seller promised a body with NO RUST. I
> challenged him several times on the phone. Each time he assured me -
> "absolutely no rust".
> The car was in state for me, but about a seven hour trip. Normally I
> would not travel that far, just too tough. But a complete 100% rust
> free MGA for $1500! Wow! I made the trip.
>
> Well, the first thing I noticed was the front top of the driver's side
> rear wing had a large hole rusted clear through. The car went down hill
> from there. This is "absolutely no rust" I inquired of the owner, after
> again reminding him of the length of travel. He became angry and
> indignant and all but kicked me out.
>
> Yeah, I know I was an idiot to have fallen for this. I am not the
> sharpest knife in the drawer to begin with, and you can wave an MGA
> under my nose and lead me anywhere (well, almost).
>
> But I do wonder how often this sort of thing happens today. To me, if I
> were a seller, I might tend to be a little too positive when speaking
> (on the phone) to a potential buyer nearby. I admit I would try to
> induce the caller to drop over and look at the car. But I would never
> misrepresent a car and/or lead on somebody who lived far away to finagle
> them into a long and expensive trip. It is sobering to realize there
> are sellers out there who will do this.
>
> Anyway, that's MHO. It would be interesting to know the experiences of
> others when doing MG shopping at a distance.
>
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