|
I've bought a few things site unseen, and both had some issues that would have allowed me to hack some dollars off the price had I been able to see them up front, but because each was a model of something I kind of wanted, and knowing I'm sure to find something not mentioned after getting it home, it's part of the game. My old ford tractor, this I went and looked at, knew it was worn, and I've done quite a bit of work on since, but I've gotten my use from it, also hacked the seller on it, so I did ok. Old F-600, knew she had some rust, but nothing unrepairable and all the other potential old truck problems etc., asked the guy if the frame had any issues, he lied, bold faced lied, said it had power steering too, ha ha ha, LOL and was so darn cheap he sold it to me with a bad alternator, almost dead battery, bad voltage regulator fully knowing I had to drive 800 miles to get it home. Thinking about it, I still cannot believe it made it, must have just kept enough voltage going to make it, I stopped in Toledo around midnite for fuel, right off the highway, not a good place to break down either. The frame had issues, but nothing un-repairable, it's done, and been tested out with a heavy load, but yeah, the guy was a liar, but it was an old truck taken on trade, he deals with mostly newer trucks, so he probably sold it without looking it over and just wanted to get rid of it, I should have hammered him on the price some more, help pay for the repair parts and materials etc. Things always look better in pictures. He had no clue of it's condition, but at least it will pass inspection now, and I'm currently doing more work, soon it will be in good mechanical shape and is also a favorite model, will be retired, further restored and my upgrade will do the work. Grabbed an old D7, site unseen, but did look at the photos intently, seller was honest, hours were true, like 993 tobe exact, thats why I bought it, tracks almost new, they checked out, but the pilot bearing in the clutch had not been greased since before he got it, I'll bet he knew it was going, some vibration was easily noticed, it went 15 hours after I ran it, would not take grease anyways, feel cheated ? Naaah, would have called for hacking a few bucks off, but the rest of the tractor still was really low hours and that is really hard to find, so I really did not mind, all of this stuff is old antiquated equipment, you try and see it for what it is, but it's as is when bought, so if you think it's worse than was represented, still interested, hammer the seller on the price, nothing wrong with that, it's your money that the seller does not have until you agree to a number that works for you. I did not get taken, but I could have done better on the price of some of these things, if you are looking at something, speculating what it may be worth after a restoration or made operational, be it for re-sale or your own use, that has a value, so you hammer the seller as best you can, if you can't agree, go elsewhere, if the seller is greedy, you'll know right away. All of these things will take a lot more money to restore than will be worth, I look at it like this, if it's something I want, will use etc. plan to keep, you do the best you can to find the one that suits your needs for the money. I've never gone back and bad mouthed any of these people, the truck seller I could have put the boots to in this respect, but it's not even worth the time and had I been hosed on any of the deals, it would have been my fault 100%. Sometimes you find great stuff, inexpensive, that you know is in good shape, from someone you know or its self evident, other times it can be a lot different, if you buy site unseen, you don't have a clue, except what you are told, so you have to hammer the guy and get it for his bottom line or just walk away, it's that simple. I've paid asking prices, I really don't like beating people up, but I don't even look at something that is overpriced to begin with, if it's a fair asking price and I think it's got issues, you bet I'll see what the bottom line is before agreeing, you don't know what you are getting, so I think it's only fair. I think you are better off scrutinizing the piece of equipment, not the seller, seller can say anything and takes your money after you agree, if you cannot reasonably determine the condition of something and the price is not reasonable, I think it's a no brainer on what to do.
|
