Stupid question...is your car for sale ?

[MercuryDon]

I get people all the time wanting to know if this or that is for sale. I pretty much have a policy with a couple of exceptions of anything is for sale for the right price. These guys are normally are looking for a steal tho. Thinking maybe I don't know what I have. Some are great guys to talk to and some are smart asses who after I tell them what it will take to sell a car I really don't want to sell get a smart mouth. I had a 44k mile 1970 Hemi Challenger super trak Pac that a I gave a guy a 30K price on. He told me I was crazy and left. He came back a few years later expecting to buy the car for the same dollors. Well we all know how Hemi cars values climbed. So at that time I told him $50K. Again he said I was nuts. Well we played this game at 60K and 80K. It did find a new owner, Just not that guy....LOL

 

[shopguy]

I see no humor either. I guess I need to be 25 yrs. younger to understand. I live next to a school, and a few nights ago some funny, fun loving yoots were drinking beer and driving golf balls at the school, trying to break windows. Way funny! Must have been. They were laughing their asses off! I guess I'm just too old and don't understand "fun" anymore. And I guess I'm just too stoopid, and shouldn't pass judgement on these fine lads either. I must be missing something. Must be past me bedtime!
Jeff008. I know you're new, so a little advice. tone down the arrogance, you might just learn something around here.

 

[brandon64]

I thought it was common practice to do a burn out or have someone do a burn out when they leave after a business transaction or potential transaction, even if it was a good transaction thats just what you do when leaving. I read through all of the posts and somebody said something like "you did an illegal burn out" I thought was stupid. I am a youngin' myself, at 22 years old. and thought that "do you see a dart sign on it" was pretty funny. I would have started with something like " I'm interested in your coronet, can I take a look at it" I have had good luck purchasing sitting cars from older gentlemen. Like said previously, dont ask if it's for sale off the bat. You just have to know how to talk to people, I was greeted with a shot gun once asking about a car and ended up buying it. Pulling up in an unrestored muscle car helps the sale. just my 2 cents.

 

[Aussie Coronet]

Daily occurrence here in Australia!

 

[shag766]

i get people stopping here a lot asking about something i have sitting out during the summer. i used to put for sale signs on some but quit doing that. people have no respect. put my cell # on the sign saying to call first, that didn't work. they would come to the door knocking at all times. i would ask if they could read and tell them to call first. have a nice day. with no signs on them now they stop but when i am outside. is this for sale or that for sale and say i wasn't planning on it but if the price was right, maybe. that usually breaks the ice. just sold a truck last week to someone who stopped to ask.
now if i could get someone to stop wanting to know about the dam fire truck. he might be surprised at the price. anyway, just the way i handle it. a little burn out is not a big deal.

 

[Jim 68cuda]

I too would have asked to look at the car because you like Coronets. Then when he asked about the Dart, there was the opportunity to show a mutual interest. After seeing the GTX he might be more receptive to being asked if he would consider selling. He might not be ready to sell it then, but you would have successfully planted a thought in his mind that the Coronet might have a better chance of returning to life in your hands rather than his.

 

[A38Valiant]

I too would have asked to look at the car because you like Coronets. Then when he asked about the Dart, there was the opportunity to show a mutual interest. After seeing the GTX he might be more receptive to being asked if he would consider selling. He might not be ready to sell it then, but you would have successfully planted a thought in his mind that the Coronet might have a better chance of returning to life in your hands rather than his.

And about 15 or 20 years ago, a good friend bought a 68 Formula S Cuda in just that manner. The old guy had gotten sick and tired of being bothered and then low-balled, so he had gone as far as putting a sign in the windshield that very clearly said "NOT FOR SALE!!".
My buddy stopped to check out the car, and saw the sign. The old guy happened to be outside, so he walked over and struck up a conversation. Told him he knew the car wasn't for sale, but wondered if he could have a look anyway, and that he always liked the 68s the best. The guy said he hoped to fix it up again, but just hadn't gotten to it yet.
After an hour or two of good conversation, my buddy left, politely and conservatively. He stopped in again in a few weeks, "just to see if you made any progress with your Cuda, and to see if you needed any help with it". After three or four stops and repeated offers to help the old guy fix it, each time arriving and exiting in a restrained, adult-like manner, the old guy said one day "You really want to see this car back on the road, don't you? I'm gettin too old to do much. I would sell it to you because I know it will go to a good home." and threw a price at my friend. I don't know exactly what the price was, but I think it was $1200. And for that, he got a B5 68 Formula S with white interior, numbers matching 340 and 4 speed, with the only rot being the drivers quarter panel. It pays to be polite, respectful, a good listener, and show a little interest in the needs of others.

 

[shelbyz08]

jeff i think its kinda funny, all these guys saying well i have people trying to buy all my stuff bla bla bla, well if its sitting there rusting to the ground u should probably think about selling it, its not right to hold on to a car just cause u have it and its going to rot to the ground, i met a owner of a junk yard that was the same way wouldnt sell anything off this rr and cuda he had and was just a dick and his prices were nuts and its sad to see that those cars are just going to sit and rot.... and for the rest of you lighten up dam!!!!

 

[NMGary]

A little patience and respect go a long way with most folks. Attitude is an instant turn off. But those under 25 know everything so there's not much point in telling them.
Mr Shelbyz08, what people do with their property is their business. Whether you like it or not.

 

[Big Jim]

Yup- when I was 20 I had ALL the answers- just hadn't realized that life changes the questions as you go. I have stopped and asked about many cars over the years, always tried to be "respectful", even had one guy that did let his 67 R/T literally rust away to dust say that "at least the kid with the Challenger was nice to me". No score on that car but I'm sure somewhere else it may have opened a few doors...my .02

 

[Finallygotmine]

jeff i think its kinda funny, all these guys saying well i have people trying to buy all my stuff bla bla bla, well if its sitting there rusting to the ground u should probably think about selling it, its not right to hold on to a car just cause u have it and its going to rot to the ground, i met a owner of a junk yard that was the same way wouldnt sell anything off this rr and cuda he had and was just a dick and his prices were nuts and its sad to see that those cars are just going to sit and rot.... and for the rest of you lighten up dam!!!!

Well, it was for sale, you just wouldn't pony up enough money, I guess. Everything has it's price. You couldn't get me to sell my car for 60k right now and it's not "worth that" Am I a "dick" too? It's OK if you think I am. But, It's My car and I can sell it if I want, or not. Once you own something, you can do what you want with it. Even let it go to ****.

 

[brandon64]

Well, it was for sale, you just wouldn't pony up enough money, I guess. Everything has it's price. You couldn't get me to sell my car for 60k right now and it's not "worth that" Am I a "dick" too? It's OK if you think I am. But, It's My car and I can sell it if I want, or not. Once you own something, you can do what you want with it. Even let it go to ****.

It's your "right" to own a car and let it rust into the ground, But it's still not "right". If a guy has a car in dry safe storage and will not sell, or sell for ridiculous money is not a big deal to me, he will die sometime and the car will be sold. But if someone lets a rare or nice car car go to ****. it really bugs me. They really don't care about the car, there just greedy and selfish.

 

[306Doba]

Only time I had a car sitting infront of my house for a long time I had to put a NOT FOR SALE sign in it to get people to stop bangin on my door wanting to buy it. Worked great.

The car? an 87 Corolla! haha what`s up with that!

 

[hemistix66]

Rude attitudes suck old or young.But I've had bad days too and been a prick,usually pushed to that point.Just took it out on wrong person.When asked about the "Dart" I would've had same answer to see his reaction.He probably liked it,at which point I'd no its a GTX wanna see it?Think a golden opportunity was missed for both partys.Just this Ol' mans .02

 

[71 GTX]

I bought many cars in the past 30 years. Being rude is not a way to make a contact nor a way to soften up someone for selling....Patience and Kindness go a long way....

 

[moperformance]

And about 15 or 20 years ago, a good friend bought a 68 Formula S Cuda in just that manner. The old guy had gotten sick and tired of being bothered and then low-balled, so he had gone as far as putting a sign in the windshield that very clearly said "NOT FOR SALE!!".
My buddy stopped to check out the car, and saw the sign. The old guy happened to be outside, so he walked over and struck up a conversation. Told him he knew the car wasn't for sale, but wondered if he could have a look anyway, and that he always liked the 68s the best. The guy said he hoped to fix it up again, but just hadn't gotten to it yet.
After an hour or two of good conversation, my buddy left, politely and conservatively. He stopped in again in a few weeks, "just to see if you made any progress with your Cuda, and to see if you needed any help with it". After three or four stops and repeated offers to help the old guy fix it, each time arriving and exiting in a restrained, adult-like manner, the old guy said one day "You really want to see this car back on the road, don't you? I'm gettin too old to do much. I would sell it to you because I know it will go to a good home." and threw a price at my friend. I don't know exactly what the price was, but I think it was $1200. And for that, he got a B5 68 Formula S with white interior, numbers matching 340 and 4 speed, with the only rot being the drivers quarter panel. It pays to be polite, respectful, a good listener, and show a little interest in the needs of others.

We bought a 73 dart for my daughters graduation with 40 K actual miles. The OG was 93 and cried when we drove it off. Three months later we came back and took him for a ride. Talking about making his day! He opened his garage and in storage was his service shop equipment from his garage after he closed it 20 years ago. To make a long story short he replied..... Everything is yours please take it I want you to have it!
It took 1/2 dozen tries to finally buy the Dart but we made a friend for life.
Time and patient are your two best assets.

 

[Finallygotmine]

It's your "right" to own a car and let it rust into the ground, But it's still not "right". If a guy has a car in dry safe storage and will not sell, or sell for ridiculous money is not a big deal to me, he will die sometime and the car will be sold. But if someone lets a rare or nice car car go to ****. it really bugs me. They really don't care about the car, there just greedy and selfish.

Let me see if I can get you to see it in a different way. Would you sell me your car for say, 100 dollars? I'm guessing that you value your car for more than that much. I'm also guessing that you would also let it rot to the ground before selling it for that. The numbers are not what is important here, it's the perceived value. Also, some people may be holding onto these cars/parts as assets. They may have been counting on these assets for some of their life savings. Just like stocks, the value goes up and down. My grampa owned a junk yard for many years and he held onto lots of old stuff that was "useless" too. But that stuff was what he valued.
I have an old Hamms beer sign from when my parents owned a bar. it's worth probably 500 bucks. I wouldn't sell it for 5000. Means too much to me. I can always make 5 grand. there is only one sign from my past. Probably means no one else will get to see it, but it's of great value to me.

 

[brandon64]

Let me see if I can get you to see it in a different way. Would you sell me your car for say, 100 dollars? I'm guessing that you value your car for more than that much. I'm also guessing that you would also let it rot to the ground before selling it for that. The numbers are not what is important here, it's the perceived value. Also, some people may be holding onto these cars/parts as assets. They may have been counting on these assets for some of their life savings. Just like stocks, the value goes up and down. My grampa owned a junk yard for many years and he held onto lots of old stuff that was "useless" too. But that stuff was what he valued.
I have an old Hamms beer sign from when my parents owned a bar. it's worth probably 500 bucks. I wouldn't sell it for 5000. Means too much to me. I can always make 5 grand. there is only one sign from my past. Probably means no one else will get to see it, but it's of great value to me.

I see your point of view and I meant no offence to you in my post. It just bugs me to see restorable cars rusting into nothing. With owners that don't care. And I wasn't really talking about low ball offers, If had low offers on a few of my cars and I tell them It's worth more in scrap metal than that and If I was willing to take that much for it, it would already be at the scrap yard. Any car is worth at least scrap metal value. But that is besides the point. I have encountered several people who look like they actually get a kick out of seeing these classics rot into the ground. I have stopped and asked about probably 300 cars or so, and ended up buying about 15 of them. Most people, even if we can't come to an agreement on the car are generally good people. but some are not. I guess it's hard to explain. If I had a car that I wasn't doing anything with that was rotting into the ground, and in 5-10 years wouldn't be worth anything at all because it would be too far gone, and someone came along and made an offer on the car that was going to fix it up. I would sell it, even if it was at or below market value, I would be glad to see the car saved before it rusted away into nothing. Do you see my point of view at all?

 

[Stumper]

I would be glad to see the car saved before it rusted away into nothing. Do you see my point of view at all?

All of the previous posts and conversartions not to be dismissed - as they all make good points. I think this is a good point - but ...... I know of a couple of Mopar only salvage yards in this area that have great old Mopars that are returning to their ionic state. Very sad, but very true. I hate to see hundreds of nice old Mopars that are ending their useful life span even as a parts doner just rotting away to nothing - but these guys either won't part with them or put such high values on them - that they are making sure not to part with them. What you see at play is the emotional attachment to the cars. It is no longer a matter of logic or rationality. Thes guys are holding on to their Mopar buckets because of the emotional attachment. To this end I don't think anyone could even hope to score one of them without recognizing and playing up to the emotional side of the situation. This is no longer a buy/sell deal for these guys - its emotional!! you are not going to get one of their buckets without playing up to the emotional side - let alone being rude or obxoxious about it. :icon_kidra:

 

[Finallygotmine]

I would be glad to see the car saved before it rusted away into nothing. Do you see my point of view at all?

No offense taken, I do see your point. I understand that it irks you to think these cars are going to be wasted. I think the OP struck a nerve with a some people by the disregard for the person who didn't want to sell his car. There's just no need for that and I think it showed a lack of respect.
On the way to one of my stores (90 mile drive) I go by a guys house where he has a 72 Plymouth Scamp with a 318 auto. decent looking car and looks like it hadn't moved in quite a few years. So after going by 50 times, one day I thought I'd stop and ask about the car. Guy comes to the door and was very rotund to say the least. I doubt that he even could get behind the wheel. I ask him if it still runs and he assures me it did. Then he tells me it hasn't moved for 12 years. It's got 4 flats and is parked in the tall grass.I'm guessing total rot underneath. At this point, in my mind, the car was worth scrap price, just like you had commented. He thought it was worth 3 grand. I discreetly held back from laughing and politely looked over the car anyways, even though i had no intention of buying it. This guy has no garage and no other projects sitting about, so I knew this car was going to sit.
Now, every time I go buy, I see the car and I too feel it's a shame to let it sit
and rot. But, it's his car and everyone deserves the benefit of the doubt. I don't know his situation and it's not for me to judge.