I originally posted this elsewhere but I'm enjoying this one so much I'd be interested in hearing some other stories.
I'm car shopping and in no particular hurry, but in the meantime this guy is keeping my son and I amused.
The ad may be gone by the time you see this, so I'll post it again.
The car has been for sale for about 5 days. It was initially $3500, and was reduced to $3000. The ad's been deleted and reposted at least twice each day, except the first few days where it was 3-4 times. Each time the price would go up or down a few hundred bucks.
His story has changed from Moving to Toronto, can't take it with me to moving to Ottawa and there's no room to keep it. Then he was visiting family every two weeks in (alternating) Toronto and Ottawa, hence the high mileage - it's all highway.
It was initially in very good condition. Then for a couple days it needed brakes. Then brakes and a wheel bearing. Then yesterday it had a PO300 code and needed plugs. Now it's just running rough, and needs suspension work. Maybe the brakes and wheel bearing fixed themselves.
I have to admit, I'm awfully tempted to contact and berkeley with him, but I do wake up in the morning wondering what today's story is going to be and promptly update my son.
Ladies and gentlemen: This is how not to sell a car
The under market price and the somewhat story of immediacy like moving, etc all spell scam.
It may not be how to sell a car, because the car is really not for sale. However, if you'd like to put down a deposit sight unseen, he's probably happy to take that deposit.
OK then, how not to pull a scam.
Honestly, I'm not seeing it. The initial price, for the mileage and problems, was high. The current price is about right.
I just messaged him. Will report back.
In reply to Mr. Peabody :
Cool, keep us updated. I'm always wondering how these scam are fruitful.
And his response in less than an hour.
Needs started just went out today, engine running rouch
Might go scrap it honestly
Or part it out
If the car is near, go see it and bring with you scrap-like money.
I don't care to get involved with a rough running 3.6 with 230k, though it is a GM, so it could still have the original plugs in it
I thought it was funny. I guess not.
I'm just stuck inside today with an absolutely nasty cold looking for something to do
Snrub
Dork
12/1/21 6:03 p.m.
It's $2200 as of this writing. Offer him $300.
Windsor, the city that wishes it was Detroit...
Price is FIRM!
Will you help me get it home? I'll pick you up, you're on the way...
Apparently it has a PO300 code. Do you know anything about GM's and misfires?
Snrub
Dork
12/1/21 6:54 p.m.
Offer him $200 worth of his narcotic of choice? :P Let's be honest that's part of what is going on here. It's $1800 now. Do I know about gm misfires? ...hmmm how to answer that... If you weren't going to run away before...
Wife/girlfriend/Pimp/parole officer told him to sell it. He doesn't want to.
"But baby, I'm trying..."
I don't care about which aspects of the car's description do or don't resemble truth or accuracy.
All I know, with great clarity, is that I do not want to interact with this person.
Local classifieds are full of this stuff. Especially on offer up.
In reply to Mr. Peabody :
The comedy does continue. It's just a slow roll of comedy. A subtle humor originally lost on me and my quick judgment.
I love how he keeps using "Firm" while dropping the price every posting.
I find it humorous on several levels. Tune in for the next installment of "What broke today!"
He's firm on $1800, because the engine is worth $1000, except the engine is bad. He's going to scrap it instead of taking less, except the scrap yards pay about $300 for a car. I think this is the foremost deep thinker of our generation. Someone get him a book deal!
