don't you hate it when someone else makes money off you? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Johnhef · #1 07-05-2007, 09:35 PM

I guess I can't complain, I did need to get rid of it after all.

I'm talking about the 1983 300CD I used to have. I sold it to one of the mechanics I work with for $900 (after I had originally told him $1,200), he put $400 of parts into it (originaly saying he wasn't going to sell it for at least a few years) and listed it on craigslist and after about a month, sold it.... for $5,000!!!

I couldn't believe it. When I got the car it wasn't much to look at, it was silver on worn out blue leather, and the paint was just shot and peeling a little on the hood and trunk. Shortly after I got it I had pulled the blown engine and put the car out back, where it sat for about two years until I found a suitable donor vehicle to get a engine from for it. the body had 295,000 miles on it and the new engine had 215,000 on it but ran great. It was a few months after I had it running that I sold it to him, albeit with two problems, it wouldn't start with the key (neutral saftey switch) and wouldn't shut off with the key either (vacuum pump). I gave him a bunch of the parts needed to fix some of the oter things wrong with it, taillight, euro lights, good BLUE dash, vacuum pump and a set of 2005 E500 sport wheels.

anyways, the whole thing has left a sour taste in my mouth. he did lie about the mileage (purposely said 180K in the ad) so maybe karma will come back around

It will be a good car to whoever bought it but I really think they overpaid.... dearly.

anyways, just needed to vent a little....
anybody on here just buy a silver 300CD?

aklim · #2 07-05-2007, 11:26 PM

Well, if he was willing to put some effort into a car that you thought was a POS and made it into something someone would pay that much for, you can too. As to the mileage, there is a sucker born every day.

#3 07-06-2007, 12:04 AM

Used car dealerships do it many times a day.

al76slc · #4 07-06-2007, 06:16 AM

"Don't think twice, it's all right."

Seriously, just put it behind you and move on. What you sold it for was basically what you wanted for it.

Do you get upset when someone (not you) wins the lottery?

Mistress · #5 07-06-2007, 08:06 AM

I'll be o.k. you now have space in your yard for yet another one.....

POS · #6 07-06-2007, 08:26 AM

If he took a car with 295k on it and advertised it as a car with 180k, then sold it for $5000, then I wouldn't worry about it. You'd have to be just as crooked as him to have gotten that $5000.

aklim · #7 07-06-2007, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by POS

If he took a car with 295k on it and advertised it as a car with 180k, then sold it for $5000, then I wouldn't worry about it. You'd have to be just as crooked as him to have gotten that $5000.

I don''t know how he got the buyer to ignore the odometer but lets say he was lying. Could be a misprint or whatever. I don't know. But lets say he was lying for the sake of argument. Are you willing to step up and do what he did? If not, don't worry about it.

dannym · #8 07-06-2007, 09:19 AM

at least you have the peace of mind that you sold it for a fair price and didn't lie or rip someone off.
The things other people do are not your problem.

danny

aklim · #9 07-06-2007, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannym

at least you have the peace of mind that you sold it for a fair price and didn't lie or rip someone off.
The things other people do are not your problem.

danny

doesn't seem like he is that happy even with that peace of mind, is he?

Not too sure whether it was a typo or not but won't the odometer tell all? That is unless he did roll it back. I had one of those things before. I advertised for 130K and they changed it to 67K. I have no clue other than the fact that the buyers called up and verified whether it was 67K and I told them it was 130K.

Johnhef · #10 07-06-2007, 02:52 PM

nah its not really that its more of the guy is just a dick and seems to have everything go his way all the time.

The odometer says 295 but he listed the engine as having 180.

I figured I could count on you aklim to say stfu and move on

I have too many other cars of mine and many other peoples to worry about then the time available to focus on just that one. ...and yes, its still a solid car with a ratty interior thats in desperate need of a paint job.

Dee8go · #11 07-06-2007, 02:57 PM

That's okay, you've got honor and integrity, John. All the money in the world can't buy that. People who lie, cheat, and or steal will eventually have to pay the piper. You're a good guy and everybody who knows you, knows that.

Jim B. · #12 07-06-2007, 03:26 PM

^^^John, you have a really good reputation around here, and at the other forum also. You have helped out MISTRESS and other owners out there who really appreciate your expertise enthusiasm and generosity.

Don't worry, at least you made a fair deal. It must be tough to have to look at the guy every day at work though.

There is a 1977 6.9 sedan with 16k on the clock now on ebay being discussed. It sold for $17k a year ago, and last month, was sold again for $25k.

Guy who bought it didn't even put a dime into it, used the very same prior ebay ad language and photo, and is trying to sell it for $75,000 a month after he got it.

That's just plain wrong, and shows people get really upset. People who just "flip" cars, boats, real estate, that they care nothing about, profiteers in for a fast profit.

I sold a much loved and pampered car I had owned for a reasonable price
after I bought the Mercedes, and told the buyer if they ever sold it I would like the chance to buy it.

A few years later indeed I got the call. I went to see it, and it was run down, had tasteless modifications on it, and a lot more mileage, and he wanted a whole lot more money for it than I had sold it to him for.

It was real disappointing. I said no. Sometimes you shouldn't go back

aklim · #13 07-06-2007, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnhef

I figured I could count on you aklim to say stfu and move on

I have too many other cars of mine and many other peoples to worry about then the time available to focus on just that one. ...and yes, its still a solid car with a ratty interior thats in desperate need of a paint job.

Well, been there, done that myself. Never bothered me what people can get out of the thing after I sold it so if they can get more, well, more power to them. It wouldn't bother me a whit. Not enough to make even half a rant to anyone. You can't have everything in life so you need to pick one. Either try get the max you can out of an item (you probably could have gotten way more than what you got even if you had represented it right) or live with the fact that others are better salespeople than you and learn from them

The Swede · #14 07-06-2007, 06:21 PM

Such is the car biz, esp. used.

I wouldn't have a problem with that transaction if he didn't lie -- would have said more power to him. However, that wasn't quite the case.

Brian Carlton · #15 07-06-2007, 07:03 PM

Such situations happen in business all the time. It takes a person with some experience and some skills to know a bargain when they see one.

After a minimal amount of work, they profit handsomely from the sale of the item. Naturally, some dishonesty always helps if you are of that mold.

Cars are nothing when compared to real estate. A person purchases a house for $200K, invests $25K in cosmetics, and sells it for $275K within six months. It's quite common.

The seller didn't see the potential value and didn't want to invest the time or the money.

Life goes on...........but, I agree..........it's better when you don't know the outcome.