RinTin
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Post by RinTin on Nov 30, 2015 10:08:02 GMT -8
Well, with the $2000 in hand I went to the sellers house today, ready to buy the Mobile Scout. Feeling brave I asked him if he would consider $1700. He got very angry, called me a few bad names, and stormed off into his house. I'm not quite sure what to do at this point. Could be he had been turning down better offers than yours but was staying true to his word and holding on to the trailer for you. If so, can't blame the guy for being miffed. That can happen when you go bottom feeding. I sold a project car recently for $350 to a buyer that offered me that amount if I didn't sell it by the weekend, which was the soonest he would be able to pick it up. I had it up for $500 and had numerous inquiries, so I felt confident that in time it would easily sell. The buyer with the offer seemed sincere and was checking in with me daily as he made tentative arrangements to pick up the car. Another prospective buyer contacted me, barraged me with text messages, finally inspected the car and left saying he'd think about it. I was upfront and told this buyer about the other offer, and due to it I wanted $400 for the car. He then texted me a couple more times eventually making an appointment to come buy the car. I reiterated the $400 price, telling him I was firm, as by this time I was getting annoyed with his incessant messaging and how much of my time he was taking. Well, the guy comes out and offers me $375 which I politely declined. He then asked me if I would call him if the other offer fell through and he would give me $350. I didn't say a word but thought to myself, you cheap bast_rd, I'll be dam_ed if if I do that! It made me feel good to sell it for the lower price to a buyer that truly appreciated the deal rather than to the guy that was disingenuous thinking he could squeeze a few bucks out of me. I don't suffer cheapskates well. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying you fit my story, just offering another perspective. If you really want the trailer, I think you know what to try.
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txdave
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Post by txdave on Nov 30, 2015 10:22:35 GMT -8
I understand what you're saying Greg, but in this case, I think I'm the only person to make a serious offer on the trailer. I know for a fact this trailer has been sitting on his property for over a year and listed on craigslist several times. I was prepared to give him the full $2000, which I think is more than fair to him, but he just exploded and went inside. He could have just said, "nope, I need $2000" and we could have completed the transaction. All the guy had to do was to act civil and we both could have been happy campers.
I really do not know if I should go back to see him with $2000 in hand. He was so mad he might shoot me. Lol
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Nov 30, 2015 11:11:24 GMT -8
I guess it's all in the wording. If somebody says, "I'll give you $2000." on the phone and I say yes, we have a deal and I will expect them to honor it. If somebody says, "Would you take $2000 if the camper is what I expect", then they come and offer $1800, I wouldn't be upset. Know what I mean?
I once sent a non refundable deposit with the understanding that I lose the deposit if I walk away. The camper was not what I expected and I walked away with them upset. I once gave a deposit and didn't like the camper, the owner offered me back the deposit but I told him to keep it. He held the camper for me as promised, such is life.
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Nov 30, 2015 13:36:41 GMT -8
These old trailers are not as hot of an item during winter months. They all sell for much higher prices during the spring. Especially once the rallies get going. People see the finished products at the rallies and they go out immediately and spend way to much money on pieces of rolling junk. So right now it's a buyers market so to speak. This spring it will be all sellers.
I've never spent more than $300 for any vintage trailer. Some I got for free like my Lakewood. You won't find trailers for $300 on Craig's List or Ebay. People who advertise their trailers for sale on those mediums are looking to make a killing. They aren't just trying to get an old piece of junk off their property. So be patient, look for trailers in fields or back yards. Don't look for trailers that are for sale. look for the ones that are just taking up space somewhere. Knock on the door or find the owner of the property and ask if they would like to get rid of that piece of junk. Tell them you will handle everything necessary to remove the trailer from the property in a swift and clean manner. Many times this includes purchasing new tires and or rims, getting the lights working or using mag-lites and in California at least, acquiring a one way moving permit or possibly flat-bedding the trailer. You won't ever find me paying $2000 for a vintage trailer.
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Nov 30, 2015 17:08:45 GMT -8
Mobiltec is like Vintage Yoda and I hesitate to disagree with Yoda...but on this point I do. If you live in Southern California, the Utah desert, New Mexico or a few other hot dry pockets, his way works wonders. If you live in NC, FL or most of the country, it may not work. If you are hunting for 1970s campers it works a lot better than a late 50s ham. If you are a well know, plugged in, connected character like Mobiltec, vikx, etc...I think deals come your way. Better deals than the average Joe. I have travelled extensively in the South. You know how many 1950-early 60s hams I have seen in fields and yards? None. Not one in 4 years of looking. 1965-1975 I have seen a few but usually badly rotted campers because of the rain here. (It recently rained 20 inches in 10 days.) When I went to visit my wife's family in eastern WA I saw a few vintage campers in Tri-Cities. So just like hunting lions only works in some places, finding $300 campers that people beg you to tow away only works in some places. In some parts of the country, you pay or you don't play. Sorry Yoda.
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kirkadie
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Post by kirkadie on Nov 30, 2015 18:11:55 GMT -8
It really truly depends on where you are, but Larry is sharing wisdom here; we pay too much when we want too strongly. Most old trailers are rebuilds and in reality are $300-500 trailers when you consider the final cost. Patience is your bank account. Rebuild time and materials will be the pain in your a**, er, wallet. eBay and CG's list are becoming clearing houses for fans of "flipping houses" and the like. For txdave, if I understand correctly, it's a 'found' not advertised, but a savy seller being greedy and not knowing how defects actually lower prices, is a recent phenomenon. At one time, showing the uneducated seller rot falling from your inspection tool let him know his 'grandma's violin' is not an actual Stradavari and not a million dollar attic find, leveled the price to reasonable. Part of me says buy it if you want it, but really, unless a trailer is 'ready to go, $2000 is way overboard. But if you really want it, it's not my place to say. But however it goes, a Mobil Scout is a good find and originally built, better than a lot of the hatchet jobs mass produced during our parents' new post war 'wealth'. Best wishes however it turns out, and no trailer is worth getting shot at.
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Nov 30, 2015 18:36:39 GMT -8
Value is in the eye of the buyer... If you want it and you've got the money, there is no reason to deprive yourself. I admit it's getting harder even here in California. It took 5 years for me to obtain the 54 Lakewood. Then a one week 600 mile round trip to get her home. Just sayin that patience is key if you're on a budget.
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txdave
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Post by txdave on Nov 30, 2015 19:59:03 GMT -8
Wow! You folks have given me a lot to think about. Unfortunately Larry, patience is not one of my strong points. For example, I married my lovely wife exactly 4 weeks after our first date. But hey, 41 years later that has worked out great.
The owner of this Mobile Scout is sort of a Fred Sanford kind of guy. His chain link fence surrounded yard is full of all sorts of junk piled everywhere. I don't think he is any sort of expert on vintage trailers. He started out asking $2750. I suggested "somewhere around $2000" not considering this my firm final offer. I guess he probably interpreted this to be a firm offer. Still, there was no reason for him to go ballistic on me. I had $2000 in my pocket, and was ready to close the deal.
Anyway...I'm gonna keep looking.
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Post by vintagebruce on Dec 1, 2015 7:13:13 GMT -8
Well, with the $2000 in hand I went to the sellers house today, ready to buy the Mobile Scout. Feeling brave I asked him if he would consider $1700. He got very angry, called me a few bad names, and stormed off into his house. I'm not quite sure what to do at this point. Hi, I realize the discussion has progressed quite a bit since this quote, but if you are still thinking about the Scout, and it is nearby, you could save some gas, meals and possibly motel expenses by trying one more time to buy local, vs driving some distance and having to return the next day with your purchase. If you have a BIG friend, who would not be recognized by the seller, why not give your friend a pep talk about why you would buy it for $2K, and have him call the seller and say, after looking at the pics in the ad, I think I could go $2,000 dollars, if you would consider that selling price I would like to come and look at it in person. I'm not a small guy at 6' 2" and "over" 200#, but my brother-in-law is bigger and more rugged looking than me. I would not hesitate asking him to do something like this. And I might add, he would enjoy the chance to buy it for me. He speaks real good "Southern Mississippi" and could charm the rattles right off a rattlesnake.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2015 6:44:41 GMT -8
Txdave I think everyone here has great thoughts and suggestions for you, I just wanted to tell you that I know where you're coming from! I'm not a very pushy person but I have many friends that get bold and offer a person some low figure on what they are selling big or small and people always seem to take it. Never happens to me seems like it! I always seem to run into the people who are stubborn or will not come down much to a realistic value. When I bought my camper the guy wanted 2000 and I got him down to $1500 but didn't even see if he would take less. Even though it had been posted a while. Maybe he would have. At least you know.
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