[DeTomaso] NPC - Selling a car on the Internet - question

Fri Aug 23 10:44:09 EDT 2013

Almost all "quick-lube" stores do this!   I'm amazed when I see women in there trying to say NO to these smiley-faced, fast-talking dudes.  They hit on me EVERY time!!!    --BILL

> Date: Fri, 23 Aug 2013 06:59:57 -0700
> From: asajay at asajay.com
> To: detomaso at poca.com
> Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] NPC - Selling a car on the Internet - question
> 
> The difficulty is that scams still happen even today.
> 
> Yes, you have some shops that are always on the up-and-up and are
> legitimately doing a great job for their customers.  BUT, there are
> other shops that aren't so upstanding.
> 
> I remember a 60 minutes article years ago that exposed a bunch of shops
> that would recommend repairs that were unnecessary or had "just" been
> done at the last shop they were at.
> 
> I worked for a place called 60 Minute Tune in western Washington back in
> the late 80's, and they told us to "recommend" the following services to
> -any- customer, because "as a mechanic, you know each of those items
> requires period service."  A generally true statement, but when you're
> staring at that item and it's obvious it's been replaced recently, or
> you actually tell the customer it should all replaced and they come
> unglued on the poor mechanic because the owner "just" replaced that item
> themselves and how dare this "experienced" mechanic tell him it needs to
> be replaced.
> 
> In my case, I never told anyone they needed things repaired or replaced
> that didn't need to be.  And when I did find something, it was never a
> "fix it and ask forgiveness later" kind of thing.  It was always "take
> the customer into the shop and -show- them."  Let them make the decision.
> 
> It's no wonder customers are wary even today.  I've even had other
> friends (women) tell me stories about how they are treated quite
> differently, like they don't know anything about cars (when in fact they
> do).  The industry still needs a bit of clean up.
> 
> Asa
> 
> Asa Jay Laughton, MSgt, USAFR, Retired
> & Shelley Marie
> Spokane, WA
> ******************************     
> http://www.racingagainstautism.com
> http://www.teampanteraracing.com
> http://facebook.com/racingagainstautism
> 
> 
> On 8/23/2013 5:40 AM, Sean Korb wrote:
> > This is something I've always wondered about and it seems the answer is
> > really squishy in the industry.  My brother is a mechanic so he has to see
> > this all the time, but his boss always handles it.. or doesn't.  And this
> > is why it's confusing.
> >
> > Cars are complicated and if you tear into one it's going to be more
> > complicated; guaranteed.  But the agreement with the customer is always
> > "we're going to fix this and this" but it's never "if we find this we'll do
> > this and if we find that we'll do that".  When the car is opened up, in the
> > middle of the job the mechanic goes to management and maybe the customer in
> > some shops and says "I found this and the other thing and you need this".
> >
> > The customer always seems surprised.  In fact, I think the customer *is*
> > surprised.  "You're a mechanic and you used your psychic powers and how
> > come you're wrong?  Are you competent to even finish this job?"
> >
> > The ignorance is astonishing.  And it's incredibly common.  Can we make
> > customers watch a video on how complicated and dangerous cars are when you
> > come in and say "It's making a funny noise"?  This is what sets up the
> > relationship between mechanics and customers and something really needs to
> > be done.  I just don't know what.
> >
> > Is there a contractual clause you can put in that you can do unauthorized
> > work up to a certain dollar amount?  Do you have to get everything in
> > writing?  I think the customer and the mechanic would feel more comfortable
> > if it was explicit.
> >
> > My favorite feed of late:  http://www.reddit.com/justrolledintotheshop
> > **
> >
> >
> > On Fri, Aug 23, 2013 at 7:07 AM, Jeff Cobb <jeffcobb1 at me.com> wrote:
> >
> >> Please listen carefully.
> >> Cashiers and bank checks can have stop payments put upon them. I have done
> >> it.
> >> I have never heard of a stop payment put against cash.
> >>
> >> I sold a Lotus 11 LeMans wide body and a Lambo 400 gt in 1989 (I WAS DUMB
> >> AND STUPID) and took a cashiers check. Next day the Lambo went to
> >> California and the 11 to England and twenty two days later the cashiers
> >> check cleared. The mental pain was too much, even staying after the cash
> >> appeared in my account. NEVER AGAIN.
> >>
> >> IN GOD WE TRUST, ALL OTHERS PAY CASH. This saying was created for times
> >> like this.
> >> Cash was invented for the reason of fair trade and to remove trust issues.
> >> Cash cancels trust. Trust is the tool used in the absence of cash.
> >>
> >> I had a lady (not) two weeks ago cancel her check to me because she did
> >> not approve me off replacing the massively leaking rear fuel line on her
> >> SL600 while we did other work. Fifty or so $'s for fuel leak with other
> >> repairs were about $400. So she got her car fixed for free till I sue her.
> >> If I would have taken cash only, I would not be writing about this now.
> >> Worst problem is that I  suspected she would do something stupid, but the
> >> 73 year old black lady minister said for me not to worry and I believed
> >> her. Shame on me. But I thought after about 200,000. customers that I could
> >> read the future. NOT!
> >>
> >> I bought my three best (Mangusta-Espada-E430) cars off of eBay and my race
> >> car (Formula 6000) off of Hemmings.
> >> All were bought sight unseen and yes I did my due diligence.
> >> There were absolutely no problems and all were paid on diff levels.
> >> But when all cars left the owners they were cashed in hand.
> >>
> >> Cash must only be in your hand or the bank the moment before the car
> >> leaves!
> >> Basically the car owner must always have the upper hand filed with cash.
> >> And the trust issue must only belong to the buyer.
> >>
> >> Cash is nice but never sell something you love.
> >>
> >> Good luck,
> >> Jeff Cobb
> >>
> >> On Aug 22, 2013, at 7:51 PM, Garth Rodericks <garth_rodericks at yahoo.com>
> >> wrote:
> >>
> >>> Wait!  What's the date today?  No, it's not April Fools Day!  Ok the
> >> answer is "NO!"  Do NOT send the pink slip with only 50% of the cash
> >> received!  He owns the car, for half price at that point.
> >>> Options:
> >>> 1. He send wire you all the money., Then you send him the pink slip.
> >> Then his carrier picks up the car.
> >>>     You might provide a signed bill of sale and photocopy of the signed
> >> pink slip with change of ownership info filled out to give him piece of
> >> mindwhen he sends the funds, but don't release the pink until all funds are
> >> received and verified good.
> >>> 2. He can hire an agent or friend to hand deliver the cashier's check in
> >> exchange for the pink slip, so you get your cash and he gets the title at
> >> the same time.
> >>> 3. Use an escrow service. He pays for the fees since it's for his
> >> protection.
> >>>
> >>> Never release the title until you have "good" funds - verified cashiers
> >> check, wire transfer, cash, etc.
> >>> Cheers!
> >>> Garth
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> --- Original Message ---
> >>> Appreciate any advice you may have, as I haven't done this before.  Here
> >> is the situation.  I listed a car on craigslist, and it was found by
> >> someone in Florida. We negotiated a price, then he ordered an independent
> >> inspector to come by, and wired me a $500 deposit. He has now reviewed the
> >> inspectors report, and is happy with it, and wants to proceed with the
> >> transaction.  He is suggesting that now: 1) he wires me 50% of the money,
> >> then
> >>> 2) i mail him the pink slip, then
> >>> 3) he wires me remaining 50% of the money, then
> >>> 4) he schedules a transportation service to get the car. Does that sound
> >> reasonable? What are the risks?  Is there a "normal" way to do this?  I
> >> know we could use an escrow service, but that can be a mess too.
> >>  appreciate any insights from those that may have crossed this bridge
> >> before... thanks,
> >>> brent
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