Walk Away???

[RedDragon 79]

yesterday i went and looked at a 98 z28. it had a seized LS1, a six speed and everything else. He was asking 2k. I offered him 1200. I want to look through the motor, use the computer, brakes, trans, and all of the electrical and swap in my car. Around 2pm yesterday he accepted and I told him I would be by Monday (yesterday was Saturday) to pick it up and give him cash. Today I called to see what a good time would be for me to come by and pick it up. He told me that he sold it today for 1800 to someone else.

I've pulled out the court thing and tried to talk to him about why its illegal to sell something that you've already sold verbally to someone else. He said, sorry for the disappointment.

Is this something I should walk away from or go after him legally? WWDCMD? (what would digital corvette members do)

[radi8]

Man, that's rude. Personally I'd walk away. Even if you were to win a lawsuit (which honestly is not likely unless he took your money), you'll probably find collecting a thin dime is more work than it's worth. People who don't keep their word don't pay judgments either. They're the sort to misrepresent what they're selling too- you may have lucked out.

[brent319]

You Tube

You Tube

[PredatorC6]

You just graduated from the School of Hard Knocks. Walk.

[tektrans]

What would you do anyway? Anyone witness this "verbal" agreement? If not then what? He said she said?
I know it's shady on the sellers part but to be perfectly honest-when you offer someone 1/2 their asking price these things will happen more often than not unless you go with cash in hand and do the deal on the spot.

[Texdentist]

Originally Posted by tektrans

What would you do anyway? Anyone witness this "verbal" agreement? If not then what? He said she said?
I know it's shady on the sellers part but to be perfectly honest-when you offer someone 1/2 their asking price these things will happen more often than not unless you go with cash in hand and do the deal on the spot.

I agree. Earnest money with a receipt would have protected you legally. But even though verbal contracts are legally binding, proving they exist is tough without several witnesses.

[Bill Davies]

Pretty much what everyone said. Unless you could get him to admit to telling you he would hold it, I don't see how you could get anything out of him.

I assume he didn't do this, but whenever I'm selling something and have a situation where someone says they will be by in a few days to pay, I always say, "it's yours if it's still here." I do this because cash is king and no shows are a dime a dozen.

That may make me a dick, but it sucks to tell someone with cash in hand that something is sold and then be stuck with it when the first guy doesn't show.

[garys 68]

you're not out any money, walk away, dont give it a second thought

[Chris Draper]

Originally Posted by garys 68

you're not out any money, walk away, dont give it a second thought

sux though

[GS81vett]

Save the fight for a better reward. This will only lead to hart ache and most likely will just piss you off! Not worth it. Just walk.

[6880 Mike]

Originally Posted by RedDragon 79

...WWDCMD?...

As the Eagles say, Get Over It. You'll get the next one.

[72SBVet]

Have you looked into police auctions in your surrounding area as you might be able to get one REAL cheap. There is also two Camaro salvage yards in S.E. Arkansas...Searcy and another city near by(can't remember the city name) a relative told me about them as he does ls swaps in various vehicles.

[KacyC3]

http://www.billygrahamscamaros.com/

cant hurt to check prices

[drbluevert]

Originally Posted by Bill Davies

Pretty much what everyone said. Unless you could get him to admit to telling you he would hold it, I don't see how you could get anything out of him.

I assume he didn't do this, but whenever I'm selling something and have a situation where someone says they will be by in a few days to pay, I always say, "it's yours if it's still here." I do this because cash is king and no shows are a dime a dozen.

That may make me a dick, but it sucks to tell someone with cash in hand that something is sold and then be stuck with it when the first guy doesn't show.

Hey! you used my answer!


When you go look at something and for the lack of a better word "Low-Balled" the seller and didn't even provide a good faith deposit - you just rolled the dice and in this case, lost. IMHO, I wouldn't put it past the right person to say "I'll teach this guy!" and he says he sold it - when perhaps he really didn't.

[7TRoadster]

with those above in regard to walking away being the best strategy. I think it sucks that it was sold out from under you, obviously $ mean more to the seller than personal integrity.