I think that asking another IML member to look at a car puts that person in an
uncomfortable position. What if they think that the car is okay and the buyer
isn't satisfied?
Also, I am rather sure that there are some/many IML'ers that may not have a
very sharp eye when it comes to whether or not a particular car is or is not a
"bondo" job.
Since it came up, I would suggest that it is best to hire the professional
appraiser. That individual is paid and trained to provide that service. Is
$200.00 the fee what one would expect to pay for this? That seems very
reasonable.
Paul
In a message dated 6/20/2004 6:20:23 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
tomswift@xxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:
>
>
> Dear Melissa,
>
> Sorry to hear about your bad experience. Just about everyone who buys cars
>eventually comes across a crook, so don't feel alone.
>
> As Dick B pointed out, you can ask an IML member to go inspect a car. If you
>can't find someone in the area, there are professional car appraisers who will
>do it for you. You can find them advertised in Hemmings (www.hemmings.com).
>It may cost you $200, but I always feel losing $200 is cheap if it saves you
>from losing $2000. I use appraisers not to give me an idea of worth, but
>just to have an objective pair of eyeballs on a car (and to take pictures).
>One saved me from making a similar mistake with an Imperial in Miami (Ted
>Vernon motors-- careful). Same story there: car was claimed to be near
>perfect and it was full of rust & bondo.
>
> I agree with the fellow who says to contact the state dept. of Consumer
>Affairs. This is not something you have to accept helplessly. The state can
>put a serious bite into a bad dearlership's business, and you may be surprised
>how cooperative they become after they find out you've notified the proper
>authorities.
>
> Good luck!
>
> Mark M
> >
> > From: "M Turner" <tminjesu@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > Date: 2004/06/20 Sun AM 09:20:14 EDT
> > To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > Subject: Re: IML: Warning: bad dealership!!
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Melissa Swenson
> > To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > Sent: Sunday, June 20, 2004 12:01 AM
> > Subject: IML: Warning: bad dealership!!
> >
> >
> >
> > Eric found a 1965 Imperial for sale at a dealership that was mentioned on
>this site right after we purchased it, called Country Classic Cars, located in
>Staunton Illinois. The main thing is, is that we bought this car soley on the
>fact that we would be able to go for family rides this summer in it. The car
>will not even drive around our yard. It is so not driveable that he can
>barely even start it up. I am no car expert so I don't know everything that
>is wrong, but I feel bad for Eric that he was taken advantage of so badly. >>
>I urge you to report this to the State's Attorney General's office, State of
>Illinois, and to their office of consumer affairs. I feel certain they have
>consumer affairs office or bureau, even though I do not live in Illinois. You
>also should look into a way you might be able to pull this guy's license to
>operate. Just for the record: Be careful with eBay sellers too. eBay
>offers an inspection service, which saved me a SERIOUS headache on a 1960
>Imperial Crown Southampton that I was "dieing to
> have." The deal died after I got the report from the inspector, which
>presented a very different car from what the sellers were presenting.
> > Vince in Boston
> >
> >
>
>
>
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