Consignment companies
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 6
Likes: 8
From: Southern Illinois
Consignment companies
Hi everyone,
First time poster here.
I am searching for a c1 to replace the one that I owned back in the late '70's and early '80's. (I would still own it except that it was stolen one night from in front of my house.) In any case, I have been looking all over the internet to familiarize myself with the Corvette culture again. There was a particular car that is/was available in a large consignment company and on the surface looks interesting. I called the company and talked to one of the salesmen. He was no help at all. I asked some fairly basic questions about the car and was met with vague answers. Shouldn't the company have a line of communication open with the seller to answer any specific questions? Do the companies allow a third party to inspect the car? Is a lift available for the prospective buyer to examine underneath the car? I realize that these are questions that could vary widely among companies, but what is the usual method of learning about the car before travelling all the way to see it? Given the amount of cash involved in acquiring one these cars, I would think that extensive cooperation would be given by the consignor.
Thanks for any help,
Tom
First time poster here.
I am searching for a c1 to replace the one that I owned back in the late '70's and early '80's. (I would still own it except that it was stolen one night from in front of my house.) In any case, I have been looking all over the internet to familiarize myself with the Corvette culture again. There was a particular car that is/was available in a large consignment company and on the surface looks interesting. I called the company and talked to one of the salesmen. He was no help at all. I asked some fairly basic questions about the car and was met with vague answers. Shouldn't the company have a line of communication open with the seller to answer any specific questions? Do the companies allow a third party to inspect the car? Is a lift available for the prospective buyer to examine underneath the car? I realize that these are questions that could vary widely among companies, but what is the usual method of learning about the car before travelling all the way to see it? Given the amount of cash involved in acquiring one these cars, I would think that extensive cooperation would be given by the consignor.
Thanks for any help,
Tom
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,710
Likes: 2,574
You should request photos of every aspect of the car, interior, engine compartment, front suspension, rear suspension, frame, etc..
If sold as matching numbers you need photographic proof.
Once you have that information share it on this site so others can verify them.
If you still are interested arrange for either yourself or a professional service to see the car.
If sold as matching numbers you need photographic proof.
Once you have that information share it on this site so others can verify them.
If you still are interested arrange for either yourself or a professional service to see the car.
Last edited by MelWff; Feb 7, 2021 at 02:24 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,145
Army
Most sellers consign the car so they don’t have to deal with buyers. So the shop should at least gather enough info to answer questions and any shop that doesn’t allow inspections should be avoided.
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; Feb 7, 2021 at 02:43 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 10,558
Likes: 8,356
From: San Antonio, TX/Mahopac, NY
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C7 of the Year Winner - Modified
Consignment shops have everything to gain and nothing to lose allowing you to put the car on a lift (most have them) or allowing a third party inspector. They have set a profit target with the seller and they are not going to give up their profit even if the seller lowers their price. If the seller won’t meet your offer understanding the net they will receive, the shop will simply pass and wait for the next buyer. If the next buyer doesn’t come before the consignment expires, so be it. They make their constant revenue stream on the listing fees and any up selling they can do on detailing, showroom location, advertising, etc. the commission on their sales is gravy and pays their overhead, plus a little more in the shop owner’s pocket.
All that said, be aggressive with these guys. Don’t hold back, be thorough and don’t be the one who overpays. The shop will make their money meaning either you or the seller will be on the losing side. Make the seller the loser.
All that said, be aggressive with these guys. Don’t hold back, be thorough and don’t be the one who overpays. The shop will make their money meaning either you or the seller will be on the losing side. Make the seller the loser.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 615
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From: Morgan Hill, CA
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,663
Likes: 361
From: Smyrna/Vinings, Georgia
Use caution when buying from consignment business. Potential problems with car, title, money and missing and changed parts of the car..That said I would buy from one but ugh the thought of it.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,777
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From: Canada's capital
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C1 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Use a Corvette specific inspector if you don't want to travel to the car's location, or end up with a lemon. It may cost you many hundreds of dollars but cheap in the end to get a good car. I personally would never buy a car sight unseen unless I personally or an inspector said yes. They are all over the country, just ask here or at NCRS to find a good one in your area. 
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Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Cottonwood AZ
C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Consignment companies vary vastly. Some hire people that know nothing about cars let alone particular classics. The ones that don’t specialize in anything particularly are the worst. No one can be an expert on everything. Any consignment shop that doesn’t allow for inspections won’t be in business very long. If you have been out of the loop for a long time you need to study up here on what and where to look on these cars, determine what is important to you such as original engines etc or NOM. Then you will be able to access thing better and if you have a particular car that you think is a good purchase candidate if you still feel a little apprehensive about it hire someone to do a professional inspection.k
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 6
Likes: 8
From: Southern Illinois
Thanks for all the helpful suggestions. I feel more comfortable now in dealing with the company. I have been working around cars all my life and have a pretty good general idea of what is right or wrong with a 40 or 50 year old car. (I am technology challenged, the modern cars aren't in the search). Having owned one of these cars and worked on it the entire time that I owned it, I think that may be able to handle the inspection myself if allowed to do a rigorous one. I have to guess that there are a number of experts around the St. Louis area that know way more than me, Ii the process should get that far, or I don't feel comfortable with the inspection myself. I have seen a number of really nice cars in the forum classifieds, but some of the great ones are literally a thousand miles away. I am pretty lazy and have focused on this one example that is located near STL.
Tom
Tom