Bought a C3 over the Internet?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 872
Likes: 3
From: Cortlandt Manor New York
True, buying a car unseen is risky, but I talked to the seller numerous times to get as much information as possible. If you ask enough of the right questions and IF the seller answers honestly, then the risk is lower. Yes, there is often a Forum member who can look the car over, but I certainly didn't know the Corvette Forum existed in 2001. Did it exist then?
If you buy a car sight unseen you could get lucky but you could also get burned real bad. It is not worth the risk. There are thousands of C3's available look at a bunch of them before you buy one. Learn and don't buy what you haven't seen and inspected. One persons gem is another's nightmare.
8th Gear
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola FL
I bought my 82 sight unseen. Am I a fool? Yes! I took a huge gamble on doing this but the logistics were just not available for a hands on inspection. I got a lot of pictures from the private seller and copies of the repair slips. He offered a pro/con of the car that I thought was very accurate. The "buyer beware" caveat is always prudent however I had corvet fever pretty bad and I was looking at a birthday deadline. I should have gotten a local forum member to check it out. The only problem there is you are asking for an opinion of a third party. One may say: "It is not perfect. I'd not buy it." and others may say: "It is a steal! If you don't buy it I will!" So where are you after their opinion? I looked at MANY dealer sites all over the country. They were usually about 3k over what a private seller was. I'd go with a private seller like on Corvettetrader.com or used car trader 1st. Take your time and good luck. Also, pull a carfax report on the car. If you join carfax, get a report, and the car is not as represented or has real problems carfax will assist in getting things worked out. (at least that is what they advertise!)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
Many years ago I was looking for a 1975 vert. I am in Michigan, the add was for a car in Iowa. "From my personal collection, 4,000 miles, numbers matching, L82, 4-speed convertible." I talked with the seller. "All original, top notch condition."
Luckily, I had an old college friend that lived about an hour away from the seller. He gratiously offered to take a trip out to see the car. He called me back about a week later. "Car looks real clean. Stored in a barn with several other vettes. Funny thing, engine block numbers don't match the VIN on the pillar."
So much for numbers matching and who knows how much other
A case of apples and pears from Harry & David for my college friend. Saved me a plane ride - and a return plane ride if I had flown out to Iowa.
Jim
Luckily, I had an old college friend that lived about an hour away from the seller. He gratiously offered to take a trip out to see the car. He called me back about a week later. "Car looks real clean. Stored in a barn with several other vettes. Funny thing, engine block numbers don't match the VIN on the pillar."
So much for numbers matching and who knows how much other
A case of apples and pears from Harry & David for my college friend. Saved me a plane ride - and a return plane ride if I had flown out to Iowa.
Jim
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 23
From: Kawartha Lakes and PEC, Ontario
I drove all over looking at cars that looked great in pictures and were described in extreme detail by their owners to be in fantastic shape only to arrive and find that they were junk. The first couple of times I got really worked up about them thinking I had found 'the one', but pictures lie and people lie. Trust no-one.
Lots of people take a chance and buy sight-unseen and do ok, but I bet there's a ton of people who get screwed over in a big way. The difference is that they aren't as likely to start a thread showing you the piece of crap that they got for way too much money.
To the original poster I say where there's smoke there's fire...run from this seller...run like the wind.
Lots of people take a chance and buy sight-unseen and do ok, but I bet there's a ton of people who get screwed over in a big way. The difference is that they aren't as likely to start a thread showing you the piece of crap that they got for way too much money.
To the original poster I say where there's smoke there's fire...run from this seller...run like the wind.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,336
Likes: 1
From: North Bellmore Ny
St. Jude Donor '09
I Purchased my car sight unseen from http://www.ooley-blackburn.com/. They are very honest sellers , When the cae was delivered i noticed a the wiper overide & headlight overide switches were broken & the transmission linkage was loose. They offered to pay for it, They also if I notice anything else please call and they will hanle the issues.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 23
From: Kawartha Lakes and PEC, Ontario
I Purchased my car sight unseen from http://www.ooley-blackburn.com/. They are very honest sellers , When the cae was delivered i noticed a the wiper overide & headlight overide switches were broken & the transmission linkage was loose. They offered to pay for it, They also if I notice anything else please call and they will hanle the issues.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 624
Likes: 1
From: Melbourne, Fla. 6 months- New Middletown, Ohio 6 months
To add to what a number of people have stated, There is the old saying "one picture is worth a thousand words". From my life experience I have added to that phrase. My version is "one picture may be worth a thousand words but one look in person is worth a thousand pictures"
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Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,570
Likes: 1
From: Algonac Michigan
When I ever have the opportunity to buy another vette, I will be buying from a member here.
I made that decision a long time ago. I shop with people I can trust. And I think this would be the best place to start.
Mark
I made that decision a long time ago. I shop with people I can trust. And I think this would be the best place to start.
Mark
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,570
Likes: 1
From: Algonac Michigan
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,838
Likes: 13
From: Kingman AZ
I was very fortunate to get the vette I did. I bought it from my brother-in-law. He didn't know much about vettes but took detailed photos and emailed them to me. The car came from Colorado where his Dad bought it from the original owner. Neither he nor I were aware of the birdcage and other rust issues. You think fiberglass and toss this idea of rust to the side. So I had it shipped from MI without seeing anything other than photos. It was a diamond in the rough so to speak. BUTT....I would never buy another unless it came from a knowing trustworthy source. That's why I would buy it here from a CF member.
Last edited by rayluka; Jul 5, 2008 at 02:26 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 1
From: SOUTH ELGIN IL
Personally, I think you are better off buying from someone on this forum that is looking to get out of a C-3. I got mine from a guy in TX (found him on the forum) and he was honest about the car, took a ga-zillion pictures for me and, at my request, even made a quick video of the car starting, driving, turn signal, headlights, etc. I bought it w/o going to look at it and feel as though I got a straight story. He also sent me the receipts for parts he put in and work done.
I've had to do quite a bit on the car (search my posts....) but I think that is to be expected with a C-3.
Good Luck. Corvette Mike up here in Burr Ridge IL has a number of really nice C-3's. I was just out there on Saturday. If you find one you like over there I can give it a preliminary look over and test drive for you.
Dan
I've had to do quite a bit on the car (search my posts....) but I think that is to be expected with a C-3.
Good Luck. Corvette Mike up here in Burr Ridge IL has a number of really nice C-3's. I was just out there on Saturday. If you find one you like over there I can give it a preliminary look over and test drive for you.
Dan
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: Quincy MA
honesty
I guess all cops stand around eatting donuts, I guess all sales people in all businesses lie, suppose that all financial firms are like Enron and subject to huge fines when caught...I am in sales, I've sold over 1,800 cars..I disagree that if you are dealing with a dealer that you'll more likely get a dishonest answer, who are you to say that? There's so much information out there today, customers have more rights and protection buying a car then they do a house...
Kevin
[QUOTE=Red70vette;1566167912]If you ask the right questions and if you get an honest answer!!! If you are dealing with a dealer you will almost never get an honest answer. They want to sell the car and they will do anything they can to do so.
Kevin
[QUOTE=Red70vette;1566167912]If you ask the right questions and if you get an honest answer!!! If you are dealing with a dealer you will almost never get an honest answer. They want to sell the car and they will do anything they can to do so.
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 702
Likes: 1
From: Sealy TX
St. Jude Donor 06-'07
I have bought 2 vettes off ebay, a 96 and a 76.
The 96 came from a local dealer and the 76 from a guy in California (1800 miles away). No $$ changed hands until I drove the cars, had either been junk I would have walked away (well flown away in the case of california
)
But both times I got good info and the guy in CA told me that if I didn't like what I see, he wouldn't hold me liable for the sale.
The only real risk I took was maybe having to turn around and fly back, but the car was good and I drove it 1800 miles home.
The 96 came from a local dealer and the 76 from a guy in California (1800 miles away). No $$ changed hands until I drove the cars, had either been junk I would have walked away (well flown away in the case of california
)But both times I got good info and the guy in CA told me that if I didn't like what I see, he wouldn't hold me liable for the sale.
The only real risk I took was maybe having to turn around and fly back, but the car was good and I drove it 1800 miles home.
