What have I done?!?!
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,433
Likes: 7
From: Los Banos, California
Hello from Calif
I just checked it out, nice looking truck, drive it home the road trip will be more fun that watching it roll up on a carrier. plus you will get to know your truck real fast... i've had 2 different road trips bringing my (2) 68 merc M100's home from alberta and also BC, all the way home in Los Banos, Calif what a fun adventure
to say the least....
to say the least....
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 312
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The shipping company required the vin, so I finally got the guy to send it to me (maybe should have done that in the beginning) So I ran it, and came up with this:
F25HCDG5125
Model Year: 79
Series: F250 - 4x2 Pickup
Engine: 8 Cyl, 351ci (5.8L) 2bbl
Assembly Plant: Ontario Truck
So, this is supposed to be a 79 F150 4x4 with 400. I called him again and he said "oh yeah, some stuff has been switched around on this truck, they put the body on a 4x frame"
Gee, that would have been nice to know BEFORE I sent him $1400. I never even thought to ask that. I asked, and he assured me that it is NOT a 2x to 4x conversion, just a body swap. He's owned tons of these trucks and never had any problems with this one.
What do you think, should I still buy it?
F25HCDG5125
Model Year: 79
Series: F250 - 4x2 Pickup
Engine: 8 Cyl, 351ci (5.8L) 2bbl
Assembly Plant: Ontario Truck
So, this is supposed to be a 79 F150 4x4 with 400. I called him again and he said "oh yeah, some stuff has been switched around on this truck, they put the body on a 4x frame"
Gee, that would have been nice to know BEFORE I sent him $1400. I never even thought to ask that. I asked, and he assured me that it is NOT a 2x to 4x conversion, just a body swap. He's owned tons of these trucks and never had any problems with this one.
What do you think, should I still buy it?
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,433
Likes: 7
From: Los Banos, California
In california you need two matching Numbers, the vin (rating plate) tag, and the frame # which on your model it should be on the top side of the right frame rail below the right door area. BUT the vin tag starting off with F25 tells me thats a 2WD prefix, a 4WD prefix should read F26....
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,312
Likes: 1
From: Eldorado Ca. USA
In cali, they do the registration off of the frame, if there is a discrepancy, but in other states, they do it off of the cab. I would simply ask the seller to provide a pink slip for both the frame, and the cab, and give you a "statement of fact" in regards to the build of this truck. (who did the work, where did the parts come from, receipts for the parts, etc etc. ) With that information you are covered in case you get into trouble, or get harassed at the DMV. Chances are very VERY slim that you will catch any grief, as long as the door jamb sticker, and door VIN are legible, and you don't do, or say anything stupid.
I would angle to get a few dollars knocked off of the price of the truck. Tell him that you will catch grief trying to register a frankenstein truck, and you want the price to reflect that grief. THen after he comes down, say you want both titles, and the statement of fact saying he did the work and bought the parts, not you.
I would angle to get a few dollars knocked off of the price of the truck. Tell him that you will catch grief trying to register a frankenstein truck, and you want the price to reflect that grief. THen after he comes down, say you want both titles, and the statement of fact saying he did the work and bought the parts, not you.
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2007
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He doesn't have both titles, or any receipts. The truck was like this when he got it. I won't have any problems registering it in OK. I've never had them actually look at any of my vehicles ever. I'm just worried about it being done right and what I may run into if I ever decide to sell it.
The door tag matches the title.
He did offer to get a vin tag and title from a 4x4. Not sure how he would do that, should I take him up on it?
The door tag matches the title.
He did offer to get a vin tag and title from a 4x4. Not sure how he would do that, should I take him up on it?
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,312
Likes: 1
From: Eldorado Ca. USA
No, because now you will have a frame with no title, a cab that doesnt match your frame, and a title for a POS that has nothing to do with what you own. I would work on getting the price reduced on the truck. First off, that is a salvaged vehicle, even tho the title is clean. Second, salvaged vehicles are worth about half of what a non salvaged one. You cant hurt yourself for trying. Worst case is you don't buy it, and he has to eat the ebay fees. If he hits you with a non paying bidder, you counter with he misrepresented the condition of the vehicle, and you leave him negative feedback on the last day you can, so he can't retaliate.
Elder User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 514
Likes: 0
From: Northern Colorado
This is exactly why I avoid buying vehicles on e-prey, unless they are within driving distance to look at before bidding. There are quite a few of these trucks for sale here in colorado, and we are much closer to you than pa. is. I feel for you, man. If you end up backing out of this, in the end, you'll probably recoup your money, but it could be a "process", to say the least. Good luck with whatever you decide!
Edit: The truck is a nice platform, by the way. Just make sure you feel Very comfortable about the title work!
Edit: The truck is a nice platform, by the way. Just make sure you feel Very comfortable about the title work!
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2007
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Well, I asked him to refund the money, he refused. So now I'm going through ebay and paypal to get reimbursed. I even agreed to pay half of his fees. I hate it came to this, but the really bad part is now I have to keep searching for a truck.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2005
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Let us know how that works out. I've only had a few transactions on e-bay and haven't had the need to bail out of one yet (or had someone bail out on me). Interested in how long it will take you to get it resolved and what (if any) ramifications there are.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,312
Likes: 1
From: Eldorado Ca. USA
Originally Posted by Carny
Well, I asked him to refund the money, he refused. So now I'm going through ebay and paypal to get reimbursed. I even agreed to pay half of his fees. I hate it came to this, but the really bad part is now I have to keep searching for a truck.
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2007
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I told them he misrepresented the truck. Here's what I wrote:
"I bid on this truck on ebay, but come to find out it's been pieced together from different trucks. He doesn't have the title to one of the trucks and I will have to get a salvage title in OK, making the truck nearly worthless. I tried to work it out with the seller but he doesn't want to cooperate. I even agreed to give him $50 to cover his fees. "
I talked to him on the phone before I did anything, and he said I shouldn't expect a 30 year old truck to be all perfect and original! I told him obviously I didn't think it was perfect, but I shouldn't expect it to be two trucks that who knows who put together. Turns out he also works at a salvage yard, so he may be the one that did it. He seems pretty shady all around really. He's not going to willingly cooperate. Hopefully either ebay or paypal will force a refund. I sure don't want to end up with the truck now, who knows what he may do to it.
"I bid on this truck on ebay, but come to find out it's been pieced together from different trucks. He doesn't have the title to one of the trucks and I will have to get a salvage title in OK, making the truck nearly worthless. I tried to work it out with the seller but he doesn't want to cooperate. I even agreed to give him $50 to cover his fees. "
I talked to him on the phone before I did anything, and he said I shouldn't expect a 30 year old truck to be all perfect and original! I told him obviously I didn't think it was perfect, but I shouldn't expect it to be two trucks that who knows who put together. Turns out he also works at a salvage yard, so he may be the one that did it. He seems pretty shady all around really. He's not going to willingly cooperate. Hopefully either ebay or paypal will force a refund. I sure don't want to end up with the truck now, who knows what he may do to it.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,037
Likes: 9
From: Kasson, Minnesota
Well, look at it this way. Leason Learned and you will know what kinds of questions to ask for before bidding on your next truck. Hope everything works out Ok for ya. It sucks to be in that situation, but I think you are better off getting out of the deal.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,628
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From: Northeast Nebraska
Here in Nebraska I wouldnt worry too much about the frame title as long as the cab matches the title. Personally Id make a road trip with a buddy and get it. Bring tools, extra parts and a chain. Or just take a truck and a trailer and get it so you only spend gas money for one truck.