Recently there was a '49 F-2 listed on a certain web site. It was basically a basket case but the seller said it had four new 700X16 tires. I figured it was close and since my F-2 is running 25+ year old tires and have some minor checking on the side walls I'd throw a bid on it. It had a reserve so I tossed bids on it, my limit was $525 because the tires alone would be worth that much plus the other parts that might be on it and the rest for scrap value. I didn't win but I did have the high bid of $510. Before placing any bids I emailed the seller twice to ask questions, especially about the tires. He replied they were new with "0" miles and had tubes. After the sale was over, and the reserve not met, the seller emailed me to offer to sell the truck to me at the high bid. I agreed and drove 36 miles one way to pick the truck up. I pulled into the guy's yard, backed my trailer up to the truck and got out to inspect my new buy. I was looking the truck over and it was pretty much what I thought it would be, a sandblasted beater with small and big rust holes with some salvageable parts. Not too bad of a deal I thought. Then I started looking over the wheels that were on the truck. I thought to myself, at least I'm getting a new set of wheels, he must have the new one's in the shed because these are worse than the ones I have on my F-2 and had a bunch of overspray on them. The guy came out of the house and greeted me. I asked if these were the "New" tires he listing in his ad. He said, "Yeah, they're new, 0 miles. They even have the nubs on them." I then told him they were "junk, they have more cracks on the sides than the tires on my truck." and "The tires are the only reason I bid on the truck." He replied, "Where, where? I don't see any cranks!" I swear, you could have stuck dimes in the cracks, a lot of dimes. He then said, "I guess I better get my glasses, I don't see any cracks." I replied, "You should, because there's no way anyone can't see them." He got defensive and told me to leave the truck, he'll offer it to the "next higher bidder." I wish good luck to that guy, especially if he sends money without looking at the truck first.

I thought you guy might like to hear a somewhat funny story about the goofs out there who have an entirely different take on reality when it comes to old trucks.

 

Thats pretty crazy, Do they think your not going to see what your buying??
I'm glad you didn't already pay him and have to deal with getting money back or anything like that.
later
Josh

 

hmm, well at least the guy was honest about the miles on the tires... even if they weren't useable

 

Sounds like you lost anyway,I mean your time,your gas money and hopes. I guess the old saying "Buyer Beware" still holds true.

 

I figure it this way, I did get something out of it, a story to tell. Some experiences are worth a retelling or two, some are good for a life time. I have a story about a MN parts run I did 4-5 years ago, although at the time it wasn't all that funny, now 4-5 year later it's still worth a good laugh. I'm pretty sure that one will be good for a life time, this one, maybe a month, at best. It's all part of the old truck hobby.

 

New= New to me.
Driver= It once had a driver.
It ran when parked= 50+ years ago.
Fresh paint= Freshly emptied paint can catching oil leak.

 

Maybe he actually meant "0" miles left on the tires.

 

what a drag having to waste the gas and time going to look at some fools junk! hope you offended him for everyone here.