This past Friday I called a CL seller. When I called it was after 2:00PM and my bank was closed and they close on Saturday. So Saturday we went and looked at the 97 F250 regular cab 120K 460 auto and like new tires.. No dents bad scratches and very clean etc. 5500.00. My Bro in Law and I drove about 80 miles across Houston to the North outskirts to see it and it was exactly what I wanted. Put Diagnostic on it and drove it and went over everything. I told the seller that I didn't have the cash because bank was closed on Sat and would he take a $200.00 non refundable deposit and hold it until Friday as I had to go to Austin on Monday to take my 96 year young dad to do several doctors apts and some light surgery. I would return Thursday and get it Friday. He said fine and he would park it under his shed. I texted him for his plate number so I could get a toll card in my name and use his plates permanently and he sent pics and I went out and got that done. In the meantime I ordered and paypal two fuel pumps from Rockauto and a fuel filter on Amazon. The check valve on the front tank was bad causing it to fill from the rear pump. Randy helped confirm this. Only thing it needed. I ordered the rear pump as preventative and I wanted to pull the bed.

Yesterday in Austin I get a text from the guy that he had a change of heart and didn't want to sell. I told him I would talk to him Thursday when I got back. I sent him pics of the pumps and filter in the boxes with copies of paid invoices. He says on text that he will only use the truck several times a year and he didn't need them. A few other things transpired and bottom line is I can only hope I get my 200.00 deposit back in the mail. ( no signed receipt) Just a Texas handshake is how I grew up.

Well, several things could have happened to cause his backing out and I am sure you can imagine what I think. I am posting this to hopefully get some sympathy and mainly share my experience so someone else can prevent this from happening to them. Sandy. Come on Karma work your stuff.

 

$5,500 is kinda premium for a SCLB 460/E4OD. Two wheel drive? Maybe it was not to be for a reason. It's possible he backed out because he didn't have title to it or couldn't get title to it.

I hope you do get your deposit back.

 

That's a shame! It's a shame when you find something that fits the bill, but something comes up and it falls through.

Had that happen to me several times when looking for a specific vehicle; it all worked out as I ended up with a nice car from California that just needed (still does, haven't gotten around to it) paint.

I'm currently struggling with a project car I acquired several years ago (seller is a close friend, but still owes me a title, but have bill of sale to do the bonded title if I ever get it on the road) that I'm toying with letting go, but then I'm overcome with regret even thinking about it. I just don't have the time!

At any rate, the right deal will come along! Consider this a positive sign.

 

That's a heart breaker, been there a few times. I've pretty much gotten to the point that I won't even go and look at something if I don't have everything I need to buy/transport whatever it is in that one transaction. Sure hope that one works out for you, or you find something better. Karma is an amazing thing and it does work in mysterious ways. At least your in Texas, trying to find a clean OBS truck in the Midwest is almost impossible. : )

 

This....cash is king and getting a seller excited and ready to jump on a quick sell is the key. Amazing how negotiable someone gets when they see cash in your hand. Just remember to show only what you are offering, not the entire wad of bills. I always keep several hundred or thousand in another pocket just to make sure the seller does not get greedy.

 

Sorry to see your deal fell through and I do hope you can resolve everything. I find sellers are usually respectful and I don't know the circumstances that changed his mind, but like the others said, sometimes it's not meant to be.

I am kind of curious about one part of your experience and it would seem that the lack of timely access to your funds became a factor. Up here in Canada, we have had a system of electronic banking that allows funds to be transferred 24/7 through your banks between individuals called etransfers. It appears to use the same systems as our debit cards and Interac transactions. I have used it myself to fund those weekend impulse purchases and it is very reliable. Seems to be much more trustworthy than PayPal and the funds are transferred instantly with minimal charges, (usually $1 for the sender). Problem is this seems to be attached only to our domestic banking system and it won't work across borders. Rock Auto is a vendor that recognized this and has set up a Canadian company to handle transactions with us Canucks. Sure beats maxing out your credit card. Outside of Rock Auto transactions, I have not found anything else like this. Does the American banking system have a similar feature?

 

Thanks for the replies guys. Yep the truck was a little pricey from some standards but that is what a 150 in a like condition with a 5.0 would go for in Houston. I have been looking for a long time for a single cab 250 with gas and auto. I have looked all over Texas. There are an abundance of diesels and extra cabs, manuals etc. This one was a 2WD which is what I wanted. I have no use for 4X4. Most 250's here and probably most places have been used hard as work trucks and beat up to prove it. This one was clean as a whistle. I ran a carfax before I drove all the way there because he gave me the VIN. It was as clean as you can get. Everything added up. Anyway things happen for a reason and I will start looking again when I get over this. The price he was asking for this truck was a GREAT price and I'm pretty sure someone offered him more. He had a perfect understanding of my situation about the money and when and why I would get the truck in a few days. I always take cash with me and usually take my Bro in Law and always Mr. S&W. I knew my ability to get a better price was ruined by not having the proper cash but the price was fair to me and I couldn't get the cash. On CL there is a box to check for ads that just started today and that is what I always check every day. His ad came out just hours before I called him. Early bird gets the best ones. It is pretty competitive here on buying good ones. He had the title in hand. He just got offered more money IMO. I don't do business that way but his morals must be different. I don't buy the change of heart he put on me. A few years ago I would drive up there and get my money and MAKE him buy the pumps etc. I am under control now, so those days are over. Thanks again for the sympathy guys I do appreciate it and it helps take the sting out. He didn't get a cherry. Sandy. To Randy. I had a sig on here earlier that "you make more money negotiating than you ever will working". I knew that was out the window when I went but as I said the price was right for here and me. Normally I am ready to pay cash in hand and a way to get it home right then and there. That is why it is not in my garage now. Actually I had just loaned my Bro in Law my on hand cash just earlier so he could get a Grand Torino he found. At least he is happy but he wants to pay the guy a visit since he heard everything that transpired. I called the dog off.