I broke the "Cardinal Rule"

TheWolfPaq82 · 07-13-2019, 08:39 AM

Well, I broke my "Cardinal Rule" of never purchasing or selling a vehicle to or from a friend. As we are selling our TT...(had it sold once...another story)...I also was selling my 2014 GMC 2500 diesel. I mentioned this to my neighbor as he came over as I was detailing the truck for trade in or private sale. He inquired what I was wanting for price and I gave him the range from KBB / NADA. He came back a short time later and shot me a price which I accepted...about 5 minutes. Turned truck over to him on Monday after a full weekend of detailing, changing fluids in front / rear diff and transfer case. Oil/filter and new cabin filter...and yesterday...it began. I walked over as he was transferring the Hard Cover from the box to a 2017 Silverado....which it didn't fit correctly but he got $500 from the guy. He had already broke two studs from the adjustable brackets for the locks on the cover by using a "Impact driver" set WAY TOO HIGH...and ask me if I realized the studs were broke before I sold him the truck,that's #1. Then he points out a very slight dent in the tailgate...that was exactly the size of the 2x4 he had laying across the top of the bumper and asked how long that had been there, that's #2. Then the last is he points to a dent and scratch in the chrome on back bumper (which was exactly at same height and size of the hitch on his car trailer about 2 feet away and was very clean and rust free) he asked me when that happened (I mumbled something about "probably a couple hours ago, but I don't think he heard me) I buffed and waxed the whole vehicle the day before I gave it to him...."Damage Free". He never actually accused me of anything, but the sarcasm in his voice was clear enough. I take full blame for violating my own rule and will just deal with it as I'm sure there will be more to come.

SeaDog · 07-13-2019, 09:01 AM

You are correct never sell anything to friends or neighbors.

pkmkaz · 07-13-2019, 09:07 AM

Know it may be hard to do, but avoid all contact and conversation.

And that really sucks as he’s a neighbor.

upflying · 07-13-2019, 09:12 AM

Yep, selling, renting and loaning stuff to people you know often ends bad.
Probably should have had the neighbor sign an "as-is" legal doc.

TheWolfPaq82 · 07-13-2019, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pkmkaz

Know it may be hard to do, but avoid all contact and conversation.

And that really sucks as he’s a neighbor.

I'll just hold my tongue if he says more I'll just change the subject if it comes up. I figure...he made me an offer, he looked over the truck, he knows I kept up on all maintenance. He can be a butt head, and they are good neighbors, so I do my part to keep the peace.

Chazman · 07-13-2019, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheWolfPaq82

I'll just hold my tongue if he says more I'll just change the subject if it comes up. I figure...he made me an offer, he looked over the truck, he knows I kept up on all maintenance. He can be a butt head, and they are good neighbors, so I do my part to keep the peace.

You have the patience of a saint. All of the things you pointed out here in reply to his comments, I would have pointed out to him as soon as he made those comments.

TitanMike · 07-13-2019, 01:25 PM

What's done is done but if you ever break the "Cardinal Rule" in the future be sure and take video/photo's of every square inch of the vehicle's outside before handing over the keys. Do likewise with any canopy/tonneau attachments.

I also agree that an AS IS, and Inspection acknowledgement "form" would be a wise idea.

FWIW, this is why a lot of Dealers send their trade-in's off to Auction. They don't want to deal with any of the issues and only put the best of the best on their lots as used cars. When one goes to any of the numerous independent Used Car Lots, they are looking at vehicles that Car Dealers rejected, for the most part. Caveat Emptor!

Grapehound · 07-13-2019, 03:43 PM

I think it was Robert Frost who said, "Good fences make good neighbors."

My dad was very handy and would install a door in a wall or put in a second bathroom himself. We had a neighbor who would always stop over during the project and offer advice on how my dad was doing the job. Nothing my dad did was ever done the way he would do it.

When he died after 40 years in his house there was not an improvement of any sort that you could point to anywhere in his house...but he always seemed to be an expert of home improvement.

elchilero53 · 07-13-2019, 03:55 PM

Yeah, a walk around, check list and an "as-is with no warranty expressed or implied" statement signed by him would save a lot of hard feelings especially if the buyer is an oaf (or a con man).

Had a jerk try that on me once. The company that I worked for had rented a Jeep pickup truck and a Chevrolet half-ton. Both were 4WD (necessary for the field work). The Chevy supposedly had a new clutch assembly. It didn't and failed after a couple of weeks use. Although the agreement said he had to pay for it, we got stuck with the repairs. The Jeep was fine but when I returned it, the owner claimed that 3 of the 4 springs were broken from rough use. After getting burned by this clown once, we told him to have our mechanic inspect it and check it for damages. The owner insisted we take it to HIS mechanic for repair. We told him no as we knew he was trying to scam us. Our mechanic found nothing amiss and provided a statement in writing, so we told the truck owner to hit the road.

Jerks are among us everywhere.

Cover Dog · 07-13-2019, 08:55 PM

You sold the truck, THE HOUSE IS NEXT !

david_reaves · 07-13-2019, 09:12 PM

What I hate is when you give something to a friend or neighbor, "because they need it" and turns out that isn't so true. We gave a 6 year old Jeep Cherokee 4WD that was a third car to a youth pastor at our church, because his car failed. Two weeks later, he left the church, sold the jeep, AND bought a new car. At least we donated through the church, so got the charitable contribution. I did feel more than a little burned, though. Since then, I've decided that it's my mind/heart that has to change-- when you give a gift, there can be no conditions (or expectations). If there are conditions, then it isn't a gift. I just have to be prepared to feel wronged sometimes, but realize that if the gift is abused, then the error isn't with me and I need to get over it. As you can tell by my example, though, sometimes it isn't easy.

McKannick · 07-13-2019, 09:28 PM

The piece-o-crap 2006 Gulfstream Ameri-lite I had, which had more rot in it than I even imagined, I sold to my good next door neighbor. BUT, before the sale, I showed him every bit of rotted floor (the good ol' OMB crap or whatever, Elmer's glue and wood chips) that had gone soft that I could find, PLUS all the soft spots in the roof wood under the rubber roof skin, PLUS the ratty awning material, so there were NO surprises or complaints because he knew from the start that he was buying a 'fix up project', and was fully prepped to tackle it. 2 months later he's got all the rotted floor spots fixed, plus all the rot and mold inside the walls cleaned up, the rotted thin roof wood replaced and a new rubber roof and awning. And totally happy with the deal.

And I'll never buy another sticks and staples, wrapped in a cola can construction RV.

Walholler · 07-13-2019, 10:28 PM

I would not be able to hold my tongue. I would point out to him that the truck is now his and he should take better care of it or he will see more dings and bumps in it.

Iwannacamp · 07-13-2019, 11:41 PM

My opinion is that he is just having a little buyers remorse. I am prolly the worst person there is for that. I would have never pointed out any of it to the seller or prolly anyone else. It could be his wife is busting his chops as well and he is just passing the buck. My thoughts are he has vented and will prolly not mention anything else to you.

TitanMike · 07-14-2019, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by david_reaves

What I hate is when you give something to a friend or neighbor, "because they need it" and turns out that isn't so true. We gave a 6 year old Jeep Cherokee 4WD that was a third car to a youth pastor at our church, because his car failed. Two weeks later, he left the church, sold the jeep, AND bought a new car. At least we donated through the church, so got the charitable contribution. I did feel more than a little burned, though. Since then, I've decided that it's my mind/heart that has to change-- when you give a gift, there can be no conditions (or expectations). If there are conditions, then it isn't a gift. I just have to be prepared to feel wronged sometimes, but realize that if the gift is abused, then the error isn't with me and I need to get over it. As you can tell by my example, though, sometimes it isn't easy.

Trust me, you'll feel better when you get over it.

I experienced one of those "butt-hurt" moments not long ago. The whole family was gathered at my house to make Christmas Cookies. Son brought his fiance and while cleaning up I asked if they (they were living together at the time) had a Stand Mixer. No, so I gave the one I bought for my wife to them. I only used it once a year when I make sausage so I kept the grinder attachment, telling them I would like to "borrow it back" when I needed it.

This happened in mid December. Got a call in June that my son and his fiance' had "split the sheets" and guess what? The mixer was left behind. A real nice $400 mixer. I was PO'd for about a day and then moved on.

Guess I'll have to borrow my Daughter's now when it's time to grind, stuff, and smoke sausage again this fall.

TitanMike · 07-14-2019, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McKannick

And I'll never buy another sticks and staples, wrapped in a cola can construction RV.

Reading some posts on this forum it appears that that's all Forest River makes even today

ppine · 07-14-2019, 04:27 PM

I know all of my neighbors for a mile around. Some I would sell to because I trust them. I sold a pop-up trailer to a friend many years ago. I gave them a good price and they knew it. They loved the trailer and after many years sold it and bought a new popo-up trailer.

You have to carefully have the prospective buyer examine your vehicle. Agree on the condition. Write the sale as an "As is sale." Some people are hard to work with and I would never sell them anything.

Chazman · 07-14-2019, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TitanMike

Reading some posts on this forum it appears that that's all Forest River makes even today

Sorry, gotta disagree. We had a few problems at first, but overall we are very happy with our TT, our dealer, (Albany RV) and Forest River.

And tomorrow we're leaving for a month of camping.

Jakieboy · 07-14-2019, 07:37 PM

Part of my "Cardinal Rule" is also to never sell or buy anything from a neighbor, or friend, or family member. However, for many years our neighbor was an executive with a scrap metal recycling company that was an expert on buying vehicles that had been "totaled" in highway accidents, or, in my case, had been given "low-ball" offers on various trade-ins. When I was ready to trade in my 1993 Ford Chateau Club Wagon for my new 2008 Chevy 2500 HD Silverado Diesel, my neighbor offered me more than triple what the dealer offered. His company used that van for at least 6 more years.

In later years, our family unfortunately experienced several traffic accidents, none our fault, that resulted in total write-offs for our insurance company. My neighbor once again offered triple what our insurance company offered for the wrecked cars.

Sometimes good neighbors are really "good neighbors".

babock · 07-14-2019, 07:43 PM

I also had that rule but broke it. Sold my 99 Silverado to a friend. Sold it to him for $400 less than what I could have sold it private party. He knows how well I take care of my autos so he knew he couldn't find a vehicle more well cared for. It was also very low miles for the age of the truck 19 years old with 100K miles. Pointed out every defect in the body which were tiny including a place where the paint had peeled slightly.

Never a problem for the last year and a half and he loves the truck. I guess it depends.

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