Well, I wasn't going to tell anyone until it showed up in my driveway, but I was winning an auction on a 2002 Viper GTS coupe. Price was originally 42,5 - I offered 35. (Just testing waters, really.) He replied no less than 38.5, and it had some paint scratches and an intermittent door latch problem and a blown radio fuse - none of that stuff was listed in the original auction. I told him his price was reasonable, but just more than I could afford. That was that.
I had placed a 35K bid. Starting price was 30. Over the weekend, some people bidded me up to $32,322. Suddenly, Monday evening, he drops the reserve to $32,323. He writes that he needs to sell it ASAP. Now I'm a dollar away from winning. So I ask him for more information about these paint scratches. Then the story changes - now it's damage from a "5mph fender bender" that he had to buy a new hood and have it painted. He says the paint is chipping off.
Alright, fine - I get an estimate from a local shop. Whole hood needs repainted, $1,800. Still below my original bid at the $32,323 price.
So the auction ends today. No additional bids, so technically I lose the auction by $1. I write the guy, tell him to send me a second chance offer, then ask him to contact a local dealer to set up a vehicle inspection that I'll pay for - already contacted the dealer, got their contact info and a reference...
He finally writes back telling me he'll fix the paint and the door latch if I pay $34,000. I wrote back "Fine, but the paint job has to be top quality - I don't want to have to fix it again later." Then he writes back and says he thinks he can fix the problems and relist it, getting more money for it. Mind you he didn't tell anyone on the auction about the problems to begin with! So he thinks he'll relist it and get more money? So he basically says "never mind - good luck." THEN he sends me a second chance offer. Then he writes me back and says "You can have it fixed for $34 or as-is for $32,322, but I want a deposit before I'll get it inspected." So he wants me to pay a deposit and promise to buy a car that he supposedly wrecked and then LIED about before he'll even get it inspected on MY dollar...
I told him to get lost. I told him I refused to buy a car - a very important and symbolic car to me - sight unseen and condition unknown from a seller who can't tell the truth. I told him best of luck reselling it - I haven't seen a Viper sell for over 36,000 for a limited-edition 1997 Blue & White GTS in over 4 months.
So I lose again - no Viper for me. At this point I think I'm just going to stay off the internet and forget about this for a while. I've waited 15 years - I can wait a little longer.
Sorry, guys - I'm gonna drop the topic for now.
Jeff
