Darn, was I disappointed. Looked at several 440 shorties in the
past 12 mos, and have been watching this one in various ads and
auctions over the summer. Started out on a Classic Car for sale
internet site at about $12K something. And I thought it was high
but not out of the question. Just figured I'd wait for a better deal,
even though I knew I'd probably never see another Loaded Black
SE. Then another Silver 76 440 shorty Popped up in Calif, by the Original
owner. An Adventurer, Sold new in Bishop Calif with no power steering.
I bid short and the truck went for 7K$ something.
Well this black SE popped up again on Craigs in Portland by
a consignment lot, and again a couple weeks ago for 6950$.
Now we are in the right range. And, with a little negotiating
maybe even a deal, even with the economy saying it's a
better time to wait than buy another toy.
Then it popped up on Ebay with a slightly higher B I Now.
No Takers. I thought in that range it looked really cool, maybe just
a grand or 2 too high again considering the buyers MKT that the
economy has created.
This week I was in Portland with a buddy and an empty trailer
so I arranged to meet the seller and more importantly, check out
his Black truck(s). Yes he has 2. The other truck was silver (now Black)
from Colorado, ebayed about 2 years ago. An Adventurer Sport that
is also for sale.
For some reason, I suspected the Colo truck was in better shape,
but the SE always looked good in the pics, except it was very hard
to judge the quality of the black paint on either truck in the pics.
I thought either truck might be a bargain in the 5 to 6 range and
was ready with $$$$ in hand and my trailer. When I called to get
the directions and confirm that we would be there within the hour,
the seller told me that the night before (after we agreed to meet
in the AM) he emailed some pictures and now had several offers!
So, after almost 6 mos for sale and within minutes of seeing the
trucks, now there were other offers on the table.
OK, I've sold a few vehicles, and when I was a kid, thought
that a little extra incentive was good for helping a buyer
make up his mind. As I've aged (darn it) I 've realized it
may work on some people but, for most, including myself,
childish attempts at manipulation only create mistrust.
It got worse, but that wasn't the worst of it!
By the time we found the storage area and followed him
to the unit and opened the roll up door, (about 30 minutes)
the Colo Truck was now sold, and now he had guys coming down
from Canada to buy the SE. Wow! things were moving fast.
But, if I wanted it for 1000$ more than what he would have
netted from the consignment lot, I could still buy the SE.
Yup $7500. Oh, and now it was raining cats and dogs!
And one other little disappointment.
Now I could see the SE in person. It was inside the storage
unit though somewhat dimly lit, and from 20 feet I could
see I wouldn't be buying the truck.
It was hard to tell what the Rhino Liner and all
of the paint covered, but some of it is coming thru
above the windshield, and around the rear window. Never
saw that in the pics and don't remember being told either.
I was in Portland anyway, so I had not made a special trip,
But, if I had, my mood would have been less charitable.
And so, now the Colo truck was not Actually sold but could
still be bought. Didn't see the seller get a call releasing
interest in that one, but nothing was really surpising at that
point.
Naturally, I'm not criticizing the seller, UHMMMM....
But, If you are travelling a long way to look at these rare,
and they are rare trucks. Then CAVEAT EMPTOR.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 0303860254 
