Community Forums

Gary RVRoamer · 03-22-2023, 02:21 PM

I think the odds are those guys are just looking to find a seller willing to entertain a lowball offer. Probably never putting up money of their own, just get a finders fee for hooking the seller up with a agent. They drive by several times and see the coach doesn't show signs of use, so they invest 20 minutes of their time.

That said, getting a photo or a license plate number is good insurance.

GypsyR · 03-23-2023, 08:35 AM

Mentioned earlier. When I drive one of my classic Mustangs (for example) it seems like someone is always popping up with some silly lowball offer to buy it. Somewhat annoying but never any big deal and I've been putting up with that sort of thing since like 1987. Not a big deal and never an actual problem. Some of you guys come off as REALLY paranoid. Someone made an offer to buy. So what?

KenZ71 · 03-23-2023, 10:07 AM

My neighbor & I watch out for crap like this. He often will chat with visitors then invite them to go target shooting and show off some long range targets. Usually drives the creeps away.

We also have no trespass signs and ornery dogs.

Alpine36 · 03-23-2023, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GypsyR

Mentioned earlier. When I drive one of my classic Mustangs (for example) it seems like someone is always popping up with some silly lowball offer to buy it. Somewhat annoying but never any big deal and I've been putting up with that sort of thing since like 1987. Not a big deal and never an actual problem. Some of you guys come off as REALLY paranoid. Someone made an offer to buy. So what?

Prepared, not paranoid…
When we lived in Seattle I once had a couple shady looking characters follow me home when I was driving our Chevelle. They wanted to “buy” it. These were not typical “car guys” who ask the right questions, or just want to speak gearhead. (yes, that’s a language lol)
A couple days later we had an attempted garage break in about 3:30 AM, but I kept both garage doors double bolted and the driveway motion lights came on. Our 110 lb German Shepard/Ridgeback mix alerted us. Let him outside and they scattered, leaving a pry bar wedged under one roll up door.
Asking if something is “for sale” is one thing. Following you home or not taking no for an answer is something completely different.
That’s a BIG so what in my book.

hayward3411 · 03-24-2023, 03:47 AM

Back in the mid 80.s I had my family loaded up and ready to leave my driveway in my 1977 Winnebago and a van pulled up in my driveway. I literally had the Motorhome running and ready to pull out for a trip to Arkansas.

They asked me if I would sell the Motorhome, I told them that they needed to come back in 2 weeks. A couple of days after my return home the same guys purchased my Motorhome cash in hand.

Strange but true.

GypsyR · 03-24-2023, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alpine36

Following you home or not taking no for an answer is something completely different.
That’s a BIG so what in my book.

Well, yes. As many offers as I've fended off I've never had anyone follow me home. Completely different from all that stuff I said and what others have posted for sure.

RVStitchy · 03-24-2023, 09:07 AM

This is a regular routine in the winter in South Florida. I have an old Porsche in the garage and I get people stopping and asking if I want to sell it. They are almost always from New York or New Jersey based on the plates on their cars. I always say no. A few years ago I had my Airstream Interstate in the driveway with a for sale sign. A New York guy stopped and said his brother had been looking for that exact RV but he didn't know anything about it. So he made a call to someone and came back offering me exactly what the RV dealer was willing to give me on a trade in - must be some type of Blue Book value and he was calling to have his office look it up. Ever since then I assume these guys are just front men for used car dealers up North looking to catch a person at the right time willing to sell cheap.

Argosy · 03-24-2023, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KenZ71

My neighbor & I watch out for crap like this. He often will chat with visitors then invite them to go target shooting and show off some long range targets. Usually drives the creeps away.

Good way to let the creeps know you also have guns.

Alan_Hepburn · 03-24-2023, 11:34 AM

Back in the 1980s we had an old 1963 Chevy stepside pickup truck. One day a guy came to the door, asking about it - he wanted to know about the year, engine, transmission, etc. The next day I went to start it to go to work and the battery had been stolen out of it!

hayward3411 · 03-24-2023, 02:03 PM

I just remembered about a story a guy I ran into in Alaska told me He goes south and buys an RV cheap, drives it to Alaska and vacations in it a couple months, he then sells it in Alaska for enough profit to pay for his entire vacation.

tcg · 03-26-2023, 02:53 PM

I've owned motorcycles my whole life, I routinely got unsolicited offers to buy them all the time.

Turns out if they can get them cheap enough they can make a decent profit selling them overseas.

In other words, may not be a scam or attempt at casing the joint, may just be two guys trying to get cheap RVs to make quick profits with.

If someone offered me enough for my rig I may just sell it but I would tell the unsolicited buyer that everything goes through my attorney, if they were still willing I may entertain an offer.

We also have very good cameras on the outside of our house prominently displayed so if they were casing the joint they would see the cameras and hopefully not take the risk.

I'm not paranoid about every odd encounter but I do take precautions to discourage such things if I'm wrong.

Bigtoado · 03-26-2023, 03:58 PM

I would contact my local sheriff or whatever and tell the story. Request a drive by for a while and share the door bell pics. Be prepared. Neighborhood watch. These guys are looking for easy stuff.

NorCal Hal · 03-26-2023, 04:11 PM

If you should consider selling anything under such conditions accept only cash or electronic wire from their bank and if cash only hand over the title and keys after your bank has seen and accepted the money for deposit. Do NOT accept a money order, cashiers check or personal check. It may be a little more trouble for the buyers but it might save you from having "given" them a FREE vehicle.

If they ask for a test drive either ask a friend to ride along and / or make copies or snap a picture of them and their VALID photo ID's and leave the copy or that phone with someone at home - just like most car dealerships.

Mr.Disaster · 03-26-2023, 07:11 PM

This seems to be the set-up for a scam. If you and the "buyer" settle on a price the agree to get a cashiers check. The check will be drawn on a reputable recognizable bank. Once you sign the title they are on their way. Later you'll find the check is fraudulent. A twist on the scam is that the check will be for some amount over the agreed price. The'll explain they need some cash for fuel and incidentals to get the rig home. Yes that check will be fraudulent also. We just sold an older car (a beater with a heater). The first buyer agreed to our price, but showed up with some cash and a check for the remainder. His excuse was that he didn't expect to buy a car and couldn't get to the bank for all the cash. While we turned him down he got a bit vocal (for us we made the deal in the local sheriff's ofice parking lot. They had cameras and a deputy had talked with us before the meet). One of the deputy's did come out, the guy grabbed the envelop with the money and check and yelled at us as he departed. THey wanted the chase him but no crime had been committed. Later they called me as another family got scammed selling a bike. Same drill, but the family found out the check was drawn on a closed accou nt and the money was counterfeit. Scams abound