I must be insane! I had that 37 Chevy coupe body shell on the S-10 Chassis for sale in the classifieds for like $800. A Hamber named Dan offers $500 for the body shell without the frame and I tell him since he is a Hamber he can have the body AND the frame for $500. He asks if I can help him get it home and tells me he lives in Johnson City Tennessee, which I get confused with Jefferson City all the time. I think why not and offer to haul it to him for $100 as a favor thinking its Jefferson city (50 miles) when in reality its Johnson city, 140 miles away. He sends me the $600 and then I find out hes in Johnson city, not Jefferson city. Hummm, what to do. Send the $$ back, tell him forget it. Ask for more $$? No, of course not, Im a man of my word, AND Im insane. Next hes looking for some doors. I know where a pair of sedan doors that could be modified are sitting and could be had cheap if not free so I offer to check them out for the guy. I check them out and he wants $50 each for them and they are a little rough, but he also has two front fenders that are usable for another $100. I get him down as low as he would go at $120 for both doors and both fenders. I dont have Dans number to ask him about it so I say what the hay and buy them. If he doesnt want them Ill just keep them. So, today is the day Im supposed to bring Dan his car. Only thing is Dan never gave me his address or phone number and he has not been responding to my PMs on the HAMB. But I already have the car on the trailer and the parts in the truck and Ive got to get the car out of my yard and off of my trailer. So I have my wife find the envelope that the $600 came in and get the address off of that and head off after dropping $100 in Diesel into my tank. 2.4 hours later Im in Johnson city at the address where the $600 was sent from. Dans not there. Dan doesnt live there and nobody knows how to get ahold of him because hes not answering his cell. Hmmm. Its his parents house so they let me off load the car there. But what about the parts that Dan said he wanted but has not paid for? His folks say that Dan is good for it so I leave the parts I have paid $120 for with the car in the driveway and drive the 2.4 hours back home, and then go pick up my 51 Kaiser. I make it home with about $25 in fuel left in the tank. Like I said, I must be insane.
Kharma...it's called Kharma...you're an honest man and a man of your word...it'll all come back to you tenfold... Insane...hardly...??? R-
You should have not made the trip if you felt it was too far, the buyer should have contact info more than just a place to drop the stuff. Your a good guy for going out of your way for someone, but also remember you should NOT be afraid to ask for some cash for the delivery, even if your going in that direction or for the confusion of cities. You have to remember what is your time and effort worth you? Now your just kind of stuck with buying someone some fenders and delivering something 100 mile farther than you thought. If you don't ask you don't get. Hopefully this works out for you like the post above says.
When you contact Dan run the story by him and see if his response shows he is (or is not) a stand up guy.
i wonder if his parents are wondering WTF are we gonna do with this pile of crap now??? ...damn had I known you could have delivered it to me! good luck...
You did a good thing, but I'd let him know about your cost and that communication is key. He should cover your gas, and maybe chip in another 100 for your time. That's what I would do. Sounds like he might be a younger guy. He may not be life experienced enough to know the trouble you've been through.
He paid you up front for the car and you agreed to delivering it today. You're going the extra step with the doors and fenders is commendable, his not returning your calls can be for numerous reasons which really put you on the spot. I think the guy will come through, even if he pays you of 1/2 then 1/2. He did after all pay you before delivery. The cost in extra fuel? Maybe you guys can work that out. You aren't insane though, you were helping a brother out and it will come back to you in ways you might not recognize.
Guy's, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that Dan has done anything wrong here other than not cummunicationg well. He's really not on the hook for my gas money or extra trouble because I'm the idiot that agree to do it. It would be nice though if he paid me the out of pocket expense for the parts though. After all, where is someone going to find two doors and two fenders for $30 each DELIVERED! LOL
dont feel bad if you get stung a bit weve all been there most rodders i know are cool folks , but once in awhile you run into a bad apple , we all hope karma is real , and your dough shows up ,
You've got to keep us informed as to how this turns out. In this day and age it's rare indeed for someone to go the exta mile like you did. If the guy comes through it will reflect well on how he was raised. If not, you will have learned a lesson you'll not soon forget. Frank
Never feel bad for going out of your way to do the right thing. I'd rather people owe me than the other way around any day.
I've got myself into those situations and wondered how much of this just happens? The misinformation and being difficult to reach. I'm not sayin' that it was a con, but sometimes it's difficult to remain a nice guy...expensive too. Education costs money, here, the University
You should have taken his parents' phone numbers. I've found that when trying to collect money people will lie to you all day long, but when Momma knows they pay up.
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