Her son is over-seas (military?) and her husband bought that before going off to Nam so the tat's probably aren't a problem bro.. but i hear ya.. I still get stared at funny for the hot rod lick-flames running up me arm.. Just make sure you're respectful to her and empathetic towards the way she's responding to you.. A respectful young man will go a long ways with older people.. especially since they've probably earned the respect they deserve.. just my two Lincolns
In 75 when I was 15 I knocked on the door of a little house in Yorba Linda, CA, to ask about a 1948 Chevy. The car was parked in a grove and was last registered in 1952. The old man who answered the knock yelled at me and said I am not going to talk about that car. My dad pointed out that the car likely belonged to his son who never came back from the Korean war. I drove by that car for years, then, one day, gone. Soon thereafter the house and orange grove were gone too I assume someone with more persistence got the car.
Ive always wanted to knock, but whats a good way to ask? A guy I work with just told me about a bunch of old iron about 45 minutes away. I want to go knock, but Im just not sure how to word it. Any advice on that?
People who will knock on my door I can just politely tell them no. People who are driving their truck around my vehicles at 5:00AM and rip out of my place when I flip a porch light on get their tailgate peppered. I never seen a crew cab in those years till Friday here:
Of course you should knock.How else are you going to find out?I was a walking mailman for 30 years.Always changing to new routes where I found a lot of stuff.You can see a lot walking around the neighborhoods.Got some good deals. And don't worry about the tats.I would feel more comfortable talking to a tatooed dude than one dressed in a suite or some girly fashion clothes.Just always be respectful and carry a card with you to give them with your contact info if they want to think about it.
Just be very polite. I always say I was just driving by and saw whatever it was in their back yard and was wondering if it would possibly be for sale. If you have one similar, drive it, and they will see you are genuinely interested. Having a girl waiting in the car never hurts, either. If they decline, thank them politely. Some people ask if they can leave a number if they decide to change their mind. Some people need some time for the temptation of cash to see if they really want to keep the vehicle or sell it. I bought a VW bus from a guy that was WAAAY back in his woods. He asked how we even knew about it. My friend told him that he had played around it as a kid and knew that I was hunting for a bus and we figured we'd see if he still had it.
Catch 22. I have knocked and had success. However, people that knock on my door usually kinda piss me off for fear of theft. Be cordial and sincere.
I second the backing away from the door point, it makes you far less intimidating to give them some distance, and it shows respect too. Introduce yourself, tell them you want to inquire about their vehicle, whatever, ask if it they would be interested in selling it. DO NOT show up in an AC/DC t-shirt, mirrored sunglasses, reeking of alcohol, or obnoxiously saying "I want your car". These are things that are guaranteed to put you in a gunsight. Oh, I almost forgot, don't sneak outside my daughters window at 3AM and try to whisper to get her attention. A .45 is a terrible thing to be at the wrong end of, as made apparent by the wet streak running down his leg...
I actually had 500 business cards made up just for this purpose. Plain white with a 32 ford outlining the cards. They state my full name, address, phone, and e-mail with the words "CAR COLLECTOR" in bold on the bottom. If nobody is home, I write a note on the back of what I am interested in, and sometimes a cash price for it If I really want it. I have gotten alot of calls, and even more contacts by asking if they know of any other cars in the area that may be for sale. Very few people are offended if you are sincere. I have even gotten a tour from the guy that won't sell anything and people claim he will chase you out with a shotgun. Be sincere and serious about purchasing.
This thread inspired me to make a short road trip today and do a little knocking. I got no answer, but I left a note. Hopefully they call.
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