Isn't there a thread on...

[BE911SC]

...strangers knocking on your door and asking about the cars in your garage? Drive-bys where people slow in front of open garages?

Anyway, I left the garage door open the other evening, still light outside, and got a knock on the door. Middle Eastern guy about 30 asks about the 911 in the garage. Is it for sale? "Cash price?" How much is it worth? What is that other car? (That other car is not easily seen from the street so he clearly looked in the garage before knocking on the front door.) I was guarded but polite and said not for sale and not really sure what they're worth. (Don't want a rock through my front window at 0300.) Got a partial picture of the car (with three other occupants), a 2002 Corolla S, but no license plate. Not sure the cops would care but maybe I'll call anyway and see what they say.

[GH85Carrera]

I have never had anyone knock on my door and ask to buy one of my cars.

I have had many ask if my El Camino is for sale. I just politely tell them it is not for sale for any reasonable price. If they offer silly insane money, it is for sale. Everything has a price, but it is not likely anyone with the money would pay stupid high prices.

[stevej37]

Where are you located? Upper left corner...not enough info.

[look 171]

I get the Russian or Armenian young men asking about it when I drive it. They are bold enough to get out and stick their heads inside the window when I am about 10 away. They start with their fukcing cash offers. They are pretty rude in the way their ask. Its almost seem like they are the only ones that have money or cash for that matter. Very tired of them. The worst thing is, the adults are aggressive too. They want to buy my house, ones that we are working on. It seems that there's no "NO" in their language. I have to threaten to call 911 on one just to get him off my property. These are guys in their 50-60s. "I buy house, CASH. I go bank now. Sell to me. I finish. You no finish house, take cash and you go". WTF?

[ckelly78z]

Never had someone ask about the cars (that I know of) but someone stopped about some scrap steel out behind our barn, which was barely visible from the road. My wife happened to be home, and probably thwarted his plan of just going ahead and loading it up, and driving off......You may have done the same thing about answering the door.

No good can come from 4 foriegn dudes in a crappy econobox, asking about mostly hidden, expensive sports cars. It was a good thing you were home.

[onewhippedpuppy]

This is an excellent reminder to keep your garage door closed, which I am vigilant about. Even the kids are pretty well trained by this point.

[scottmandue]

I just tell them the Elantra is not for sale AT ANY PRICE!!!

We keep our garage closed almost all the time unless I'm working down there... I have too much invested in tools and musical instruments stored in the garage.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by ckelly78z

Never had someone ask about the cars (that I know of) but someone stopped about some scrap steel out behind our barn, which was barely visible from the road. My wife happened to be home, and probably thwarted his plan of just going ahead and loading it up, and driving off......You may have done the same thing about answering the door.

No good can come from 4 foriegn dudes in a crappy econobox, asking about mostly hidden, expensive sports cars. It was a good thing you were home.

We were repairing a Frame 5 Gas Turbine in Fitchburg, Mass about 25 years ago....A junk dealer drives by, eyeing the upper half turbine shell casing on wood blocks. Lots of stories from that jobsite

[BE911SC]

Originally Posted by look 171

I get the Russian or Armenian young men asking about it when I drive it. They are bold enough to get out and stick their heads inside the window when I am about 10 away. They start with their fukcing cash offers. They are pretty rude in the way their ask. Its almost seem like they are the only ones that have money or cash for that matter. Very tired of them. The worst thing is, the adults are aggressive too. They want to buy my house, ones that we are working on. It seems that there's no "NO" in their language. I have to threaten to call 911 on one just to get him off my property. These are guys in their 50-60s. "I buy house, CASH. I go bank now. Sell to me. I finish. You no finish house, take cash and you go". WTF?

The guy who knocked on my door seemed a lot like this. Armenian is a possibility. Somewhat persistent until I firmed up in my response to him. I also looked at his car and the guys in it while I was at the door and I think he realized I was gathering information.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by BE911SC

The guy who knocked on my door seemed a lot like this. Armenian is a possibility. Somewhat persistent until I firmed up in my response to him. I also looked at his car and the guys in it while I was at the door and I think he realized I was gathering information.

I think its cultural? They are somewhat aggressive in their dealings in most businesses. My friend who owns a bike shop hates dealing with them. He gives them a price, then come time to pay, they demand a lower amount or discount but wouldn't take no for an answer. They hang around and continue to ask the same damn question based on the same price. We laugh at it now, but we just can't understand how a consumer can determine a selling price from the shop owner.

My father was in the jewelry business. In the past 25-30 years, that number has dipped to more then 60% of the business owners are middle easterners with most of them being Armenians. A couple of my friends just decided to now deal with them any longer as soon as he sees them coming, they have already made up their minds. Sad, I know, but they all say they don't need the headaches.

A lot of them are in the used car market, both selling privately and small used car dealerships.