928 Bait and switch in Houston

[SolReaver]

Hey folks: Kind of a public service announcement here and a call to action for the sake of the community.

There is a Craigslist poster in Houston who is apparently running a bait and switch with the bait being a non existent 88 928. IMHO Please flag his post as "prohibited"

http://houston.craigslist.org/cto/1108923198.html

Seems Ok, Right? Well...I called the number and "Jonathan told me that the 928 was in pretty good shape and that they wanted 1500. It had a cracked windshield and the fuel pump didn't work but it starts fine. (OK< yea, I KNOW...Too good to be true...But...Worth a look?)

Well the truth is... There is NO 928. If there had been an 88 at that price...I would have bought it. I even confirmed over the phone was an 88 with a 5 liter V8. I had a tow truck following me. I am THAT hard core.

When you get there, he will explain that it was all
a mistake and the 928 is really a 924. OOPS! He will then show you the
rattiest 924 in this time zone with a broken windshield, sunk to the marker lights in mud, stuff growing in the interior, and a woodland habitat under the hood. Next, the crazy old man in charge will give you a special deal of only 1200 dollars! What a bargain!

I would be ashamed to have these things in the yard but they have dozens of em
of various makes. All neglected for what may be decades. I think
there is some deep psychological issues that I cannot pronounce
which date back to some traumatic event that occurred during his
potty training.

I wanted to warn people about the situation so that they don't
waste there time with this Lunatic. SO, I posted a RE: Car lot going out of business ad that pulled up on almost all the searches that his original ad did. I got torrents of "same thing happened to me" mixed with "thanks for the warning" and "yea, this guy is an A hole" So the poster got a bunch of his friends together and flagged my post so that he can continue his scam.

I put another post, identical to the first up to keep him in check. I figure it will be flagged in a day or so. http://houston.craigslist.org/cto/1120258647.html

In the meantime...Any one upset that this person is scamming people looking for Porsches, should flag HIS ad. I have been informed he is still telling people over the phone that the 88 928 is still for sale for 1500 and he has refused to correct the ad after he said he was going to. Please help me stop these scamming scumbags. Vote early, Vote often.

[Danglerb]

Mall cop for craigslist is a thankless position, I'd say don't waste your time.

OTOH I flag a load CL posts every day. Parasites that lie and spam should not be allowed to ruin what is otherwise a nice service.

You should update your post as the linked ad is flagged and gone.

[SolReaver]

Well, It is not showing up on a search for 928 in Houston. So I guess that we are OK for now. Yes Dangerleb: I normally would let it all go, but these people lied to me twice on the phone, knew I was hiring a truck, and then, when I got there showed me the saddest parts cars of the wrong model you'd ever seen. My tow-jockey friend wanted to just mess em up. I have a hailstorm of hate emails from them for blowing their game. I am not sure exactly what they were up to. I am also a "Spam fighter" which, again is a lot like playing Whack em O, but you do make life just a little bit more difficult for scumbags. Call it a hobby while I am waiting on parts.

[lfausty]

It is so sad that , to the finest detail you discuss, build a repoire, with someone selling and they could give a rats ass they lie about what they have ,what the issues are, the condition of ........

that you have asked over and over again exactly and made it clear what youd be going through many miles away to pickup and that you have rented or cost out, to arrange pickup,

and lose much of a day when you have many other things to do, you believe in a person words your helping them their helping you, just a straight up deal, neither side advantage or ripped off.

that their just so one sided in hooking anyone anywhere in , they dont get it what they did to you just to get you to go there no shame at all.

Amazing excuses once there that didnt happen in any of the many conversations youd have had and there looking you in the face the whole time, like you definitely want it right and then the big bargain for less happens, thats the consciencous clearer there doing you a favor.

OTOH there are those eccentric junkyard dogs that have the exotic cars 30-40 yrs old brutally junked by the dozens and think there worth millions, you cant them to part with for nothing there actually living decades and decades away in a dream when they all were what they were and they know every little story about the littlest thing about them, and still believe 30-40 yrs later there all Barrett-Jackson worthy.

There old themselves with major health issue that upon retiring they were going to make something of them, they lose there good time buddies and spouses to death and there children have begun to put the pressure on them to clear it out. Basically so they wont have too they leave him to sort out what his passion is and has no interest in parting with , and the children are waiting to put him in a old age home.

Down size his home or for the children get yard condemed from the state forcing him to junk scrap or sell , if hes lucky hell get to drive the volunteer meals on wheels for the elderly 20hrs so a week for few yrs before hes a recipient himself.

Yeah that crazy ole fool remember when he was in the exotic car member clubs , winning his races, and showing his show builts When he kicked ass with many porsches, lotus, elans and the brit cars of old.

Was it all silent suffering with no time to grieve. Nope hes reminded so well how hear and now he is THAT CRAZY OLE MAN , maybe hes thankful for everyone keeping him on his toes now , maybe he just suffers even more. The OLD MAN takes the wrap again, while the kids use and abuse all he has and had unknowledgeably so and unleashes it on to society , just to get him to quickly part with it all, cashed in the coins and collectibles , his life longs.

[Danglerb]

Smile, when you say "crazy old man".

[SolReaver]

Ifausty: it wasn't exactly like that. The cars were not picked over. They were frozen in time, as if left there many years ago, under a tree, with the windows open. Many generations of rodent families bringing up their young in the engine compartments.

I feel no kinship with the owner. I do feel a bit of sympathy, possibly pity for his mental problems. It is difficult when one cannot see the world for how it is. Their deception was out of desperation. How can you sell anything if no one comes to buy? They were trolling for suckers. Give em a song and dance...Stage a few people to pretend that the cars are "flying out the door" and have 3 or 4 people nod their heads that that is a great price. It was all a performance. The acting was better than most soap operas. I got them on cross referenced questions out of earshot. It is an old cop trick. Besides, You all know how much I think parts cars are worth. What are the chances I will pay 3 times that amount? It also helps to know what things are worth so that when 3 people tell you it is a steal and that these cars are "rare" you can stand your ground. As with most of my dealings.. I leave a card and a standing offer on the back. IF and when they want to pay it...OK.

Besides, anyone who neglects a Porsche like that....No, he is not, and never was an old road salt. These are not his life longs. These are the projects he forgot about years ago. Seriously, these things were junk. He is another one who bought cars at auction and then tried to flip them for a profit. Geee...I wonder why the Porsches didn't work out for him??? Don't cry for the dealer...Cry for the cars.

By the way...."This posting has been flagged for removal
(The title on the listings page will be removed in just a few minutes.)"

HA HA HA HA, I always loved playing wack em O! Victory is mine!

Crazy old man in training. I think I got the crazy part down....the rest will come