How much is TIP WORTH?

[HistoryBuff]

I am not now in the market for an old Porsche. But being in the car field, I cannot blind my eyes when I pass one in a driveway. For instance on Christmas Day 2016 --today--I passed again a 911 targa, year unknown, sitting in a driveway covered by atarp in a town East of Los Angeles. I photographed what I could see of the plate but can't tell the State (not Calif.-- black letters on white)I have been passing the same car for at least a year. I think it said Carrera someplace when it was uncovered but now it's covered. If it were me, I'd show up with a check for what a non-runner is worth to show them you have real money but then all you barn finders have your own style (in the '80s, I bought three Bizzarrinis, a RR SCIII, a Bentley Continental, etc. all with my method and it worked).But now it's up to those who have seed money. So I think, for my detective work so far, this tip--the address and picture-- is worth $200 to one buyer, exclusively, but what say you? If your stock answer when you get offered a tip is: "I'll pay you a commission if I buy it" that wouldn't work for me because I've found once the cat is out of the bag, it's out of the bag.

[autojack]

Wow, for $200 you'll tell me where I can find a car under a tarp? Where do I sign?!

[sugarwood]

Borrow the money, buy the car, sell the car, repay the money > $200

[sky1jord]

Originally Posted by autojack

Wow, for $200 you'll tell me where I can find a car under a tarp? Where do I sign?!

Now that is funny

[HistoryBuff]

Back in the go-go'80s,I was buying about one barn find car every two months for a New York based group, at one point I found a long nose Iso grifo 351 Cleveland 5-spd for 11K. This would have answered by own car needs but I used my client's money and sold it in the parking lot of the Barrett Jackson (without entering it in the auction) and got a $1000 commission, sold it for 14K. Last time I looked at long noses they were at $400K. I think if I would've said to my client:"I'm keeping this one," he would have let me, and I could have paid him back. So your advice is valid. And a 351 C would be an easy engine to service, lots of Mustangs have 'em

[juanbenae]

when I lived in Tahoe in my early 20's working in the service industry at squaw valley we always said "a tip is hip"... a targa under tarp? not so hip.

[john walker's workshop]

You must need money. Might work, especially if a bunch of people all sent you $200.

[DaveMcKenz]

I think it's a decent idea. He doesn't want the car. He'll tell about it for $200. If you don't want to participate, don't.
In the scheme of things, an extra $200 cost in the purchase of a potential bargain may not be all that much. To the OP, $200 makes it worth the effort.
Good luck,
Dave

[DWeg1998]

I know a place that has at least 10 Porsches under one roof. For only $1900 I'll tell you where. And you could even get a PPI there.

[maxnine11]

Sorry to undercut you, but I'll divulge info on 911s in Wyoming for $199.

[Matt Monson]

While History Buff's history suggests to me that he's a straight shooter, we don't even know that the car is for sale.

[Stahler]

Post the picture and start a treasure hunt

[Justin@Athens]

There are cars like this all over the country. If you spot one and want to buy it great! If you don't want to buy it or cannot--tell somebody who has the resources or interest. Chances are the car is not for sale, or is not worth buying. Pass the information along, we are mostly all friends here right?

[Unobtanium-inc]

I pay lots of finders fee's but I don't pay for tips, there is just too little a chance you will be able to buy a car just because it is there. There was a day when you could do this, but now you have guys roving the country knocking on every door and I can guarantee you that this guy has had at least 10 people offer to buy his car. So unless you were down a dead-end road with a 2 mile driveway and spotted a car, I am willing to bet the car you found is not for sale. But you could go knock on the door, if it is for sale then get the price and then you will probably be able to get someone to pay you for the info, because the car is for sale. The way you did business in the 80s doesn't really work anymore, too many people out looking for cars and it's too easy for an owner to do a 10 minute search on the internet to get a rough idea on the value of their car. It's a much different game now.

---Adam

[Rick Brooklyn]

Originally Posted by HistoryBuff

Back in the go-go'80s,I was buying about one barn find car every two months for a New York based group

Which one, Gambino? Or Genovese?

[techweenie]

Hi, HistoryBuff glad to see you here. I asked my nearby friend to go see this car earlier this year, and he hasn't gotten around to it yet. If we can do a deal, you will definitely get a finder's fee.

Bill

[kc911s]

Just the tip?!?

[Rawknees'Turbo]

^^^

My kind of peoples!

[dienstuhr]

Thought you were talking about Tiptronic

Was gonna say "-20%"

[dad911]

What happened to the other thread?