Holy &*$#, Strike 3!

[mhorowit]

Re: Holy &*$#, Strike 3!

No problem, Craig

Mike You seem to be engaging brain before heart gets involved, so listen to your brain! Well done.

Rob

Rob - thanks; actually I'm sort of stunned that I took info I got from the Forum and was able to frame a reply, then had the confidence to say "that's ridiculous", and walk away. Thanks to all for adding to the body of knowledge that allowed this to come together. Now if I can just keep the airplane parallel to the yellow line...... - MIke

[VictorBravo]

Re: Holy &*$#, Strike 3!

Contact "the Baroness" at Barnstormers, Lorraine Kivi. She's a quirky, cranky, and 'not always all there' little old lady. But she built the best aviaiton classified site anywhere. Her husband Bob von Willer is a good guy.

For God's sake don't mention my name. I won't bore you with the story

Let her know that you want to put up a post warning people about your experience, and that people's lives are at stake, and that the guy is lying in wait for some kid to come along, etc. etc. and that it is her civic duty to let you post something in warning.

Remind her that her website is CRAWLING with "Joe Smith is a Liar!" posts put up by others, and that all you want to do is let people know to be rather cautions when buying a Taylorcraft in the eastern part of the country.

If it were me personally, I'd also write the seller a letter telling him that you are contacting the FAA and looking up his N number to see which IA signed off his maintenance, and putting all local aviation entities on notice that there MAY be something fishy going on. ESPECIALLY if this guy is in the business of selling junk airplanes over and over.

If you can frighten the guy into at least being honest with his buyers, then you have possibly saved someone from getting hurt or disillusioned with Taylorcrafts.

I did exactly that when I was loking at a Cessna last year. That sort of thing is not exactly polite, and the seller wasd very verbal with me about his feelings. I'd rather be accused of being a jackass and steer some kid away from a bad airplane, it's a small price to pay. Karma and all that.

[alwaysoar]

Re: Holy &*$#, Strike 3!

Everybody's up in arms about this guy, and granted no one should buy a plane from him under those circumstances, but what actually has he done wrong? He didn't know the N number, didn't send the specs, said ceconite never deteriorates (probably won't if you keep it out of the sun), was wrong about the purpose of silver, and doesn't want any young A&P poking around his airplane. Well, I wouldn't either. He said all that up front, he didn't wait for Mike to make the trip and then lay that on him. Frankly, the worst that can be said about him is he didn't know about UV protection.

Look at it this way--this might be a real good plane sitting there. I had an opportunity to buy a low time A65 off a cub that was being upgraded. They let me fly the cub to check it out, and I could pull the prop through and saw good even compression. There were very good records including yellow tags for all components, and the engine ran like a dream--never flew a smoother 65. But they wouldn't let me do a compression check because it entailed pulling off the cowl (this was a J-4 or 5) which is a pain in the neck. So dummy that I am, I passed on it. Included prop and carb. Now a year later, the engine is on a local champ, compression's in the high 70's, and the new owners couldn't be happier. I spent all summe majoring an engine.

So I think you may be giving this guy a bad rap. Looking at it objectively, I can't see the deception you all are complaining about. Of course, I wouldn't buy his plane that way.

(Just playing devil's advocate here)

[Jim Herpst]

Re: Holy &*$#, Strike 3!

I agree there ALWAYSSOAR. I probably lost more than anyone else on this Forum from this guy (just time and airplane gas money.) While my opinion is he is looking for saps to buy his stuff at the same time I believe that he is not a scam artist either. At the speed info passes today ANYONE purchasing almost ANYTHING from almost ANYONE has the opportunity to get a great education for free. (time aside!!!!!)

SOO more than ever now BUYER BEWARE and add to it BE INFORMED. Shame on those not.

[mhorowit]

Re: Holy &*$#, Strike 3!

...I can't see the deception you all are complaining about. Of course, I wouldn't buy his plane that way. (Just playing devil's advocate here)

You are correct. Stepping back, it's really just a personality issue, isn't it. All one can do is be factual. "Seller does not allow a through pre-purchase inspection" should make anyone cautious. - Mike

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Holy &*$#, Strike 3!

I have been buying and selling for 48 yrs. ; first was a Stinson 10A that my Dad wanted to sell for $450.00. A friend of mine and I washed her, gunked the engine down , touched up the rust with paint, rubbed brake fluid on the tires, put a new car type deodorant in her, lubed all points fresh fuel, etc...I always allow compression checks and the asking price was then $650.00 third fellow along offered $600.00 and away he went with a smile on his face. $150.00 was a lot for a 14 yr old kid in 1956......

You live and you learn, I do about 6-7 ships a year, some I never see, only refererral. I do pre-buys and have worked for both the buyer or the seller. Sometimes I feel like an old harlot The BUYER should always have the person that is going to MAINTAIN the Certified aircraft for him do the pre-buy. YES I have bought ( or brokered) without opening a lot of stuff. THAT is between the seller and myself. Sometimes I just walk away.
About a month ago, I had a mechanic deal on a right aluminum wing tank for a BC12D , it is BEAUTIFUL. I told him I would take $275.00 plus shipping, then the OWNER called me and wanted guarantees ?? I told him it would be money back, he pays shipping. THEN he went on and on.... I hung up. First time in a long time I did that ( he was not a Foundation member) . I NOW will sell the tank for $350.00..... boy that felt GOOD!i