T-craft On E-bay

[MAC]

Just browsing on e-bay and ran across this t-craft. Looks pretty good. Located in Ft Lauderdale, Fl. 1600 TT, RECOVERED, 50 STOH. Item 4594722905 Current bid $11,000 or thereabouts. 46 bcd12 65.

[gsmith]

Re: T-craft On E-bay

Does anyone know anything about this plane? It appears to be in good shape. However, I have learned that pictures can be deceiving.

[mhorowit]

Re: T-craft On E-bay

Tell you what... let's assume you want to bid on it, and being a carefull buyer, but too far to go see for yourself before bidding, you're going to make a phone call or e-mail the seller for more information. What would you ask?

You already know some information about the covering and the engine.

I'll start you off. Ask how it was primed when it was recovered? If it was 2 part, then you know you probably don't have to worry about rust for a time.

Maybe ask if there is a trim-tab on the rudder and if so, how many degrees it's deflected. Could be it was added to compensate for a 'wing-low', which might be caused by something else.

What I would do would be to get on the horn to the Ft. Lauderdale EAA chapter and ask the president to recommend an A&P to go out and look at it.

OK - what other questions would you ask long distance?

[alwaysoar]

Re: T-craft On E-bay

This plane was advertised on Barnstormers or Tradeaplane, obviously didn't sell. Not much is evident from the picture except that the paint job's not good and there's too much droop in the ailerons--not a big deal. I also noticed new Eisemann mag cover on ebay--in another post I mentioned I couldn't find one when my cover broke and then went to Slicks. Figures.

[mhorowit]

Re: T-craft On E-bay

...the paint job's not good ....

I agree it's a terrible color, but other than that what are you seeing? - Mike

[alwaysoar]

Re: T-craft On E-bay

Close-ups show poor masking, runs, and generally it looks a little beat up. There is another TCraft on ebay today. Looks nice, "cloth" cover and a new engine installed in 1964! $20,000 and reserve not met, and doubtless it won't be. It does look good, though.

Ed

[mhorowit]

Re: T-craft On E-bay

This aircraft (622SE) re-appeared in B'stormers, and since I've made plans to visit in-laws in Ft. Lauderdale next month, I gave the guy a call.
He's an A&P/IA, did the work himself. I mentioned I didn't want him to feel slighted, but thought it might be a good idea to have a fresh set of eyes look it over for a pre-buy (I'm being polite). He mentioned he'd require a $500, non-refundible deposit just in case the inspection caused some damage. He said that was common practice.
I politely mentioned I'd looked at about five in the last three months and had not run into that practice (and afterwards called my A&P just to make sure I was correct). This sounds too much like that guy in NC who wouldn't allow anyone to inspect the a/c.

Anyone have any experience with this seller?

[VictorBravo]

Re: T-craft On E-bay

For an IA to be so secretive and shady (asking for non-refundable money just for an inspection), means that he knows something is below par. There are hundrdeds of IA's who go looking for junk heaps, thinking that they will do the bare minimum and get the plane to pass annual, then turn it for a profit.

I would tell him you'll give him $500 in cash if the inspection damages the airplane, so long as hel'' give you $500 if the inspection reveals that you wasted your time going to see it.

Actually if it were me, I'd say that he'll have to pay $500 for the privilege of looking at me if the privilege of looking at his airplane is worth $500.

[alwaysoar]

Re: T-craft On E-bay

How about this approach? Call his bluff. Tell him he can do the taking apart and putting together and sticking and probing and compression checking and all that with your A&P looking on.

Owning my TCraft and reading this forum has done a lot to open my eyes, but what about the folks who don't know about this resource. I wonder if the TCraft Club and Foundation should get a spot on Barstormers inviting new members or something like that. Rather than try to "out" individual sellers who aim to screw people, take a more proactive approach and go for the potential buyers.

Ed#BTV VT
TF527

[crispy critter]

Re: T-craft On E-bay

Mike,
I have never heard of anyone charging you just to do a pre-buy on an airplane they are trying to sell. It sounds a lot like he's got something to hide and trying get money any way he can.....give me his number, I'll call him and if he tries that stuff with me I'll tell him just where he can fly his little t-craft...THATS REDICULOUS!!!!!
I can understand him wanting a small reasonable deposit to hold the airplane until you can look at it if it's going to take you a while to get there and then making it non-refundable if you don't show in a timely manner but you can't charge a buyer $500 just so he can look it over to see if he wants to buy it. People like that should be in jail....and I hope he's reading this.

[alwaysoar]

Re: T-craft On E-bay

I think I would want to know that the guy doing the pre-buy knew what he was doing. A look at his ticket and a few questions would answer that. I'd also want to know what he was going to do on the pre-buy. Is he going to test my fabric with a Maule? OK, but know the limits and stay inside them. It's ok to poke around with an ice pick, but lets not get too carried away. I might want a deposit against the person doing the prebuy not putting it back together again when he's done. For example, my cowl is a pain to get back on. So if someone were to knock off all the inspection covers, take off the cowl, pull the plugs, take out the baggage, take out the seat, etc etc, they better honkin put it back together...the right way! I might want a deposit to guarantee that

[Pearson]

Re: T-craft On E-bay

Why deal with an idiot? I would find a plane closer to home, use the travel to Florida money toward the purchase, and avoid dealing with this nut!

[mhorowit]

Re: T-craft On E-bay

Why deal with an idiot? I would find a plane closer to home, use the travel to Florida money toward the purchase, and avoid dealing with this nut!

Like I said - I'm going to visit my in-laws so the inspection is incidental - Mike

[mhorowit]

Re: T-craft On E-bay

Someone posted the following which I thought would level the playing field:

>If you are serious you might suggest to the owner you will put the $500
>in an escrow with the local bank and the owner would have to prove that
>you damaged anything.

- Mike

[srf471]

Re: T-craft On E-bay

Mike,

Since you are going to be down here anyway, why don't you take a look by yourself first. Then if you feel the plane is worth further investigation, you could bring an A&P for the second look. That why you could size up the owner.
BTW, what airport is it based at. My A&P might be willing to go to Lauderdale with you.

Nick