T-craft On E-bay

[crispy critter]

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

I completly understand the deposit part but if no damage was done during the inspection and the guy doesn't want the airplane then give his deposit back to him.

[alwaysoar]

Re: T-craft On E-bay

Yes, I agree with that. The guy who asked for the $500 non-refundable deposit is just out to make some pocket change. I wouldn't want to hose anyone. One more thing. The person doing the pre-buy ought to have some direction from the buyer. Such as, if the plane looks ratty, there are obvious problems just looking at the logs and doing a superficial check, just walk away. Wouldn't you only do a pre-buy on plane that looked pretty good at first glance, had decent logs and a cooperative seller, and you wanted to investigate deeper?

[mhorowit]

Re: T-craft On E-bay

Yes, I agree with that. The guy who asked for the $500 non-refundable deposit is just out to make some pocket change. I wouldn't want to hose anyone. One more thing. The person doing the pre-buy ought to have some direction from the buyer. Such as, if the plane looks ratty, there are obvious problems just looking at the logs and doing a superficial check, just walk away. Wouldn't you only do a pre-buy on plane that looked pretty good at first glance, had decent logs and a cooperative seller, and you wanted to investigate deeper?

That's my MO - Mike

[mhorowit]

Re: T-craft On E-bay

Mike, BTW, what airport is it based at. My A&P might be willing to go to Lauderdale with you. Nick

It's at North Perry Airport.
I wouldn't want to involve an A&P unless I"d given it a once-over first. If I can talk him away from this non-return-deposit requirement we might proceed further, otherwise I'll simply end up enjoying drinking coffee and watching the sunrise - Mike

[alwaysoar]

Re: T-craft On E-bay

Is North Perry still a wagon wheel?

[mhorowit]

Re: T-craft On E-bay

Is North Perry still a wagon wheel?

Sorry, I've never been there and don't know what a 'wagon wheel' is - Mike

[alwaysoar]

Re: T-craft On E-bay

Many runways radiating out from a hub like spokes on a wheel. I don't remember how many. I flew there in the 60's--

[mhorowit]

Re: T-craft On E-bay

Many runways radiating out from a hub like spokes on a wheel. I don't remember how many. I flew there in the 60's--

Sorry , no idea. - Mike

[stormman]

Re: T-craft On E-bay

Im having an openhouse airplane inspection this week. Sooo if twenty or so of the guys could all show up and bring $499 apiece or 499 at $20 apiece im furnishing FREE pizza and BEER! ON SECOND thought free P&B on 20 guys only as i watch some of you eat and drink and i would go broke on 499.
If all works out well we can do it once a month , maybe even door prizes and partyhats ,weather permitting

[Ron Greene]

Re: T-craft On E-bay

Norm,

Glad to hear from you again. Did you finally find some squirrels in Arkansas to power your computer?

Ron Greene

[mhorowit]

FOLO: T-craft On E-bay

Thought I'd bring everyone up to speed on this action.
As I mentioned, I went down to see the In-Laws and made arrangements to see this a/c. Previously, I ordered the CD showing whatever the feds knew. Interestingly, the owner had asked for a registration number change. I put that down to vanity and not a big issue. Just on a whim, I GOOGLED on the old registration number because sometime it will show pics of the a/c at Alliance or some fly-in. What popped up was an accident report on two serious injuries due to something in the fuel system causing starvation; further investigation showed the a/c got de-registered, sold as parts, put back together, re-registered and then got the number changed. No indication on the CD that any major work had been done.

Anyway, I get to the a/c, make some small talk and do a look-over. Spot the gascalator issue mentioned earlier, then the lack of inspection ports. Sat down and looked thru the logs. Big gap between '71 and '93 and no mention of repairs.

I told him one if the items bothering me was that non-refundable deposit. He said that he was just angry at the folks stringing him along, wasting his time and not to worry about it. I showed him the information about the accident and he replied "oh, that must be why all that welding in the back, and the problems I had getting a seriel number and data plate" (Hey Forrest, sound familiar? This guy say he spent a lot of time with you on the phone trying to figure out where the SN might be).

I thanked him for his time and told him I"d get back to him. Went home, smoked a cigar and had a nice scotch.

When I got home, I played my favorite trick and went thru the local EAA chapter to locate someone who could make heads or tails out of this a/c.
After some searching, I located someone I felt I could trust and e-mailed him.

Whenever someone answers an e-mail with a note saying "Call me at XXXXXXXXXX!" I know something is up.

Called the guy who advised he was very familiar with the a/c and I should walk away. He said even if the guy is an IA, he didn't care how he threw things togeher, and he wouldn't trust this guy's work. He burst into laughter when I mentioned the deposit. I talked to him about the lack of inspection holes and he mentioned that with only three, you couldn't do a good inspection; that there needed to be ports where each compression strut terminated and where each of the wires crossed. He mentioned there was no requirement for inspection ports in the tailsection but did mentioned you could tell if there was major rust (flaking off) by tapping with a screwdriver shaft and listening for a change of tone. I offered to pay the guy for his time; afterall, he saved me time, agony, whatever, but he refused payment.

So, I"ll contact the owner and cite logistic problems as a reason for not buying. You know, my wife was correct - even if I don't end up buying, each plane I look at is an education. Hope this helps someone - MIke

[alwaysoar]

Re: T-craft On E-bay

I think I'd contact the owner and tell him what you found out. Why pull punches with someone who's trying to knock you out?

[N96337]

Re: T-craft On E-bay

I agree with Alwaysoar... why pussyfoot around and lie to the guy??? Just tell him what you know, and the descrepancies you see, and leave it at that. I'm personally sick of people that "help" people like him continue his "trade". Give 'em hell, Mike!!
John H.

[CraigH]

Re: T-craft On E-bay

I think I'd contact the owner and tell him what you found out. Why pull punches with someone who's trying to knock you out?

Agreed. There are some really sleezy, low life, scum sucking dirtballs out there peddling junk as nice airplanes. At least by posting your finding here, you might have saved someone else the heartache of getting involved with this particular seller. The only way to make it harder on this type of seller is to give them maximum exposure.

[mhorowit]

Re: T-craft On E-bay

Folks - telling the aviation community might help, but telling the seller will do no good unless he was in the correct frame of mind. This guy knew what he had and telling him would be like trying to teach a pig to sing: it just wastes your time and irritates the pig. - MIke