1971 GT Dilemma..

[Sparky73]

This last Spring, around March, I sold my 71' GT. Not long after, I recieved the full payment, and gave the buyer a couple months to work out the shipping arrangements and everything to get it across the border (to Canada). Well to make a long story short, here is is.. almost November, and the car still sits in my driveway. I havn't even heard from the seller for over 3 months now, and have no idea what to do. The car needs to be out of my driveway within about 2 weeks as I am moving, and I have no clue what to do with it.

It'd be different if it were mine.. as I would get it running and driving again, but since it's paid for.. I really see no point in putting money into it. If it came down to it, I wouldn't even have a problem buying it back .. but for how much? It's been 7 months since it was purchased, so how would I figure out a fair price? I don't see it being fair if I paid the total amount back, especially since I had to pay almost $200 in eBay and Paypal fee's.

Any comments or suggestions? Anyone else been in this situation?

Thanks.

[namba209]

Sparky, much as I hate to say it, the PayPal and E-Bay fees you have to eat. You incurred them automatically when you opted to place the item and payment type. If you bought something at a retail store and returned it, you'd expect to receive exactly what you paid for it, not necessarily less, except for a re-stocking fee, it that's prominently displayed. You could substract storage fees during the interim, if that's agreeable with the buyer, Just my take on your predicament.

[JonWhit]

Why don't you contact the buyer and tell him what your situation is? It sounds to me like he's using your driveway as a cheap storage unit until he feels like getting around to doing something. I'd definitely tell him your going to charge him for any costs you incur while it is still in your possession. Perhaps he'll get the hint. You mentioned that you gave him " a couple of months to work out shipping..." Let him know that starting today there is a $45 - $90 monthly storage fee and any moving costs will be added to his "bill". I suppose then you could have it towed to a storage unit and bill him for those costs. Let's put the onus on him instead of you. Good Luck.

[yellaopelgt]

If you havent spoken to the fella in 3 months, perhaps something drastic has happened in his life to put his priorities out of whack....illness, incarceration,divorce...who knows. At the very least, you should send the guy a certified letter stating that you have no option but to A. leave it where it is, move into your new house...and end up having it junked(gasp) or towed, and let the proper authorities take care of it. OR B. Depending on how much he bought the car for, tell him you will put in in storage for him at his cost until the fees are equal to the price of the car. Of course... you were already paid for it....and 7 months is quite a long time...so the storage up until now was free. But anything beyond that is on him. "He'd better pee or get off the pot."
Did you send him a bill of sale? Or the title?? I think thats the real question here.
Tough call....you want to be honest with the guy. Maybe get a few quotes on the fee for delivery on line to get the ball rolling for him???Offer to send him MOST of his money back except what you incurred, and call it a wash??
Joe

[Sparky73]

Everything ended at "he needs a bill of sale". I asked him what needed to be included in the bill of sale so I could write one up, and send it to him (along with the keys and title) and I havn't heard from him since.

And actually, there WAS a specific time I wanted to car gone by (which I think was May if I remember correctly).

I want to stay honest, but also don't want him getting away with .. like you said .. using my driveway as free storage for the Summer.

[newman27]

My brother is an attorney in Michigan - I'll see if I can get you some free advice and will send you a PM...

Matt