The Ford Barn

rotorwrench · 03-13-2017, 01:27 PM

I don't mean any disrespect but I don't really even trust an appraiser. If I can't look at it myself, I won't buy it. Trust, when it comes to high dollar items, I have little of. I wouldn't even put a good friend in that position anymore. I've traveled to California, Indiana, and other states by light plane or airlines to look at aircraft or helicopter parts after experiencing customers getting ripped off by folks selling junk parts. I was glad to learn by other folks mistakes but it is a pain to have to do that. It's well worth it in the end though.

Jeff/Illinois · 03-13-2017, 08:28 PM

rotorwrench I too had a bad experience with an auto 'appraiser'.

Years ago I bought an old Ford and needed to move on it fast so I contacted one of the auto finance companies in Hemmings. They said 'no problem' but wanted me to hire an appraiser to examine the vehicle. It was about 800 miles from home. I said OK, and they sent one out.

The appraiser was a lady who didn't know squat about cars. The owner was telling me how incompetent she was. Finally when she was about to leave he said 'Do you want to hear it run? See if it drives?' She said 'oh yeah, that might be good.' She never looked under the vehicle just stood from about ten feet away and gawked at it.

That cost me $200. Basically for nothing. She asked the owner what HE thought it was worth, he said 'Well I'd guess between $xxxxx and $xxxxx I'm asking on the low end as I need to sell the vehicle. Fast."

Luckily I had been in contact with the owner, he was a car guy and turned out to be very honest with me about the vehicle .

I'd use an appraiser again, if they would send somebody who could find their butt with BOTH hands and had some idea what they were doing

03-13-2017, 01:27 PM	#21
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 18,006	Re: Iowa Auction I don't mean any disrespect but I don't really even trust an appraiser. If I can't look at it myself, I won't buy it. Trust, when it comes to high dollar items, I have little of. I wouldn't even put a good friend in that position anymore. I've traveled to California, Indiana, and other states by light plane or airlines to look at aircraft or helicopter parts after experiencing customers getting ripped off by folks selling junk parts. I was glad to learn by other folks mistakes but it is a pain to have to do that. It's well worth it in the end though. Last edited by rotorwrench; 03-13-2017 at 04:59 PM.

03-13-2017, 08:28 PM	#22
Jeff/Illinois Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,997	Re: Iowa Auction rotorwrench I too had a bad experience with an auto 'appraiser'. Years ago I bought an old Ford and needed to move on it fast so I contacted one of the auto finance companies in Hemmings. They said 'no problem' but wanted me to hire an appraiser to examine the vehicle. It was about 800 miles from home. I said OK, and they sent one out. The appraiser was a lady who didn't know squat about cars. The owner was telling me how incompetent she was. Finally when she was about to leave he said 'Do you want to hear it run? See if it drives?' She said 'oh yeah, that might be good.' She never looked under the vehicle just stood from about ten feet away and gawked at it. That cost me $200. Basically for nothing. She asked the owner what HE thought it was worth, he said 'Well I'd guess between $xxxxx and $xxxxx I'm asking on the low end as I need to sell the vehicle. Fast." Luckily I had been in contact with the owner, he was a car guy and turned out to be very honest with me about the vehicle . I'd use an appraiser again, if they would send somebody who could find their butt with BOTH hands and had some idea what they were doing