When Is A Deal A Deal?

[mikehjd]

Made arragements to go pick up the 340S today but the roads here are a mess with freezing rain and heavy snow. I talked to him last night and we decided we would wait for a better day. Called him tonite to set up a time and he informed me a guy came this morning and bought both sleds he had(other was an 80 liquifire but he wanted lots for it) needless to say I was not happy and I called him some very unpleasent names(made me feel better). He wanted $500 for the 340S and I am almost positive the other guy gave him more to sell it to him. Just don't get people these days he seemed like a nice guy on the phone and said there was no hurry to come and get it as we can't control the weather. I sold a yamaha bravo last month to a guy who called and said he would buy it but was away working and couldn't come for a week. I told him I would hold it until he got back and the day he got home he came and got it. I had lots of other calls after him and higher offers but I informed them it was sold and if he didn't take I would call the next on the list. To bad a verbal deal is not good enough to some people anymore makes for some tough feelings. He told me where they went and I am sure it is the same guy who I got the 340S from last year that now realized what one is worth. Just watching the classifieds here(similar to craigslist)because I am sure they will show up there for a high dollar which will make me even more mader because it will now be all about the money and not for the love of the sport.

[jeffreyrempel]

ouch.

[Den]

Something I and MOST of the others on here have...INTEGRITY!
That is why I will always contact here first.
Also what brought a buddy of mine from polaris to Deere.
That's a really tough one though.

[liquitisplit80]

Yep, happened to me twice. Couldnt get to them because of work and when I called to let them know I was coming to get them - "O sorry, I just sold it last nite. Didnt think you was comin" What! Where were you in the conversation we had! Yes, I was a bit upset. People do strange things when the see the money. Whats that saying - a bird in the hand is better than two in the bush.

[S_Kyle]

I too have been screwed over on this kind of a deal. I can understand to a certain extent with the huge number of flaky buyers/sellers out there. I still tend to belive that if you came to an agreement on anything that both party's should do what they can to up hold there end of the deal. I do it alot at work as we have ever changing situations, I have found most guys tend to hold there end of the deal. But I try to have the bigger hammer when I make the deals.

It is a poor deal but I still belive things work the way they do for a reason. If you are so angry you don't want the first 340s let me know.

[400brian]

Bummer! A deal is a deal...until more Benjamin Franklins show up!
Race sleds bring out the worst in folks it seems. I realize you had weather problems, and assurances from the seller...much to your regret. Race sled deals are "strike while the iron is hot" kind of deals, you just can't wait.
Yes, the seller should have honored his commitment, but you just have no way of knowing if he will or not.

When I bought my 340/S sleds, I left home with the truck and trailer without knowing if I had a deal or not. VERY few guys here had any idea what I was doing, I talked to Rainville on the road, but didn't tell him where I was going until I was almost there.

I found the seller, a deal was struck, and I was still pinching myself an hour later when I pulled into Kevin Campbell's driveway. The look on his face when he looked into the trailer was priceless!

I share your misgivings about the possibility of seeing the sled flipped ASAP, that burns my arse to a crisp, but what are ya gonna do? Live and learn, move on.

A deal is a deal...when they are on the trailer...and you are going down the road.

[mikehjd]

You are right Brian never a deal until you have it in your hands. I had 2 deals this weekend one was the 340S another is for a non sled related item that I am picking up Sunday. It is in a salvage yard that is out of the way and no one really knows about it so I should be OK.

[80spitfire]

It amazes me how often this kind of stuff happens. Especially when breaking the deal is usually illegal. It's pretty sad really. Luckily though, there's always another sled out there.

[Sprailfire340]

Happens all the time with CL, not just sleds. I called on a pool table at 4pm on a Fri, said I wanted it and offered to paypal funds immediately as I couldn't get there until the next day. Not necessary, it will be here, see you tomorrow. Great. Got a call the next morning that it was sold. At least he called me to let me know not to make the trip...

Have a friend who is into pinball machines (think sleds are expensive...) and it is the same way. Until it is in the truck no deal is done.

I've had great luck with the guys here. Bought several sleds & parts over the past 3 yrs and everyone has gone out of their way to hold/store until pickup could be arraigned.

[Jimmy]

Been there myself, sure ticks a guy off, some people don't know what "giving there word" means. Come Hell or high water when I give my word its in stone. I'm sure we all feel that way. Gave a 76 Rupp Nitro (parts sled) to a guy I met at a grass drag, he had one there but didn't want to drag it cause the drivers were bad and wasn't sure how the track would hold up. I told him I had one a home he could have, took him three weeks to get it. Mean while my neighbor shows up at my place with a 76 nitro in the back of his truck that he is going to restore because he had one as a kid. Well he's looking for a parts sled. WHAT THE HECK DOES A GUY DO????? He see's the parts sled over by my shed and says "hey is that a Rupp" and I says sorry Randy but I gave that away two weeks ago. Hated to say that to my neighbor but "my word is good". I agree, if you find a "DEAL' (my dad always said strike while the iron is hot) arange to get it immediately or like many of us it will be sold out from under you. Sorry obout your experience.

[gnfreak]

not a sled but 6 months ago i bid over to our maintenance department. the guy i was replacing was going to my old department. said he would sell me most of his tools for 400 bucks and i said ok, get the money to ya right away. well the other maintenance guy who also bid out of maintenance bought "my" tools out from under me for his farm. havent said but a couple of words to these two clowns in the 6 months and i dont see them getting much done from me maintenance wise. i just keep saying the tools are tainted and im better off without them. Bitter??? You bet!!

[sledder670]

I to am sorry to here what happen to you. But I buy and sell things all the time. If i held something for someone that said they were coming tommorrow my yard would be full. Right now i am trying to sell a jd lawnmower on clists and 6 people say the will call tommorrow for my address, after a while a guy just says first on with cash gets it. I had 2 guys this winter come to look at a sled and as they pulled up i was helping someone load it. I didn't make a new friend then.

[luvzvintage]

i'm so sorry this happened to u!
i've made a few deals where i've bin honored verbally and have honored others verbally as to a first come-first serve deal and yah....more money has bin offered on both sides. I like integrity and a gentleman's deal. I thank all those i've dealt with in this manner and will continue to deal with others in this way. Personally, I don't like to screw anybody nor to have any enemies. Don't lose hope in pos. humanity my deere friends...its sad, but this is life on this planet this side of Heaven.

Luv the site and the great ppl!

regardz,

Lloyd N.

[Horicon Joe]

The best thing to do is not breath a word about it to anybody until you have it in your hands.
For sure don't mention it on the internet before you have it. There are guys that will call the
seller and tell them what to do with their sled (or who to sell it to) and tell them they are selling it too cheap if they can not get it for themselves.

[I500]

I absolutly agree with Horicon 100% . Dont say anything, just buy it as fast as possible and dont hesitate. You have to be quick around here.