Well the word "complete" could be interpreted a few different ways, i guess.
When *I* think of a "complete" 50 year old vehicle, I think of all "major" parts being there.. body panels, engine, tranny, steering wheel, rear end, doors, hood, seat, gas tank.. that sort of stuff.
I guess i'd expect a seller to mention that the seat was stripped to bare springs.. but then again, if I was going to bid, i'd ask for a picture of the interior before I bid.. or at the very least ask some questions concerning the interior of the cab.
Then again, i'd expect a seller to clearly list all known issues with the truck, as well as what work he did to it in the listing.
It's clear this seller was keeping alot of information out of the description, the good, the bad, and the ugly.. combined with a 0 feedback record, it makes for a spooky auction to bid on.. but like you said before.. if you showed up with cash on pickup, the chance of getting boned would be 0.
Thats a long haul for just the frame.. and who knows? It could be rusty as hell or plain out shot. If the guy isn't going to mention he knows the clutch, brakes, seat, etc are shot I wouldn't expect him to mention the frame was bent/busted/rusted/shot.
It's all moot, anyway.. since the only way you'll get that truck for that bid is with a court order. If it were me, i'd just be thankful you didn't drive all that way just to find out he wasn't going to sell it, or that it was a piece of crap.
I wouldn't bother leaving a negitive, either.. since he'll just leave one for you.
I have to wonder tho.. why was it that the last buyer didn't leave this clown a negative, or at least a neutral??
I mean, according to his eMail, the seller already negged him (he was able to have it removed) why wouldn't he at least leave a neutral saying something about it?
I still wouldn't be suprised if this first bidder was actually the seller or one of his cohorts, and the horror story about the truck not being as described just an elaborate ruse to get you to just forget about it.
Just for kicks i'd tell the dude you were passing the info over to your lawyer and see how he replies.
