The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Would you buy on pictures?

If there was a truck that had detailed pictures of everything, receipts for work done, etc. Would you buy based on pictures only? We are talking about a '51 Chevy 1/2 ton (I'm new here, Hi! I have a post in the trucks wanted section.)

Truck I'm looking at has receipts for rebuilt motor and tranny, framework done, cab bolted to body (all bodywork professionally done), and all parts to go back on truck finished and in primer? Engine has not been fired. Per an e-mail reply (he might even be on this forum, I'm not sure):

"all glass, seat, steering column, tail lights, brake booster and master cylinder, grill, door regulators for windows and latch. windshield wiper stuff, and most of the swithes

engine is complete less power steering pump. engine and tranny have been installed on truck.

all the major work done on the frame and brake system. The cab is under coated and bolted down, as well as the dash body work done."

The price is right, but the truck is in another state. I don't have the time to go see it in person. I have a friend that lives in the area, but won't be back in town for a while. I don't want to lose the deal, so thinking about just saying the hell with it, buying it and finding someone to bring it to me. Or taking a really long weekend road trip. The part that would kill me is to spend 2.5 days on the road there and back and not end up with the truck. Seller seems very honest about it.

How bad of an idea is this? Extremely, Moderately, Ok.

To me that would really depend on the price I guess. Where is it? You might find a Bolter local who'd go look at it for you and give you an opinion.

I've bought items sight unseen other than pictures and haven't been stung yet. But there's always a first.

Denver or nearby. I'm In Houston. I *could* make the drive in one weekend assuming I left Friday after work, but like I said: it would really suck should I get there and it not be as advertised.

Based on the fact he's willing to provide receipts and pictures, I'm not too leery; just getting some input from those that have been in this longer than I have (this is a first project for me.)

I bought my '50 3100 from just pics and phone calls.I was happy with what I bought,but there were some issues that the pics didn't show.Even so,the price was more then fair so I never felt like I was scammed.As robin58 suggest, is the price what you would expect to pay for a truck in that condition.

Caution!!! Photos can lie, people can be less than honest, or think more highly of their stuff than is merited.
I bought my burb on line and was initially very happy, but discovered lots of items that I didn't ask about and weren't in the pics. I am happy with my purchase, but if I had gone and seen it I could have made a more reasonable offer.
There are many trucks for sale out there, don't fall in love or think that if you miss this deal that one better won't come along.
Good luck with your adventure!

I think finding a local bolter to look at it for you is an excellent idea and a way to get a (possibly) unbiased opinion. Anybody close?

There are several appraisal companies that will charge you less than it would cost to drive out there. Most start at $100. Google "classic auto appraisal".

The road trips are part of the adventure. I would rather waste 2.5 days on the road, than several thousand dollars. Most of the time, I can tell if a person is honest or not. But, I do get stung once in awhile. If it is an ebay sale, then check their feedback.

I wouldn't be afraid to gamble a couple grand on lot's of photos, and numerous dicussions with the seller. But that's about the limit with me.

Ask yourself, if I get stuck, how much will it hurt.

I say if you are seriously interested, go for a serious road trip. These spur of the moment trips are quite often a lot of fun. If the truck doesn't end up being what you were expecting, just say no. Then take the 2 lane highways home, you may just spot something even better for sale along the way.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

John

I recently bought a vehicle over the net with out looking at the truck. Make sure you phone the seller and talk to him. Make a list of questions you want to ask. If you think you still want the truck give them a small down payment and the rest of the amount when you pick up the truck. I strongly urge you not to do the full amount until you have seen the truck in up close. If you go to pick it up and don't like it. your only out the small down payment and consider the drive a holiday. That's my 2 cents.

I always say if it doesn't work out
I can sell it for what I bought it for or close to it. I have bought two trucks online and have not gotten burnt, but the key is that both were under 1500 bucks so it was not a huge risk. If the '51 is more,which I guess it is, get an appraiser and have them look at it.

I just bought my 1st truck sight onseen and I have to say I was very happy. The owner sent me 30 or so pictures and videos of it starting and driving. I had a good feeling when I talked to him. Be sure and make a list of questions and study the pictures if you can. I'm vary happy with my purchase.

B&N, If you'd like, I'd be willing to try and see the truck for you. In an attempt to cover all bases, I also sent you an e-mail.

Let me know, if I can help.

I'll never to that again.

Sure the 2400kms in 24 hours trip was a fun adventure but the truck was waaaaaaay rustier than I was led to believe. It will need a replacement cab since the windshield frame is completely rusted out.

I felt cheated in the end.

Oh well, you live and learn. :rolleyes:

Really the bottom line is how much you want the truck. Second is if the price is right, and if you do get burned how bad will it hurt! Do you think you could live with any hidden problems and there are always some. What is the feeling that you get from talking to the owner, if it doesn't feel right it probally isn't. If you can go look at the truck what will you be out? Gas money and your time. In most cases money and time well spent along with a nice road trip. Just my .02 worth. Best of luck and let us know how it works out.

I bought my 55 on Ebay.The pix were great and the description sounded like everything was just about perfect on it. I made phone calls to the owner and he seemed to be an honest man.After posting the winning bid and paying to have it shipped, I was very disappointed.,There were many things that were listed as being on or done to the truck that were not. I then called the PO,and the jerk pleaded ignorance, claiming he thought the stuff was all there. My wife filed a complaint with Ebay, and they will not stand behind you on a deal.I have made the best of the deal and turned it into a first class streetrod. However I will never buy another vehicle sight unseen. It will be better for you to take that trip and be dissapointed than to buy it,then find out it is not what you paid for. Just my 2 cts.

How much money are you risking, and I'm not really asking you to tell us the price, but rather to think if its a total loss or worth only half the amount, how bad does it really hurt you?

Its harder to quantify, but think about the time the same way. You actually seem more concerned about the time than the money.

I've bought a couple without seeing them first and actually have been happier with those purchases than some I've inspected first. The difference for me is in the amount I risked compared to what I expected.

One of the most disappointing problems I've found AFTER the purchase was something I'm sure the previous owner did not even know about. The seller may be completely honest but not aware of issues you don't want to be stuck with.

You might try to find a couple of guys from here who live in the area and offer to buy them lunch or a beer if they will meet you and look at the truck with you. They may end up telling you not to buy the truck, but then you'll have made some new friends plus you'll have the advantage of anything new you learn from the guys.

Sounds like enough fun I'd like to come too, but Denver is three days drive from here.

Thanks for all the advice. Decided to wait and just keep looking. I'm now convinced I'd rather see the truck in person.

Picture never really do anything justice. A lot of rust and body filler can be hidden with just a rattle can and you can only take someone by their word on the mechanicals. It's like they say never look for a car in the rain, well pictures either.

I have bought on pictures before, but would rather see in person. I do, however, take lots of high resolution digital pictures of the vehicle so I can blow them up on my computer to study them. I find/notice lots of things that way.

It sure helps to "know" what you are looking at, what to look for, and where to look for common bad spots. It also helps to have some books along to decode numbers, models, etc.