“Knock… knock… knock knock… knock…..knock knock” someone banged loudly on my front door, clearly going for the “Pop Goes The Weasel” beat. I looked over to find a man I’d never seen before; I motioned to him that I’d be there in a second, as I was on a phone call. A few minutes later, I walked outside and greeted the stranger. “Hey, I’m into classic cars. I might be interested in something,” he said.
I found this a little odd. Sure, I have nine cars outside my house, but given how bad some of the project cars look, I strongly doubt anyone would really mistake me for a dealer. Maybe this random guy was a reader who wanted to see my fleet? This happens fairly often — someone who follows my articles is driving by, sees my cars, and decides to say hello. I usually greet them and give a nice tour of my collection; in some cases, we become besties. It’s pretty great. Miraculously, in zero cases thus far have my organs been harvested and my body haphazardly dumped into the mud pit in my backyard.
Luckily that didn’t happen this time, either, though something about this dude did make me feel a bit uneasy.
(Before I go on, I’ll just mention: I like to give people the benefit of the doubt. This guy could be reading this article, and I’d feel pretty bad if I made him feel upset in any way, but I’m writing this because of how he made me feel, and because I think what he did next is something we’re seeing a lot of in the classic car world. And it’s not okay).
As I began giving a tour of my cars, we got to the backyard and I pointed out my beloved Willys FCs. He showed zero interest. I pointed out my 1979 Jeep Cherokee Golden Eagle — a real beauty — and my daily-driver 1985 Jeep J10 pickup (also a beauty). He showed no interest there, either. I wasn’t really sure what was going on at this point; if he was a reader, surely he’d dig at least one of these soulful junkers, right?
“So how much?” he asked me, pointing to my brother’s beautiful Candy Apple Red 1966 Ford Mustang. “Haha, that’s not for sale,” I answered.
He got serious. “No seriously, how much?”
“Again, it’s not for sale.”
He began looking under it. “Woh it’s pretty solid. There’s some rust here and there, but it looks good. I want to buy it. How much will you sell it for?”
“It’s…” I began to say before he jumped in. “Look, everything is for sale at the right price, and I can offer you quite a bit. How much will it take for you to sell it to me? I’m in town from California and I’m going back tomorrow. I want to go back with this car.”
“It’s my brother’s,” I told him. “He’s not going to sell it.”
His reply: “Let’s just call your brother right now and see what he’ll sell it for. It’ll be cash.”
I responded, telling him that my brother lives in Hong Kong.
“Well, let’s call him. You don’t think he’ll pick up?”
After telling the guy that it’s 5:30 A.M. in Hong Kong and that my brother is asleep, he asked for my number and told me to get back to him with my brother’s response. Then, after looking at the car for a bit longer, he left.
I’m writing about this because I’ve heard of this kind of thing happening before. Someone’s driving their dream car down the street, and the car catches the eye of a well-to-do person, who offers up a blank check. “I want that car. How much do I have to pay to get it?” they ask someone who’s not really interested in parting ways with their machine. Sometimes that’s totally cool, and the prospective buyer either says “I understand that you don’t want to sell it, but here’s my number” or they end up striking up a deal right there, and everyone’s happy.
But what made my exchange with this random guy feel demeaning was what felt like a lack of empathy. It was his insistence that this car is for sale despite my words communicating otherwise. Here’s a guy looking into the eyes of another man his age, and saying: “I want what you have. Because I have money, I’m going to get it. Now tell me how much.” There was very little compassion and a whole lot of entitlement; never mind that this car represents a strong connection between my older brother — for whom a 1960s Mustang has been a dream since he was 10 years old — and me. Never mind that I put many weeks of blood, sweat, and tears into getting this thing running and driving like an absolute dream.
This red Mustang was something he wanted (presumably so he could post some sick photos to his Instagram), and since he pegged me as someone who has less money than he has, he was convinced that he could influence me to part ways with it.
I want to make clear that the general bones of this situation are totally fine. This kind of thing is happening on Bring a Trailer every day — rich people are buying up the middle class’s dream cars. Do you want a Jeep Grand Wagoneer? Ten years ago you could get one, now you can’t. They’re in the hands of the rich. Do you want a nice manual Jeep Cherokee XJ? Too bad, the people who like those have money, and they’re throwing it around. Are you a middle class-er interested in an air cooled 911? Unless you snagged one up 15 years ago, you can forget it. You’ll be outbid.
There’s nothing wrong with any of this. This is all economics; if car-lovers come into money, that’s great, and if rich people get into cars, that’s awesome, too — I want everyone to be into cars. And I realize that many of you reading this article are in high-income households; I think that’s fantastic. The issue I have is that this particular rich guy (I’m assuming he’s rich based on him so freely throwing money around) didn’t approach this situation with the sensitivity it deserves. He didn’t understand that this Mustang isn’t a washing machine; people see cars differently. They attach emotion to them; so when you try to pressure someone into selling something their heart is invested in, and say things like “Everything is for sale,” not only does it display a sense of entitlement, but it’s a bit presumptuous about the other person’s economic status relative to yours, and most importantly it trivializes the emotional relationship the person has with that car.
So no, random arrogant guy who dropped by yesterday, the Mustang literally isn’t for sale. Take that little slip of paper onto which you’re about to scribble a number that a cheap bastard like I would find impressive but that you make every time your Christmas bonus check rolls in, crumple it up, and shove it up your ass.
Okay, maybe that was a little too harsh. But you get the idea. I’m keepin’ the ‘stang.
That’s “Shave and a Haircut,” my man. No weasels involved.
That just proves he’s not a toon.
https://i.imgflip.com/2h5m0n.gif
Most likely another pop culture reference that sails over DT’s head!
That guy was rude, but, I have to admit, I wouldn’t completely mind if someone did this to me (but I’ve always had the attitude that virtually everything I’ve got is always for sale, if someone wants to throw enough money at me)
I’d be pissed at this. Come at me like this, and we’re done. I would not be pissed at a similar situation, where I said I wasn’t interested and someone made an offer. At least then I can consider their offer and not feel as put on the spot.
Yeah, exactly. It’s one thing to throw out an honest number and let the owner of the car say no if they’re not interested. Another entirely to put them on the spot to name a price. It’s just rude.
“Hey, I really like your car, how much money do you think it’s worth?”
I have that attitude as well – except for one thing: A Gibson guitar I bought in 197-something (hey, a lotta things were foggy around then). I have been offered some fairly ridiculous sums for it, but it is mine, and will remain so until I no longer draw breath. Some things are quite literally priceless, and this kind of dickhead simply cannot wrap their head around the concept.
Damn, David, you should have said “$200 grand and you have to take every car on this property and have them gone by tomorrow.”
You could have started fresh!
I’ve had the same thing happen to me with my WRX hatch. Conversations usually go like this:
So much would you sell it for?
Well, I wouldn’t.
No really, what price?
Again. Still no.
C’mon
Fine. $1,000,000
That’s way too much no one would ever pay that.
Good. Wasn’t planning on selling it.
To me that car is worth so much more. The WRX was (and still is) my dream car and I bought it new and I plan on keeping it forever. To me it’s more than “just a car.” Like you said David, there is an emotional aspect that you can’t put a price on.
Not harsh enough. Tell him to leave. Tell him he’s trespassing. I=uck him up.
He’s free to leave and stop the progression, but that’s the only choice he deserved.
Well David, Can we also assume you would have reacted the same if he had offered you eye watering money for one of your other “classic” pieces?
But he didn’t offer eye-watering money. He demanded David declare a price.
People forget that money doesn’t have any value until you trade it for something. Why the hell would you trade such a nice car for any (reasonable) amount of money? You’re trading something awesome for something mostly worthless. So if it was me I’d insist on a whole hell of a lot of worthless, say at least seven figures of worthlessness.
“Look, everything is for sale at the right price, and I can offer you quite a bit. How much will it take for you to sell it to me? I’m in town from California and I’m going back tomorrow. I want to go back with this car.”
And that price is: ONE HUNDRED MILLION BILLION DOLLARS. CASH!
AND you have to take a rusty Jeep!
BUUUHAAAAAA!!!!
This is what I say to those the say the line “everything is for sale at the right price” when they want to buy my Nova. I tell them the price for me to part with my car is 3 million.
They try and talk that down but I say you said everything is for sale at the right price. That is my right price.
I would certainly like to watch someone show up with 2 million in a wheelbarrow to buy a Nova and see anyone turn them away.
I don’t think all the auto tv shows with supposed car guys doing this helps the situation either.
If those Counting Cars guys were at my front door, I’d probably just sit on my couch and wait for them to leave.
I think I would certainly entertain their offers while they excitedly talk, rub their powdery noses, and dart their eyes hither and yon. And then, of course, in the most deadpan way, say “nah”.
https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/112/566/business.jpg
I slipped that meme into a presentation I did ten years ago while training for a finance job. The stunned looks around the room told me all I needed to know ????
I always give them some stupidly inflated number. My 49 International pickup gets these kind of people all the time. Its realistically worth probably $8k-$10k. I tell them I want $30 for it. If they’re stupid enough to pay it, I’ll laugh all the way to the bank.
You know this is how that guy approaches dating too.
Proclaim interest, mention being from Cali, throw a couple negs, proclaim more interest, demand price.
At least in those transactions he’s more forthcoming about wanting to screw someone.
I was thinking the same thing. The whole conversation smells like that “pick-up artist, turn a no into a yes” crap.
David, how daaaare you demean washing machines like a common household appliance not worthy of affection. There exists a washing machine enthusiast group. I think there are at least …6… members! They were even on the news (because of how incredibly strange it is, but still!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmmmxI-Y_6U
This is absolutely incredible.
Strangely (and sadly) that’s more members than I’ve managed to wrangle. In due time I suppose. In due time.
DT, let’s turn the tables here just a minute. If you were balls deep in cash (and maybe you are), what automobile would tempt you to write a blank check? Genuinely curious.
No automobile on earth would prompt me to try to pressure someone into letting go of something they care about.
It’s just a car. It’s not worth disrespecting someone over.
Well of course you wouldn’t. Too many people have begged and pushed their old Jeeps at you when didn’t even ask.
Nice guy finishes with a rusty Jeep. That is my takeaway. There’s worse things.
NO FRICKEN WAY! Proof that there are people out there weirder than me.
Most car enthusiasts are good people. The bad ones can be so bad, you wonder why you even bother being in the community. If the guy was so rich, he can go buy another Red 1966 Mustang…There’s plenty go go around.
I have had a number of people knock or leave letters on my truck asking to buy it. I always feel a little proud but a bit offended. It was my dad’s and I learned how to drive on that truck. I hope my kiddo learns on it too. You can’t just swoop in and buy it. But I get it. They don’t know the history.
The dude you dealt with sounds much worse and probably pretentious. The correct response to “everything is for sale” is to stare him dead in the eyes and say “yes, even people… and their organs”
This is the correct answer. People who think that ‘everything is for sale’ have such poor rationality, that they endorse a philosophy which would excuse murder and slavery. After all, everything has a price, right.
In a separate observation, let me note again, that stupid people bother me.
My friend had a 1965 Mustang convertible in college in 1979. It had holes in it then. I told him that what ever you do, DO NOT sell this car. Put it on blocks until you can fix it, or stick it in a garage, but never sell it. He needed money, so he sold it. It would be worth a fortune today, even unrestored.
David, DO NOT SELL THIS CAR, ever.
It’s not even David’s to sell if he wanted to; it belongs to his brother.
That guy didn’t care about any of your cars because he doesn’t care about cars period.
He just cares about bragging rights and glory. The whole “Look at me ” mentality.
Screw him. May he be forced to drive a ratted out Tempo until he learns humility and appreciation.
This is unnecessarily harsh. As someone who has spend a lot of time behind the wheel of various Tempos and Topazes I don’t think either of those cars deserve to be owned by an asshole like this.
My first car was a white topaz! And I agree, those cars don’t deserve that guy. They didn’t do anything wrong.
Well said. Also, maybe I’m paranoid here, but keep an eye on that nice ‘stang, the guy could have just been scouting it and comes back later to steal it while you’re out.
This was my worry too. Keep an eye on that Mustang. Put it in the garage if there is space (please let there be space in the garage!)
I had that come to mind too, If I was you, I’d lock it up in you’re garage or a friend’s until this guy is back outta town.
I wouldn’t sell the car to this guy even if it was for sale.
I have had two such interactions.
One was for my Dad’s 1953 Chevy. Random person came up to me, said he used to own one, and would like a call if it goes for sale. Nice guy, no pressure, general interest.
The other one…they wanted were trying to pressure me into selling my mom’s car as “everything has a price”. After following the subtle “it’s not for sale” which they kept pushing me and getting angrier that money solves all and getting in my face, I finally shouted at the top of my lungs “What part of no do you not understand? I would rather drive it off a cliff than sell it to an ignorant DB such as yourself! GET OFF MY LAWN!”
They got offended and left. In my younger days, that would not have ended well.
I’m generally a believer that it’s always okay to politely make an offer on something. The owner is always free to say no. Politely is the key word here.
But this whole interaction is off. Classic mustangs are great. But a red 66 coupe is hardly a rare car. There are literally hundred just like it for sale at any given time. There was no reason for this guy to act this way over it. I suspect he wasn’t even a serious buyer. He was just trying to make himself feel like a big shot by doing a Richard Rawlins impression.
It’s like when you want to offer a lower price to a seller.
My usual is “Do you have any room in your price?”
It’s got a bit of rust there, and red cars don’t sell as well. If it were black, I could give you more. And I’ve got to wash it, put it in my showroom, and sit on it for maybe years waiting for the right buyer. I’ve got overhead. Best I can do is $2K.
You’re a pro.
Damn straight.
Not only does this attitude belittle, it is a negotiation tactic. He didn’t say “I’d love to offer you $50k for your car.” He wanted you to name a price because he thinks you could come out with a lower price than he expects. He puts the pressure on to just name a price in hopes you will crack under that pressure. It’s not a friendly request. You name a price he doesn’t like, he offers less or walks away. You sell cheap and he leaves with the car before you have time to consider.
If I were considering selling, I’d sell it to someone who doesn’t pressure me for less than that guy would probably offer just to spite him.
Then call Cali DB and tell him you sold it dirt cheap to a super nice guy who wasn’t such a dick!
The whole “name your price” thing is especially jarring because the interaction shouldn’t even reach that point. Whenever I’ve been approached like this, people’s lead-in has been “hey, would you consider selling that?” When I say no, that’s the end of the interaction. And that’s fine!
As David rightly highlighted, the insistence on naming a price belies a lack of empathy. This guy desperately wants to be the owner of a car he’s seen for five minutes. David has years of blood, sweat, tears, and memories in it. How could he possibly not understand that those years–David’s time–has more value to David than his money?
I guarantee you the guy is in sales or finance somewhere, someone who works on commission. To them, everything is reducible to money; the object being bought/sold could be anything. They don’t understand anything other than the dollar amount assigned to the item.
Absolutely! I dated a girl whose dad worked for a hedge fund and he did shit like this guy all the time. He would basically talk about being able to buy and sell people and he was always giving off Gordon Gecko vibes. That whole family was poison top to bottom. I am honestly surprised he even let me in the house.
Even if he had been turned down and made an offer, like “I understand you don’t want to sell, but I’d offer $75k” it would have been an acceptable way to interact (though less empathetic and acceptable than just dropping it). At least that shows he hears that David is not inclined to sell, while offering a deal in case there is a tipping point. This guy wants to weaponize money and perceived power/status in a way that gives him an upper hand.
And, like Mark said, this shows he thinks money is everything. Someone’s not selling? They just need to know I can pay their price.
Reminds me of something my mother used to say: “He knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.”
Learned that one over a cold glass of Kool-Aid before we had air conditioning.
I’ve occasionally told someone, “If you ever want to sell it, here’s my number.” I’ve never actually bought anything that way. Sold a couple things that way.
Did you at least offer him a prize if he could guess how much it weighs!?
I’d have signed over the title.
Wonder when we get the answer
Hopefully before his brother reads this and decides to sell it.
Nah man, not harsh enough. Guy comes onto your* property, doesn’t listen to anything you say, and then insists on leaving his number?
I would have thrown it away while he was watching.
To partially quote Run The Jewels, he can run naked backwards through a field of…
*well, kinda your property. I seem to remember you rent, which is normal in this dystopia.
Like the idea, maybe let’s just burn the number, light the corner and drop it on his shoes while snarling “YOUR Next!” Problem is David has that boy next door look, so it’s a little harder to pull off. 🙂
Hey what’s that supposed to mean!?
You simply don’t present as a thug, David. No shame in that. ????
I look like a middle aged biker.
You look like a choir boy. And we love you for it! That’s the difference 🙂