- Joined
- Dec 11, 2005
- Messages
- 278
The other day I posted a question about pricing on a tranny/t-case combo I was listing on Craig's. Justino replied and stated that 5-6 years ago he'd picked one up for $175 and that I might be able to get more if I parted stuff out, but might have to sit on parts for an indefinite amount of time.
Well, I listed my combo and almost immediately received an email expressing interest in the parts. After an extended conversation with the gentleman and explaining the breakdown and cost of individual parts we agreed on a price of $300. Finding the parts had almost instantly given his stagnant project new life and he would've probably paid more, but I was honestly trying to sell for a fair price. Additionally, the man lives on the complete opposite side of town and being that I'm currently relocating to that side of town, I offered to throw the parts on a trailer and deliver them to his house with the condition that he let me check out his rig. You know us Bronco guys, we go nuts over other people's projects...especially when it's in your town...and you've never seen it!
Upon delivering the parts to the man's house, he proceeds to relay the story of how his Bronco wound up in parts and how he lost the desire to finish the project. You see, this man originally purchased the rig in the mid 80's with the intention of building it as a father/son project. As life would have it, his son enlisted in the Army and upon graduating from high school left to boot camp. The son wound up in the Middle East during Operation Desert Storm and witnessed the atrocities of war first hand. His son's unit was ultimately the victim of a roadside bomb and although his son survived, he was disabled with a traumatic injury that nearly cost him his leg. On top of it all, he returned home with PTSD and a serious disdain or contempt for our government.
Needless to say, his son is unable to function or interact in social situations. He finds it hard to hold a job and on more occasions than anyone should have to mention, he's contemplated suicide.
I know that this story sounds "all too familiar", as many men and women have walked in this family's footsteps. His son served honorably and as such...his family served honorably and paid a heavy price, too.
As if all the personal suffering his son and his family endured weren't enough, he'd taken his Bronco to a mechanic/body man. This person worked from home and was eager to work on the man's Bronco. Unfortunately, through all the issues he was facing, the man forgot about the Bronco and as it sat at the mechanic's house for an extended amount of time, parts began to disappear. By the time the man was able and willing to pick up the Bronco, the transmission and transfer case had been removed and lost. He had lost the desire to continue and finish what had once been a father/son project and the loss of these parts had just completely sealed the Bronco's fate!
This story tugged at my heart strings and I thought about giving this man the parts, but didn't know how it would be perceived. So instead I attempted to negotiate a lower price for the parts I was selling. The man handed me a wad of cash and after quickly counting it, I gave back a third of the funds. The man insisted that I take the whole amount and we went back and forth. I finally accepted the funds and on top of that he gave me an additional $60 insisting that I take my wife out to dinner!! I must admit that it was a "first"! First time someone ever tries to pay more than my asking price! You all know that normally negotiations go the opposite way. Along with the cash and the handshake, my new "friend" stated that he didn't ever meet people like me anymore. People who like to talk shop and share knowledge on a specific topic, like "Classic Broncos". Knowledge earned through trial and error...knowledge earned through experiences. He also pointed out that people rarely keep their "word". Especially , strangers like he and I were, just a couple days prior. He was blown away by my desire to help with the parts, negotiate a fair price, hold the parts for the first person interested, and load/transport/and deliver to his house. He also made it clear that I would have to earn the extra funds. You see, he had saved my name and phone number to the speed dial on his phone and made it clear that he would be calling me on a regular basis to pick my brain about issues with the rig!! I think it's clear that we've both made a friend for life...all based on the sale of some "old" Bronco parts!!
I know that I'll be spending some time helping my new friend with his project, as I am now invested in seeing it completed. I've also decided to share my personal stash of spare parts with my friend. Seriously can't wait to see this thing done and on the street and the trails! I also know that he can't wait to take his son out for a cruise in it!
I hope that someone reads this story and that it touches them in some way. You see, I realize that this Bronco/classic car hobby brings us all together, like a big family or better yet...a brotherhood. If you or your family has served in the armed forces of our great country, I'd like to thank you for your service! Fomocoloco Forever!
Well, I listed my combo and almost immediately received an email expressing interest in the parts. After an extended conversation with the gentleman and explaining the breakdown and cost of individual parts we agreed on a price of $300. Finding the parts had almost instantly given his stagnant project new life and he would've probably paid more, but I was honestly trying to sell for a fair price. Additionally, the man lives on the complete opposite side of town and being that I'm currently relocating to that side of town, I offered to throw the parts on a trailer and deliver them to his house with the condition that he let me check out his rig. You know us Bronco guys, we go nuts over other people's projects...especially when it's in your town...and you've never seen it!
Upon delivering the parts to the man's house, he proceeds to relay the story of how his Bronco wound up in parts and how he lost the desire to finish the project. You see, this man originally purchased the rig in the mid 80's with the intention of building it as a father/son project. As life would have it, his son enlisted in the Army and upon graduating from high school left to boot camp. The son wound up in the Middle East during Operation Desert Storm and witnessed the atrocities of war first hand. His son's unit was ultimately the victim of a roadside bomb and although his son survived, he was disabled with a traumatic injury that nearly cost him his leg. On top of it all, he returned home with PTSD and a serious disdain or contempt for our government.
Needless to say, his son is unable to function or interact in social situations. He finds it hard to hold a job and on more occasions than anyone should have to mention, he's contemplated suicide.
I know that this story sounds "all too familiar", as many men and women have walked in this family's footsteps. His son served honorably and as such...his family served honorably and paid a heavy price, too.
As if all the personal suffering his son and his family endured weren't enough, he'd taken his Bronco to a mechanic/body man. This person worked from home and was eager to work on the man's Bronco. Unfortunately, through all the issues he was facing, the man forgot about the Bronco and as it sat at the mechanic's house for an extended amount of time, parts began to disappear. By the time the man was able and willing to pick up the Bronco, the transmission and transfer case had been removed and lost. He had lost the desire to continue and finish what had once been a father/son project and the loss of these parts had just completely sealed the Bronco's fate!
This story tugged at my heart strings and I thought about giving this man the parts, but didn't know how it would be perceived. So instead I attempted to negotiate a lower price for the parts I was selling. The man handed me a wad of cash and after quickly counting it, I gave back a third of the funds. The man insisted that I take the whole amount and we went back and forth. I finally accepted the funds and on top of that he gave me an additional $60 insisting that I take my wife out to dinner!! I must admit that it was a "first"! First time someone ever tries to pay more than my asking price! You all know that normally negotiations go the opposite way. Along with the cash and the handshake, my new "friend" stated that he didn't ever meet people like me anymore. People who like to talk shop and share knowledge on a specific topic, like "Classic Broncos". Knowledge earned through trial and error...knowledge earned through experiences. He also pointed out that people rarely keep their "word". Especially , strangers like he and I were, just a couple days prior. He was blown away by my desire to help with the parts, negotiate a fair price, hold the parts for the first person interested, and load/transport/and deliver to his house. He also made it clear that I would have to earn the extra funds. You see, he had saved my name and phone number to the speed dial on his phone and made it clear that he would be calling me on a regular basis to pick my brain about issues with the rig!! I think it's clear that we've both made a friend for life...all based on the sale of some "old" Bronco parts!!
I know that I'll be spending some time helping my new friend with his project, as I am now invested in seeing it completed. I've also decided to share my personal stash of spare parts with my friend. Seriously can't wait to see this thing done and on the street and the trails! I also know that he can't wait to take his son out for a cruise in it!
I hope that someone reads this story and that it touches them in some way. You see, I realize that this Bronco/classic car hobby brings us all together, like a big family or better yet...a brotherhood. If you or your family has served in the armed forces of our great country, I'd like to thank you for your service! Fomocoloco Forever!
let us know if you all need anything
