ATTITUDE GONE WILD?

[Tim Powell]

Hey Crew. I need to vent. Just got home from my week on the road. I found an old M-37 sitting in the weeds in Pella Iowa. Lots of parts I thought I couldn't live without. It's at a salvage yard and the owner was in love with his junk. I had this conversation last week with another one of our Members on this site. I'm not sure if the price bothered me more or the attitude of the guy at the yard. What ever happened to "good morning", "how ya doing", "what can I do for ya"?? Now it's "what do you want"? Well, I'm sorry but a few causal words to start the conversation is just too much to ask anymore. I was so put off I didn't even ask all the questions I had. "Take it or leave it" was the response I got when I asked for a price on the parts I wanted. I had even thought about making an offer on the entire remains of the truck. I'll do without before I deal with people like this. Life is too short.

[WarrenD]

Sadly it's the way of the world today. I've seen folks who used to be nice and accomodating get trampled by the idiots and then they turn into those people, probably out of self preservation. Have you tried to sell anything these days? It's getting to the point where I'd rather give the stuff away than deal with the hassle of dealing with people. Say I'm selling a camera lens. Prospective buyer wants to "borrow" it for a week or two to see if it works. (Not really, because you know in 10 minutes if it works. The truth is they want to see if they really want it, if it doesn't do it for them, just return it and get your money back). They want the money held in an escrow account so they can change their mind and get their money back. By the time you're done, you've paid out shipping fees, the lens comes back damaged and you've got nothing. Buyer has used your lens for free and is out happily screwing someone else. Sorry to sound jaded, but it's happened. Had a friend tell me that he bought a new GPS on a trip as his old one had died. When he got home he took it back to the store (national chain) and got his money back, he didn't need it anymore.
There are a few good souls still out there, I've run across more than a few in this hobby. Keep the faith!

[Cal_Gary]

I got one close to yours a few years back-sitting in a business yard, four flat tires, busted glass, hadn't run in years but the 85 year old owner "has plans for the vehicle...". Maybe that's his coffin.... Sorry-I went there....
Gary

[Carter]

I know what you are talking about, talked to a scrap yard owner about a rusty stripped out WC 52 who told me he wanted $2200 "because you can't find trucks like these any more" and if he didn't get his price he "was just going to cut it up for scrap so you better buy it before it's gone" What a jerk. Told him good luck and walked.

[Tim Powell]

I always love a good threat when your trying to buy something! I'll cut it up for scrap because I don't want you to spend a billion dollars fixing it up because it deserves a new life! You might make someone smile when they see it standing proud. Take it or leave it is another favorite! And oh my yes the old "I got plans for it" sob story! I'm through whining now!

[hbb]

Tim

I grew up in north west Iowa and it is true to what you say! it seems like it is worthless junk ready to go for scrap until you ask about it then it becomes more valuable than gold. There is a guy in the Lone Rock Ia area that is a scrap dealer that concentrates on the GSA market and buys every thing he can just to cut it and scrap. Last winter I was back there and he had a pile of 900-16 wheels with tires ready to load for scrap and I asked about buying 5 of them, He wanted $700.00 so I made a $300.00 counter offer, he had them shredded and got less that I offered for them and he knew it made me sick to see that happen. Just a grouchy old bastard that has cut up hundreds M37's,M35's and countless other military vehicles and could care less about someone needing a part, but that's what he dose.

So Tim I feel your frustrations.

hb

[Tim Powell]

We are not alone Crew! It's just that sometimes it feels that way.