TheSamba.com :: View topic - I need you opinion I SOLD MY BUS and buyer says his mechanic

Mon Sep 15, 2014 4:28 pm

I need your opinion I SOLD MY 1967 BUS and buyer says his mechanic states it needs pistons, major oil leak electrical work and so on.

I sell my bus to a nice guy across the country sight unseen, Pictures only.
The buyer gets it after its paid for in full and takes it to a mechanic for the driving lights that don't come one. I am told the mechanic states it has a major oil leak, it did drip when it left. The motor needs new pistons and major electrical work, front end missing parts….and so on and so on. I am very bummed as I never had any trouble with this bus driving it several times from San Diego to LA for shows, cruising around town all the time and now this.

The shop is Hen-Javs in Plainfield Il, somewhere near Chicago. Has any one heard of them as I couldn't find any info on Samba, nothing on YELP or anywhere else. They do have a Facebook page.
Appears they opened in 2012

Henjav S Motorsports
10101 South Mandel St # A
Plainfield, IL 60585 - View Map
Phone:331 457 5080

Mon Sep 15, 2014 4:31 pm

You sold a used vehicle, tell them to kick rocks.

Mon Sep 15, 2014 4:36 pm

Documents that show maintenance and a second opinion on work needed,
Is standard.
Mileage of bus when it left your place, and engine number?
I wouldn't take anything at face value at this point, especially if there could be blowback from a website.

Mon Sep 15, 2014 4:41 pm

Sold AS IS ?

Tell them to suck on a icecream cone...

Mon Sep 15, 2014 4:54 pm

Caveat emptor

The buyer should of had a independent shop or person inspect the vehicle before purchase.

Mon Sep 15, 2014 5:08 pm

$50,000 is a pretty big deal, I wouldn't tell anyone dropping that kind of cash to kick rocks. :roll:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1557674

Mon Sep 15, 2014 5:33 pm

If you are dropping that kind of coin on a used vehicle, spend the extra $6-700 for a plane ticket and check it out in person. If you cant afford that, then dont by a $50k + bus.
Buyers problems, not yours.

Mon Sep 15, 2014 5:34 pm

Sounds like some guy who thinks "VW Vans are Nifty", decided to buy one.

Mon Sep 15, 2014 5:41 pm

What difference does the purchase price make?

Someone sold a USED 50 year old vehicle to someone; there is no warranty, unless the seller agreed to offer one(not sure if this is even possible) This is'nt Walmart.

The buyer should ALWAYS assume responsibility for inspection of the vehicle PRIOR to purchase; either in person or have a independent mechanic check it out.

Mon Sep 15, 2014 5:46 pm

if you feel you were honest in disclosing any issues you were aware of then your job is done.
Id tell him to kick rocks too. As -is, no warranty

Mon Sep 15, 2014 5:47 pm

I agree with the other comments- not your problema.

If you are gonna drop 50 large do yourself a flavor and buy a plane ticket and go out and see it in person. If you have that kinda coin to drop on a bus what's airfare? Sounds like sour grapes, it is a 50 year old bus, everybody has their idea of what "good condition" entails, that is why it is best to see it/hear it/drive it in person BEFORE dropping the coin! :)

Mon Sep 15, 2014 5:51 pm

Maybe he was under the impression this was a brand new motor. Front end parts missing? The bus has narrowed beam with flip spindles, of course there are going to be parts missing there. How much does he want to go away?

Mon Sep 15, 2014 6:21 pm

Spending that kind of loot on a standard with no look-see is bonkers/lazy/stupid.

If you're considering paying dude ANYTHING then a second opinion from a shop of your choosing (paid by you) is in order.

I deal with folks like this at work atleast once a year. I usually just pay them to make it/them just go away... Even if it's not my fault (after a legal release is signed). Headache done. I think something like 1 out of 10,000 people play this game. Their karma.

Mon Sep 15, 2014 6:39 pm

Malokin Martin wrote:
I deal with folks like this at work atleast once a year. I usually just pay them to make it/them just go away... Even if it's not my fault (after a legal release is signed).

Agreed. Buyer beware on any old vehicle, but as a stand up guy, I too usually give in some and cover part. Especially if it looks like yours did & sells for that price. Price does matter. If it looks like a holey roller rust bucket for $3k it's totally different. You may have to give in a bit. But giving in at all probably makes him want more. Tough one.

Mon Sep 15, 2014 6:44 pm

Like everyone else has said, he spent big money on a 50 year old vehicle but he forgot to spend the little money to make sure his big money was well spent...I'd also send him a link to this thread so be can see popular opinion regarding his situation...

Mon Sep 15, 2014 7:03 pm

Malokin Martin wrote: Spending that kind of loot on a standard with no look-see is bonkers/lazy/stupid.

If you're considering paying dude ANYTHING then a second opinion from a shop of your choosing (paid by you) is in order.

I deal with folks like this at work atleast once a year. I usually just pay them to make it/them just go away... Even if it's not my fault (after a legal release is signed). Headache done. I think something like 1 out of 10,000 people play this game. Their karma.

Either way a lawyer gets paid. Agreed that not checking it out with your mechanic is fucking stupid. If I were selling I wouldn't think a buyer was serious unless he was making arrangements to have it checked out.
A 600 dollar wonder bomb with maypops doesn't apply, take it or leave it.

Mon Sep 15, 2014 7:23 pm

Old Paint wrote: Sounds like some guy who thinks "VW Vans are Nifty", decided to buy one. :D :D

Mon Sep 15, 2014 7:45 pm

Thank you for the comments and input....this bus is every bit as nice in person, besides the point, those that have seen it at the shows can attest to its flawless appearance and running gear.

My first concern with the buyer was < 10 minutes total on the phone and then the fact he wanted to save $600 by sending it on an open transport 2000 miles, i talked him out of that, good thing he might have been asking for a paint job too.

I represented it more than accurately to my ability and knowledge.

I am a fair and honest person and want to do whats right without being taken advantage of, I Will see how that plays out. I agree that a second opinion is order. I once took my other bus into a regular shop/non air cooled specialist and the guy suggested to remove the external oil cooler, dual carbs and anything that was outside his ability or knowledge. I love the earlier comment about the narrowed beam....maybe is a example of who I'm dealing with.
Last comment....most mechanics can go look at any, I mean any 50 year old car that they have no knowledge of and make claims and suggestions on how to so called FIX it especially when its not stock.

If i were ashamed or hiding anything i wouldn't have posted the situation here.

Ill keep you all posted

FYI car did not sell near the asking price ( not that it matters)

Mon Sep 15, 2014 8:11 pm

As long as you were honest about the condition during the sale I agree with others about it being the buyers responsibility and should have been checked out before the sale however it didn't happen so lesson learned by everyone. First off I would question if his mechanic has any aircooled vw experience. Assuming the bus left your hands in great shape and there really is indeed a problem, I would question and investigate what happened between ownership. With the amount spent on the sale, I understand that you may have a moral obligation to help. If so then a second opinion of your choice is a must. IF a reputable shop determines a problem THEN a fair solution may be a split in repairs. Best of luck.

Mon Sep 15, 2014 8:13 pm

The quickest way to deal with a guy like this (who is likely hoping to auction it as a flip anyway) is to offer them a complete refund or offer to fix it for him in your shop. Tell him simply, sorry, and here's your money since you are not full satisfied. He will immediately backpedal and say it's no big deal. Guaranteed. Call his bluff.

You did not drive that bus 100s of miles with bad electricals (exactly what?), missing front end pieces (like what exactly?) and bad pistons. He wants you to cut him a check cause he tells every seller he has dealt with the same story. This is not his first rodeo. His 16 year old daughter didn't tell her dad she can't drive a stick and red was like, so two years ago...

Offer to have a truck pick it up tomorrow- and he will back down.