How to deal with "Runnables" and I'm not mechanically inclined to fix?

I am in northern central Indiana, I buy/sell/scrap cars as much as I can. There is good money to be made, for sure. The very first thing I do when thinking about flipping a car is do a walk-around with pen and paper in hand. Write EVERYTHING that the vehicle needs down, no matter how big or small, from wiper blades to body parts to mechanical parts. As previously stated parts add up quickly. I try to do most of the work myself - learn as I go.. I hate electrical issues, I don't have the patience.
I - much like you - want to sell something ready to go, safe & nice. I was out of a "regular job" for about a year, and flipping cars is what I done to stay afloat.
If you would like you can send me a pm, I'm always wanting to buy projects, clunkers, and parts, etc etc. Sometimes its better to start with a $1200 car that needs TLC put $350 into it and flip it for $2200
BTW - CL can be your best friend if used properly.

Story on the news last night claimed that used car prices are down cuz more folks are buying new. I still say though...if it runs good, has decent tires and doesn't smoke, it's worth at least a grand even if it has over 200k miles.

In a past business I worked with small used car dealerships and tax season is a great time to sell low priced autos. The dealships that made money changed out the brakes and clean the cars and do the minor fix ups to get the cars ready to sell. There is good money to be made reselling but like most things it takes a plan and work. Best of luck, Mike.

Another thing is don't be too concerned with what the seller says is wrong with the vehicle. Some of them don't really know, and/or are too lazy to do any maintenance so they just assume the symptoms mean something major needs replaced, when it may just need fluid/cheap part.

On a Caravan I bought a few years ago the guy said the transmission was going out and also that it needed the compressor replaced.

Paid a tiny bit over scrap price for it and hauled it home.

Transmission was low on fluid. Topped it off. Ran great after that.

Belt was shredded and tensioner was shot. Once that was replaced AC was blowing cold.

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Originally Posted by IdahoScrapper

Another thing is don't be too concerned with what the seller says is wrong with the vehicle. Some of them don't really know, and/or are too lazy to do any maintenance so they just assume the symptoms mean something major needs replaced, when it may just need fluid/cheap part.

On a Caravan I bought a few years ago the guy said the transmission was going out and also that it needed the compressor replaced.

Paid a tiny bit over scrap price for it and hauled it home.

Transmission was low on fluid. Topped it off. Ran great after that.

Belt was shredded and tensioner was shot. Once that was replaced AC was blowing cold.

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Yeah had experiences like that as well. Like the 99 olds I picked up, guy said it needed a starter, just needed a fresh battery. Going to pick up a taurus next week with a bad trany but fingers crossed Im hoping a quart of trany fluid fixes it. Ive never ran accross a car good enough to resell, if the interior is shot there's no need in trying sell it because no one will want it. It amazes me how people are too ignorant or lazy to roll up a f$@@ing electric window. I just don't understand it. And being a mechanic, like me, and having access to a good shop helps as well.

CL is handy if you are close enough to a large enough market for them to come out and look at and/or get it. If it runs and drives, albeit with a battery drain, someone will buy it. If you have scrap price in it, or just over, offer it for double as a fixer until you have time to fix it. If it doesn't sell before you fix it (and it probably will), up the price once its ready to go. Either way, you come out ahead. Most of the people I know who think CL is a pain, don't like to take phone calls about what they're selling and take the time with the dumbies, tire kickers, and low ballers to get the serious buyers. I have more than one friend who gives me stuff to sell, or will give me a cut to sell things for them because they just don't want to deal with it. If you are not one of those people that don't want to deal with it, take 8 good pictures (always take pictures of what you are selling), put up an ad, and let it be out there while you are trying to figure out what to do with it. Worst case, it doesn't sell which puts you in the same boat you are in right now. Or, it sells and you don't have to worry about it.

As far as finding an honest go-getter to go half-sies with, they are usually busy already goin and gettin it. Keep your eyes open, sometimes they are lookin for a side job because they don't know how to take a break!

All great advice gents. I am thinking of tossing it on CL as is for a decent price. If they want to put the time into it- great, if it doesn't sell, I can continue to attempt to work on it and see if it gets fixed. Even if this thing goes to the crusher as a last resort, I'm still going to profit. That isn't my issue. Just not looking forward to pulling it up on the trailer and having "the talk" with where it is now and the fact that still after over a week- nothing has been touched on it. Bummed about that.

I think when you strike a deal with the mechanic (we both make money) you give him a deadline, even ask him for a date. It needs to be fixed and safe in say 3 weeks if not, I take it and move on. With the deadline in place it will be just like a customers car... he will feel the pressure to finish or loose the opportunity. Use a simple contract if that works. Once he has made money with you a few times, it will seem normal.

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Originally Posted by skipster316

I think when you strike a deal with the mechanic (we both make money) you give him a deadline, even ask him for a date. It needs to be fixed and safe in say 3 weeks if not, I take it and move on. With the deadline in place it will be just like a customers car... he will feel the pressure to finish or loose the opportunity. Use a simple contract if that works. Once he has made money with you a few times, it will seem normal.

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What a perfect idea! Sometimes the simplest things are the most logical! Thank you. I always prefer to communicate with people say he calls me on the phone- tells me what parts it will need, I "ok" the purchase so on and so forth. Thus far with this one- I've gotten squat. Sadly my wife broke her leg on Tuesday and it has been a whirlwind of ER visits, doc appts, and surgery scheduling.. so it gave me a perfect opportunity to not badger him.. in this very moment of being able to think of it.. it frustrates me. I think I'm going to see if I can find the time with being Mr. Mom this weekend to weave in pulling it out of there. Just don't see this guy as "the one"

Thought I would post some Pics of the "Topic of Discussion"
https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/...51565413_n.jpg
https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/...92339737_n.jpg
https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/...33980145_n.jpg

Actually looks pretty sharp I see why you think she has potential or at least curb appeal. Just a shot in the dark from a thirty footer but are the front brakes shot?

Ones that old up here are ALWAYS completely rotten.

Ironhunter: Yep.. Will definitely need new front pads!

Darn it Sledge, wish ya was closer, I know a few folks who'd be interested in that beast, an the work your offering. I don't think I can convince my guy to move up your way, plus..I'd need to find me a new mechanic..lol.

Beast of a ride, good luck getting it up an running as I see a nice payday for you if you can get it going.

Sirscrapalot - You can live to be a hundred, if you give up all the things that make you want to live to a hundred. - Woody Allen so I'm told.

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Originally Posted by Sirscrapalot

Darn it Sledge, wish ya was closer, I know a few folks who'd be interested in that beast, an the work your offering. I don't think I can convince my guy to move up your way, plus..I'd need to find me a new mechanic..lol.

Beast of a ride, good luck getting it up an running as I see a nice payday for you if you can get it going.

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Thanks Sirscrap. Yes, this one has by far been the nicest one I'm managed to get.. now to just get that mechanic piece of the puzzle filled in.. I'll be Grrrreat!
;)

I'd go "re-po" that thing and get something else going on it

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Originally Posted by Bear

I'd go "re-po" that thing and get something else going on it

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Ok well Thank you for validating my mindset! My wife thinks I'm "just to hard on people" and My response is "If we have a deal to do something.. then get your arse to work to uphold your end!" The whole cliche of "Time is $" isn't a cliche when it is true! I'm thinking this sucker needs to get worked on, fixed, and get itself back on the market.. like.. umm.. yesterday!!

I wholeheartedly agree with the prior post of a time limit on repairs or it gets pulled, keep them honest and engaged with the project or they know they will lose money and you wont have to feel bad or covertly repo it to get it done, just pull in during work hours and haul it off if they don't FINISH it. JMHO

I'd encourage diplomacy too, in spite of my earlier post, I don't know what he's thinking, or what's going on in his head.
If something belongs to me and needs fixed, it might get it sooner, or later, it might sit there until I need it again, whatever, could be a while.
However close your friendship is, he could think you're close enough he treats it like his own, not worth spoiling the day on a misunderstanding
Might try something like "I'm just gonna list it like it is" ? ; )

I went over about 30 minutes ago.. he told me via text on Saturday. He had it all back together. I went over and he was not there.. but he shares space with a few other guys and other businesses so the gate was open. I opened the door of the blazer.. he basically hooked the wiring harnesses from the lights etc back into the plastic surround. Other than that- nothing else has been done. The guy I was speaking to said- "Well he said he won't be even back here until Tuesday." Now I'm getting ticked!