Attn; All busnuts Be On the Look Out! For a missing busnut!
Ace, Susan & Bud were last heard from on Sunday AM on the way to MO to check out a truck conversion and if all went well they were prepared to buy it and tow their car home.
However we haven't heard from them and nobody has reported any suspicious looking truck conversion drivers headed South East!
So please be on the look out for any suspicious looking truck conversion drivers trying to disguise themselves !
;D BK ;D
Sorry to say, but this is what he said on another site:
Pre approved to purchase and after leaving Hawk Engineering in Jackson Mo, were still looking!
The truck he had (sold since we left) was awesome!
Does anyone know of any garage type units that are available or where else to look!
I hate taking all this money in the duffle bag back home!
Thanks!
Hmmm, he said it was awesome and he was pretty excited about it before he went (and he had $$$). I wonder what the problem was. I guess we'll find out ...
Apparently they sold it before he got there. That is what I take from his message.
GaryD
You would think they would have told him they had sold it, saved him a trip
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It wasn't sold, and they backed away from the deal Because of a title issue.
Quote from: Van on November 05, 2014, 05:19:42 PM
It wasn't sold, and they backed away from the deal Because of a title issue.
No, I think you're thinking of the first truck in MN. This one was in St. Louis.
I don't know. His FB page has some recent photos of bikes posted but no info on the truck.
Update:
Yes we just got home from a very long 2000 plus mile round trip but the story is this...
We went there to check out the truck. It was not sold when we arrived accept to me and the truck is/was everything I wanted! There was nothing spared when built and to say it was new and in like brand new condition is an understatement! You could not tell it was a 2000 model inside or out. Hell it only has 387k miles which was one of the issues. Another issue was it has studded drive tires and checking the state laws, I couldn't use them or bring them to Florida. The steers and drives too were only 13 yrs old! A deal factor for sure and I used it!
Anyway, when we arrived this guy (the builder) drove us to his second Walmart size shop and there inside amongst two others it sat and I immediately fell in love!
Talked for a short bit but the guy had a lunch date with his dad so we had to leave and return later. Not trying to be pushy, we obliged!
Returning later we found ourselves looking and checking out every closet, cabinet, hell every inch inside outside and underneath too. Yes I could crawl under it and found not one thing wrong other than 3 of the 4 recessed flood lights were blown but what the heck!
Now keep in mind, before I left home this guy (the builder) told me AND my bank that he was the owner of this truck and we took him for true value.
Ok now after a while of checking out, playing and being shown items, and chatting about personal lives, he was ready to leave. I showed my concern about the dated and studded tires and I even priced them from a very large local tire shop just down the road in between visits and my price was $5800 for all 10. So he told me to make him an offer.
Well to cut to the chase, the truck was listed on his site at $102$. Before we left home I had him 85k then 70k. It looked too good to be true so from 70k I made him an offer of 65k and TEN NEW tires! Now here comes... His comment was, are you ready? His exact words "I don't think he'll go that low"!
Now being pumped, I wasn't thinking and blurted out, "beat him up and let me know, I'll be back in my room"!
Wait, who is he gonna ask? I thought he told me and the bank that HE owned it! Now I'm a little confused. Needless, I'm returning to my room and I get a text, "he'll drop to 68k to help you with the tires"! I respectfully said "no, my offer is firm"! He replied with, "I'll check prices in the morning"!
Went to bed and after awaking, he texted saying "ok, 65$ it is"!
"Have your bank wire the money"! I woke up with a feeling I've never had before and felt this was too easy, something HAD to be sour and it was!
This guy wasn't legally the owner! The Oregon title had two names (husband and wife) on the front. It had two names PRINTED on the back where the sellers print and sign but only ONE signature, the mans, NOT the wife's! I questioned him and he said he DOES OWN IT and after I politely said I think we're going to walk away because of too many unanswered issues like the date on title also bring altered from 2001 to 2014, the 13 year old tires, the starting issue he recent had fixed, the signatures, the low mileage, and did I mention, he wanted me to have the funds wired BEFORE we road tested it with him OR me driving? It never left the spot it was in OR the shop while I was there! He didn't have time, so it seemed!
So bottom line is... We left with him telling me HE was pissed!
He said for me to lose his number, we were threw and I'd never hear from him again! So again, we left!
After driving a couple hours in sort of disbelief, I texted him and said I'd do the deal and even add 2k$ but he'd have to bring it to my bank with a legit title and legit signatures! He said, no because someone already bought it and was picking it up the next day!
There you gave it! I'm home, tired, drinking a beer and pondering what his game was which looks like almost anything! Maybe trying to help a customer sell a truck during a divorce, or sell a truck he took back because it sat for so long he just wanted it gone at any price, I don't know! Scratched my head almost all the way back!
I do know that watching judge Judy, it's buyer beware and I thought I made the right choice because it could have but me in the @$# in more ways than just one!
Sorry for this being so long but it is what it is!
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Fishy deal. You made the correct choice to walk away!
Without the wife's signature, that title will not be processed by any state. It's also possible that the man is in the middle of a divorce and doesn't
have the legal right to sell it.
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Susan next to truck in one of the guys massive shops
(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1203.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fbb394%2FGoldbus%2F2014-11%2FA3C5E729-678B-4A5F-B519-343780B9BBE2.jpg&hash=d6c9ac848abdb0e383fcf484afce72b51a187e67) (http://s1203.photobucket.com/user/Goldbus/media/2014-11/A3C5E729-678B-4A5F-B519-343780B9BBE2.jpg.html)
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2 names on title does not mean the vehicle needs both signatures to be sold it all depends how it it worded, John Doe OR Mary Doe either can sell without the other.
John Doe AND Mary Doe both need to sign, all of our vehicles are the OR version so either of us can sell if something happens to 1 of us with out all the BS. I have no idea how Ace's deal was worded is it legal in FL I don't know but it is legal in AZ,Idaho and Texas that I know
Clifford the title had his name and her name without a AND and without a OR
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It also says right on the back of the Oregon title that ALL names (up to 4) on the front MUST be signed as seller/s relinquishing their full interest in said vehicle!
Sounds pretty clear to me
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The first RV I bought was titled husband AND wife. The wife was nowhere to be found, so he signed both names. It was very shady (and highly illegal), but nothing came of it. However, I think you made the right call. My first RV cost ten times less than your truck conversion. It is best to not take any chances when you are dealing with that amount of money.
Must be something new on a Oregon title none of mine are worded like that mine are the OR worded you protected yourself that is a lot of cash to gamble on
Ace can you have him pay to open an escrow at your bank with the money in holding. Then have your bank check the title out and let you know what they find out and then you can make your decision based on fact. Just a thought if you really want the truck.
You might not be able to read the whole thing but this is taken right off the back of the title!
(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1203.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fbb394%2FGoldbus%2F2014-11%2F190D0499-8AFF-4E08-94EF-AE14C10A6EAF.png&hash=7d48536347c7dc51b2c213e6357fca4c7e6f6109) (http://s1203.photobucket.com/user/Goldbus/media/2014-11/190D0499-8AFF-4E08-94EF-AE14C10A6EAF.png.html)
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It basically says ALL owners listed on front MUST sign
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Dave like I said, he texted me when I was half way home and said he sold it! Don't ask me why he texted to tell me that after he said he was done with me and for me to lose his number? He might have just been playing s game not that he already wasn't!
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Ace,
I feel for you. Rough times.
I must say, it sounds VERY much like you found the Bobby Easter of the truck world. He sounds just as fishy.
ACE and Susan, sorry to hear of your luck, but you had a nice trip I hope, in the future if your financing, a bank draft would have solved the title issues for you. FWIW
It wasn't only the title Niles. With that was what would or could possibly go wrong from it sitting for I'm not sure how many years! The date on the title was changed which coincided with the 13 year old studded tires. The fact that the owners could not be contacted and he wasn't willing to test drive it with us. AND the fact that he asked me at least 3 times to start the wire process before anything else!
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OOPS - forgot about the test drive issue - I'm confident that you guys did the right thing, but then again so are you :-) Back to the drawing board and happy hunting
Quote from: Ace on November 05, 2014, 09:02:58 PM
It wasn't only the title Niles. With that was what would or could possibly go wrong from it sitting for I'm not sure how many years! The date on the title was changed which coincided with the 13 year old studded tires. The fact that the owners could not be contacted and he wasn't willing to test drive it with us. AND the fact that he asked me at least 3 times to start the wire process before anything else!
Yep - fishier than a 55-gallon drum of 6-day-old haddock. Walking away was really smart.
Duplicate.
Stolen, or like you said he's in a divorce, or he is going bankrupt and can not sell the truck according to the courts. Here's one; He didn't want to go with you on a drive so that he could say it was stolen call the cops with the real peoples name and it was reported by someone ( him)where you were with it, so you would be busted instead of him and he'd be gone and not have to get stuck with it? :o
Everything happens for a reason.
Good luck on future finds.
Call the names on the title and ask them. Shouldn't be to hard to track down
I tried calling the owners before I left to maybe get some history and then after trying to figure out who actually owned it but no answer at any of the 4 numbers I had found
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😞 bummer
Quote from: Ace on November 06, 2014, 05:15:18 PMI tried calling the owners before I left to maybe get some history and then after trying to figure out who actually owned it but no answer at any of the 4 numbers I had found
Really fishy. But it seems like he hid the bodies pretty well!
While it is a bit unusual, the use of an escrow with all the terms clearly spelled out is a good way to flush out the crooks. I once tried to buy a Mercedes 230 SL from an unknown and difficult seller and got the guy as far as agreeing to place the title in escrow--never happened!! You did the right thing. I guess it's the cop in me, but is there any way to set up a sting on this crook--that'd be sooo sweet!
Yep I was thinking that all the way through this thread. Good one. 8)
What pissed me off is he said today its been sold and now gone! Did it really get sold that quick after sitting there for so many years and I really lost out on a great deal or is it still there and he's just telling me that for whatever reason?
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For the price someone probably did gamble on the truck since he has it running now that was a nice rig JMO
Yea someone else can roll the dice on that much money, not me, and yes it was an awesome rig!
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Everything happens for a reason.
Be glad you were smart and walked away.
What would the feeling be if you got ripped off?!
Me the way the title was written and if I wanted the truck and she wasn't around to sign I would have asked for a power of attorney stating he could sign and sell if he didn't furnished one then I would have walked was the guy shady or not I don't know I wasn't there
Some one not being up front about the paper work. I would do the same thing. I would have told him I was ticked. Driving all the way out there. You made the right choice. If you are looking for a truck conversion. If I had the $$$ I would get a used tractor and have cowboy Cadillac build one. They will build a 30 foot conversion with 2 slides for 70k. Check out their web site. I would love to have one. But I haven't won the lottery yet. lol. The site is Cowboy Cadillac. The phone # 817-710-5209 Located in Texas. If you call they will send you info on what they have for sale. Have a good weekend. David.
Many years ago, I was looking to buy my first motorhome. There was one I was interested in and even had a mechanic go over it. However, when it came time to deal I saw the title. although signed over, was in the name of someone other than the seller. He claimed that he was selling it for his uncle, but I would not touch it. He was really pissed, but that was his problem.
In Oregon they require 2 names on a title if in a trust but just one can sign and sell,kinda like a corporation now in a lot of states the title does even need to be sign before a notary scary
Well gumpy and I stayed up late last night on both sides trying to figure out the actual owner, signature, status and what not to find what their angle is and only thing we came up with is they are friggin rich, VERY VERY rich! I just don't know what or why, so don't ask me!
I probably walked away from a very good deal but it's over now and my quest to find another truck similar continues!
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Yep you could tell that by looking at conversion the guy was in the Rolex crowd ;D
Just because he s rich doesn't
mean he has to be a jerk .
Never met the guy I have no idea if he was a jerk or not, the point was you could see the bucks in the conversion and you are right Dave there are jerks from all walks of life. I find most the time people with the real big bucks don't try to a stiff person on a deal like that IMO
Quote from: luvrbus on November 08, 2014, 01:00:23 PM... I find most the time people with the real big bucks don't try to a stiff person on a deal like that IMO
I'm wondering if the real owner (rich or not) knew that the guy with the truck in his shop was trying to sell it.
On consignment of some sort I bet, maybe the owners asked him to get it ready and sell it for them. Some people would rather have another party sell things like this for them, don't like dealing with all the tire kickers.
But regardless it isn't the only nice one out there Ace, you will find another. I think you did right thing under the circumstances .
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Hey Ace, I'm in St. Louis and could check out the guys threw some friends, and find out his story. What is the name of his shop? I could even go by there and act like a customer and see if the truck is still there. Where did you see it listed? All my titles say signature of all sellers on back. You have to watch us folks in Missouri, were all shiters ;D
Jesse James called Mo home ;D seriously there are some big buck people around Cape Girardeau as ACE said
I sent him a pretty long text last night explaining the way I felt about,
1, butting heads with him
2, not going thru with the deal
3, doubting the title and signatures
4, just a plain heartfelt man to man apology for everything
I thought I may have started while we were texting and things I may have said in a childish manner which caused hard feelings on BOTH sides and guess what...
NO REPLY!
It's all good! I appreciate everyone's help and support but if it's meant to be or not, it will!
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JUST got thru after many attempts to the ACTUAL owner and low and behold, everything was legit! Everything I was told was the truth all the way down to the signatures including the little mark the lady made!
The truck HAS been sold and the actual owner is awaiting the guy I dealt with to send him the money!
It's over and I can close THIS chapter.
I feel stupid for not trusting him but who knew since he wasn't being very cooperative or open with info and I'm thinking now that he may have had a buyer waiting in the background maybe for more money that's why he didn't care if I bought it or not!
Next....
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I'm sure you all were thinking the deal was too good to be true, and that would make anyone a little gun shy - go find another one
Yep
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Hi Ace,
Someone up there steered you away from that deal.... If it was ment to be, it would have happened!
Ya never know, the motor could have let go on the way home... ;D
Nick-
Yea I know Nick but it keeps haunting me that I made the choice to leave it, it then gets sold the same day, and then there wasn't anything wrong with the deal to begin with! I had the chance to acquire it at more than half of what it was worth! Surely a deal in a lifetime but your right, after sitting for so long, ANYTHING could have happened that would have cost me more than it's worth!
Still looking...
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Sorry you missed that deal Ace that was a nice conversion on a nice truck.with the new ECM and injectors the N14 would have severed you well for years. We all dance to different music me I would have rolled the dice on it
Yea Clifford I feel bad but life goes on! If it was meant to be then so be it. I keep saying there will be another one but not so sure, at least one affordable! I may even try the original truck seller and see what's up with that one. It was a lot cheaper, more miles and unfinished not to mention not as clean but what else are projects for?
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Still say there was something fishy going on there. That title said the guy you talked to had bought it, yet you had to confirm with the "owner". Sorry, but no state is going to process that
title with his name on it as the buyer. It will have to go back to Oregon to be re-issued. And why did he tell you initially that he was the owner?
No, it still doesn't add up.
I agree and not that it matters, but he also came down awfully fast on the price. He was trying to dump it for some unknown reason. Or he was offered a commission and got tired of waiting and just came down fast until he was out of commission to be paid.
I know none of it adds up but after talking to the person that's name is on the front, he told me the whole story from when he bought it and has another one built and left that one there to be sold! It say for years because Hawk pushed his OWN builds first! He got tired or sending money to Mo. Every year for batteries and such to keep it up so he told Hawk to basically give it away at a give away price which he did! Had I known this info before doubting anyone or even the title, I would have rolled the dice and brought it home! Hawk wasn't offering ANY history other than it sat for years. How many is still another question!
The owner told me Hawk called with my offer that night and about replacing all 10 tires and he agreed to split the cost of the tires with Hawk. Still don't know what the tie is but my chapter on THIS truck is closed! Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. I hate to lose and now there's nothing I can do about it but congratulate the winner whoever that might be.
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I dunno Ace, you found that deal, I have faith you can find one just as good or better, it's not like your 'homeless', sometimes the hunt is more fun than the kill, certainly got the blood flowing and you got to see some beautiful countryside, isn't that what it's all about?
Yea Susan and I had a great time up, not so much back as we were trying to decipher the whole mess but like I said, it was all a waste of time since it was all legit!
I'm/were still looking and I've seen a couple that interested me but not really in the mood to travel that far this soon!
Talks are still on with the original truck we looked at (pics only) and we'll keep the doors open on that one for now. It's a project and one we feel we can finish nicely or at least to our taste and liking. The hard work is done! If I can acquire that one cheap enough which were close already, chances are I wouldn't have to sell my bus so quickly. That too is a plus.
Gotta get the ole bus cleaned up and prepped for the upcoming holiday travels.
We might try the rally again, might not! Nothing planned yet!
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Been considering the fact that if you can't find what you want at an affordable price, build it yourself or have it built to your liking!
With that said, I've found late model semi's in great condition anywhere from 12,000 to 25,000.
If anyone knows of anyone that could stretch the frame and build the box (approx. 28') in or near Florida, let me know. I need to get an idea what that would run!
OR...
If anyone knows of a project truck, I'd be interested in checking it out but I'm preferring tandem axle so keep that in mind. Peterbilt, KW, Freightliner or even been looking at the International ProStars.
Thanks!
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