Completely SHOCKED!!! Shaking my head, I still can't believe it!!!
@beaniefanatic13 (5076)
Grand Junction, Colorado
May 9, 2016 4:58pm CST
I have had good luck and bad luck on craigslist, but this is one of my more positive interactions. Over a week ago we posted our 92 Chevy Cowboy Conversion Van for sale, because of the age and the conversion we were unable to get a value on KBB, so we took a guess. This has had 2 owners and had 45,000 original miles, no I didn't forget any digits in that odometer reading. We had the usual couple texts that were bogus, so Tuesday we changed the price. Got a call, from L.A., I live in Colorado.
My husband was adamant this guy was serious and was coming out over the weekend and get it. My husband told him that we would hold it for him. He checked in several times a day. He took a plane to Denver, rented a car and drove down to the Western Slope to purchase this van. On Friday we had received a call that he had set up an appt for a pre-purchase sale and could we take it over and he would reimburse us plus an additional $50 for our time and inconvenience. The van got a clean bill of health. This got me to thinking how far would you go to buy something you wanted? Me, not very far at all.
My husband was adamant this guy was serious and was coming out over the weekend and get it. My husband told him that we would hold it for him. He checked in several times a day. He took a plane to Denver, rented a car and drove down to the Western Slope to purchase this van. On Friday we had received a call that he had set up an appt for a pre-purchase sale and could we take it over and he would reimburse us plus an additional $50 for our time and inconvenience. The van got a clean bill of health. This got me to thinking how far would you go to buy something you wanted? Me, not very far at all.20 people like this
19 responses
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
19 May 16
If I can't find it within a 100 mile radius, it isn't to be mine. My husband on the other hand has been looking for a 1977 Ford pickup. Several are at least a 3-4 day drive from us. He tells me how "we" will drive to said place, purchase the truck, and he would drive the truck while I drive our vehicle.
Considering that I am not one to drive long distances alone or highway driving, this is not happening. I have told him he would need to go alone or find someone to go with him.
3 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
19 May 16
@beaniefanatic13 If it is too far away, I don't need it. LOL. If my hubby wants to drive on his own and have me go along for the ride I am okay with it.
1 person likes this
@beaniefanatic13 (5076)
• Grand Junction, Colorado
19 May 16
LOL, or in my case fly to destination and drive back. I agree needs to be close, I don't know if I would even go 100 miles, my husband on the other hand would drive to pick something he wanted and bring it back. He has bought things several 100 miles away, but he was in the area at the time. His job is in vehicle transportation, so it's a little different.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
13 May 16
Wow well I guess it must have been a really good price. My brother has driven from Connecticut to Florida to buy cars.
2 people like this
@beaniefanatic13 (5076)
• Grand Junction, Colorado
19 May 16
@BelleStarr that makes sense. I see some damaged vehicle due to snow and salt here too.
1 person likes this
@beaniefanatic13 (5076)
• Grand Junction, Colorado
19 May 16
Is he a dealer? Does he go to the auctions down there?
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
19 May 16
@beaniefanatic13 No he is collector. He likes cars that have no body damage and snow and salt are bad up here in Connecticut.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
28 Sep 16
So you got your money already for the sale of that van? I'm not familiar with what a 'pre-purchase sale' is. I wouldn't travel that far for a vehicle or anything else for that matter. I'm surprised because even though the mileage was great it was older than most people want, but maybe the buyer refurbishes vehicles to resell them or something.
1 person likes this
@beaniefanatic13 (5076)
• Grand Junction, Colorado
28 Sep 16
He brought cash with him. This vehicle didn't need any refurbishing and he drove it back to L.A., which is over 800 miles away. He had been looking for a van that he could camp in. This has the rear seat that folds into a bed. I wouldn't travel that far for anything either. With so many scams that go on with Craigslist I was very shocked that this wasn't one.
1 person likes this
@beaniefanatic13 (5076)
• Grand Junction, Colorado
28 Sep 16
@MarshaMusselman, it wasn't bad, but it was worth a lot more than what we were asking. If we lived someplace else we could have gotten at least a thousand more, but we were happy. The guy was very happy. It really was a beautiful van.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
28 Sep 16
@beaniefanatic13 I hope you got a decent price considering the lower mileage.
1 person likes this
@beaniefanatic13 (5076)
• Grand Junction, Colorado
30 Sep 16
Everything went perfect. I don't worry to much when my husband is around.
1 person likes this
@beaniefanatic13 (5076)
• Grand Junction, Colorado
9 May 16
Wow! That's awesome that you would. I have my limits and getting on a plane to get something would be my stopping point. Don't get me wrong I'm very happy that he did and we sold it, but that was a long way to come to purchase something off of caigslist.
1 person likes this
@miniam (9154)
• Bern, Switzerland
9 May 16
@beaniefanatic13
If you want something bad enough,there is no distance long enough
1 person likes this
@theBlock (2657)
• United States
25 Aug 16
@beaniefanatic13
Wow--I can dig that--he wanted something--he got it--no matter if it was far away.
1 person likes this
@beaniefanatic13 (5076)
• Grand Junction, Colorado
25 Aug 16
He got a great deal, it really was in amazing shape for it's age. Ran beautifully, he drove it back to California with no issues. Said the bed was so comfortable that he overslept on the way back. I'm glad it went to someone that could appreciate it and get some camping use out of it.
1 person likes this
@beaniefanatic13 (5076)
• Grand Junction, Colorado
25 Aug 16
@theBlock, I left CA about 2 and a half years ago, have only been back to visit family and friends.
1 person likes this
@theBlock (2657)
• United States
25 Aug 16
@beaniefanatic13 I live in LA, too, but I'm not sure I'd do the same. If you lived here, I would've bought it---I do need a truck
1 person likes this
@peavey (16936)
• United States
12 May 16
@beaniefanatic13 From Southern California and driving over that pass this time of year means he was pretty determined!
1 person likes this
@beaniefanatic13 (5076)
• Grand Junction, Colorado
11 May 16
I don't know what his cost of the rental car was, and he upgraded his vehicle to 4 wheel drive, since Vail pass was getting more snow this past weekend. His flight cost around a $100, I think they are running promotions between Denver and CA right now. Have no idea what his cost was going home with gas and food, but he definitely wanted that van. He sent a very nice text on Monday thanking us for everything and that if we were ever in Southern CA that he would love to return the hospitality.
2 people like this
@shaggin (72141)
• United States
11 May 16
I would worry about paying the $50 and not getting the money back. I would drive a few hours to get a vehicle I really wanted but that is about it. Your conversion can had very low miles for being that old. Conversion vans have a ton of room so its awesome for traveling but they are terrible on gas.
1 person likes this
@beaniefanatic13 (5076)
• Grand Junction, Colorado
11 May 16
I was a bit worried, but my husband kept assuring me that he was coming. If he hadn't, I would have been able to update my post and possibly my price, since the shop only found that the battery should be replaced soon, that it needed an oil change and the left rear wheel cylinder was starting to seep. The vehicle was very well taken care of. The gas mileage wasn't the best but got about 12 on the highway so not the worst either. The mechanic was shocked to find the the air conditioner still worked with the old freon of R12 and said that you wouldn't be able to find a better used vehicle on the road for the price we were asking. I might drive an hour or 2 for a vehicle, if it were the right one, maybe.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (72141)
• United States
12 May 16
@beaniefanatic13 My dad bought my sister a van recently and we had to drive 2 1/2 hrs one way to pick it up.
I had a van once (not a conversion van) that only got 10 miles to the gallon. Gas was over $4a gallon at the time so I only drove it out of town once or twice a month at that point.
1 person likes this
@beaniefanatic13 (5076)
• Grand Junction, Colorado
12 May 16
I think that he likes to camp and travel around. The back seat in this folds into a bed at the touch of a button. A mini camper on wheels, cheaper than a motor home and more practical in that you can use it as your regular vehicle.
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
27 Aug 16
wow. a lot depends on what it was. I have went to extremes for some things and just leave go of others.
1 person likes this
@beaniefanatic13 (5076)
• Grand Junction, Colorado
11 May 16
Yeah he did, said he had been looking for several months and had mapped out up to a radius of 3 hour flights from his location. He was super excited when he got here.
1 person likes this
@suziecat7 (3350)
• Asheville, North Carolina
28 Jul 16
Wow - people never cease to surprise. Glad the sale went well.
@Tampa_girl7 (50262)
• United States
19 May 16
That is shocking but wonderful news.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
13 May 16
It would have to be one of a kind rare to get me to travel that far. Good sale!
1 person likes this
