Is it ok to stop and ask?

[RTG_RACING]

I drive past this mid 70's highboy on my way to work everyday. It's just sitting there collecting rust and dust. I want to stop and go knock on the door and ask them if they would sell it. Is this an ok move? I have had quite a few people ask me about buying my bump when I am out and about and it doesn't bother me. But I am not sure how someone at home might feel.

[BobbyFord]

Absolutely an ok move. I have asked many times when I've spotted potential "for sale" vehicles. I've found some nice Chevys and Mopars for my brand-X buddies.

[Kansas 72 Ford]

That is how I bought my latest bump, parents seen it while out house hunting, I drove by seen it had a think layer of dust on it and a flat tire. So I stopped and ask the guy about it and sure enough it was for sale.

[Caseys71]

, Go for it! I picked up a Nova when we were in Charlotte and happened to have a 20' trailer (we were doing some remodeling for a friend up there) stopped and asked if it was for sale and 30 minutes later we were at the bank getting the title notarized .

[Kansas 72 Ford]

I've also noticed if a car isn't "for sale" and you ask about it. Alot of times the owner hasn't done their homework on value and either asks way to much or way to little.

[Caseys71]

I've also noticed if a car isn't "for sale" and you ask about it. Alot of times the owner hasn't done their homework on value and either asks way to much or way to little.

Also very true, that could work for you or against you. If it is just some stuck up guy that checks out Barrett Jackson auctions all day he might want $5000 for his rusted out bump, that is just plane crazy! Or you may end up checking out a truck sitting on a farm and the farmer is a decent guy, and offers the truck at a fair price, just being happy to see his old truck go to another good home. With that said the only occasion where you don't want to stop and ask is if it specifically says "NOT FOR SALE" in big letters on the windshield, If they take the time to do something like that they really don't want to sell the car. There's a '63ish Impala about 10 minutes from my house and the owner did exactly that, I really hope he plans on restoring it as it is in really great shape for its age .

[fordman]

its hard to say if tis ok. if there are weeds all around it and it hasnt been moved in years or a while or it is near the road like it mightbe for sale then yes go ask. if the truck is off the road aways and they keep it mowed around and it looks liek they may use it once in a while they may not sell it. sometimes i do get upset when people stop and ask me if its for sale when im working on one of mine. i have even had peole call my dad tryign to get a hold of me to ask if one is for sale. or leave notes on it. then i call them and they arent even serious they want an engine for free or something. that makes me even madder. so i usually dont call them back anymore. or just tell them to get the flock out of here right now when they pull up. i get so tired of that free sheep. the last a hole who pulled up and said excuse me from his truck i ran off by faking to run up to him with a large object in my hands because he would leave after i told him to leave. turns otu he didnt want to buy the truck he wanted soemthing else that i couldnt tell him about. i found that out when the cops showed up asking me why i did that to the guy. . they went and told him to leave me alone.

[RTG_RACING]

Well it sitting with another truck and they both have weeds growing up around them. I am thinking about going with a wad of cash in my pocket so they know I am for real.

[mark F-100]

I go and ask . Thats how my dad got my truck, in N.C.down a side road around Mt Pilot.

[bindernut]

Do take the cash with you. I stopped once and asked about a 72 Challenger and the lady was just wanting me to haul it off.... we agreed on $200..... her son owned it and it had been sitting since he blew it up in HS..... sitting/rotting since 1992. She wanted it out of there and the title was still in her name.... I went to get the cash and grabbed a rollback from the company I do fill in's for... by the time I got back she'd had a moral attack and called her son.... he refused to sell. Long story short, 3 yrs later that poor lady still has her sons pile in the front yard. If I had the cash on me I'd of had the car

[Big Blue 72]

I say go ask. If you don't you'll kick yourself if you see it gone someday and find out he took it to a scrap yard. I like to collect old food, gas and drink porcelain advertising signs when I can find them. There's a ma and pa grocery store down the road from me that had this great old Pepsi sign on the back door of their store. You could barely tell it was there because the bushes had all grown up around the area. I used to drive by there all the time and I'd tell myself to stop in and ask if they'd like to sell it. I never did. Then one day I drove by and noticed the owners had painted their store. They painted right over the sign, ruining it! It meant nothing to them. I still kick myself for that one.....

[Mancar1]

Go ask and yes I agree take cash with you. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

[fitzwell]

Ask. Lessons i've learned along the way might help.. Have cash in hand, but don't flash all of it, keep a few bills stashed in the back pocket. Be polite, even if the owner is an ass. He might be that way from too many folks trying to buy something for nothing. If you get no the first time, watch what you're buying & go back in a few days / weeks. The owner might have a sudden realization of the " bird in the hand..." & be willing to make a deal. Last, do NOT tell the owner exactly what you intend to do. If you go in & tell 'em your going to put the big motor in it, paint it, big wheels /tires etc , will possibly do two things. First, it'll let 'em you have more money to spend, and second, it just might twist 'em up, because they like the truck stock, it was grandpas truck & they don't want it changed....on & on & on. I usually tell people i like the old trucks & just want to get it up and running again as a workable vehicle. It can be a touchy situation, but you can usually sum up the owners feelings thru a short conversation...

as always

[fordman]

Ask. Lessons i've learned along the way might help.. Have cash in hand, but don't flash all of it, keep a few bills stashed in the back pocket. Be polite, even if the owner is an ass. He might be that way from too many folks trying to by something for nothing. If you get no the time, watch what you're buying & go back in a few days / weeks. The owner might have a sudden realization of the " bird in the hand..." & be willing to make a deal. Last, do NOT tell the owner exactly what you intend to do. If you go in & tell 'em your going to put the big motor in it, paint it, big wheels /tires etc , will possibly do two things. First, it'll let 'em you have more money to spend, and second, it just might twist 'em up, because thyey like the truck stock, it wasn grandpas truck & they don't want it changed....on & on & on. I usually tell people i like the old trucks & just want to get it up and running again as a workable vehicle. It can be a touchy situation, but you can usually sum up the owners feelings thru a short conversation...

as always

now that is the way to do it if you go up to anyone. something for nothing great quote.

[TexasTruck72]

I'd definitely go ask the owners. BUT, in a very nice and polite way. I still keep up with the previous owner of my '72 bump. He is very glad he sold it to me cause I've kept the truck in original stock condition. And I keep the TX history that my truck has alive and well(my choice).