nam Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 A picture may be worth a thousand words but not worth going to pickup. I have learned never to believe someone that says their machines are really nice and in good conditon. The pictures don't always do justice to the way the machines will really look. Have you ever gone to look at machines and had to look at craigslist again to see if these machines could possibly be the same ones in the picture? Fool me once and shame on you but fool me twice and shame on me. Well, I been fooled one too many times. I've really gone to look at machines that I questioned as to whether or not they could been the ones in the picture on craigslist. Now unless it's around the corner I ask them to email me more pictures, close ups and lots of them. I've driven twice long distance, got up from the motel in the morning to go look and buy the machines only to be unable to get ahold of the people selling them. Amazing! One persons opinion of good or great or like new may be junk when you actually see the machines. Save gas - have them send more pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quarter Master Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 Nam, You like the rest of us are learning the hard way. Good advice and sorry about the problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kai1836 Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 Excellent advice.......even after more pics you can't always be sure until you look. If equipment has been in storage for long periods of time.....red flag. If its over 5 years old period....red flag. Not that equipment can't be cleaned and rehabbed......its just a lot of work. If you already have several machines out and are busy servicing its not worth it to spend 20 hours a week trying to clean up old machines. For newer vendors I would say either buy brand new.....or buy someones extras that are new or pulled off route after a few months. If you want to refurb a few for experience its always a good idea but buying hundreds of machines at a time that need help is a lot of work! If you have the time though........ you can get great deals. Just be prepared to work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nam Posted February 8, 2009 Author Share Posted February 8, 2009 Kai, One of my horror stories was in your state too. I drove up to West Virgina pulling a U-Haul to buy machines off craigslist. I stayed in a Motel 6 across the interstate from a casino in Huntington, WV. (high rollers aren't we) Pretty country too! Anyway, got up early in the morning ready to go. Called this guys phone every 15 min. until 2 in the afternoon. He had forgot his phone was on silent and didn't know I was even in town. He happended to drive by his storage area and saw the van and u haul and just pulled in to see. Needless to say I was not a happy camper. Then the guy couldn't find the key to open the storage area and the lock on there was one of these round jobs that you couldn't get a bolt cutter on. Ended up calling a guy with a torch to cut it off and that took almost an hour. We had to spend another night in a motel as was too far to make it back that night. Oh well, even if we don't always buy the machines the trips are nice. nam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kai1836 Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 Nam, That really sucks.....so far I haven't had a big problem like that hopefully won't! Where are you located? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nam Posted February 9, 2009 Author Share Posted February 9, 2009 Kai, I was driving up from Alabama at that time but have since moved to Arizona. nam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T BIRD Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 I have made one long trip. ( about 5 hours ) one way. Thank god it was an amazing deal that worked out well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antoniocinisi Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 good advice nam.ask for pictures and any questions u may have. I once drove to morris (IL) for some machines I won on ebay(go figure).the guy is a motorcycle repairman that had these machines.it was a 3 h drive and worth it.I bought what I could fit in my truck inside and out.all new or like new equipment for cheap,even with gas. another time I drove for 3h again to pick up some racks and once I got there I figured out they had been stored outside.it was still a good deal but nt as great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nepavend Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 I am no stranger to driving for deals: From Scranton, PA: 1 - New Haven, CT (3 hours) Craigslist deal 2 - Downingtown, PA (2 1/2) 3 - Newtown, PA (2 or so) 3 or 4 times now as of Sunday (Thank you again Vendamania Fred! Stuff looks great and its always good working with you!) Also looking at going to Lock Haven, PA this weekend. I guess I just love the open road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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