Without trying to offend anybody in the group, I am going to put my $.02 in. I am a dealer, and have been selling cars at Barrett-Jackson for over 10 years. THEY DO NOT DO FAVORS FOR ANYBODY! That would include offering a "flat fee" buy-back or any other such nonsense. I know, I sold 3 killer big dollar muscle cars there this past weekend, all no reserve. There is no rhyme or reason to what the retail buyer will pay in the crazy world of lights, camera, auction. My cars (IMHO) were very well documented, very well restored (9k mile Green Hemi 'Cuda, 1-owner; Duntov Award winning Vette 425HP Rdst with ALL paper and #'s;70 Judge frame -off and perfect car, etc...), but that made no difference to the buyers there. For instance, the buyer of my Judge ($47,500+ commission) came over AFTER he bought it and wanted to know if it "was really a Judge" and said he bought it because he thought they were cool when he was a kid.The buyer of my Vette said his wife liked the color, and had no idea what the significance was of the paperwork, awards, or the 425 HP 427. And don't ask me why my 'Cuda brought $52,500 less than a lesser car with many incorrect items.
I am also a friend of Charley's, and we stood there taking it in, as we always do. No sense trying to analyze it, people are strange. If you are not a "car guy", you act on impulse more than knowledge. If you can afford that luxury, you obviously have either great luck or have been sucessful in other endeavors that allow you to just do what you want.If only people would give drug addicts or alcoholics as hard of a time for wasting money on that crap as car guys give the "checkbook collector" for paying "too much" this world would be a better place!
What it boils down to is this: Comparing what happens at Barrett-Jackson to the real world is like comparing our climate to the one on the moon.Let's take it for what it is and not start spreading rumors around about things we don't know about. The only thing I feel confident enough to say is that Charley knows what is up with the seller of the "L89" and "JL8" cars, he has a long track record of bogus cars and unhappy customers. I must like to sleep more than him, and I have never thought that having eyes in the back of my head would make me more attractive, so I keep telling the truth! They are just cars, and having to go out in public, having pride and integrity, and the thought of maybe someday having to account for my actions with to a higher power somehow makes building B.S. cars with B.S. papers seem not worth the few extra bucks. Just my opinion!
Let's keep it clean and not judge a man because he wants to spend HIS money, no matter how much or how little, on a car he likes. It doesn't hurt anybody. Likewise, by keeping on the truth and not rumors , and watching each other's back, we can be a litte smarter and stay one step ahead of the con artists WITHOUT sounding like a group of gossiping, jealous old ladies!
In the mean time, Charley has purchased a few sheets of P-O-P paper for his laser printer, if anybody needs some docs for there car. $29.95 while supplies last.
Your worn out AZ correspondent,
Colin
