Adventures in buying a Super Stocker

[Bill Grubbs]

I would like to share an experience I had recently regarding attempting to buy Bob Cassella’s SS/DA for sale on RacingJunk.com. Bob and I spoke on the phone and via email several times before I made an offer. Upon accepting my offer, I sent Bob a deposit to hold the car until I could get to Pittsburgh the following weekend. I made arrangements to look at the car on Sunday night and if everything was okay, pick up the car on Monday morning. My brother in-law agreed to drive up from Atlanta to get the car and deliver it to Florida.

Bob told me in advance he refused to accept a personal check or even a bank check on Monday as it was a holiday and the banks were closed. I found this a little odd as most people know a bank check is close to “guaranteed money”. I told Bob I would bring cash.

Around 6:50 am on Sunday morning, Bob called to tell me not to bring my trailer as the weather was not great. By this time, my brother in-law was already on his way. Then, while I was in route, Bob left me a voicemail message disclosing the car had been in an accident a few years back. I was surprised Bob was just now disclosing this as I had specifically asked if there was “anything I should know about the car” during our initial phone conversations.

Upon arriving at Bob’s house Sunday night, the car looked good and I told him I would be back in the morning. At this time, Bob informed me I would not be able to get the car until Monday evening or even Wednesday due to the weather and his driveway not being cleared. Well given I could not stay for an extra three days, my brother in-law and I spent the entire Monday afternoon salting and clearing the long driveway. The cost for the salt and supplies was over $120. Once the driveway was cleared, I told Bob’s wife I would be back later that evening to get the car. Around dinnertime, Bob called to say I could not pick up the car that evening as he would not accept my cash until the bank could verify it was good. And while I am not sure, I guess I would have had to stay around until Bob’s day off on Wednesday when he could have taken the cash to the bank. Needless to say, I walked away from the deal. While I am disappointed to have wasted time and money, this is not how I do business. All in all, I spent over $1,000 trying to buy this car.

I just thought you should know in case you were interested in buying a car from Mr. Cassella.

[Smitty]

Originally Posted by Bill Grubbs

I would like to share an experience I had recently regarding attempting to buy Bob Cassella’s SS/DA for sale on RacingJunk.com. Bob and I spoke on the phone and via email several times before I made an offer. Upon accepting my offer, I sent Bob a deposit to hold the car until I could get to Pittsburgh the following weekend. I made arrangements to look at the car on Sunday night and if everything was okay, pick up the car on Monday morning. My brother in-law agreed to drive up from Atlanta to get the car and deliver it to Florida.

Bob told me in advance he refused to accept a personal check or even a bank check on Monday as it was a holiday and the banks were closed. I found this a little odd as most people know a bank check is close to “guaranteed money”. I told Bob I would bring cash.

Around 6:50 am on Sunday morning, Bob called to tell me not to bring my trailer as the weather was not great. By this time, my brother in-law was already on his way. Then, while I was in route, Bob left me a voicemail message disclosing the car had been in an accident a few years back. I was surprised Bob was just now disclosing this as I had specifically asked if there was “anything I should know about the car” during our initial phone conversations.

Upon arriving at Bob’s house Sunday night, the car looked good and I told him I would be back in the morning. At this time, Bob informed me I would not be able to get the car until Monday evening or even Wednesday due to the weather and his driveway not being cleared. Well given I could not stay for an extra three days, my brother in-law and I spent the entire Monday afternoon salting and clearing the long driveway. The cost for the salt and supplies was over $120. Once the driveway was cleared, I told Bob’s wife I would be back later that evening to get the car. Around dinnertime, Bob called to say I could not pick up the car that evening as he would not accept my cash until the bank could verify it was good. And while I am not sure, I guess I would have had to stay around until Bob’s day off on Wednesday when he could have taken the cash to the bank. Needless to say, I walked away from the deal. While I am disappointed to have wasted time and money, this is not how I do business. All in all, I spent over $1,000 trying to buy this car.

I just thought you should know in case you were interested in buying a car from Mr. Cassella.

Wow Bill, I have had issues with guys calling and say they are gonna come see the car or come see the car and say they will get back to me and never do but never have I heard where the buyer had cash and the seller didn't want to sell. I would have to say that he got cold feet, but it seems he did everything possible not to sell the car to you. Come see me, I'm in Tampa but don't have SS/DA car for sale and it's Ford; guaranteed you want get yanked around like this guy did you.

[Chad Rhodes]

Bill, I am really sorry to hear that. I know how it feels to spend a bunch of your own money to attempt to purchase something from someone else, only to have the other side be totally unreasonable. I just went through a similar situation, except it was a business, and a whole lot more money at stake. Hope you find the car you are looking for.

[Bobby Zlatkin]

I am assuming you got your deposit back.

I don't know Bob Cassella, but how about slandering the guy.

Yes, a bank check is close to "guaranteed money" assuming it is a legitimate bank check and not something made up on someone's computer. That is not such an uncommon thing these days.

As for cash, there is counterfit money out there. I've been stuck with it before. The guy was being cautious. He felt that once the money was in his bank account and accounted for, he had a deal.

I've done many one on one deals before and sometimes you end up going home empty handed. Walking asway from the deal was your choice.

[mannymen]

Can you post the RJ AD #, so we know what car you are referring to. I assume it is the SS/DA 69 Camaro that is listed.

[Hugh Meeks]

Bill -

Wow! Sorry for your inconvenience. There is another SS for sale Turn key or less Engine, tranny, salt or snow and Cash is King!

Bones said give him a buzz 1-888-534-4372

Hugh

[Chad Rhodes]

Originally Posted by Bobby Zlatkin

I am assuming you got your deposit back.

I don't know Bob Cassella, but how about slandering the guy.

Yes, a bank check is close to "guaranteed money" assuming it is a legitimate bank check and not something made up on someone's computer. That is not such an uncommon thing these days.

As for cash, there is counterfit money out there. I've been stuck with it before. The guy was being cautious. He felt that once the money was in his bank account and accounted for, he had a deal.

I've done many one on one deals before and sometimes you end up going home empty handed. Walking asway from the deal was your choice.

if it was just some Joe Schmo i would kind of agree with you. However 10 minutes of Mr. Cassella's time and i think he could have had more than a handful of good references for Bill and Brenda Grubbs

[Jack Matyas]

Bill -- You did the right thing in walking away -- there must be more to this story - maybe another buyer ? As for the cash it doesn't take very long for a bank to check it -- certainly not days .The bank check you spoke of however is never the same as cash -- they can be stopped -- I've learned that lesson firsthand .

PS -- He should have told you about the accident sooner . Others would have "walked" at that point .

[Bobby Zlatkin]

Chad,

References for what; Being the Div. 2 wrench of the year or for just being a "good guy"? What has that got to do with a business transaction?

It was Bill Grubbs that choose to walk away from the deal. So you must then think the other guy is Joe Schmo. Probably a lot of Div. 3 guys would disagree with that. You are only hearing one side of the story. I'm sure each guy will say the other was unreasonable.

Two things are negotable, price and terms. They agreed on price. It was the terms they couldn't agree upon. They should have had a clear understanding of that before Grubbs left Florida.

As for the $1,000 - $1,200 in expenses. That's called "the cost of doing business". You win some, you lose some and sometimes you get rained out.

[Bobby Zlatkin]

Jack, you are right.

He didn't say the bank would take days to check the cash. That is done immediately. What was taking days was them getting to the bank.

And yes, I've had payment to me stopped on a Cashier's check also. Didn't know that could be done until then.