dealing with a find in someone's yard...

[oklahomajewel]

Help!

Before I approach this unknown person who lives in a pretty poor area of the city, I want to be prepared .

I know a few tricks of bargaining... don't act excited, show them some cash, "bluff" a little...
I know a few of you just casually walked up and said"i'll get rid of that there thing for ya " and ended up with a treasure for little or nothing.

I've seen just a glimpse of an aluminum tiny trailer, not a teardrop but looks like a tiny airstream or similar in shape to ReoRon's Scamp or something. Thing is it's sitting in the yard/property at a pretty low income inner inner city residence and I don't really think I can just walk up and start snooping to see the condition without getting yelled at or something. I might even get up close to it and find out it's too big for me to tow or???
I've thought of putting a few 20 dollar bills in my pocket and sight unseen just approach the owner during the day and see if I can get it cheap. I know if it's totally rusted out or wrecked or something, then it's not even worth pulling home.

Give me your honest advice!!!

Julie

[Jiminsav]

can you do a slow drive by and get a few pics of said object?
and in my experience, inner city folks think that their junk is gold and won't let it go without an outrageous sum of money being talked about.

[Nitetimes]

can you do a slow drive by and get a few pics of said object?

Might want to be careful doing that. Don't point anything out the window or there could be gunfire involved!

[Rickxr2]

I've done it several times. Just walk to the door and ask if it is for sale. Be sure and take a friend with you and have them wait in the car. If someone comes to the door with an ax don't worry, it's just a bottle opener! I'd question a hockey mask though!

Rick

[dmb90260]

Go up and ask where they got it, your brother or someone else is looking for one and you need a source. Do not act excited but accept any offers to look at it. Do not bring any big money with you and dress like you don't have any. You might leave that with a friend standing by on a cell phone and call if you think a deal is possible. Good luck.

[Mike C.]

Just stop and ask if they are interested in selling it, because you know someone that is looking for one. If no, then you leave. If yes, then ask if you can look at it. Don't talk price, let them do all the talking, you will be able to determine, especially if they argue with each other over the price, how firm they are. If it looks like it is something you might want, tell them you will tell your friend, and casually ask what they think they would want for it. If it sounds like too much, you can point out some flaws, if any, and tell them you don't think your friend can spend that much. Then find someone to go back with you, if you really want it. Anyway, by using your "friend" routine, nothing you say reflects on you, because you are not the person buying it.

[caseydog]

Find someone you know who is good at this kind of thing, and have them approach the owner. Some people have a natural talent for BS-ing someone into making a deal, for lack of a better way to put it.

That's my suggestion.

[48Rob]

Hi Julie,

A positive attitude and a smile.

Just be honest and upfront, if they want to sell it, you'll get it.
If they're out to rip you off, you'll know.
If you show up trying to "steal" it, they'll know.

Rob

[Dale M.]

Just go for it.... Go with what ever direction the flow is.... If its meant to be, it will happen...

Dale

[Bill_Storey]

Julie,

What part of town is it in? If it's over by Spencer I might know someone that could intercede for you.

Bill

[cuyeda]

Just be honest and upfront, if they want to sell it, you'll get it.
If they're out to rip you off, you'll know.
If you show up trying to "steal" it, they'll know.

Rob

I agree with Rob's advice. That is exactly how I found, and bought my trailer. Rang the doorbell, introduced myself, and asked if they were interested in selling it. The person had one of those video doorbell cameras, and responded, hold on, I'll be right out. In my case I didn't get a steal, but glad to get the trailer in the condition it was.

I have looked at other old trailers, and probably could have had it for a song, and a dance. I am glad that I passed on those, because it would have taken to much effort to fix it up.

If you know what your buying, and how much work it will take to fix it, then you have a good idea what you are willing to pay for it. You need to have a price in your mind, what is the most you will pay, or willing to walk away from.

First things, first, ring the doorbell!

[Miriam C.]

Hi Julie,

A positive attitude and a smile.

Just be honest and upfront, if they want to sell it, you'll get it.
If they're out to rip you off, you'll know.
If you show up trying to "steal" it, they'll know.

Rob

this is great advice but anytime you go to a strangers house don't go alone. Especially don't look at the trailer alone. Might be the nicest people on earth but you won't want to find out the hard way.

[oklahomajewel]

Thanks everybody... good ideas makes me more eager and confident.
I already thought of taking a guy friend with me, for opinions if we get to look at it.
And believe me, I'm not prejudging they might be nice folks , just low income and maybe even use it as storage or something.

We'll see ....

Thanks !!!! I'll let you know how it goes. This thread is also good for other folks who are looking for a 'steal' ...

Julie

[davis131]

If you think you might like it,I wouldn't wait around , just find the owner and ask. There may be someone else that has the same idea.That happened to me on an old landcruiser,I saw one in a bad section of town,I stopped and looked it over,it had vines growing through it rusted parts on the front seat,I knew it had been there awhile,I went back 1 week later and it was gone.Some one else must have had the same idea,and I'm still kickin myself. DON'T WAIT.

[Jeeper92]

The friend thing is a little over hte top. If someone comes to me with that kinda scam, im not bending on price at all. Youll both know what its worth, be honest, "i have a friend looking for a trailer and that one is perfect" if some one said that to me my BS detector would be going off.