Model A prices...going which way?

[ETAModel]

For you guys who have been in the hobby a while would you say the price on model A's in general have held, risen, or fallen over the past 20 years.

Do you think it is a Regional issue, do they bring more in certain parts of the USA than others ?

I'm asking because I'm looking at purchasing one for myself, instead of helping my friend with his, and just trying to get an idea of the market.

Thanks

[Redbird]

You buy it to ENJOY it. Cars are like real estate. They are only worth what one fool will pay for one!

[chap52]

You can find them in all price ranges. Just depends on how much work and $ you want to put into them.
They all come with a "mystery" and will cost you more than you originally expected. My wife once said, "take what you think it will cost, multiply by 2 and rejoice if you come in under budget."
Check the Swap Meet on this site for some examples. I've got a 30 Tudor on there that is a ready to drive car. Chap

[johnbuckley]

Over here in UK I reckon the prices have kept on par with inflation generally over the twenty years period. ( maybe marginally better), but that does exclude all the $$$£££ I've spent on maintaenance etc!... a lot more fun than money in the bank.

[77Birdman]

I have been looking at 'A' prices for the last several years. I think that they have been pretty steady for the last 5 or 6 (yrs) or so. I mostly follow hemmings so there really is no price diff. regionally. Maybe if you look local there will be.

[WHN]

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I look at owning a Model A as a pleasure, a piece of antique art that I can sit and look at, work on, and drive. What more can I ask for? Oh! Our grandson loves to ride in the rumble seat.

We have owned our 29 for forty years. I would be lucky to get half of what I have invested into the car back if sold today. But, what would be the value of forty years of enjoyment.

If you want to make money on cars, open a used car lot. Enjoy.

[ETAModel]

I'm not trying to make money on a hobby, I have a job for that. What I'm asking is do you think prices of model A's have risen or fallen over the last 15-20 years, like i said at the beginning.

I have a 1956 tractor, and there was a big discussion on a tractor forum recently how lots of collectors want what they used or saw when they were in the teens-20's, and how the older equipment doesn't have the selling power they did in years past. There seems to be a trend toward older tractors to not bring as much as they did say 10-15 years ago, due to a smaller pool of collectors in that age range.

I'm wondering if the same phenom has affected the Model A crowd.

Again, thanks

[GerryAllen]

I think Model A's are holding their own however, I don't see them appreciating in the future. I got a spectacular driver, 1930 coupe, no rust, new engine new brakes a good looker for $9100.
I have owned it 20 months put 10000 miles on it and spent very little on it. My price per mile for parts etc is .30 cents per mile, it has not depreciated in the year and a half I have owned it.
Over all if you break even when selling it, I think you are the exception. My personal feeling is buy it to enjoy, DRIVE IT.
ETA #7 thread says it all about the smaller pool of buyers.
Gerry Birch Bay WA

[Vonn]

That's easy to answer. It's just like any of my cars, if I'm buying the prices are rising, if I'm selling the bottom is falling out of the market.

[marty in Ohio]

ETAModel,
I have owned the car in my avatar for 26 years. I bought it as a restored car from a new car dealership after the previous owner had a stroke and couldn't maintain the car any more. (He traded it in on a brand new Cadillac) It was restored 25 years before that. I paid $5,500 for it and haven't put a lot in it since. I feel that the prices have remained relatively stable in the past few years. I think people collect what they remember, and few remember Model A's. If my thinking holds true, then I should be driving that '68 Roadrunner that I had when I was 22 years old. If I had that car now it would probably be worth $75,000. As most have said, you can't own a Model A's to make money on it. Just drive it and enjoy it.
Marty

[Mulletwagon]

In general, prices are going up but there are frequent good deals available if you search nationally and are willing to travel to get your prize. The best advise is to look for a reasonable price on a driver that looks good. The highest risk is to get a barn find and hope to bring it up to driver status at low cost. The best deal for you is out there - just need to find it. Good Luck !

[1928Mik]

To answer your question, Yes, I think prices have risen over the past 15-20 years. Not a tremendous amount, but some. Cars prices have a way to stabilize. They rise, even out, sometimes drop, then rise some more. If they have fallen, it's not been by much.

[JBill]

When I sell mine, I'd be happy if I got just half of what I have in it! Sadly, vision problems tell me that day isn't far off.

[alexiskai]

Reasons it's hard to answer this question:

1. We only have a record of asking prices, not the price that clears the market. If you're tracking sales of stuff on eBay, or houses, or auctioned art, you know what the item actually sold for. Even for normal used cars, there are sales at dealers that get tracked by KBB and other industry analysts. These cars trade OTC.

2. Most buyers and sellers trade very infrequently, so they're not applying lessons learned from the last trade to the next one.

3. The markets are fragmented. Most trades are local or regional.

4. The cars are not commodities. Valuation varies based on the buyer's specific needs and the unique condition of the vehicle.

End result is that the clearing price on a given car might vary by $3000 in either direction depending on where it's for sale, what websites it's on, time of year, who's selling it, etc. Very difficult to identify market trends in that environment.

[DannL]

I've had my 1930 Tudor since July. I'm pretty sure that it's held its value better than any stock I've ever held in that same amount of time. So I'm happy. ;-)

[Purdy Swoft]

Prices seem to have remained fairly stable for the past twenty years in my opinion . I've never bought a model A with hopes of selling it for a higher price . I prefer to keep them . As for prices, it mostly depends on who is buying and who is selling .

[oldman - NorCal]

I feel that prices are generally lower driven by soft demand. Most Model A owners that hold membership in local clubs have multiple cars and if they decide to down-size are happy to sell to someone who intends to keep the car stock, appreciate it, and keep it on the road. Higher priced cars seem slow to sell and often end up going to a museum because owners can't get their price. I think anyone in the market for a good driving Model A is looking at a great buyers market and can be opportunistic and selective.... just my opinion.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

I purposely waited to read what others thoughts were. Now I'll add mine if that is acceptable.


I was an infant some 59 years ago when my father introduced me to the Model-A hobby. My father was one of the founding members of the Houston Model-A club during the mid-1960s, -so I have seen the trends for the better part of 5 decades now. Comparing Apples-to-Apples in each subsequent decade, the prices have increased. One other item that I have always grinned at is when folks say we need to get younger people involved. Ironically in life, young folks tend to grow old, and eventually those young people who are not interested in a Model-A get older and now there is a new attraction for them. It is called a Model-A.


What I have noticed during the past few decades is the quality of the car has dropped. My point is the quality of the Model-A that $10k would purchase two or three decades ago will no longer purchase an equal quality vehicle, ...even when that $10k is adjusted for inflation. My perception is that a large percentage of Model-As that are described as being 'restored' today are in worse mechanical and aesthetical condition than the average Model-A vehicle from 20+ years ago.


Part of this stems from the sources of good original parts, -or NOS parts are no longer available for repairs/restorations however I also feel that the availability of cheap reproduction parts has taken its toll on the hobby as a whole. It is my opinion we are now seeing the fruits of this. Even today when better quality reproduction parts and/or materials such as paints & substrates are available, vendors frequently tell me that price point generally outweighs quality when the order is placed and the dollar is spent.


So, to answer your question specifically based on what I see in the industry, there will always be a market for someone to Buy and Sell a Model-A. There will always be a premium on good quality merchandise. My advise is always purchase the best car available, -even if you cannot afford it. The prices are often directly related to bank CD rates and the economy (i.e.: stock market) because when bank rates are low, investors look for other items to 'invest in'. While a Model-A is typically not considered an investment, many people who had maturing CDs that were renewing at 0.5 % would look at purchasing a collector car as an alternative, ...especially when a $25k CD was paying an annual dividend of less than $70.00 a year. That Model-A brought more than $70 worth of enjoyment each year, and the fun of owning such a car was worth taking the risk. That meant there were more Model-A trying to be purchased so the purchase price arose. Now 'investors' are seeing great rates at the bank and a stock market that is flourishing, so the investor's money is being used on items other than collector car purchases. For someone in the market to purchase a Model-A today, the prices are more favorable. Hopefully this has also helped answer your questions.


.
.

[1931 flamingo]

The prices vary, look here on the Barn , MAFCA, Hemmings. If you're interested my friend, due to age and medical issues has his 1930 Sport Coupe (ck the swap section for ad) for sale, neeeds NOTHING, get in and go. $9900.
Paul in CT

[37 Coupe]

Originally Posted by Vonn

That's easy to answer. It's just like any of my cars, if I'm buying the prices are rising, if I'm selling the bottom is falling out of the market.

This is my story also.

[FrankWest]

Do model A 2 seater coups with rumble seats more easy to sell than sedans?

[modeleh]

I think the body styles that were traditionally turned into hot rods back in the 40s and 50s are still holding good values. Roadsters and Coupes (not sport coupes) done in a traditional hot rod style are popular right now and that has kept the price of project and finished bodies fairly high relative to the other styles. For that reason, if you’re looking for resale then go for a Coupe or Roadster but the buy in is high. If you don’t care about this being a good “investment” then go with one of the other body styles because there’s some really good value in sedans that really allow enjoyment in some ways better than the coupes and roadsters.

[FrankWest]

All in all I think the model A is a great antique car at a very cheap price. Someday the prices may skyrocket, when people realize you get a lot of original history that you can drive at rock bottom prices. Kind or reminds me a old silver dollars. Back in the early 60's I remember going into a bank and asking for silver dollars. They had them in their vaults.
The price was 1 paper dollar for 1 almost uncirculated chrisp Morgan or Peace silver dollar. The kind you buy on ebay today for 50 dollars.

[john charlton]

Prices in the UK seem to be stable during my 45 years or so in the hobby .When a model A is up for sale here it has a 50/50 chance of being rodded many are imported just for this purpose .This market is for younger people who have no nostalgic connection and are quite happy to chop and channel . At car shows I feel a tinge of regret when I see what used to be a nice original car but the owner is very happy as he has improved it or as one owner said to me "made it streetable" But of course it is his car and of course he can do as he pleases. This dual demand has kept prices stable here in the UK .

John in heavy rain Suffolk County England .

[Dick Steinkamp]

Originally Posted by Purdy Swoft

Prices seem to have remained fairly stable for the past twenty years in my opinion.

Several have answered this way, but you need to factor in inflation. In 1999 if a Model cost $10,000 it would take $15,400 in today's dollars to buy the same car.

https://www.usinflationcalculator.com/

So if prices have remained the same...in other words if you could still buy that same car for $10,000 today, then prices are actually down 35% compared to 20 years ago.

[Jeff/Illinois]

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Originally Posted by modeleh

I think the body styles that were traditionally turned into hot rods back in the 40s and 50s are still holding good values. Roadsters and Coupes ............. are popular right now and that has kept the price of project and finished bodies fairly high relative to the other styles. For that reason, if you’re looking for resale then go for a Coupe or Roadster but the buy in is high. .

I agree with modeleh.... especially on the '30-'31 Roadsters. There will always be a demand for them. First off, look at what the aftermarket body builders are making, Roadsters. They aren't making Tudor sedans. Secondly, look how popular a '32 Ford Coupe or Roadster is with all old car enthusiasts. Step back and look at the lines of the '32 Ford and you will see it is a copy of the '30-'31 Ford. That says a lot in itself.

In a general answer to the thread's original poster, I've learned first hand from a near death occurrence in 2016, that 'it don't matter' anymore go out and do what makes you happy and don't look back. Don't get hung up over money. Don't worry. Life is too short that is terribly true. Have fun with a Model A today and let the next guy fuss over it when you are dead and gone, and we're all heading in that direction bud

[40 Deluxe]

Oftentimes too much emphasis is placed on "What's my car worth today? Did it go up or down? Will I lose money on it? (Horror of Horrors!)" Take a look at your modern car: Is it worth what it was when you bought it? No! Are you crying over it? No! I bought a new VW Jetta in 2011 for somewhere around $26,000 out the door. Today it is worth about $6500. Just typical depreciation. Suppose you had purchased a freshly restored Model A in 2011 for the same $26,000. Would it be worth just $6500 today? Only if you had wrapped it around a tree! Just drive and enjoy! It's a HOBBY!

[ronn]

I consider model A prices to be flat. Meaning they didnt go up or down in the last 20 years. they only rose with inflation, meaning theyve gone nowhere.


there are exceptions, concerning rare models, but that is far and few...............


Also, labor rates have gone up tremendously, so there are many variables involved in assessing value. A top restoration today tends to be better then a top restoration 20 yrs ago........ but NOS parts were far more available then.

[Chuck Sea/Tac]

In the Seattle Tacoma area I’m seeing older owners cars coming on the market, so to me it’s seems there’s more cars than buyers.

[Railcarmover]

Originally Posted by modeleh

I think the body styles that were traditionally turned into hot rods back in the 40s and 50s are still holding good values. Roadsters and Coupes (not sport coupes) done in a traditional hot rod style are popular right now and that has kept the price of project and finished bodies fairly high relative to the other styles. For that reason, if you’re looking for resale then go for a Coupe or Roadster but the buy in is high. If you don’t care about this being a good “investment” then go with one of the other body styles because there’s some really good value in sedans that really allow enjoyment in some ways better than the coupes and roadsters.

Somebody always has to throw shade at sport coupes..ain't it enough they were done in by Ford themselves with the cabriolet during production? and they've been kicked ever since..hot rodders dont like 'em,callem 'coupsters' with a sneer..restorers don't like them cause the top costs a grand and doesn't go down..the car was the hottest car on the market in '28,they built 134,000 in '29 and it was dead by '32,with 6000 produced..give the car a break for crying out loud..

Oh,and after following the market religiously for the last few years its obvious the market is down..

[Bob Johnson]

Here are the results from my "how much is it worth?" web page. Note the prices are ASKING prices from the MARC and MAFCA magazines.


Bob

[ronn]

no disrespect Bob,


but asking and selling prices have no coherence in the mkt. Mafca prices always seem high. Nice to dream..........

[Dick Steinkamp]

Originally Posted by ronn

no disrespect Bob,


but asking and selling prices have no coherence in the mkt. Mafca prices always seem high. Nice to dream..........

I think for the purposes of this thread (are prices of Model As going up, down, or staying the same), Bob's data is helpful.

If in 2000 the average ASKING price was $12,862, adjusting for inflation it would be $18,756 in 2018 dollars. About the same as what Bob shows as the average ASKING price in 2018. This at least shows that using Bob's data, the ASKING PRICE has not changed over the last 8 years. I would guess that ASKING prices in 2000 were just as inflated as ASKING prices in 2018 so the relationship between asking and selling likely holds.

The other thing that Bob's data shows is that ASKING prices increased in inflation adjusted dollars though 2013, then decreased in inflation adjusted dollars (and real dollars) through 2018. Perhaps adding a column for Inflation Adjusted Average would be helpful.

It might also be helpful to throw out the outliers (those asking prices that were very low or very high) and run a 2000 vs 2018 comparison again. The $500 entries and the $75,000 entries could be affecting the average by quite a bit due to the relatively low number of total entries.

[Bob Johnson]

Ronn, it would be great to have the selling prices. But that information is not available. In general the asking price will be higher than the selling price. But the two should be well correlated.



Dick the Median column was included to remove the bias of outliers. Below is a chart where the prices have been corrected for inflation.

[Dick Steinkamp]

Originally Posted by Bob Johnson

Ronn, it would be great to have the selling prices. But that information is not available. In general the asking price will be higher than the selling price. But the two should be well correlated.



Dick the Median column was included to remove the bias of outliers. Below is a chart where the prices have been corrected for inflation.

Thanks, Bob

Pretty clear that A asking prices have remained pretty constant in terms of real dollars.

[31Cabriolet68-C]

What's an A worth? Great question!
Two key elements in all value statements turn on supply and liquidity.
The Hemmings- based chart is very informative...
So over 20 years the # of A's for sale in this chart looks to consistently average only about 150 cars per year. (three per week, nationwide?!)
That would indicate a fairly small but stable supply which gives a buyer a bit of room to shop for specifics like model, condition and location. So as a buyer you can take your time, and just like so much in life: 'Select, Don't Settle!" You should be able to get what you want.
That being said, selling any A will have you, or your heirs, facing the same dillema as the guy that sold it to you... Liquidity.
So since it can take a long time to get a sale, and thereby get your money back, and since any ideas about a significant financial gain are pure speculation, it's best to keep in mind the primary reason a Model A Ford is such a great investment. Far better than any stocks and bonds, or real estate... Safer than Banking, or bars of gold, or fine arts...

Because, when every thing else around you has gone to Hell-in-a-handbasket, if you've been smart enough to invest in a Model A Ford, then at the very least you can get out of town...

Get the car of your dreams, take your time, watch the cash-flow, forget the resale-value BS, and don't let anyone talk anymore so-called 'common sense' at you... (Including me!)
Please post a few pics when you get your A!
Tallyho,
JB

[ronn]

I see your point Dick and Bob- however, consider this..............


ebay has been in business for 22 yrs now. selling prices have always been readily available there.

[alexiskai]

eBay data is limited – if someone accepts "Best Offer" then that offer is not shown. Also the number of rods being sold makes it tedious to compile useful data.

[Bob Johnson]

Ronn,


At one time I was collecting data from Ebay. But the time required to constantly monitor Ebay for valid sales is more than I would be willing to spend.



Bob

[ronn]

eBay data is limited – if someone accepts "Best Offer" then that offer is not shown. Also the number of rods being sold makes it tedious to compile useful data.



so asking prices makes for better data? OK Im done.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by ronn

I see your point Dick and Bob- however, consider this..............


ebay has been in business for 22 yrs now. selling prices have always been readily available there.

One thing to factor in on eBay sales is most buyers go inspect the car before bidding. While the buyer is in the presence of the seller, a deal is often consummated, and the seller likely never shares that with eBay, so not sure if that would make eBay's figure accurate. Also, a shill bidder for the seller can inflate the bid price, and the seller can always tell eBay that the buyer declined after inspection. So the eBay approach may not always be accurate either.

[Oldbluoval]

Why wouldn’t the true measure be to go to live auction sites such as B-J and others?
I haven’t tried it to know if there are enough transactions of “original” or close cars.
Also how much history is available?? How far back?
Listings on eBay and sometimes on the collector sites are often dreamers.

[alexiskai]

Barrett-Jackson auction prices would give you info for top show cars, but you wouldn't get any data that's relevant if your intent is to buy a driver.

[Jeff/Illinois]

Originally Posted by Oldbluoval

Why wouldn’t the true measure be to go to live auction sites such as B-J and others?...........................
Listings on eBay and sometimes on the collector sites are often dreamers.

Kinda sorta the reality of auctions is that price is only good at that time and place and situation, so the numbers get skewed. They aren't good indicators of value.(The way that Bob set his research up is a better indicator, thanks Bob for doing that work! Much appreciated.)

I was at an estate sale a few years ago to watch a '30 Ford Deluxe Roadster sell. The car wasn't a 10 footer it was more in the 50 foot range, a real turd. I wouldn't want the thing as a gift. It sold for $17K and the guy took it to another sale a year later and somebody paid $21K for it. And he hadn't done anything to the car. Those are the types of prices NADA gathers.

That is what NADA's yellow book value on collector cars shows mainly, nationwide auction prices and asking prices. If someone would walk up to me and offer me NADA Collector Car Value for any or all of my old cars I'd have an empty garage in about 5 minutes or however long it too to start them up and back them out.

Then, I'd take that cash and go shopping for replacement old cars

[Dick Steinkamp]

I think we can take a guess at the typical difference between asking and selling prices. Bob's MEDIAN data (average adjusted for inflation) shows a pretty steady $18-20k average asking price over the last 20 years.

I'd guess that ASKING prices are about 20% greater than actual selling prices making the average selling price over the last 20 years adjusted for inflation $14-$16k. You can adjust Bob's ASKING prices to SELLING prices based on your best guess of the difference.

Another way to adjust ASKING to SELLING is to pull together a sample...big enough to make it statistically sound...of actual first time ads and final sales results. Somewhat time consuming, but nothing like the heavy lifting Bob has already done for us.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

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Originally Posted by alexiskai

Barrett-Jackson auction prices would give you info for top show cars, but you wouldn't get any data that's relevant if your intent is to buy a driver.

The merchandise that you find at Barrett and other similar auctions is kinda semi-misleading in that the higher quality vehicles do get prime numbers (-which is what receives the most media attention) however there are many 'driver' quality vehicles that go across the block at these auctions that many non-spectators do not know about.

[Bob Johnson]

Jeff,


Are you referring to NADA ? I do not agree with their prices. For example an average 1929 Coupe is listed at $20,800 and an average 1929 Town Car is listed as $18,000. I will take a dozen Town Cars at that price.


Bob

[Railcarmover]

As a equipment salesman once told me 'it aint dog food till the dog eats it'..true market trends rely on closed deal information,the hardest information to find.

Saw a beautiful 1948 Lincoln Continental cross the mecum block for 16k..auction pricing isn't a good indicator,some dealers 'bury their dead' at auction,let underperforming cars go at a low price,with the knowledge that other cars in their fleet will over perform.

[Seth Swoboda]

In regards to Barrett Jackson auction results, I've always used them as a barometer of how many folks have more money than brains.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by Seth Swoboda

In regards to Barrett Jackson auction results, I've always used them as a barometer of how many folks have more money than brains.

Couldn't the same thing be said for Motorhomes, Airplanes, Boats, and other toys? Even new vehicles sell for more than their actual value. Don't believe me? Go to a Dealership and purchase a new pick-up. Make your best deal and drive it around the block and take it back to that dealer and see what it is worth then.

[Seth Swoboda]

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

Couldn't the same thing be said for Motorhomes, Airplanes, Boats, and other toys? Even new vehicles sell for more than their actual value. Don't believe me? Go to a Dealership and purchase a new pick-up. Make your best deal and drive it around the block and take it back to that dealer and see what it is worth then.

Agree. That's why I have never purchased a boat (Break Out Another Thousand), RV, ATV, ect... I prefer to blow my disposable income on early Ford's. Because I have little disposable income, I own early Fords and not vintage aircraft.

[alexiskai]

I asked an economist about this issue (we only see the asking price and not the selling price) and he had an interesting observation, which is that you could get a little more information by analyzing how long the listings stay up. The longer the listing is up, the greater the probable distance between the "market price" for the car and the listing price. Considered in aggregate, cars that sell quickly are likely to be priced close to (or even below) the market price.

[Bill G]

Consult your local crystal ball.

[Jeff/Illinois]

Originally Posted by Bob Johnson

Jeff,


Are you referring to NADA ? I do not agree with their prices. For example an average 1929 Coupe is listed at $20,800 and an average 1929 Town Car is listed as $18,000. I will take a dozen Town Cars at that price.


Bob

Bob you are correct sorry for the typo yes NADA is what I meant to say I went back and corrected it thanks.

[Jeff/Illinois]

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

Go to a Dealership and purchase a new pick-up. Make your best deal and drive it around the block and take it back to that dealer and see what it is worth then.

Once I ordered a new Ford from a dealership, and they said 'no problem' we don't have the car but another dealer does we'll do a dealer trade.

I had worked at a Ford dealership many years ago and understood that procedure and said 'OK go ahead'.

Well the bloody dealership was almost 600 miles away. Almost into Canada. When they called and told me the car was prepped and ready and I saw 620+ miles on the clock I said 'You gotta be kidding? This is a used car. Tain't a new car'. I told them 'So if I had bought this car with the normal 8 miles on the clock and brought it back with 600 miles and told you it was a new car and I wanted all my money back, you'd give it all back to me?' The Manager said 'Hell no that is a used car buddy.'

Never went back there they lost a lot of money for that crap, and I've bad mouthed them to anybody who would listen. I know of at least 6 or 7 new car and truck sales they lost because of me so we're even. Buddy. .

[39portlander]

A's in new england have been mostly stable, low to mid teens for daily drivers and high twenties, low thirties for the points car.

I think spending the money for an older restored/driver car in the teens is worth it, A's that need serious work knowing what parts/time and shipping have become are asking $7-10,000 would not work for me.

Besides in a few years everything is gonna be carbon neutral, what ever that means and we won't need or be driving cars, right

[History]

We price over the phone with different stealerships. We know exactly what we are wanting to buy so it's apples and apples. We tell them to give us the number the check will be written for. They do and when we get there to do the deal they have 100% of the time forgotten to add some fee. We walk 100% of the time and they always wave it. Our rules are pretty simple and straightforward, give us the number we will write the check for as we are not financing. They lie everytime. Oh and Benny in Winston Salem chevy if you're here LOL @you.

I think my dad paid 10k for the sport coupe I have but I'm not sure as I can't ask him. If he did, he paid too much for the car in the shape it's in. He didn't usually get ripped on things as he was a pretty smart guy. Not sure why that figure is in my head and again, it could be off a few thousand In his favor.

Originally Posted by Jeff/Illinois

Once I ordered a new Ford from a dealership, and they said 'no problem' we don't have the car but another dealer does we'll do a dealer trade.

I had worked at a Ford dealership many years ago and understood that procedure and said 'OK go ahead'.

Well the bloody dealership was almost 600 miles away. Almost into Canada. When they called and told me the car was prepped and ready and I saw 620+ miles on the clock I said 'You gotta be kidding? This is a used car. Tain't a new car'. I told them 'So if I had bought this car with the normal 8 miles on the clock and brought it back with 600 miles and told you it was a new car and I wanted all my money back, you'd give it all back to me?' The Manager said 'Hell no that is a used car buddy.'

Never went back there they lost a lot of money for that crap, and I've bad mouthed them to anybody who would listen. I know of at least 6 or 7 new car and truck sales they lost because of me so we're even. Buddy. .

[Jeff/Illinois]

One quick last story on the 'stealerships' ( I like that)

Several years after I left the Ford garage I worked at, the manager and a local BIG Ford dealer did a car for car trade for a customer. This dealership was less than 20 miles away. The mgr. went on vacation.

When the other dealership brought their vehicle, the main salesman at the place I worked for (and he was good, very honest everyone loved him he had been at this Ford garage for many years) didn't know the details of the deal. When he asked the other dealership 'how much' they lied and told him it was $XXXXX ($500 over what the deal was for). When the Mgr. came back from vacation and found out she went ballistic screaming at the guy. It wasn't his fault, the big Ford dealership was a lying sack of doo doo. He got mad and quit on the spot. They lost a LOT of sales over that. People came from a great distance to deal with Dave they appreciated his honesty. Those customers quit coming in.

The big dealership is still around the small one gave back their franchise after 60 years, Ford wanted them to spend 2 million dollars remodeling and rebuilding. The owner was retirement age so he just quit the business and retired.

And no there is no way I would ever deal with that other dealership. We drive 45 miles to a small town Ford dealer where they treat you right. I wave at the big dealership as I drive past them.

[1931 flamingo]

Back in the mid 60's when I worked at the Pont-Cad d/ship. Had to go about 60 miles to get a "new" car at another dealership. Just reached up under the dash and dis-connected the speedo cable.......................
Paul in CT

[37 Coupe]

I once (late 1976) decided I wanted a new 1976 Torino wagon because I did not like the 1977 models.Local Ford dealership did not want to look for one they wanted to sell me 1977 model.I went home and started calling Ford dealers back when every little town or village had one. One in Zanesville Ohio said they could get me one,what color and what options do you want? They called back and said they found one for me to come over 35 miles or so and look things over said sticker or price they wanted was $4,500.When we got there and looked over the paperwork it was $5,400.Salesman said he must have dyslexia or something he was sure it was $4500 and did I still want it at $5400? No way but as I was telling him you owe me some sorta gas allowance for lying and wasting my time. He got up and I saw where the car was in Pa. Went home and told local dealer where it was and I will buy it but not a 1977 model ever.So they sent two guys over to get it and even with paying them a days pay sold it for the $4500. I guess it had the 300 miles on it but I didn't argue the used car issue,I was happy to get it my first air conditioned car.Really liked that car but the 9" rear end came apart once when I backed up my long driveway,bearing backed off and after fixing it it howled,then wiring caught fire when it was 8 years old.