Hey Folks, OK I must have a HUGE problem closing the deal on a truck of just BAD luck. Here goes. Twice in the last year I've tried to buy a Toyota truck. Story 1, 1994 4wd pickup, 70k miles, I go and look at it on a Saturday (first person to come and see it), say I want the truck, offer to leave a deposit, owner says no need to, we agree to wait until Monday so I can get a certified check at the bank, call the owner Sunday night, sold to someone else who had $4k in cash sitting around their house. Story 2, called yesterday about a nice 1994 4Runner (see post about clutch ?), owner called me back last night and said he was traveling back home from being out of town(actually driving when he called me back), I was the first person that had called about the truck, so I asked about coming to see it, he gave me directions and said I should come in the early afternoon today (he wasn't going to be around this morning), I just called, and it is SOLD, he ended up parking it on a busy street corner and the first person that saw it bought it. What do I need to do, keep $5k in cash in a sock drawer and buy a truck site unseen and risk making a bad buy. Or is the market just this tight for older Toyota's <$5000 that you have to take that kind of risk? Both of these seller's seemed to be very nice people, I wouldn't treat a seller the way they have treated me, seemingly the courteous thing to do is at least have called me and given me a chance at buying either one of these trucks right? Or does money in hand always win over courtesy?

Sorry about the missed deals, but money does talk. I read a post earlier about Toyota trucks being shipped across the border in record numbers, so yes, they are in high demand. Either keep money on hand, in which case you can probably get a better deal, or push to have them take a deposit. When its meant to be, you will get the Toy for you.

Bill, I assume that you were trying to buy from private individuals? With that assumption, private sellers often sell to the first person who shows up with cash in hand. The reason(s) are that 1. They don't have the ability to hold deposits from long distances...i.e. They don't have a credit card machine. 2. They often need the money and can't afford to take a chance on someone backing out and losing the money they need. With a reputable dealer, your deposit does hold the vehicle no matter what. At my dealership, I've held vehicles for people who put down a deposit, thus taking that vehicle off of the market. And there have been times when other people tried to come in with cash to buy the vehicle out from under the person who left the deposit. But, I politely told them that the vehicle was off of the market and not presently for sale. I would, however, call them if the deal fell through. That's just the right way to do business. A deposit is earnest money and the buyer should be treated accordingly. BTW, I just took in a 1993 4Runner SR5 that is in very nice shape. It's a one-owner that was meticulously maintained by it's former owner. It runs and drives beautifully and despite having 201k on the odometer, should have another 150k in it. He showed me the records of what he had done to it. Every 3k, he religiously changed the oil with synthetic oil. He replaced the clutch twice and had every Toyota service recommended procedure performed at the exact mileage interval. I asked him why he would get rid of it, as nice as it was. He told me that he wanted a new Limited and that he was bored with it. He always wanted to try and take a vehicle to 200k and did it with ease with this 4Runner. His goal was accomplished and he is now happily in a new Limited. If you or anyone else is interested, feel free to get ahold of me. Erick Faust O'Brien Toyota/Scion 2550 N. Shadeland Ave. Indianapolis, IN 46219 317-351-7000 317-679-7029 (cell) www.obrientoyota.com phlatcat27604

Where are you located? > phlatcat27604

Indianapolis, Indiana

It's not just Toyotas. Anybody who is looking at a "Curbstoned" vehicle is going to lose out to a "cash and carry" buyer. I examined a '91 Blazer for a friend last Sunday. The vehicle was a sick joke. I told her she shouldn't. She told the seller (a friend of hers, no less) that she'd let her know on Monday. On Monday morning she called to politely decline and was told that it didn't matter because they'd sold the vehicle the previous evening. It was a relief if you ask me, but makes the point. Rich '99 Sport

Thanks for the advice, I mostly needed to rant. I'm not in a huge hurry to buy and felt like being patient was the best approach. I'll keep watching the paper and be more aggressive next time. To answer DOCH's question, I'm near Sarasota, FL.