KaraBoo
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Post by KaraBoo on Jun 29, 2011 8:25:00 GMT -5
I have an issue that is still bugging me two days later......so I would like other POV if you don't mind. This story will be set up as a multiple post to make reading easier, in case you want to wait to comment:
On Friday of last week, my EX left a message for me with an offer - he wanted to "give" his son a truck that he owns that is giving him problems. According to the message, the truck is parked and the tags and inspection have been expired since April and he was being harrassed by the city to deal with it or face fines.
I called him back, but received no answer and left a message for him to call me back.
On Saturday, I received his call. The details that he gave me of the truck on Saturday are this: 1970 Ford F150 (according to him) that is a 3-speed on the column shifter. EX claimed the truck had a new, rebuilt transmission and had extensive brake work done before he had parked the vehicle in January (due to no money for insurance/gas - he's not working, hasn't worked in about 18 months....). He also said it needed a new fuel filter, air filter, spark plugs, distributor cap, and other maintenance needs. He stated he no longer had a key to the vehicle (it was lost - long story received from him as to why it was lost), but if we knew how to hot-wire it, we were welcome to try so it could be taken to our house. He repeatedly said he wanted his son to have something to work on besides beating his highest score in video games, this was a project that could help DS do that (with DH's help) and give Ex and son something to talk about during visitations. He also said if we couldn't get it started, we were welcome to tow it to our house, just to get it out of his driveway, but that he had to get the vehicle gone.
I had the phone call on speaker the whole time so that DH could hear what the Ex was saying about the truck (I'm not a mechanic, but DH is able to repair our vehicles, so knows a little something about them). After hanging up with Ex, DH and I talked about if we even wanted to go look at it. I reminded DH that EX knows nothing about vehicles and that the truck is probably in worse condition than he is implying.
We decided that it was worth our time to at least look at it and let EX know we would be over on Sunday to check it out.
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midjd
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Post by midjd on Jun 29, 2011 8:28:22 GMT -5
I know I'm premature, but I followed the story a bit on EE. Your ex sounds a LOT like my dad, and I'd bet $100 that the vehicle is stolen... the title issues seem fishy. And how nice of him to want to "give" his son a truck after the city has told him to get rid of it
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KaraBoo
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Post by KaraBoo on Jun 29, 2011 8:42:05 GMT -5
On Sunday, I called a couple of parts stores and discovered a new ignition switch w/keys would only cost $7.00, so DH and I decided that if the vehicle was worth looking at further than just "looking", we would spend the $7 instead of trying to hot-wire the truck (which neither of know how to do anyway) and potentially damaging more - regardless of if we took possession of the truck.
When we got there, the truck body was decently straight (minor dents) and the paint was okay (some rust spots). The interior was almost non-existant. The seat cover was torn apart and missing in some places - you could see the springs in other spots. The dash was cracked, missing the radio and wires were hanging down everywhere. The door panels were in the same shape as the rest of the cab.
The engine was pretty clean for being 40 years old, but there was spots where fluids were obviously leaking and a huge fluid stain on the concrete. DH thought the oil pan or possibly the seal between the transmission/engine was leaking causing that spot.
During this inspection, EX stated that the radiator hose was also leaking water and would need to be replaced. It was then discovered the vehicle had been sitting since October of last year, not what he originally told us. He did have a battery charger on it and it was fully charged, so DH and I decided it was worth our time/effort to get a ignition switch. Based on DH's knowledge of vehicles, he believed what he could see wrong with the truck was easily repaired and worth the effort since the initial cost of the truck would be "free" to us.
What we thought would be an easy fix on the ignition, turned out to cost us more than we had planned - we needed to also purchase the housing for the switch as it was impossible to replace it without the original key (and we tried - with the help of an O'Reily's employee - thank you for your effort!!). So, $24.00 into the vehicle to attempt to get it started at this point.
Get the ignition into the vehicle and attempt to start the truck. It takes a loooonnngggg time to start, but finally does. It sounds like we are at the drag strip, it's so loud. DH says it has no exhaust (cherry bombs??), and that would need to be replaced. EX seems surprised at this information (no surprise to me, he knows nothing about vehicles). The truck will not stay running and it is decided that it is out of gas and needs more to do a further inspection.
At this point, it's the heat of the day, and we decide to take a break and come back once the sun is going down (2-3 hours later). Thankfully, the EX only lives about 5 miles from our house, so it's not a huge inconvenience for us.
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KaraBoo
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Post by KaraBoo on Jun 29, 2011 8:43:27 GMT -5
I know I'm premature, but I followed the story a bit on EE. Your ex sounds a LOT like my dad, and I'd bet $100 that the vehicle is stolen... the title issues seem fishy. And how nice of him to want to "give" his son a truck after the city has told him to get rid of it Mid...just wait - I have more to the story now.....
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swamp
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Post by swamp on Jun 29, 2011 8:44:25 GMT -5
Just say no.
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Gardening Grandma
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Post by Gardening Grandma on Jun 29, 2011 8:49:08 GMT -5
Does he have the title to turn over to you? Or is a bank about to reposses the truck?
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Post by BeenThere...DoneThat... on Jun 29, 2011 8:52:19 GMT -5
...and "way"...
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CarolinaKat
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Post by CarolinaKat on Jun 29, 2011 9:05:08 GMT -5
....waiting for the 'rest' of the story
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swamp
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Post by swamp on Jun 29, 2011 9:06:23 GMT -5
Does he have the title to turn over to you? Or is a bank about to reposses the truck? Can you get a loan on a truck that old?
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KaraBoo
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Post by KaraBoo on Jun 29, 2011 9:08:22 GMT -5
We go back later in the evening with a tank of gas (another $17) and put that in the truck. The extra gas gets the truck to start and stay running.
ETA - I forgot to add in the last post that the truck is actually an automatic, not a standard like DH and I presumed it was based on EX's decription of it being a 3-speed column shifter. That excluded us from being able to tow it easily (with the tow rope that we have).
During this time frame (but after we've already put the gas in the truck - grrhh!!), EX brings up the fact that he owes me back childsupport of about $1000. He never came out and said he wanted to trade the truck for CS, but I know that's what he was implying. DH and I had already decided that if this was going to be a 'gift', then we were going to have EX fill out a paper stating that as such so that we wouldn't have any issues with transferring title. So, I wasn't worried about him bring the CS issue up - if he wanted to trade, no go (the truck needed way too much work to give him that much credit - maybe $250 if he wanted to be serious about it), and if he tried to imply it later, I would have a paper stating the truck was a gift and basically laugh at him for suggesting it.
Then he brings up that he had an interesting afternoon while we were away as he had received several phone calls. One was from the city inspector stating that since he had someone looking at taking the vehicle, he had another month to get it gone. Then he stated that the previous owner before the owner he bought it from happened to see the truck and wanted it back and would pay $1500 for it in it's current condition, no questions asked. EX said he was a man of his word though and since he offered it to us first for "free", he would stand by that no matter what until we decided if we wanted it or not.
DH and I talked (privately) and since we had already dumped gas into the truck, decided to take it on a test drive (and at least use up some of that gas!!). DH drove it while I chased in our other vehicle in case it broke down. EX stayed at his house.
We stopped and had a discussion in the parking lot. DH said there is a "miss" in the engine and that at least one cylinder is not firing properly, maybe more, it needs new shocks and front end alignment, the cab floor-board is rusted through in spots (you can see the ground), the carberator is leaking gas, and the brakes needed more work.
Took the truck back to Ex and let him know that if someone wanted to give him $1500 for the truck take it because we estimated it would cost us at least that much to get it to "safe" driving conditions for DS.
EX offered to pay us for our time and parts we put into the truck and DH and him agreed to $100. Then EX said, as soon as I sell the truck, I'll get the money to you.
DH and I left and agreed the money will never show up and agreed it was a stupid lesson well learned.
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Gardening Grandma
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Post by Gardening Grandma on Jun 29, 2011 9:11:09 GMT -5
I love happy endings! ;D
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midjd
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Post by midjd on Jun 29, 2011 9:12:18 GMT -5
Your ex sounds like a real gem. At least you didn't have to learn a much more expensive lesson by taking the truck
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KaraBoo
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Post by KaraBoo on Jun 29, 2011 9:18:42 GMT -5
I forgot about the title issue!!
On Saturday, EX said he had clear title to it and wouldn't have any problems signing it over to me. I asked about any legal issues with the truck - would I be given any problems with old tickets or anything else if I tried to register it. This is when he said he would give me a signed paper saying it was a gift.
On Sunday when we looked at the truck, I noticed the old insurance paper in the truck (attached to the visor) said it was a 1972 Ford F1000, not a 1970 Ford F150 he stated the title said (I never actually saw the title at this point).
EX stated he didn't know why they were different, but that it's a clean title and he had no explanation for it.
I talked to my insurance company on Monday and had them run the VIN number for a vehicle I was considering. I let her know there was a problem with the year as I was getting conflicting information on that. She ran the VIN for both dates and she said her insurance program accepted it as both. She then looked up the VIN in the state's database and she confirmed the title information as what it is registered with the state as.
So, it appears that the title is valid (assuming of course EX is telling me the truth that he has it.....).
Now....my dilemma - I know the EX will probably come back to me in a week or two stating he HAS to get rid of it and would we reconsider as the sale fell through.
Knowing now that the title probably is valid, I'm wondering if we should take the truck anyway and scrap it out for salvage. I can handle him trying to imply "I owe him", but wondering if it's worth it at this point or to just continue to say no.
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midjd
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Post by midjd on Jun 29, 2011 9:22:12 GMT -5
Just say no. More trouble than it's worth. (Couldn't he scrap it for salvage and give whatever proceeds to you for the back CS?)
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swamp
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Post by swamp on Jun 29, 2011 9:22:29 GMT -5
::Now....my dilemma - I know the EX will probably come back to me in a week or two stating he HAS to get rid of it and would we reconsider as the sale fell through.::
Tell him: I'm sorry, Mr. Douchecanoe, but I fail to see why this is my problem.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2011 9:27:47 GMT -5
If he brings it up again, say no again. You've already spent way more time and effort than I would have. Much too complicated.
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KaraBoo
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Post by KaraBoo on Jun 29, 2011 9:28:16 GMT -5
Just say no. More trouble than it's worth. (Couldn't he scrap it for salvage and give whatever proceeds to you for the back CS?) He could, but won't. The truck will sit in his driveway until he's forced to deal with it. At least if we took it, we'd at least get the money directly. He'd spend it on everything except CS.
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CarolinaKat
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Post by CarolinaKat on Jun 29, 2011 9:30:25 GMT -5
A) do you need the money? B) how much effort would it be? C) do you really feel like dealing with him telling you he did you such a big favor for the rest of eternity?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2011 9:31:12 GMT -5
Sounds like a good donation to some charity for your Ex. I assume he's in no position to write it off on his taxes, but at least the charity (if they're willing) can tow it away and deal with the title issues. I'm willing to bet he owes fines for keeping it on a public street so long, though, and that may be his responsibility. I'd stay out of it.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2011 9:33:32 GMT -5
IMO, you'd be taking on a lot of potential problems, that aren't worth what you could possibly get out of the situation.
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Post by piff on Jun 29, 2011 9:38:10 GMT -5
Beware of exes.
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Taxman10
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Post by Taxman10 on Jun 29, 2011 9:38:23 GMT -5
Does he have the title to turn over to you? Or is a bank about to reposses the truck? Can you get a loan on a truck that old? I don't think so.... OP: I would have taken it, if it really was a "3 on the tree" b/c you can't find trucks like that anymore
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KaraBoo
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Post by KaraBoo on Jun 29, 2011 9:43:20 GMT -5
A) do you need the money?
No, but it is a sore spot with me that he owes CS. He doesn't work and hasn't worked for about 18 months (no unemployment either), not because he's not able but because he has a horrible, non-existent work ethic. I honestly don't know how he's able to continue living in his house. I know at one time he was behind on the taxes by like 2-3 years, but he somehow got that caught up. He's also filed for bankruptcy recently.
B) how much effort would it be?
If we had a clear title and a signed paper stating the truck was a gift (in place of a bill of sale), it shouldn't be more effort than going to the courthouse to transfer title. My dad said the last time he did this (as a gift), the cost was $10 to him as it didn't count towards sales tax, but he admitted that was several years ago.
As far as scraping it out, it would only be as much effort as we would be willing to put into it. DH seemed to think the engine block (if it was in good shape) would get more money selling it to a dirt track racer than taking the entire truck to the salvage yard would fetch us.
C) do you really feel like dealing with him telling you he did you such a big favor for the rest of eternity?
<shrug> I already deal with EX on this when he received an inheritance from an estate several years ago. He wanted to invest some money for DS, but I highly suggested to him that I didn't trust him to have that money waiting for DS if he left the investments in EX's name alone (EX had done this once in the past and none of that money is left - EX spent it all). I suggested giving the money to me instead and I would invest it for DS.
EX did give it to me and doesn't let me forget it. I still have the money in a CD and EX periodically implies that I'm doing something illegal with it or would use it against him if he tried to fight for custody of our DS. This is all said to DS through letters with the expressed intent to get at me and plant doubt in DS's mind. It's all smoke from him, he just likes to try and stir up shit with me.
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strider
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Post by strider on Jun 29, 2011 9:43:52 GMT -5
Why do people marry these kinds of people. Are the warning signs not there? Glad it had a happy ending.
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midjd
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Post by midjd on Jun 29, 2011 9:45:17 GMT -5
Again, my dad is like that - no gift comes without some heavy-duty strings attached. If you take this truck, you (and your DS) will never hear the end of it. And I'd imagine if you do scrap it, your DS will hear "I gave that truck for you and they stole it and used the money on themselves..."
I'd stay far, far away.
ETA that if he is still in the bankruptcy process, any "gift" to you could be seized as property of the estate - so then you'd still get to hear about the "gift", have to deal with even more hassle, and have nothing to show for it.
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CarolinaKat
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Post by CarolinaKat on Jun 29, 2011 9:45:30 GMT -5
Why do people marry these kinds of people. Are the warning signs not there? Glad it had a happy ending. Cause it doesn't start out this way
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CarolinaKat
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Post by CarolinaKat on Jun 29, 2011 9:47:32 GMT -5
C) do you really feel like dealing with him telling you he did you such a big favor for the rest of eternity? <shrug> I already deal with EX on this when he received an inheritance from an estate several years ago. He wanted to invest some money for DS, but I highly suggested to him that I didn't trust him to have that money waiting for DS if he left the investments in EX's name alone (EX had done this once in the past and none of that money is left - EX spent it all). I suggested giving the money to me instead and I would invest it for DS. EX did give it to me and doesn't let me forget it. I still have the money in a CD and EX periodically implies that I'm doing something illegal with it or would use it against him if he tried to fight for custody of our DS. This is all said to DS through letters with the expressed intent to get at me and plant doubt in DS's mind. It's all smoke from him, he just likes to try and stir up shit with me. Yeah, that's what I was afraid of. Is it worth it to give him another thing to annoy you with. But honestly, if you DON'T take it, you'll be able to counteract his "if mom/stepdad had only taken X to better your life, son" with "it would have likely killed him, no thanks"
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KaraBoo
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Post by KaraBoo on Jun 29, 2011 9:48:04 GMT -5
Can you get a loan on a truck that old? I don't think so.... OP: I would have taken it, if it really was a "3 on the tree" b/c you can't find trucks like that anymore Tax - I know where you can get one!!
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strider
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Post by strider on Jun 29, 2011 9:50:15 GMT -5
Why do people marry these kinds of people. Are the warning signs not there? Glad it had a happy ending. Cause it doesn't start out this way Trying not to be rude but how? Because he probably paid for the dates? Yes I'm cynical. It's like the deal with Doxie. How do two people so uncompatible end up together?
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Taxman10
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Post by Taxman10 on Jun 29, 2011 9:52:28 GMT -5
I don't think so.... OP: I would have taken it, if it really was a "3 on the tree" b/c you can't find trucks like that anymore Tax - I know where you can get one!! I thought you said it was automatic?? sorry i didn't read all the posts that carefully...now i'm on e-bay looking for one!! LOL :-)
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