No car forum is complete without drama I suppose. Yeah, I sold a known working tranny for $65 to a guy who advertised he needed one.
Short version: Guy says he needs a tranny. Someone suggests a rebuild; sfdon jumps in and says rebuilds are as much of a gamble as used, and that he gets trannys for $400. I post that I have a working tranny pulled from my car (which is not the same car as his car) packed and ready to go.
Buyer starts a conversation: he is interested, how much for shipping. I arrange shipment, buyer offers me $40 for the tranny. I should have walked away at that point, but... Buyer comes up to $65; indicates he needs other stuff. I indicate I have everything needed except the console; buyer says he doesn't need that stuff, but throw in whatever I want to give away for free. So, I sold the tranny for $65.
Now it turns out they buyer does need much of what I previously suggest I would sell with the tranny. And he is not offering to buy the stuff he needs, he is merely saying that it is a problem that he doesn't have it. He needs it. And he is unhappy I haven't promptly replied to him.
How much do you suppose he will be willing to pay for the other stuff if his first offer on the tranny was $40?
Here is the longer version (Tranny wanted thread and our communications):
From the For Sale/Wanted Forum
WTB Automatic Transmission
autowerks
like to buy an automatic transmission if anybody has a good working one, thanks Joe
WISE9UY
Message Sent
Mike Pelly
I have one in so cal- from a euro cs.
autowerks
Hi Mike, is it in good condition, mine vibrates between 20-30 and 40-55 MPH right after it shifts
teahead
Wouldn't it be less risky to just rebuild the one you got?
Ohmess
I have one, packaged and ready to go. It was working fine when I removed it from my car to change to a 5 speed. The flywheel you inquired about is actually packed up with the tranny right now.
autowerks
I was thinking2 to get a used one and rebuild the one I have!
sfdon
Cost to rebuild=$2000.00
Cost for 5 used trannys =$2000.00
I've seen rebuilt ones go all of 2000 miles before going bad. I have also seen rebuilt ones spew atf out the top vent hole and out the rear seal the same day they Right onto the exhaust....
Mike Pelly
If Ohmess has one packed and ready to go and he knows it to be in good shape, buy his. Mine is in my parts car- the engine was pulled several years ago and the tranny is still in the car, so access is easy, but not worth the hassle unless you are really desperate.
Ohmess
Thanks Mike - I thought I had a buyer previously, but he backed out of the deal after I packaged it all up.
autowerks
Thanks Mike!
From the Discussion
Ohmess
Hi autowerks -- Following up on your parts posts, I have a tranny and the flywheel you are seeking packaged and ready to ship. I pulled them from my car -- a California, Texas car with 125,000 on it -- because I wanted a 5 speed. I thought I had a buyer for the tranny, which is why I packaged it up, but he backed out over the shipping costs. I also contacted the tranny shop here in town and have identified a shipper who regularly ships transmissions.
You can have the tranny and flywheel and whatever else I have in the box for $150 plus shipping. So, if you are serious, this would be an easy transaction.
autowerks
Hi, I am interested, let me know the shipping cost to Mckinney, Texas 75069. Thanks Joe
[After Separate Flywheel Discussion]:
autowerks
Hi Chris, I decided to go with your transmission, please let me know the shipping for your transmission and flywheel to Mckinney Texas 75069? Thanks Joe
Ohmess
Hi Joe -- I spoke to the guys here locally at County Transmission; they use R&L Carriers for transmission shipping. RL quoted me $375, which is $225 shipping, plus additional residential charges on both ends of $75 each. I assumed your delivery would be a residence, and my pickup is a residence too. I would like to get this baby out of my basement, and this is more than I expected, so how about $500 total (with $375 going to the shipper)?
autowerks
Hi Chris -- I can buy a transmission locally for $300 and flywheel from you for about $100 with shipping, that puts me at $400.00. I know you want to get rid of it and I like to buy it if it makes sense. I can spend the $400 with you, I have a transmission and flywheel and you get rid of the transmission! let me know what you think? Thanks Joe
autowerks
Sorry, I will give you a business address to ship it to as well!
autowerks
Hi Ohmess,
I apologize if you did not like my offer, it was just an suggestion, it is not a problem if you wish not to sell you tranny. Are you willing to sell your flywheel? If so please let me know, Thanks Joe
Ohmess
Hi Joe - no. I really would prefer to sell the entire package to you. The price leaves me with $40 for the tranny, and I spent $28 on packing material, so yeah, I thought that was a little low. But I did indicate I wanted to get rid of it and if I sell the flywheel separately I need to unpack it from the tranny, find packing material, etc. And part of this hobby is helping others keep these babies on the road.
So, let's just do this. Send me the business address and a contact phone number, paypal the money to
[email protected], and I will arrange shipping once the money gets here.
autowerks
Hi Chris, you are very kind, please send me your mailing address and I will send you a cashiers check for $425.00 ! When the check clears your bank then send me the transmission, I'll give you a mailing address, Thanks again Joe
Ohmess
Mailing address: [omitted]
autowerks
I'll send the money tomorrow, the shipping address is
Expert Towing
301 E. Erwin Ave.
Mckinney Texas 75069
My Cell number is : [omitted]
autowerks
Hi Chris, you should get your money Thursday, if not I have a tracking number, Thanks Joe
Ohmess
Thanks Joe. I will watch for it.
autowerks
Hi, did your money arrive? Joe
Ohmess
Hi Joe -- Yes, the money arrived and I deposited it yesterday. Thanks for following up. I will let you know when my bank informs me that the check has cleared.
Ohmess
Hi Joe -- money has cleared! I am out of town for a few days, but will arrange shipping when I return home next week. Sorry about the delay because of this.
I will send to you the info once they pick up the tranny. Do you want to send to me your email in case they have an email notification system for the shipment?
autowerks
Hi Chris,
No problem next week is fine, was wondering if you have an Automatic Trans Driveshaft? please Let me know thanks Joe
Ohmess
Hi Joe - well, yes but I had it modified and it is in my car.
Ohmess
Hi Joe - it sounds like you need everything. If so, I have some other stuff you may need, including:
1) The transmission indicator switch which mounts on the side of the transmission and sends the signals to the indicator lights
2) The transmission light tree that mounts on the dash just above the steering column and indicates what gear you are in (with the wiring harness to the indicator switch)
3) The linkage that operates the downshift/kick down when you floor it
4) The transmission mounting bracket that holds the tranny in the car
5) The torque converter that installs in between the flywheel and transmission
6) The shift lever, carrier and shift gate
Let me know if you need any on this stuff. I don't have the shift surround; I modified it for my manual shifter.
autowerks
Thanks, I have most of the stuff, my drive shaft vibrates a bit, the reason I was asking. I'll take what ever you want to get rid of though. Thank you Joe
Ohmess
Hi Joe -- R+L Carriers picked up the tranny today and it is on its way to you.
autowerks
Thank you Chris, Let you know when I get it! Joe
autowerks
Hi Chris the tranny got here a couple of days ago, have not looked at it but thank you for everything! Joe
autowerks
Hi Chris, The tranny is completely different, a lot of things has to be replaced for it to fit! Dip stick, hoses from transmission to radiator, shift linkage, the electrical box and the converter. Please let me know, Thanks Joe
Ohmess
I know that transmission will work in your car, it worked in mine.
autowerks
Yes you are right, but it will need all the stuff I mentioned to make it work! Thanks Joe
autowerks
Hi Chris, did you get my Email that I would need parts to make this tranny work on my car, otherwise it is worthless to me. Let me know what we can do? Thanks Joe
autowerks
Chris, This is not a good way to do business specially with people you claim to help! You truly are not what you represent yourself to be! Thanks for nothing! Joe