provette67

I see many WTB ads posted here. Several of us point cars to the originator of the ads. I figure that I am helping a fellow member out. I am guessing many here think the same way. But how would you feel if the originator of the WTB ad was searching for cars to flip?

karkrafter

Who cares? This is America. People are allowed to make money.

cor66vette

65hihp

​​​​​​yes, but don't try to keep it you money grubbing capitalist..... share it with those less privileged than you.

Dan Hampton

By extension, what if forum members suddenly realized that the WTB poster was, after all, a dealer with no interest in retaining an "enjoyable" interest in a car? That sort of takes it to a new, different level. If you knew that said poster was a dealer, who didn't divulge his identity as such, would you be as forthcoming in helping him with his "search" vis a vis someone who was looking forward to owning and retaining a C1/C2?

vettebuyer6369

Given the fact that buying cars here to flip is not allowed unless the member is a Supporting Vendor, this situation is easily addressed.

Wayne88

I agree with that, and I'll go further: I'd want to sell my car to someone who treats it like I have, no matter where or how I sell it.

Uncle Pasko 73

True, but how would you feel about being duped into helping someone make that money and receiving no compensation for it yourself?

Maybe you are more altruistic than me, but I'd be pissed.

provette67

I guess I would have less an issue with it if the ad read something like this.

WTB '63-'67 original coupe or roadster with matching number drivetrain in very nice condition priced well under the money so that I can make some money off of the efforts of the members who send me such leads

karkrafter

Don't forget, you ARE helping a member sell his car, at HIS price. And you are helping another fella earn a living. I just don't see a negative except YOU don't get cut, and there would be nothing wrong in this world if you asked for a cut from either buyer or seller or both.

provette67

Not really. Usually the cars sent to the flipper are local craigslist like ads

Panama 58

So, how do you assess this scenario? We have several very talented restomodders on this forum who are always posting WTB '63 coupes. Knowing that they are solely looking for their next project to take to Barrett Jackson or Mecum, would they be considered "flippers" or not?

Uncle Pasko 73

Your rainbows and lollipops outlook would be OK if it was above board. But it is not.

The fact is, you are UNWITTINGLY "helping another fella earn a living". Again, maybe you are different but that is never going to be OK with me.

And it is pretty hard to ask for a cut when you have no idea that you are being duped into "helping another fella earn a living" in the first place.

joewill

one can hardly make money flipping cars anyway. Most of the WTB ads are by people who won't pay the asking prices of C2 corvettes anyway.. how on earth do you find a buyer that will pay more for the car you just bought.
especially if you have to add in the acquisition costs incremental. which in lots of cases is 10%
I see it all the time.

tuxnharley

Altho I am not a big fan of restomods per se, in your scenario I would not call them flippers as they do provide a lot of value added- if you want that kind of car.

Dan Hampton

I think the word "resto" accurately describes what Tux is referencing. I would rather buy any C1/C2 at a 20% premium to the market than risk the kind of capital resto mod people spend in constructingr a $300,000 car, hoping to make a profit. They clearly don't fall into the camp we are discussing.

It think the type of people the OP is identifying are people who are the 2020 equivalent of 2000 day traders. With interest rates at zero and the Fed on a ridiculous bond buying binge, the only thing people are looking at, these days, are hard assets. Enter the flippers---whether it be cars, homes, antiques, etc.

I don't blame them for that at all, but they can find their own cars without my assistance.

3JsVette

Plain and simple in this particular case if the O/P offers information and or recommendation on a Corvette that he inspected for a client and was passed on for what ever reason and a flipper knowing his reputation uses his comments to decide on making a deal I see it as a theft of services. Now if someone who has been looking for "the right car" takes those comments as an endorsement to for fill a dream finding that keeper that's a different story that still deserves a big thank you and even a thread or no less than a PM to acknowledge the help.

SledgeHammer 2.0

I am sure we have all seen the ads where a dealer will pay a referral fee if you find them a collector car... I have always wondered if some of the WTB ads were people just looking to get a referral fee.
.

To add and answer the original question. I would be less inclined to help someone trying to flip a car than to help a genuine enthusiast who wants to enjoy Driving it.

vettebuyer6369

I actually added this disclaimer to my WTB ad in the FS section just because of this concern:

Quote:

To be clear, looking for a keeper. No flipping going on here.

Yes, it was added before this thread was posted.

FASTZ

Are you selling any of yours??