Unsolicited buyers

[Radio Guy]

Howdy all, New here and if I'm entering into the wrong forum, please advise and I'll glady switch it.

Looking for others who may have had similar situations and how they handled them. This has happened to me numerous times in Arizona and once in Texas... I'd also like to know if this is unique to Airstreams or if it might happen to other RV owners...as if there might be an Airstream Curse because they're so attractive.

Here's what happens. An elderly hispanic gentleman will pull up into my driveway and honk the horn several times. An elderly hispanic woman is in the other seat. Once I exit my front door the gentleman will exit the truck and stand by the hood. He'll ask me if I'm interested in selling my Airstream. Please note, the coach is parked in storage in the back yard. There is no FOR SALE sign or other indication that it might be on the market. When I decline, they'll continue with attempting to purchas as if I might be persuaded if they continue badgering. Each time this has happened, the individuals were different from the previous time and each time the pickup truck they're driving is brand new and equipted for towing as if they intended to hook up and pull away with the coach.

Needless to say, this is frustrating and I'm wondering if I'm being singled out or if there are others. Also, how do you handle the situation.

Thank You!

[Wazbro]

Add 50% to the MSRP and give him that for a price. If he buys it you can go to the dealer and get a new one with plenty of change left over.

[richard5933]

It depends...

How long have you had that classic Airstream in the same location? People learn what's around, and if they don't see it moving might assume that it's no longer loved.

When I was in high school a house down the street had an older Fiat Spider in their driveway. Clearly the car wasn't driven or cared for. I finally got the nerve to knock on their door and see if they wanted to sell it, and I still remember them being upset that people keep asking about selling they Fiat.

So yes, it happens. Happened to us when we had a vintage bus conversion motorhome.

But, there could also be some kind of scam going on so be careful. Lots of people are being scammed by accepting seemingly real-looking bank checks for vehicles, only to find out that they are worthless long after the vehicle is gone.

[overlander64]

I have owned my 1964 Overlander Land Yacht International for 30 years, and my Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre for 23 years, and for the past 18 years, it has been typical to have several such encounters each month. Both of my trailers are kept in the side yard of my best friend's farm home at the edge of town on a very busy county road (connects to the local Interstate Highway). There was one man who was a particular pest stopping by at least twice a month all summer and fall for at least three years. The only thing that seemed to discourage him was when I finally told him how long that I had owned the trailers, and that I was a member of the Vintage Airstream Club and knew the value of each trailer. I also told him the price that I would have on each trailer if I were to sell either one, and he looked at me and said to me about the Overlander, "that is more than I paid for my house 9 years ago!" That was the last that I heard from him.

The one concern that I have had is that with all of this intertest is that the trailers are a theft target. My friend and I have devised it such that the trailers are blocked from the rear by a steep hill and a tall concrete block incinerator (about 25 feet away), and a vehicle is always parked in front of the trailers so that hitching up is impossible without moving another vehicle. I did, however, start keeping the Worthington Aluminum LP Tanks secured to the hitches with Vinyl-Clad Cable locks as I had a pair of original Aluminum LP Tanks stolen from the Minuet's hitch about 13 years ago.

I know that I live in an area where many of the older residents are not aware of the interest in collecting/preserving Vintage travel trailers and older cars. There are many opportunists who troll the back roads in our county looking for these unaware older residents trying to scoop up Vintage travel trailers, and valuable older cars for next to nothing. They do get a little perturbed when they encounter someone like me who looks like one of their usual marks when they try to buy either my Vintage Airstream, Argosy, or my 1984 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible or 1985 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale Brougham Luxury Sedan. To add to their consternation, my friend where my trailers and cars are stored also has a 1993 Mercedes E 300 Countryman Wagon and a 1988 Dodge D200 Pickup in pristine condition, and he is equally aware of their values!

Kevin

[SunchaserV]

Radio
AZ is quite close to the MX border, adjacent in fact. To boost a vehicle and head to MX is not uncommon. A nice AS is in the same category, a desirable. Me, I'd assume a driveway honker or two is up to no good. Place an air tag or two in your trailer. What other easily driven aways are parked at your place?

For those of you that don't live close to the MX border you've no idea as to the dramatic increase in thefts during the past few years.

[MSDeneen]

IMO, it is an attempted scam of some sort. Sadly, our modern world is simply filled to the brim with scammers for anything you can name. Roofing, siding, solar panels, house painting, car detailing, and the endless online scams that flow into our email and text streams. I'm of the opinion that about half the economy is criminal gains. Place an ad in Craig's list or FB marketplace for just about anything, and watch the scammers roll in!



It is obviously ABNORMAL behavior for people to pull up to a home, and ask about buying a vehicle in the back yard that has no "FOR SALE" sign on it.



I no longer even try selling cars on my own - more than half of the inquiries are scammers.



Sign of the times.

[NutmegsCamper]

If they pull up and honk a few days in a row, at different times, they can establish a pattern of when you're not home, and with a tow vehicle, hook up and go. I'd be a bit worried about the situation.