Proper etiquette when asking for someone to check out a car

[Greg L.]

So what is considered proper etiquette when you ask for someone's assistance to look at a car for you to see if it's worth buying or not?

I personaly wouldn't ask for anything if it was in town and he/she was an NCRS member. If I had to travel an hour or two then I'd probably like some gas money. If it was farther than that I probably wouldn't have time anyways.

Just wondering what you all consider what proper etiquette is.

[Pete B.]

Re: Proper etiquette when asking for someone to check out a car

I did not see anything in my Emily Post book that i keep by my bedside

Everyone is different. I would always offer and let the person give you a range then you can decide. Gas is minimun, then something for the time too.

[Tom H.]

Re: Proper etiquette when asking for someone to check out a car

I can't count the cars I've looked at with people over the years. Although they are usually near by, I couldn't imagine charging them. I do it because I enjoy it. Most guys will feel the same.

If you are in doubt, I would just ask the individual you are asking the service of " How much would ya charge me to take a look at a car ?" I bet MOST guys would be happy to help in most cases. JMO.

[Edward M.]

Re: Proper etiquette when asking for someone to check out a car

Always ask up front if there is a fee involved.

Many people will do it for no charge as long as they don't incur any major expense.

Somebody asking me to look at a car across town is one thing, asking me to look at a car on the other end of the state is something else entirely.

[Erik S.]

Re: Proper etiquette when asking for someone to check out a car

Also depends on what the output is. I mean if that person is producing a long document with the incorrect parts then probably it is worth more than just an "OK". I am in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and have used the services of various members in the US - all paid and total satisfaction.

[Mike M.]

Re: Proper etiquette when asking for someone to check out a car

i have never charged a fee to check out a vette for an NCRS member but i won't go beyond a 25 mile radius of home to do so. and the potential buyer HAS to be an NCRS member.And the vette HAS to be a c-1 or c-2. mike

[Donald B.]

Re: Proper etiquette when asking for someone to check out a car

I "cold called" a NCRS member (Judge) several years ago to look at a '62. The car was nearly an hour away from his home. I didn't even ask about the charge. After he looked at the car and called me with the information I asked him how much I owed him for his time. His comment was that he was involved in NCRS and judging because he enjoyed it - He had done me a favor and expected/hoped that I would do the same for someone else.

He asked that if I ended up purchasing the car to let him know. Upon its arrival I took a picture and sent it to him - along with a box of Big Island (Hawaii) cookies.

I believe I have done favors (or attempted to) for several NCRS members in an effort to repay the favor I received. What goes around comes around.

[Tom H.]

Re: Proper etiquette when asking for someone to check out a car

I "cold called" a NCRS member (Judge) several years ago to look at a '62. The car was nearly an hour away from his home. I didn't even ask about the charge. After he looked at the car and called me with the information I asked him how much I owed him for his time. His comment was that he was involved in NCRS and judging because he enjoyed it - He had done me a favor and expected/hoped that I would do the same for someone else.

He asked that if I ended up purchasing the car to let him know. Upon its arrival I took a picture and sent it to him - along with a box of Big Island (Hawaii) cookies.

I believe I have done favors (or attempted to) for several NCRS members in an effort to repay the favor I received. What goes around comes around.

Pretty much sums it up the way I'd handle it on both ends.

[Norm B.]

Re: Proper etiquette when asking for someone to check out a car

I agree. I recently offered to travel about 45 minutes to have a look at a car where the potential buyer just wanted an opinion if it was worth it for him to travel a long way to see it personally. I did not ask, or want, anything for it. I felt it was worth it to me for the adventure and experience of seeing another car.

[Greg L.]

Re: Proper etiquette when asking for someone to check out a car

Thanks guys, that's pretty much how I thought it would work. So it would be polite to ask what they want for the service but like myself and most of you it would be considered just a favor to a fellow member. I would probably feel better about it if I could at least pay for the gas though.

Heck I think it would be great to go and look at a car for someone. Think about it, you get to go and look at it without the pressure, butterflies, emotions or what have you of having to buy it!

[Steven B.]

Re: Proper etiquette when asking for someone to check out a car

A couple of months ago I looked at a '57 at an old friend's request that was 75 miles away. When we arrived and he told the seller I had a '57 and was in NCRS the "eager" seller told me to get the f--- out. We both left. I told my friend he owed me. We stopped at McDonald's and I payed for my own at my insistence. I looked at a '60 for him in '84, travelled 160 miles round trip. No charge. While living in Indianapolis a friend who owned a Corvette retail business asked me to look at a '63 FI with him. He picked me up in a new '85 and we drove to northern WI. He paid for the motel. When we go to the small garage in very rural WI I checked it out and found only the original seatbelts missing. Upon looking underneath I saw the finned drums and the blood pressure rose. Then upon seeing the master cylinder it got a little higher. A beautiful silver blue Z06, two owner car---soon to be three owner. A few years later when he sold the car for 3X what he paid my wife and weretreated to a steak dinner. That was more than I expected. I don't remember much about the dinner but I had a great time on the trip and checking out that car!

Just ask what they want to look at the car, then you decide if it is what you are willing to pay. I believe most NCRS members like doing it, get very excited, and usuallly do not expect more than expenses if the expenses are out of the ordinary.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Proper etiquette when asking for someone to check out a car

I'll be a bit different in how I respond, apparently.

I've done some inspections like this and don't mind doing them. When I've done them for the local "classic car dealer" I did them for free, but he's also done things for me in return. In fact, I used his trailer to get my 08 from Bowling Green.

When I've had people call me out of the blue just because I'm an NCRS member, I've charged a nominal fee. Only once have I charged mileage, and that's because the car was 1 1/2 hours away.

Why do I charge? Because I have a more-than-full time job and 3 young children. If I'm going to take time away from them there will have to be a "bit" of a reward. I then send the owners pictures and a report, often talking to them by phone and giving them my thoughts on the seller as well as my thoughts on the car. On a per-hour basis I'm "losing" money but I'm OK with that.

Patrick