Buying a new classic then sharing your experiences online - etiquette

[iani]

I bought a car a couple of months back, not a TR but a Triumph, not that it matters. I joined a couple of forums, knowing that the person I bought the car off was an active member of them. The car had some issues that needed tackling fairly quickly and a lot of other things that I wanted to change but weren't safety critical. I have been posting details of my progress on one of these forums, without any mention of the previous owner by name or indeed any direct criticism of any actions they might have been responsible for. Today I have had the previous owner complaining on a post about my being critical and then he had the audacity to call me up and start ranting at me. I'm just wondering what others would have done, would you not mention anything wrong with a car in case you upset the previous owner? would you avoid posting any updates about work you have done in case you upset the previous owner?

For myself I would take the fact that the new owner has clearly spent quite a bit on new parts as a sign that they are getting stuck into improving the car to their requirements, I would like to think I wouldn't get all bent out of shape and see any implied criticism.

Ian

[Hamish]

Ian

that is a sad state of affairs.

i would suggest that the error is with the PO (obviously without knowing the details)

an over riding comment on here when someone asks opinion, help or guidance is.

its your car do what you like and what suits you.

I bought my car at auction and the PO is rightly very well respected on here and I have shared most of what I have done to the car on here and it’s quite possible the PO doesn’t agree or like some. But at no time has it been mentioned.

we don’t fall out over cars on here.

 

bad jokes, politics, religion, medial opinions, the state of the world yes but never cars or what we do to “our” cars.

H

 

[Richardtr3a]

This is definitely a mistake by the previous owner and no forum is the place for abuse. If it was my car I would fix it up so everything works in good order, polish the paintwork, and sell it on . Hopefully with all your funds back in the bank, go out and buy another which will have a better feel about it when you go out to the garage on a Sunday morning.

Good luck Richard & B

[Bfg]

Ian, sounds to me that you've been straight insomuch as not referring to the prior owner &/or by directing criticisms at him or what's been done.  However, the reality is that almost every old car needs some jobs done, and almost every owner likes to do things their own way.  And, the classic-car circles we move in are relatively small and often within earshot of any comment made.

You can only try and put yourself in the seller's position and consider how you  might feel if you've recently sold a car that you've 'loved' for however many years, and then all you read about its faults.  If the list goes on and on, then it seems as if your car was junk, and therefore you must have sold him a pup ..so your (the seller's) credibility goes down the pan ..both with his local group of enthusiasts and his friends / known associates through the forum.!?  

Publicly extolling the car's good points may go some way towards appeasing the situation, as might a very brief apology to him on the forum. Explaining in empathic terms that you're just continuing his long-term good care and preventative maintenance, and then making just a few changes according to personal preference - that any one of us do when we become the new custodian of a cherished vehicle.  Perhaps this shouldn't be necessary, but even genuinely good folk may be particularly sensitive, in an almost jealous / longing sort of way. 

As I say our classic car social circles are too small to live with animosity, and in time the seller will also recognize that and let things go.  Hopefully sometime he'll see the improvements you've made and the fine condition of your car and will be glad that his 'past love' has found a good and appreciative new home.  

Otherwise please continue posting as you were... as every one of us enjoy reading and learning about ongoing improvements, care and maintenance being done, and then in time - follow that through by showing that the car is being used and enjoyed, as it was designed to be.

Pete.

 

Edited February 8, 2021 by Bfg

[iani]

Thanks chaps, I feel strongly that I had done all that I could to avoid any personal criticism. There is no way back with the guy in question, I gave him very short shrift when he called to berate me and he has now blocked me on the forum, hopefully that will be an end to the matter, it just left a nasty aftertaste.

Ian

[Rod1883]

It's an interesting situation and similar to one experienced by me about 16/17 months ago albeit the other way around.

I'd sold a pretty quirky classic vehicle to a chap that hadn't owned anything similar, or any type of classic at all, before. We were both happy with the agreed price, and we remained in touch via email for a while and through a specific owners club forum until my access was lost when my o/c membership expired.

The new owner kept telling me how thrilled he was with the vehicle even sending me some pictures of it on a trip to France. I was a little disappointed though when he did have some issues - one unforeseen which did trigger a little embarrassment on my part even though there is no way that I could have known this particular fault would crop up. I did feel a bit frustrated though when the new owner, after sending the vehicle to his pet mechanic/MOT man - who was not a marque specialist, criticised the condition of the front king pins. This was just 6 months after I had used a marque specialist to do work in this area, and is a well known area that gets criticised by those that don't know these cars. I did suggest to the new owner that it would be worth getting a specialist to give a second opinion, but I'm not sure if he did.

I suppose it is the fact that the discussions go on in a forum where others might interpret it in a way that casts doubt on your honesty as a seller that can cause people to react.

As Pete says, it is better that things are posted as it adds to the learnings for all and - certainly in the current covid situation - keeps us all connected.

Edited February 8, 2021 by Rod1883

[Steves_TR6]

I don’t think you did anything wrong Ian

these old cars aren’t logical purchases, we buy them for the experience and joy of ownership

if you feel your joy is diminished by the experience then perhaps take Richard’s advice and sell, or forget the PO and enjoy the car!

this is a great forum but like anywhere there are fallings out now and then ....

steve

Edited February 8, 2021 by Steves_TR6

[iani]

8 minutes ago, Steves_TR6 said:

I don’t think you did anything wrong Ian

these old cars aren’t logical purchases, we buy them for the experience and joy of ownership

if you feel your joy is diminished by the experience then perhaps take Richard’s advice and sell, or forget the PO and enjoy the car!

this is a great forum but like anywhere there are fallings out now and then ....

steve

Thanks Steve, I'm not selling the car, I've already sunk a considerable amount of money into improving it and I'm going to have a lot of fun changing bits & getting the car to where I want it to be. Other members of the forum in question have been supportive, indeed, there hasn't been a single post in support of the PO so I've taken some comfort in that.

[Steves_TR6]

6 minutes ago, iani said:

Thanks Steve, I'm not selling the car, I've already sunk a considerable amount of money into improving it and I'm going to have a lot of fun changing bits & getting the car to where I want it to be. Other members of the forum in question have been supportive, indeed, there hasn't been a single post in support of the PO so I've taken some comfort in that.

Good man!

my car has a very mixed history, was a hillclimb car back in the 1990s ( is on at least it’s third engine and has no external door locks!) and is a total mongrel

I love it

steve

Edited February 8, 2021 by Steves_TR6

[tthomson]

Hi Ian,

A while ago, I sold a Maserati 3200GT, that I bought new as a demonstrator from a respectable supplier 10 years previously. The week after I sold it, the clutch failed. The new owner felt I should have warned him about the problem. I did not know it had a problem. It had always worked fine, but I paid 50% of the repair bill as a proof of my good intentions. I'm not saying you should do the same, I think every situation with cars, classic or otherwise, is unique, but it sounds as though the previous owner had not emotionally parted with "his" car. Don't upset yourself about it. I would bet that his forum members are just as irritated by him as you are. Move on and forget about his small-mindedness.

TT

Edited February 8, 2021 by tthomson

[stillp]

My first new company car was sold to a fellow employee, who, a few months later, barged into the canteen during break time and started screaming at me that I'd told her the car had been well looked after and properly maintained, I was an evil liar, con artist, etc, etc.

She'd had a puncture.

Pete