Online car purchasing

Below is a long email chain between me and a friend at work. He is selling his car online so I created a fake email address and have been emailing him about his car all week. I was pretending to be interested and asked as many random questions as I could think of. Start from the bottom and read up to follow the conversation. It is pretty funny.

(Start from the bottom)

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Then we called him again and while on the phone we walked over to guy's desk.

After the call, Guy wrote:

are u sure that wasn't u being ur own secretary? they said u were forgetful sometimes lol

Guy wrote:

ok i missed the first call because i was busy with somthing at work, but i just called back, and they said anytime for noon to 2 pm. i told him thats fine with me

(Now Ben calls Guy pretending to be my assistant)

Guy wrote:

oh u got a secretary? dont u think u should schedule it when u are free, i cant tell them i time for you to meet me, its up to you whenever you want to come

On 12/8/06 Timmmy Washington wrote:

can you please give my secretary a quick call in a minute to set it uptomorrow? i have to run into a meeting and am not sure how long it will take. the number is XXX-XXX-XXXX.thanks and i will see you tomorrow

Timmy

Guy Wrote:

what time do u think u can stop by? like morning, mid-day, afternoon?

On 12/8/06, Guy wrote:

yeah i know crossfires are rare, only seen like 5 on the road my whole life, but i;'ve been looking at them at dealerships for a while now. ok well i b4 going to quiznos for lunch

On 12/8/06, Tim Washington

crossfires are nice cars, although i dont see them on the road very often. remember that game called crossfire... and that catchy song that they played on the commercials. i have been saving for a new car for a while, but other things keep coming up so i have been putting it off since my current van gets the job done (for work, but its embaressing for personal use) since i cant seem to get an actual date with that girl kate i mentioned, I guess my goal for my new car is to have it before my friends work christmas party. i think it is next weekend. i am just going with her as a friend, since she doesnt have a date but wanted to bring someone. the place it is at isnt super fancy, but i think its pretty nice and i would prefer not to roll to her party in my van, or make her pick me up.i have talked to a few others about their cars, so hopefully i can get one by then. maybe even your galant...

From: "Guy" To: "Tim Washington"

i bought my car from workin at the XXXXXX. i worked there for like 7 months making 8.75-$10 a hr, and saved $6,000 , put that down. the car was $10,300 + tax, tags, and title=$11,300. plus $350 per rim, $150 per tire, +$100 for taillights + 375 for tints.=$13,775. but now that i got a new job with higher pay, im think im going to buy a Chrysler Crossfire.

On 12/8/06, Tim Washington wrote:

19 and you already own and are selling that car? nice work by you. as far as the mall goes, i need to get a tie or something (maybe a video game) for my brother and also something for my sister. i have no idea really. i was thinking abotu getting my parents a gift certificate to a restaurant or something. i think i have used up all the 'free yard work' as gifts, since I started my business it doesnt really count anymore. the party is at my house in canton. people will probably come over starting at 7 or so. nothing fancy.and if we do go to the mall, i hope we can take the Galant, otherwise we will be pushing a busted up white van with my company's logo on the side of it.

From: "Guy" To: "Tim Washington"

yea give me a call on my cell, i should answer it. if not just shoot me a e-mail. I am 19, what things u gotta get form the mall. i think i need to go to a few places. need to get my mom some PJ's, slippers, and somthing else. my dad some license plate holders, and maybe some camo seat covers for his truck. got to Victorias secret for my GF, and to some nail saloon for my sister. what time is the party and where is it?

On 12/8/06, Tim Washington wrote:

ok cool, i could give you a call tomorrow when i get off work. or if you wanted i could go to the mall with you, i have some shopping to do also. i know its kind of random but how old are you? i am having a party tonight and if you wanted perhaps you could stop by. maybe thats totally random, if so i appologize, just saying there will be around 10-15 of my friends and the age ranges from like 18-23. so if you were interested. if not, no big deal at all. let me know about the party tonight and/or the mall trip tomorrow.

Timmy

From: "Guy" To: "Tim Washington"

it doesn't matter to me, I'll be home most of the day, i think im gonna go to the mall for sme shopping but atleast not until dark. and i'd prefer if you didn't come before 10am.i guess anytime from 10 until whenever, but i guess u dont want to see it in the dark

On 12/8/06, Tim Washington wrote:

i dont really know, obviously that is the idea. she thinks i am in med-school though, which is becoming more and more of a problem. anyways, she wrote me back and said she couldnt make it saturday so nevermind about my idea of borrowing your car. i really should be free after work though to test drive it. what time is best for you? TW

From: "Guy" To: "Tim Washington"

sure will she put out?

On 12/7/06, Tim Washington wrote:

would you want to come on my date with kate?

From: "Guy" To: "Tim Washington"

no reason. um about that test drive. i think i would rather be in the car for the drive, or any questions, to make me feel better so i dont have to see u drive away in my baby, and its against my insurance policy. however you would be covered if i give you consent to drive and im present the entire time. Sorry but its just not worth it to me to have my car totaled on a test drive and not be insured. but if you can make it anyother time, or maybe stop by earlier b4 the date and we can go for a ride together

On 12/7/06, Tim Washingtonwrote:

i think columbia, not ellicott city. why do you ask? she is actually at nursing school in philadelphia. i dont think i can buy itbefore i test drive it. i was thinking i could test drive it from 4 pm until 2 am and after i drop off kate i would swing back to your hosue and give you the car back. then i could decide if i wanted it.


From: "Guy" To: "Tim Washington"

Well be careful, dont get robbed or kidnapped on your date. i heard that happens alot online, its actually a guy or a bunch of them and they will jump u. does she live in Ellicot City? anyways yea u can test drive it until 2 am if you want, and if you got the total amount of the car in cash to give me first. yea sure, 4pm is good, are u talking about Saturday?

On 12/7/06, Tim Washington wrote:

not enough! i am at a different client pretty much every day of the week, so it varies. i might try and stop by this weekend if i have free time. i am trying to set up a date with this girl who i actually met online. well, i have never actually met her, just emailed her and she sent me some pics. anyways, you dont need to hear about that. i work until 2 pm sat, but if i dont have anything with her than maybe i can check it out. or do you think i could maybe come by around 4 before my date (if she says she wants to- i havent heard back from her yet) and then test drive it until like 2 am or something? that way i could show up to meet her with your ride?

From: "Guy" To: "Tim Washington"

ok, kinda figured somthing like that. what part of "Downtown" do you work in? how much lawn care is there in the city? so are u interested in stopping by this weekend?

On 12/7/06, Tim Washington wrote:

Blank road, nice. thats so appropriate because i have my own lawn manicure company. thats why i was asking about the bags of leaves and the trunk room. at time i have haul bags of grass clippings and trim trimmings and stuff. and it actually helps that the windows are tinted because that way people cant see what i am doing. technically, this will be a company vehicle, which is why i was asking about the decals on teh windows. i might have to put my business on the windows for some free advertising. also sometimes on the side i work with a pawn shop in town helping them sell things on ebay. i really just handle the ebay side of the business, i dont work in the store or buy any merchandise.

Tee Double U

From: "Guy" To: "Tim Washington"

I live in Baltimore County. from Canton I'd say less then 20 minutes depending on traffic. Im in the City right now tho. I work on St. Paul Street. my house is XX Blank Road Baltimore Maryland XXXXX, if you want to look up a map

On 12/7/06, Tim Washington wrote:

well i live in canton and work downtown during the day, how far away is your house?

From: "Guy" To: "Tim Washington"

lol not sure of any exact numbers for acceleration, but it goes pretty good. as far as spinners, i never really wanted them on that car, and never really even thought of it. the front seats recline all the way back until they hit the front of the rear seats. I've had people sleep my in my passenger seat almost straight back. and so far nearly every CD i've played is burnt and i have never had any problem. the sound system sounds great on CD. depending on what type of music u listen to, it can make some nice bass.

On 12/7/06, Tim Washington wrote:

does it accelerate quickly? i have a friend who lost his liscense (dont ask) and as a result he rides his bike. he can get moving pretty quick and among my group of friends any car that beats him in a 30 foot race is fast. do you think it would win? hes no lance armstrong(although he might also be on drugs) but he is pretty fast. have you ever considering getting spinners? i was thinking about getting them on whatever new car that i guy, but with your already sweet almost dubs i probably wont. do the seats recline real far back? i like to lean back while driving. do you ever have any issues with burned CDs? i know some cars work fine with normal cds but any cd that was burned can be trouble. i have a few burned cds that i occasionally like to listen to (when I am in classical mood or need to focus on something.) i guess i could always buy the real cd if this were a problem but then thats another 10 bucks per cd. sorry for all my questions- but i appreciate your prompt responses.

From: Guy" To: "Tim Washington"

lol no, it was like the first week i got my car and was coming home from movies and as testing it out. um i havn't named my car, sorry, feel free too. yes the all the windows except front are tinted, including the back. i couldn't say the tint is too dark. it is 35, meaning 35% light gets through.my sister was 30, which was illegal, and i thought that was too dark, and now she has limo tints, like 5%. I think they apply gfx to the outside, not sure tho. the guy at the tinit place (D&L tinting) told me. 35% u can see someone is in the car and tell they are a guy or girl, 30% u can sell somone is there, less then 30 u cant see anyone. the P brake is right hand, you can see it in the fron interior pic i send. the wipers are um. gettin a little old, AutoZone told me to change them every 6 months, and i last changed them in the summer but i think still work fine. perfect mechanically or course. 2 Washer nozzles on the hood spray it. as far was blind spots, not really, its got pretty big windows all around and its got a good view.

On 12/7/06, Tim Washington wrote:

115? have you ever been chased by the cops? is this car stolen? sike im just playing. sounds like the backseat wont be an issue. iknow it sounds stupid, but i figure if i am buying a car i might as wellthink about the little things and try and find the perfect car. does your car have a name? if not its cool, just wondering. is the back window tinted? are the windows too dark to see graphics if i put some on the windows? is the parking brake a foot brake or a hand one? do you notice any blind spots when you drive? how are the winshield wipers? T U U (get it?)

From: "Guy" To: "Tim Washington"

lol, yea that is the rear trunk pass thru, its nice cause u can haul larger things. lol yea i just washed my car yesterday, and i plan on washing and detailing it nice thei friday after work. yea the trunk is big, i barly use it. I'd the backseat is plenty big, the pics i took, both seats are almost all the way back, when no one is in the back the passenger usually goes far back for the most space. but the passenger can easily pull the seat up and give plenty room to the back. I haul my friends around all the time and i've got no complaints. Yes it is a V4. its not bad, top speed/pick up is not an issue for me. Honestly, I've be 115 in it and it handles and goes just fine.

On 12/7/06, Tim Washington wrote:

J Dein- yeah, sorry i have been really busy at work. the pics looked good. seeing the condition of the exterior, i would say you are ridin dirty... (which is better than rollin white and nerdy...) ha, im just kidding. is that a picture of the connection from the trunk to the backseat? that looks like it might come in handy for myjob. the trunk size appears large enough for what i need it for. also, how would you rate the space of the backseat? i have never been in a galant but hopefully there will be two average sized adults back there if you know what i mean... it is a 4 cylinder right? how would you rate the speed and pickup? i cant be picking up girls in a busted hoopty, i would rather be pushing a nice ride, which it seems like you have.

T-Dubs

From: "Guy" Guys Email To: "Tim Washington"

hey, just wondering if your still interested in coming by this weekend to check my galant out, please get back with me if your still interested

On 12/5/06, Guy

thats my ad on www.cars.com on the top tab click Kelly Blue Book Value, and input the information, v4 engine, 61950 miles, then u have to pick the options, (power sun roof, power seat, leather, premium wheels, rear spoiler) those will not be checked but u needto check them to get correct price, then scroll down and pressrecalculate. Private Party Value: 7,875 --$8,725-- $9,360, thats fair, good, and excellent KBB values. If you have any other questions u can mail back for just call my XXX-XXX-XXXX. RIP-BIG

TWash20 Wrote:

hey J-thanks for the information. i will let you know about coming to take it fora spin this weekend. the rims look pretty sweet. is the tint legal? it looks pretty dark... it has a pretty large gas tank, what kind of milage do youget? what grade of gas does it take? does it have a 5th (spare) tire? if so is there a rim on that one?do you know the volume of the trunk? can you fit two sets of golf clubs? four trashbags of bagged leaves? just trying to get a sense if it will belarge enough for what I need it for. i need some space for all my junk (andsome other business related stuff...)do you know how they get they get the KBB values? who is kelley and why is the book blue? is 8700 the lowest you will go? also i have a friend at work who is also interested, so i will pass along the information to him.

TWash

ps nice email address. RIP BIG!

From: "Guy To: "Tim Washington"

Hello, those are the only 3 pictures i took. but i can save some more if you want, i will get a few more angles for you. The car was in 1 minor accident. it was hit and ran in a parking lot, put a small dent in the right rear quarter panel. i had it professional repaired a reported. there was no major damage, nor frame damage, the repair was around $300 and only damages the quater panel. You cannot notice it now since the repair, the paint match is perfect. i do not have a history report, but if you are serious after a test drive i can get on online instantly. I plan on selling to buy a new car. this was my first car and it ran great for a year, but now i have a new job and more income and im ready to get somthing a little more expensive. the car runs great nothing wrong at all. the tires a about 6 months old on 18" chrome akuza rims. no blown speakers, no stains. its really in great shape. if you want to give me a call just just reply back with a time you would like to come by thats great. anytime on the weekend is good for me, just give me enough notice before you come.

On 12/5/06, Tim Washington wrote:

Hey- I saw your ad for your 02 XXXX and I was interested. Do you have any other pictures? Has the car been in any accidents or do you have a vehicle history report? Why are you selling it? Please send me some information and maybe we can schedule a time to meet this weekend so I can take it for a test drive. Thanks- Timmy