Avoided disaster today

[SS427]

That is why you hire an honest and professional inspector and not a "flipper". One that is an expert on one or a couple of specific types of cars (in my case, 1970 Chevelles ONLY) instead of someone who will inspect anything for a buck. The only time I ever 'suggest' a client to pass is if the car is fake, restamped or has fake paperwork. If the car is a turd he will read that in my 11 page report. If it is overpriced, that is not for me to decide and is totally between the buyer and the seller.

[tom406]

I'm going to weigh in here since I've been doing appraisals since the mid 90's and specific pre-purchase inspections for the last decade or two and feel like my two cents might be relevant. The appraisal/inspection field is largely unregulated-the regulations that do exist vary from state to state and are mostly in the insurance claim realm. First and foremost, you need to interview and do some research on the person or company you're looking at hiring. The bulk of auto appraisers out there are geared toward the largest easiest market-evaluating late model damage claims. Many of the field inspectors don't know or understand vintage cars. However, many appraisers still come from a vintage car background-like me. You need to identify them and make sure they are on the same page as you as far as knowledge and what to look for.

I agree with Rick that someone with a good reputation who is an expert in a single marque or model are the ideal (and I would be the first in line to pay Rick if I was looking at buying a six figure LS6), but they are often booked out/unavailable. I will inspect any vehicle for my fee-but I'm clear with my customers about what vehicles I'm most familiar with and what my limitations are. I'm much more comfortable determining what is correct on a 1966 Corvette or Mustang compared to a 1966 Ferrari or Porsche, but I've been around enough to know what a "good" car is. For the purposes of this discussion, it might be time or money-wise to hire someone like me quickly and somewhat locally for less than $500 to determine whether or not the vehicle is worth securing a deposit, or justifies the effort and expense of putting someone like Rick, Roy Sinor, JM or Galen on a plane to perform a final inspection before transferring funds.

This is another area where inspectors have to have scruples. I've spoken about how I can't just buy the the cars I'm hired to look at without a glaring conflict of interest. As Rick says, if I'm hired to look at a car, my job is to look at the car-not tell them where a better car or a better deal is. That's a different job. I've only offered up "options" after they pass on the vehicle at hand and later explicitly ask me for recommendations, which typically only comes after my report has displayed my expertise and judgement in a way that resonates.

Finally, don't be afraid to still interview people with great reps and listen to your gut if you feel like you're being sold some magic beans. The wheel&deal side of this hobby is seductive and it is absolutely intoxicating when it is lucrative. There are some very knowledgable restorers out there whose quality and correctness standards didn't necessarily stay consistent after they started brokering cars more than they restored them.

[dykstra]

Originally Posted by SS427

That is why you hire an honest and professional inspector and not a "flipper". One that is an expert on one or a couple of specific types of cars (in my case, 1970 Chevelles ONLY) instead of someone who will inspect anything for a buck. The only time I ever 'suggest' a client to pass is if the car is fake, restamped or has fake paperwork. If the car is a turd he will read that in my 11 page report. If it is overpriced, that is not for me to decide and is totally between the buyer and the seller.

Originally Posted by tom406

I'm going to weigh in here since I've been doing appraisals since the mid 90's and specific pre-purchase inspections for the last decade or two and feel like my two cents might be relevant. The appraisal/inspection field is largely unregulated-the regulations that do exist vary from state to state and are mostly in the insurance claim realm. First and foremost, you need to interview and do some research on the person or company you're looking at hiring. The bulk of auto appraisers out there are geared toward the largest easiest market-evaluating late model damage claims. Many of the field inspectors don't know or understand vintage cars. However, many appraisers still come from a vintage car background-like me. You need to identify them and make sure they are on the same page as you as far as knowledge and what to look for.

I agree with Rick that someone with a good reputation who is an expert in a single marque or model are the ideal (and I would be the first in line to pay Rick if I was looking at buying a six figure LS6), but they are often booked out/unavailable. I will inspect any vehicle for my fee-but I'm clear with my customers about what vehicles I'm most familiar with and what my limitations are. I'm much more comfortable determining what is correct on a 1966 Corvette or Mustang compared to a 1966 Ferrari or Porsche, but I've been around enough to know what a "good" car is. For the purposes of this discussion, it might be time or money-wise to hire someone like me quickly and somewhat locally for less than $500 to determine whether or not the vehicle is worth securing a deposit, or justifies the effort and expense of putting someone like Rick, Roy Sinor, JM or Galen on a plane to perform a final inspection before transferring funds.

This is another area where inspectors have to have scruples. I've spoken about how I can't just buy the the cars I'm hired to look at without a glaring conflict of interest. As Rick says, if I'm hired to look at a car, my job is to look at the car-not tell them where a better car or a better deal is. That's a different job. I've only offered up "options" after they pass on the vehicle at hand and later explicitly ask me for recommendations, which typically only comes after my report has displayed my expertise and judgement in a way that resonates.

Finally, don't be afraid to still interview people with great reps and listen to your gut if you feel like you're being sold some magic beans. The wheel&deal side of this hobby is seductive and it is absolutely intoxicating when it is lucrative. There are some very knowledgable restorers out there whose quality and correctness standards didn't necessarily stay consistent after they started brokering cars more than they restored them.

Originally Posted by SS427

In addition to what Tom stated, check out inspector's references and Google them as well and know up front what you are getting for your money. I have been asked several times over the years (for a LARGE sum of cash money) to look the other way on some inspections and to not mention some of the bad things I found (restamped drivetrain, fake paperwork, rebody or known history of the car) on my report. If you come across ANY inspector who would take these bribes, my advice to you would be to run and run quickly. It won't be long before these inspectors reputations will follow them and after a while ALL their inspections will be questioned and people will second guess every car with their stamp of approval on it. That car could be yours. It has happened in the past and will happen again. I can guarantee if I ever have actual in hand proof of this happening I will publicly bury them. It floors me when I see prominent members of this hobby stooping to this level and once again, all over the proverbial dollar meanwhile likely screwing one of their friends who might be the one to later purchase one of these cars. Inspectors can save you tens of thousands if not hundreds of thousands of dollars on a possible purchase so it is very wise to hire one, just make sure you know who you are getting. Cheaper is not always better and the very expensive ones sometimes come with a catch. About a year ago I was told by someone that he hires "X" to do his inspections because he will certify their car as being real no matter what it takes. Seriously?

These discussions are worth every penny and more for the membership fee to be on this great site.
The incredible knowledge on this site always astounds me.