OT: Deal of a lifetime...

[Lanse]

So there I was early this afternoon cleaning out my truck, and out of no where drives up this little dodge neon. I look out the back of my truck and see something towering over the car, which looks like a garden tiller of some kind. I assume its someone who heard of my welding and needs the thing fixed, so I hop out and walk up to him.

This friendly tweaker-ish guy gets out and is like "Hey... I saw you guys have a farm... Wanna buy a tiller?"

I was like "WTF?" But I kept a straight face and talked to him for a little bit. He clearly knew nothing about it and said he just bought some land and it was on it.. Which looking at him, and the beat-up old car I found hard to believe but I went with it. He said it runs, just needs a tune up, gas, spark plug, etc.

I said I wasnt that interested so I got out my iphone and took down his plate number and called my buddy who deals with a lot of small engines to make my actions seem legit... He said he wasnt interested, which I passed along to the guy, thanked him for his time and watched him drive off.

I then called my buddy back and told him what just happened and he about died laughing, which I did too. That was the most random thing I've ever had happen in my life, lol.

Afterward I called the local police department and asked the guy if he'd had any reports of a stolen garden tiller lately, he laughed and said no, "but if you have to ask, we very well might get one tonight". The salesman guy seemed nice and all so I didnt want to rat him out, so I just gave the police my name and number and said if one comes up missing "CALL ME". lol

Maybe he was legit, but its not every day someone tries to sell you a beat up rusty craftsman garden tiller out the back of a dodge neon. lol.

Oh sheeeit was great. I honestly thought about buying it, the guy said he'd seen them in good shape go for around $175 which I found hard to believe since I work part time at a local store that sells them new for $200, but he said he'd take $50 for it. I was VERY tempted for haggle him down to $20 or so, he seemed like he wanted to get rid of it pretty bad, but one of a few things would happen:

1) I'd have a $20 tiller that kinda runs that I have absolutely no interest in owning... Back in the day I used to mess with beater garden tractors and everything, I doubt my 13 year old self with little money and nothing to do would have wanted to mess with this old tiller.

2) It was stolen, the police would take it and I'd never see my $20 again...

3) The rightful owner would show up with the cops and give me my $20 back and thank me for my time (doubtful).

I know the local economy sucks, and I hope people honestly arent trying to sell things out of the backs of cars to feed their families, but somehow, I doubt that. lol.

haha that was awesome. This is my cool story of the day... Maybe I just missed out on the deal of a lifetime
 

[Dick2]

That's better than being charged with receiving stolen property.

If somebody comes in and declares that some of the stuff was stolen from them, the pawn shop owners usually hand it over and lose their money rather than get the police involved.
 

[504]

You never know, neighbor kid across the road is in jail for stealing over 20,000.00 worth of stuff all around here, lawn mowers three wheelers tires going through cars for loose change.(and my place is never locked and the barn doesn't even have a door, and I am missing nothing.)
 

[Steve A W]

Dick2
It's not like that here in Indiana.
A Guy I worked for had to buy His tools back from the pawn shop. They even had his name engraved on them.
Police said He would have to sue the person that sold them to the pawn shop.
The Guy was busted, but nothing happened to Him!

Steve A W
 

[PJH]

You never know about someone. We were laying blacktop on a state highway one day, when the cops drove up and cuffed the finish roller operator and drove off with him. He went to prison for stealing small stuff like that. Had a barn full of stolen goods. Had a good job, family, nice home. . . Must have been a thrill for him somehow. Kinda ticked me off tho - they coulda waited 'til quitting time - it put us in a bind.
 

[TomH in PA]

A couple of years ago my BIL ordered a pizza, delivery guy brought it, was paid and left. About fifteen minutes later BIL looks out the window and sees the pizza guy is back. He knocked on the neighbor's door holding a pizza box (no answer), he then snuck into neighbor's garage and stole a snowblower. Cops didn't have any trouble solving that crime.

Keep an eye on your shop for a few days. It sounds like the guy was using the tiller as an excuse to pull into your driveway. I doubt he was just trying to sell you a piece of scrap metal for $50.
 

[Wile E]

I have seen that a few times in my life.
When I was 19 I was driving home from a shop that I worked at and was at a busy intersection. These 2 guys look over at me in my car windows are down. (it was nice weather) and say, "hey do you wanna buy a car stereo" I say, "gee.....it isnt stolen is it?" The guys says, "NO, of course not" I laughed at him and the light turned green and off I went. Those types of people are the scum of the earth. They will steal anything and try to fence it. What is bad is when homes are broken into and it is TVs, computers, guns, jewelry, even furniture, car parts, the list goes on. A whole industry exists in stolen crap. And Craigslist and Ebay help it all out.
 

[Don-Wi]

Had a guy pull in with a log splitter behind his car like that. Was a really nice heavy one, but something just didn't seem right and was asking too much in my opinion. He was talking to my brother who had split the pile of wood that drew this guy in. Shot him an offer about 1/2 of what he wanted, and when the guy said "nah" he basically turned him away.

Donovan from Wisconsin