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Mother of soon to be 3 cheated out of my last $1800.00

My name is Angela. I have 2 beautiful children and I'm 7 months pregnant. Yesturday (01/26/2011) I bought a car with only 64,000 miles on it from my elderly neighbor of over 10 years. I don't know about anyone else but knowing someone for that long, the trust is there. I thought this was a great deal considering that I only had 1800 dollars to my name. The very next morning while taking my husband to work I got stranded on I4 by myself, surprise surprise this car had blown head gaskets. I eventually made it back to my home to speak with my neighbor. Considering that I only bought the car the previous day and thinking friendship of neighbors I thought I knew pretty well that he would be considerate of the situation and give me at least half if not all of my money back. I thought it would not only be fair but christian like. But I was so wrong. He flat out told me it was my problem, leaving me, my husband and my children out the money and without a car to get to and from work or school. Now I'm so confused and frustrated that I feel lost and beaten. I do not know what our family will do for now but God is on our side and I will continue to pray day after day. Thanks for listening and if anyone has any advice it would be greatly appreciated.

Tags: Confused, Lost, Sad, Tired

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Permalink Reply by Ronald S. Alexander on January 27, 2011 at 11:45pm

sorry about your misfortune.

don't be so trusting from now on.

 

 

Permalink Reply by Ryann Sands on January 28, 2011 at 6:53am
While it's possible that this is a 'sob story', asking the poster why she is pregnant is irrelevent.  She is, and that is a fact that cannot be changed nor does it need to be debated.  She isn't asking for a handout, but some advice.  Advice has been given and it looks like what happened to the car was sudden and probably not something that the seller was hiding.  If you have nothing to contribute, why try to hurt someone more?

Harley said:
Most catastrophic head gasket failure is sudden and without warning. Most failures at sustained high speeds (interstate driving) are due to loss of water circulation and the resulting severe overheating. You didn't say how old the car was, but with only 64,000 miles on it and elderly drivers, I would bet the car hasn't seen much sustained high speed driving recently. Did you have a mechanic check the car over before you bought it? Did you check the water level and cooling system before you drove it on the interstate? Did you even look at the temperature gauge? I wouldn't be so quick to blame your neighbor. Unless he had knowledge of a head gasket leak (and that's highly unlikely) I don't know why you would expect him to buy back a broken car that he did not break. Cheated? I highly doubt it. Sounds like a sob story to me. BTW: Why are you having another child if you can't afford it?
Permalink Reply by Phyllis Yvonne Johnson on January 28, 2011 at 9:00am
My heart goes out to you. Life is not always easy or fair. I wish I had the answer to your dilemma. Let me just say that you will make it. I have struggled too in life and for whatever reason we always make it. I wish I could help you financially. Congratulatins on your new addition soon to be arriving. Please don't let the negative people get you discouraged.
Permalink Reply by kimpsbl2 on January 28, 2011 at 12:14pm

Just some brainstorming, not from personal experience, but ....

 

Can you take it to one of those lots that say they will buy your car even if you don't buy theirs?

 

And I wonder where people sell their scrap metal for $$ you hear about people doing that.

 

If you are in college (you mentioned school), you might check with the financial aid office for a scholarship.

 

What about your parents, maybe they can help.

 

Good luck. It's hard out there in this economy.

Permalink Reply by Cindy on January 28, 2011 at 12:53pm
You didnt mention what year and make your car is, but if it has less than 100 thousand miles on it, you didnt get a bad deal for 1800 bucks. If you did not blow your motor driving it hot, you can get your head gasket repaired and still be up on this deal. Your neighbor may be just as lost, confused, sad and as tired as you are. All may not be lost..Good luck.
Permalink Reply by Chasidy Chaisson on January 28, 2011 at 1:18pm
Take him to small claims court sweety and get your money back if its only been a day or so you have a case that you will win for sure
Permalink Reply by Angela Youngblood on January 28, 2011 at 8:55pm
If you thought my intentions were to write a sob story for pity or handouts, your sadly mistaken. Forgive me for being well worded. The fact is I was only venting out loud, which I'm sure every woman needs to do from time to time. As far as believing whether I created the story, that's fine, everyone has an opinion and think what you may. God knows that I only intended to let my hard day out in some way. There are many people out there the same as me that live pay check to pay check that aren't fortunate enough to be well off, or perhaps just started out rough and is only trying to survive. I may be broke but I will take care of my family in anyway necessary, as I'm sure most mothers would say about there family as well. I think everyone for there advice and appreciate the positive and negative alike. Bless you all.
Permalink Reply by Chasidy Chaisson on January 28, 2011 at 9:18pm
Just click on Harley and on the left side click block messages from him! Ignorant people in this world honey! I understand you were just trying to let out some anger and stress and you are free to do so anytime and don't need the negative comments. God bless you and your family!
Permalink Reply by Jmarr on February 1, 2011 at 10:01pm

I would hope that a neighbor of 10 yrs wouldn't deliberately sell you a car that he knew would break down, especially with you having little ones and being pregnant. I don't think he would do that, unless you have some reason to suspect he doesn't like you and tried to set you up. If that is the case, then I wouldn't buy anything from him.

 

I think this was just a case of an older person maybe not keeping up with the maintenance on his car...or like others have said...it was just bad timing, or the car was not usually driven on highways and reacted accordingly.

 

I probably would have confided in him that I was stuck on 1-4 and calmly explained what happened...not making any accusations or asking for money back. I would ask if he ever noticed any problems with the car..or when was the last time he had mainenance done, explaining the situation. If I were that neighbor, seeing your situation, I would probably feel really bad and perhaps offer to help pay for the repairs...or to give you a ride somewhere, but I don't think I would offer to buy the car back...especially if you had a mechanic look at it, and there was no indication that anything was wrong with it. In my situation, if I were to sell a car today, I would be SO grateful and that money would be gone immediately (towards MANY bills). I imagine most people are in the same situation these days. He probably used that money to pay bills, and couldn't give it back to you if he wanted to.  

 

Feel free to vent to us. I may not agree that he should give you your money back, but I still understand your frustration. I hope your neighbor can at least lend a helping hand.

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