Important Update 14 JAN 06 I called Tony Chiofolo today and reached him at his house. I wanted to confirm that he's been receiving my emails, but he said he hasn't. He explained that they bought a new computer "a month or month and a half ago" and that maybe something got lost or changed. I then asked him to verify his email address and he provided a different address. The one I have been using for him sounds like a personal address. The one he provided today sounds like a business address. I explained to Tony that I have some problems with the car not matching the descriptions he had provided. I started to give some examples and his first reaction was, "It's a 38 year old car." I tried to stress the point that I hadn't bought just "a 38 year old car," but a 38 year old car that had been described a certain way. His position appears to be that a) I got the car at a fair price, and b) that I shouldn't have expected perfection in a 38 year old car. He also suggested several times that, if I wasn't happy, I should simply sell the car to someone else. He claims I'd have no problem getting my money back--although he later said most of the bids he had received were in the $8k-10.5k range before he offered me the 2nd chance purchase (note that the range of bids received align perfectly with the appraisal given me by CJ Pony Parts in Harrisburg, PA). At one point he even implied that if I sold it at a loss, he might talk to the previous owner to see if they could, between them, help cover the loss. I have no desire, however, to sell the car. As I've stated elsewhere, it's a great project car. I'm looking forward to handing it down to my son in a few years. I simply want what I was promised. Tony also said I shouldn't be worried about putting money into repairs. He assures me that the repairs will simply make the car worth even more, and that it will appreciate each year. Naturally, I cede that point--putting more money into the car will make it worth more (up to a certain point), and classic cars do tend to appreciate in value, if they're well maintained. However, I'm more concerned with the facts at hand--the car was misrepresented for sale. An interesting note: At one point Tony told me that "whatever you spend [to fix up the car], you'll triple the value of the car." He then mentioned a potential sale price (in perfect condition) of $22k-24k. Unless my math is way off, that implies a current value of around $8k. Perhaps this was a Freudian slip on his part. Another interesting note: During the call, Tony said he believed this car is "probably in the top 100 Mustangs in the United States." This was something he also told me in a phone call prior to the purchase but I was surprised to hear him repeat it. Having been to enough car shows to see some truly clean Mustangs, I simply don't see this as realistic. I have now re-sent the information I originally sent to the earlier email address and I've asked him to compare the photos and information on this website to the descriptions he provided. I want to know, after that, if he actually believes I got what was promised. I've requested his response by 1/18. I continue to hope we can resolve this dispute without legal involvement. Rob Allison, 14JAN06 (Close this window to return to the Dispute Overview page.) |