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The Next Project

Come Monday a phone call is made to the number on the sign at the quarry which according to a map is in Rosedale where the truck sits quietly on the grass. A charming girl answers and acknowledges that she knows of the truck but also states that she is not the person to talk to. She takes my phone number and says that Dad will ring you tomorrow.

Tomorrow comes and I don’t expect a call. Mr Gullible knows from passed situations that you need to be the person pushing the deal because no one else wants to bother. Can always ring back in a few days and try again. Lunch comes and no call, just as I am about to return to work the phone rings with an unknown number on the screen. The chap says. “I hear you are interested in the truck, what is it worth to you?”

Now that is direct and saves me the hassle of small talk about what he is going to do with the truck? A number of dollars is suggested and a quick yes is replied. You know you have offered too much when that happens. But it was still up to the inspection as I had only seen it from the gate. And what did I find when I did the inspection?

Of the six tyres four are in need of air but at least they have not got flat bottoms. The brake pedal drops straight to the floor. No fluid in the master cylinder and can’t get the cap off. The cab has a fair bit of rust but most will be repairable. The gearbox is tight and no slop in the gear shift. The water level is to the top of the radiator the engine oil is nice and black. This truck has sat for two years he says although it was last registered in 04. And did I mention that it was not an F500 but an F700 and a tipper to boot.

Now being a 700 ups the GVM (gross vehicle mass). So who cares? It means I have to up my drivers licence once again.
A final negotiation is had and a very minimum of money is offered, about a quarter of its value in scrap metal. How is Mr Gullible’s luck holding out? Is this another disaster or will something go right for a change?