How much stalking is too much stalking?

"Just Jeepin'" (macintux)
09/02/2020 at 17:25 • Filed to: money in my pocket but I just can't get no love

And no, I’m not talking about !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

I have a problem. I finally have money to buy a manual XJ. There are not one but two manual I6 4wd XJs for sale near me, both in rough condition but both appear good enough, especially the more expensive one. I want it. I want it badly.

The very rough one:

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

The less-rough one:

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

I can’t get the sellers to contact me.

Craigslist: the seller only has an email, hidden from the world, and I’ve sent it requests from two different email addresses, starting Saturday evening . No reply to either address.

Facebook is tough: my account there has been deactivated for about 20 months now, and I really don’t want to reactivate it.

So I asked a family member to send a message with my cell phone number Monday morning . No response. I probably need to have someone else send it with “and he has money and is prepared to come buy it yesterday”.

So my question: should I keep hammering either seller? What’s the etiquette here?

Photo of a 3rd local manual XJ for your time. This one’s on FB so I haven’t pursued it yet.

If anyone cares to send the Facebook seller another message with a more urgent tone, please feel free to drop me an email at !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and I’ll send you my cell number.

DISCUSSION (39)

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Just Jeepin'
09/02/2020 at 17:34

David Tracy has one he’ll sell you.

Just Jeepin' > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
09/02/2020 at 17:34

There’s rough, and then there’s rough .

jminer > Just Jeepin'
09/02/2020 at 17:45

I’ll admit when I’m selling stuff on FB I don’t usually reply to inquiries of ‘call this dude please’

The only reason I haven’t shut down my FB account is marketplace. I vastly prefer CL, but it’s dead for both buying and selling around here except for a few things.

Just Jeepin' > jminer
09/02/2020 at 17:47

I just hate to be engulfed by the politics and stupidity again. Maybe I can sneak in and back out again without too much collateral damage.

smobgirl > Just Jeepin'
09/02/2020 at 17:47

What sort of email did you send from Craigslist? I ignored about 90% of emails I got if they didn’t ask relevant questions or show some sign of being a human with an acute interest in the specific car I had listed.

Just Jeepin' > smobgirl
09/02/2020 at 17:49

The first one was asking whether I could come see it , the 2nd I gave my number. I’m ready to see and buy, the only questions I really have are ones I’d rather get answered in person by looking at it.

I didn’t expect this to be like dating, where being too eager kills the deal.

E90M3 > Just Jeepin'
09/02/2020 at 17:51

There’s rough, and then there’s rough . Then there are David Tracy’s cars.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Just Jeepin'
09/02/2020 at 17:53

Blue one is ugly tin worm. Pass. Black one ugly mods. Strain on drive train components from too-large wheels?

Want help contacting through FB? Email me: oliphant.chuckerbutty@gmail.com

smobgirl > Just Jeepin'
09/02/2020 at 17:53

I just didn’t want to get murdered by someone sending form responses to every car listed under $1,000. So I ignored all of them, even requests to see it.

MM54 > Just Jeepin'
09/02/2020 at 17:55

I’ve typically had horrible luck with emailing people through craigslist, pretty much if they have a phone number to call there’s a decent chance they’ll answer; if it’s a number to text it’s 50/50 on a reply. Email is like 1 in 10.

Just Jeepin' > MM54
09/02/2020 at 18:01

Why bother posting if you’re not interested in selling? Frustrating.

jminer > Just Jeepin'
09/02/2020 at 18:03

I do not look at the feed at all anymore - if I open the app it’s to click the marketplace tab and nothing else.

It’s even worse on there than it used to be with people interactions.

I’m in agreement with you though about how awful it is and would rather be using CL but there’s just not much activity there anymore.

Just Jeepin' > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
09/02/2020 at 18:03

Yeah, the most interesting thing about the blue one is the price. I figure I can patch it if t he underbody is ok.

I’m not too worried about the big tires : Dana 30 is a pretty capable axle (says the man who reads a lot but knows personally nothing) . Definitely worth keeping an eye on the other components, but the axle is the most expensive concern.

I’ll drop you a note, thanks. If that doesn’t work I’ll bite the bullet and reopen my account.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Just Jeepin'
09/02/2020 at 18:08

Make a new FB account and don’t add any friends, just use it for Star Trek Shit posting and FB market place.

Just Jeepin' > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
09/02/2020 at 18:10

I tried that (minus the shit posting) but FB warned me I wouldn’t be able to hit Marketplace for a while and shortly thereafter suspended my account because I violated some rule. Which I assume means I looked at Marketplace and then vanished.

SiennaMan > Just Jeepin'
09/02/2020 at 18:55

Did you use the same email address for the burner account? Are you accessing it in the app or a web browser? I feel like it should be possible to setup a FB burner account whose only purpose is car shopping without getting dinged, but maybe you have to take one or two precautions (I also could be wrong and find that as I’m typing this my FB account i s getting labeled as a trouble maker for trying to help people violate the ToC..)

Just Jeepin' > SiennaMan
09/02/2020 at 19:01

I took the basic precautions (different email address, actually different domain entirely) but it was snuf fed out quickly. I imagine that “create new account, immediately go to Marketplace” is a common enough scam/burner tactic that FB has automated systems to recognize and exterminate such accounts.

I could probably create a new burner and start pretending to be real for a while, but I wouldn’t have any friends, so that’d be a red flag, and I don’t expect to be shopping again for another vehicle for a long time.

SiennaMan > Just Jeepin'
09/02/2020 at 19:09

Hmm. Where you on a pc or cell phone? I feel like it’s easier for them to pierce the veil on cellphones. Hmm, this makes me think what we really need is one (or more?) shared oppo FB accounts for the sole purpose of car shshopping.I say multiple since it’d look pretty suspect to get interest in a $5000 car from 3 states away)

One advantage of multiple burners is they could “friend” each other which would make all of them less suspicious but not create undesirable content..

Just Jeepin' > SiennaMan
09/02/2020 at 19:11

I’m sure FB is smart enough to recognize a ring of burners with no friends outside the circle.

I used a laptop, one I’ve never used to log in to Facebook.

SiennaMan > Just Jeepin'
09/02/2020 at 19:14

Dang. Maybe the whole thing with the Russians 4 years ago has gotten them paranoid. I'm increasingly curious now as to how strong their capabilities are..

jeepoftheseus > Just Jeepin'
09/02/2020 at 19:53

You do you and all, and unsolicited advice is never welcome, but I’d put that money in making the one Jeep that you do have how you want it. Owning two broken Jeeps will have you back in a car payment within half a year. I get the project XJ bug ( especially sleeper style, prefacelift, but with lockers and a stroker, drool ) every six months or so but keep having to talk myself out of it. There is too much overlap in capability with an XJ and a TJ/LJ unless you’ve got a Chrysler sized hole in your heart that only two Jeeps will fill.

The sunk cost fallacy has me owning my TJ (or at least parts of it) until either I die or it burns to the ground. I wouldn’t double down with either of these XJ examples personally. Sorry if this comes off blunt.

jeepoftheseus > jeepoftheseus
09/02/2020 at 19:53

TLDR I want Just Jeepin’ to keep Jeepin’

Just Jeepin' > jeepoftheseus
09/02/2020 at 20:00

I appreciate the advice. Fundamentally it comes down to this: what makes me happiest is exploring rural Indiana, and I enjoy the freedom that a capable 4wd vehicle gives me.

Since my Jeep is in the shop so much, having a capable backup makes that more predictable . I’ve canceled more than one excursion (including a big Jeep event that my dad and I were going to attend together in the UP, which I greatly lament) because it was broken.

Plus in the winter the soft top doesn’t buy me anything, so I can drive the XJ instead, stretch out the lifetime of my LJ perhaps.

So, yeah, there’s a risk here, but I’ve already experienced for years the alternative. I’d like to give this a try.

jeepoftheseus > Just Jeepin'
09/02/2020 at 20:08

Sooo you’re telling me you need to convince your dad to buy a Jeep!

I jest, only because my dad bought an LJ a week or so ago. No excursions planned yet though. I get wanting to avoid the winter in an LJR for sure. These frames don’t like salt at all. Go for it then my fellow JeepOppo. I just had to throw my unsolicited two cent in.

Just Jeepin' > jeepoftheseus
09/02/2020 at 20:12

Trust me, I’ve tried. He has this silly idea that Jeeps are impractical and unreliable. Can’t imagine where he got that impression.

I really do appreciate the two cents. I tend to get a bit romantic with my notions; I almost went to look at this tired, sad flatfender before sanity finally kicked in and I realized that I lack the skills and money and garage to try to maintain such a useless toy, no matter how much fun it would be to cruise town in it.

https://tippecanoe.craigslist.org/cto/d/newtown-48-willys/7174280665.html

jeepoftheseus > Just Jeepin'
09/02/2020 at 20:14

It’s the anti-Jeep conglomerates I’m sure! Yeah that Willys is going to need some special frame off love.

Just Jeepin' > jeepoftheseus
09/02/2020 at 20:24

I have to admit, this one is calling my name too...

https://cincinnati.craigslist.org/cto/d/milford-1978-jeep-cherokee-2-door/7188327683.html

MossInTheUSA > Just Jeepin'
09/02/2020 at 20:30

My advice. If you can do the rust repair/body work yourself, buy the first one.

I’ve always had a soft spot for the 2 door XJ and I personally think they perform better on and off road. Plus, I’m betting you could snag it for less than asking giving you plenty of budge room to upgrade as you see fit.

Since you brought up s talking, want me to send the listing to my buddy that lived in Anderson and see if he can actually find it? That town isn’t too big and he’s a car guy, so he’d likely be down for the adventure.

Just Jeepin' > MossInTheUSA
09/02/2020 at 20:40

Unfortunately I have exactly zero relevant skills, tools, or knowledge to make the repairs. I figured I’d hack up some sort of patch for the more egregious problems and sooner or later outsource it to someone more competent.

I’ve been wanting a 4 door because I‘m tired of having limited access to my back seat in my LJ, but Tristan made a similar point, said he never much liked the back doors in his XJ, so I may well be wrong.

Anyway, s ure, that’d be great! Unfortunately the backdrop is a very generic apartment complex, but maybe something in those photos stands out to your friend . I’ve certainly contemplated going to try to find it myself.

He can drop me a note at oppo@epep.us if he spots it.

Just Jeepin' > MossInTheUSA
09/02/2020 at 20:45

I should have asked: are you in Indiana? Do you still have that awesome CJ?

I’m planning an occasional “meet” of sorts: https://oppositelock.kinja.com/southern-indiana-meetup-a-modest-proposal-1844736167

MossInTheUSA > Just Jeepin'
09/02/2020 at 20:53

My Indiana residence tour started in South Bend. Then Muncie. Then Indianapolis.

Now I’m in Michigan but still chat with a fair amount of folks from my Indiana days.

The CJ still lives and breathes (sometimes). Currently getting an overhaul (mostly cosmetic but also, the wiring was a nightmare) at the shop. Hopefully she’ll be good for some adventures next spring.

If you’re ever in the Grand Rapids area on any of your adventures, holler!

Just Jeepin' > MossInTheUSA
09/02/2020 at 21:09

I desperately need to get to northern Michigan. Twice I’ve registered for, and twice I’ve had to cancel, attending the Jeep Jamboree on Drummond Island.

Once I had to cancel because my front differential was busted because my LJ is so incredibly unreliable, one motivation for picking up an XJ.

jeepoftheseus > Just Jeepin'
09/02/2020 at 21:14

Okay well yeah t hat’s worth having two money pits. For sure.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Just Jeepin'
09/02/2020 at 22:30

When the seller is not bogus or a d**k, I usually do pretty well with them.

Just Jeepin' > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
09/02/2020 at 22:32

Fingers crossed. Thanks again.

Now I need to figure out who to drag out there with me to drive it (or my JL) back.

JMKarstetter > Just Jeepin'
09/02/2020 at 23:05

Or how about you make a trip of it and come down south and get one like this one?

2 doors and manual, as well as some tasteful (except the paint) mods.

https://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/cto/d/wichita-manual-89-jeep-cherokee-4x4/7180366004.html

These two are 4 doors and autos, but in good shape.

https://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/cto/d/edmond-1995-jeep-cherokee-2x4/7187360539.html

https://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/ctd/d/oklahoma-city-1999-jeep-cherokee/7181973092.html

I can check my local FB marketplace if you are interested in the trip.

Just Jeepin' > JMKarstetter
09/02/2020 at 23:10

That is a nice one; curious how he damaged the visor while rock climbing.

But that’s a good 12 hour drive for me, a bit much logistically just to get there, much less to get it back, especially everything going on.

There was a fantastic M7 15 for sale in Delaware or Maryland this spring, absolutely stunning, and I just couldn’t justify making the trip at the height of the epidemic. #firstworldproblems

MossInTheUSA > Just Jeepin'
09/03/2020 at 10:41

Holy shit. I sent him the craigslist link and he knew EXACTLY where that was.

It’s a gated apartment complex unfortunately, so he can’t get inside to leave a note on the Jeep. He did say if he saw it parked elsewhere he would though. Hahahaha.

Just Jeepin' > MossInTheUSA
09/03/2020 at 10:45

Huh, small world. Thanks. Ask him for the name/location of the complex so I can keep an eye out if I’m in the area.