Mooney Purchase Request

[Brandontwalker]

I received the attached letter in the mail today.  Frankly, I am not sure what to think about the letter.  Several words (e.g., ambitious, eager, optimistic, desperate...) immediately came to mind, but, more than anything else, I thought it was just plain weird.  If this was you, not attempting to hurt feelings or anything, but maybe you should stick to the constants like Controller, Barnstormers, or the new one started by our Jessie (can't remember the name though).  Did anyone else receive this letter?  For privacy purposes, I have redacted personal information.

Edited August 29, 2018 by Brandontwalker

[Jerry 5TJ]

I get letters frequently—well, every few months—from brokers who want to know if I’ll sell my plane.   

The letter you got is a bit more folksy but in the same vein. 

[toto]

9 minutes ago, Jerry 5TJ said:

I get letters frequently—well, every few months—from brokers who want to know if I’ll sell my plane.   

The letter you got is a bit more folksy but in the same vein. 

It wouldn't surprise me if this *is* a broker with a cleverer approach than usual. 

[Hank]

44 minutes ago, Jerry 5TJ said:

I get letters frequently—well, every few months—from brokers who want to know if I’ll sell my plane.   

The letter you got is a bit more folksy but in the same vein. 

The ones I get are oversized postcards, thick glossy stock, 4 color photos and large print. They go straight into the trash . . . .

[tangogawd]

I'd say that's clever. I've heard of people reaching out to owners of planes doing the same.... and finding such a plane. Many people are on the fence of selling, so on. There are tons of planes for "sale" without ever being on the market. And, honestly, my best buys, (I've owned 7 planes) have been from people who have haven't advertised. 

 

You thinking of selling? Look into it, throw him a price.

If not, toss it out. 

[N9405V]

I’ve see these all the time in real estate. One of the things people are taught is to “dumb down” the letter so it doesn’t feel like it’s coming from a big corporation or someone the does this all the time.

I’m not sure the research is that good if they think they’ll get a J for that price and meet those criteria.


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[Brandontwalker]

I’ve see these all the time in real estate. One of the things people are taught is to “dumb down” the letter so it doesn’t feel like it’s coming from a big corporation or someone the does this all the time.

I’m not sure the research is that good if they think they’ll get a J for that price and meet those criteria.


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The price falls well below the mark. It certainly didn’t peak my interest.


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[Jerry 5TJ]

When I was ready to sell my E model 20+ years ago I answered one of those postcards.  They offered $17,000.  

I sold it for $54,000 a few months later via Trade a Plane.     

[SantosDumont]

Please sell me your well maintained airplane at a discount of 50%. I will then proceed to be broke so I’ll tie it down outside and defer maintenance as much as possible until I’m forced to sell it for 150% of my purchase price. 

[Niko182]

I laughed because you can still read the contact info

[ArtVandelay]

No, I have a J, so if using FAA DB I would assume I would get one too. Have you given your address to MAPA or some other organization?

[Brandontwalker]

I laughed because you can still read the contact info

I tried. Your eyes are better than mine.


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[Brandontwalker]

No, I have a J, so if using FAA DB I would assume I would get one too. Have you given your address to MAPA or some other organization?

No, not a MAPA member. My wife tossed the envelope, but I assume it was addressed to my business (which owns the plane).


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[Yetti]

I got a call asking if I owned the property.   Yes.  He explained he buys property.   Asked If I was interested in selling.   I said sure, he asked the price I would sell at.   I gave a price about $250K over the market.    He said he would call me back.

 

Called me back and said he had done a market survey.  Then said the market was at this price and he was an investor and he could not make money at the price I gave.    Started to try and talk me down.   I said he asked at what price I wanted to sell.  He said that was not an interesting price.   I said "Well I guess you are not interested in my property are you?"   He said "no"  and we parted ways. 

 

Explain again why it is my job for you to make money?

Edited August 30, 2018 by Yetti

[Oldguy]

Got the same letter yesterday addressed to the LLC that owns my plane. Being as I am also in Alabama like @Brandontwalker, maybe he is just papering the J owners close to him.

His offer is missing a digit to buy my J. 

[FloridaMan]

51 minutes ago, Yetti said:

 

Explain again why it is my job for you to make money?

That is something that took me a while to realize as an adult. "Well, we won't make any money if..." "Then don't do the deal"  If you want to see me get visibly agitated and ruthless in my words, try to use an appeal to emotion to get me to take a bad deal. 

On another note, both of my airplanes were purchased with patience. My beautiful M20F was about to be listed. A PPI that I had scheduled with Wilmar fell through; I called Wilmar to cancel it on their calendar, and out of disappointment, asked if they knew of any others about to go on the market. I ended up buying my M20F for well over what I'd budgeted and have had no regrets. My Rocket was similar. I crossed the country to go look at a different Rocket. The Rocket I bought was listed as a 231 and had a deposit already placed on it. The buyer backed out, I realized it was a rocket and not a 231, and I bought it. In the case of both airplanes, it might look like I got lucky, but it was really just patience. I started opening myself to purchase either of them two years before actually going through with the purchase and it seems like it took two years for a suitable plane at the right price to cross paths with me. 

I suspect my LoPresti M20F will be an excellent aircraft for whoever buys it when I decide to sell it. 

[steingar]

What honestly amazes me is guys who send out mailers like the one in this thread get enough takers to make nay kind of living.  I suppose folks down on their luck see it as a good thing perhaps.  Or just folks who are unwary.

[smccray]

$75K isn't enough to buy the plane he wants to buy.  Maybe he'll get a taker, and it's reasonable that beating the bushes he'll find a plane that needs to go, but it'll be difficult.  If a buyer wants a discounted price, the buyer needs to make it easy on the seller.  It's difficult for a first time buyer to make it easy on a seller.

[Heloman]

Ridiculous sure, but shaking the tree certainly wont leave him with any less Mooneys than he has now.

[INA201]

I just got the letter today.  I looked him up in the Airmen registry and he was issued his private on 7/28/18.  Congratulations!  I say more power to you and good luck. I will also say that savvy people around here don't part with planes or money very easily.  If your budget is $75k I would go for a decked out F versus a lower end J.  If you are on this site jump on in.  We can be a tough bunch for sure but so was that teacher you learned the most from back in school.

[laytonl]

I believe this is a guy who is genuinely looking to buy a Mooney.  His price point may be reasonable if he will accept some damage history.  Lee

[smccray]

52 minutes ago, laytonl said:

I believe this is a guy who is genuinely looking to buy a Mooney.  His price point may be reasonable if he will accept some damage history.  Lee

Not if it was well repaired- not in this market.