Wondering if the former owner of my Gladiator is a forum member

[Lost1wing]

I bought a wrecked car from an auction. I found a few personal items in the car that I thought the previous owner would want. I had also found an old insurance card and registration with the owners name on it. I sent a quick note to that address to have the call me. They knew what the item was an sounded greatful to get it back. I asked if they were okay from the accident and if they happen to have the second key fob. I offered the repaired car back to him, he declined. Two days later the key fob and spare keys came in the mail. I had to drive his item to him, but it was worth the trip.

If it wasn't for his personal item that I found, I would have thought it to be awkward making contact.

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[ShadowsPapa]

They traded it. Now it's yours. Don't bother them.

And someone probably wondered why there was a 2020 sitting on the lot that was only 2.5 years old - gee, must have been a lemon.
Naw, just wanted to start over and with some options I WISH the 2020 had when I ordered. 2020 had zero issues.

The people who bought my wife's former 2021 WK2 probably wondered why a 2 year old vehicle with only 13k on the clock was sitting in a lot, too - it was because she wanted purple and we finally decided she deserved purple, so the 21 was traded in - zero issues.

it can be nice to meet people, etc. - but who's to say they'll be 100% accurate with any information? Could have been perfect but they just decided they needed a real truck to tow a real camper, or whatever.

The fact that you have personally identifiable information of the previous owner given to you by the selling dealer is also a bit iffy; they're not supposed to do that.

That part is a bit iffy for sure........ if a dealer did that with my info, I'd not shop there again. It would be the last time they saw my money.
Now - if the dealer called me and ASKED me if it was ok to pass along information - or better yet, if the dealer called me and asked "how long has xxx been on the truck" or "do you have any xx parts for it" or that sort of thing and was a go-between, I'd be fine with that.
But to pass along information without my knowledge.

I even contacted a dealership once because when my wife's former WK2 was sold (we traded it in and they sold it within a day) I started getting emails with that person's name on it as a follow-up. The dealership had not corrected the info as far as email addresses, so we were getting emails intended for the new owner. I brought it to their attention and suggested they take care of it as she might not want her name tossed about out there. Man, they took care if it FAST. That same day. Apparently, they cared, too! It was like "OOPS!"

I'm pretty sure if there was anything I forgot to deliver to the dealership, Scott would contact me and be the go-between.

 

[MemphisMississipp]

So I bought my 2022 Sarge Green JTRD Gladiator used from a Subaru dealer in Maine with only 10,000 miles on it, but they got it at an auction in Pennsylvania, and it originally was sold by Faulkner Chrysler Dodge Jeep in Mechanicsburg PA. The couple that owned it lived in New Cumberland PA. I have the PA title, so I know their names, but I don't want to disclose that publically. I called the dealership and asked them if they knew why it was traded in, and all the guy could tell me is they traded it on another Gladiator. I'm one of those people who likes to know the history of his vehicles, and I was just hoping that maybe I could ask them a few questions to solve a couple of mysteries . I know it of course had the diesel recall, and I don't know the details of if that allowed you to trade back in for a really good deal, or what. I checked and it had no other warranty issues according to my local dealer, who BTW performed the recall on the diesel already, and geez it was so easy. I literally walked up to a service writer, asked if they had a fix for the diesel recall yet, the lady said yes, when would you like to bring it in? I said How soon can you do it, she said in 3 days, I said great, lets do it. I brought it in three days later, and they did the new injector pump, and also did some tailgate recall thing I didn't even know about. That was December6th or so, and the truck has been perfect, but it was before as well. Anyway, just can't figure out why they gave up on this one.

I traded in a Cherokee in the late 80s. The guy bought it next called asking about a wreck because of some pieces cracked or something. I told him it was a simple fender bender and they replaced the front fender. No problem for me, was glad to help.

 

[Scott L]

That part is a bit iffy for sure........ if a dealer did that with my info, I'd not shop there again. It would be the last time they saw my money.
Now - if the dealer called me and ASKED me if it was ok to pass along information - or better yet, if the dealer called me and asked "how long has xxx been on the truck" or "do you have any xx parts for it" or that sort of thing and was a go-between, I'd be fine with that.

But to pass along information without my knowledge.


i don’t think Faulkner provided the info specifically. OP is also a dealer so was probably given tag and title to do his own DMV paperwork. The previous owners info was on the title. When you purchase a vehicle the dealer does the title work so you never get to see it but if it goes to a wholesale auction the title remains in the previous owners name until someone else buys it.

 

[Scott L]

I actually think you're normal. The case of someone actually harrassing you would seem to be the rare case to me. It's literally never happened to us at our dealership in thousands of transactions over 54 years.

That was the #1 reason for me to want to get in touch with them, to give them money for stuff they will probably throw away.

I think it’s safest at this point to drop a letter in the mailbox to the previous owners and give them the opportunity to decide if they want to talk to you. Worst thing could happen is you wasted a stamp and they toss your letter. Nothing ventured nothing gained.

 

[Lunentucker]

 

[Loves Em Topless]

I think it’s safest at this point to drop a letter in the mailbox to the previous owners and give them the opportunity to decide if they want to talk to you. Worst thing could happen is you wasted a stamp and they toss your letter. Nothing ventured nothing gained.

I don't care that much, that i want to bother them directly like that. From the beginning, I thought if they were forum members, and they saw this post, maybe they'd reach out to me with a PM, or in the post. I probably could have word smithed it a lot better, but I didn't think it was necessary. Now, even if they wanted to reach out, after some of the negative posts on here, they have probably been scared off to say anything.
I honestly find the negative posts alarming. Makes me worry about America and it's future as a society. We used to be so much more civilized and social. And the ones who obviously didn't read carefully, yet commented with their bad Intel, like how I had shouldn't have access to the info, (yes, actually I should, because I'm a dealer, and it was sold as a dealer to dealer sale), and being mad at the dealer who sold me the Jeep, and in some cases, not even directing their ire at the right dealer, just showing their rush to judgment without having the facts straight. Then telling me I shouldn't do something I was clearly not doing, as if I need a moral compass from them. No, I didn't, you don't run a company successfully for 54 years by being morally or socially inept.

It's all good anyway !

I have an awesome JTRD, my 7th or 8th Jeep in my lifetime, and have already spent a small fortune on it making it my own, and I love it. Hauls boats and my Hybrid sled trailer like a champ, gets amazing fuel mileage for a jacked up, fat tired truck with zero aerodynamics, (especially after the warn winch bumper and the lift kit), and it went great in deep snow even with towing the sleds. Plus, I think it's bad ass, and that's all that matters now.
Thanks to the guys who took the time to read the post fully, and answer intelligently.
Mark

 

[cranbiz]

Sadly reading comprehension is becoming a lost art.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Mark here,
I did explain that I am a dealer, and the dealer to dealer sale means the ownership info is transferred to the new dealer, (in this case me)as the title is still in the old owner's name until it gets registered with new plates to a new owner. I bought a 2018 Raptor at the auction with 1,400 miles on it with the intent to sell it for a profit. The guy traded it in after only two months of payments and ownership because he got in over his head on the payments. According to the payoff on the title, he owed over 80K on a 72K truck, WOW that dealer got him good on all the aftermarket stuff life Accident and health ins etc. I ran it up to 50,000 miles because I liked it way more than I thought I would and should. Just sold it to a great guy, (we are now friends, and his brother brought his Gladiator by to show it off to me, It's pretty crazy, 6 inch lift 37's etc,). I took his 2023 Tacoma in trade on the Raptor, sold it to one of the Toyota dealers in the area. Now friends with that dealer as well. I'm not used to being treated as if I am trying to do something wrong for wanting to know about a vehicles history. I'm a car guy with several classic and/or antique cars. It's considered normal behavior in my world. I'm also a boat dealer, and we often have to give the buyer the old customer's info, especially if they are registering the boat out of state. In 54 years, it's never been an issue, so i am pretty shocked at the negative reaction I'm getting. That's OK, I will delete this post soon, as I want to be able to enjoy my new toy on this forum, rather than have a bunch of guys on here think I'm some sort of weirdo.
Funny, after years of owning Jeeps, a CJ 5, a CJ 6, 3 CJ' 7s, and 2 CJ 8 Scramblers and now this Gladiator, I thought I was a Jeep guy, with all the friendly wave stuff and all that. I've bought a bunch of accessories off Facebook, a soft top, Half doors with uppers, Warn bumper and winch, and met some great folks. They offered up being Facebook friends, and the lady I bought the top from and my wife chat about going to Sturgis together on our bikes this summer. Me and the guy from Tennessee that sold me the half doors are now Facebook friends too. But I've been treated soo differently with this post, that I'm not sure I fit in here on this forum, just not what I'm used to in my world .

For what it’s worth, if it were mine, I’d reach out and answer any questions you had. No issue whatsoever.

 

[KrispyKotex]

My daughter bought a used mustang locally from a small town dealer. The past owner came up to her during a fireworks show when my daughter drove up to it. Long story short, but being from these small towns, my daughter ran into her several times since. The past owner was always saying stuff like "there goes my car" or "hope you're treating my car well". It kind of got old really quick. My daughter got so tired of it, she traded it off again. I'm not weighing in if you are right or wrong, but some people just want to be left alone and you should consider that when searching them out. A solution might be to request the dealer ask the previous owner these questions. Or request the dealer ask the previous owner if they would not mind a call from you.

 

[sharpsicle]

I don't care that much, that i want to bother them directly like that. From the beginning, I thought if they were forum members, and they saw this post, maybe they'd reach out to me with a PM, or in the post. I probably could have word smithed it a lot better, but I didn't think it was necessary. Now, even if they wanted to reach out, after some of the negative posts on here, they have probably been scared off to say anything.
I honestly find the negative posts alarming. Makes me worry about America and it's future as a society. We used to be so much more civilized and social. And the ones who obviously didn't read carefully, yet commented with their bad Intel, like how I had shouldn't have access to the info, (yes, actually I should, because I'm a dealer, and it was sold as a dealer to dealer sale), and being mad at the dealer who sold me the Jeep, and in some cases, not even directing their ire at the right dealer, just showing their rush to judgment without having the facts straight. Then telling me I shouldn't do something I was clearly not doing, as if I need a moral compass from them. No, I didn't, you don't run a company successfully for 54 years by being morally or socially inept.

I think what you ended with here is a simple learning experience. You could've helped yourself out by being clear about all this from the start. You're right, it makes more sense now, but it took 42 posts in this thread before you clarified that you were actually a dealer and not just a regular customer. Then you went and updated the thread title once you saw how easily it could be misinterpreted and how you didn't communicate what you actually wanted to say. It's a good thing you did that, but it's disingenuous to act like you've been fully transparent this whole time. It also took numerous posts for you to clarify that you didn't want to ask "why they gave up on it" like you originally said, but that you wanted to buy some accessories from them. Big difference there too. It doesn't matter who you are or how long you've been running a company, clarity is important. We've got that now; thank you.

People aren't inherently negative, and just like others don't need to find reasons to pick things apart, you don't need to search out reasons to be upset. But it all starts with being clear, not ambiguous. Trying to understand others rather than say everyone else is the problem goes a LONG way both here and in the real world. And I say that for both sides of the conversation. It helps minimize the cleanup you have to do. If this all makes you take it personally or make you doubt America or whatever, I don't know what we can do to help there, but I'm glad you like the Jeep and hope you continue to enjoy it.

Glad to have you here.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I think what you ended with here is a simple learning experience. You could've helped yourself out by being clear about all this from the start. You're right, it makes more sense now, but it took 42 posts in this thread before you clarified that you were actually a dealer and not just a regular customer. Then you went and updated the thread title once you saw how easily it could be misinterpreted and how you didn't communicate what you actually wanted to say. It's a good thing you did that, but it's disingenuous to act like you've been fully transparent this whole time. It also took numerous posts for you to clarify that you didn't want to ask "why they gave up on it" like you originally said, but that you wanted to buy some accessories from them. Big difference there too. It doesn't matter who you are or how long you've been running a company, clarity is important. We've got that now; thank you.

People aren't inherently negative, and just like others don't need to find reasons to pick things apart, you don't need to search out reasons to be upset. But it all starts with being clear, not ambiguous. Trying to understand others rather than say everyone else is the problem goes a LONG way both here and in the real world. And I say that for both sides of the conversation. It helps minimize the cleanup you have to do. If this all makes you take it personally or make you doubt America or whatever, I don't know what we can do to help there, but I'm glad you like the Jeep and hope you continue to enjoy it.

Glad to have you here.

Couldn't have said it better. I hate this 20 questions crap. Lay out the plot right away. Define all of the characters. Be clear. As a last century character used to say....just the facts, and I add - all of them up front. I hate guessing games. Paul Harvey may have been fine with "and now you know the rest of the story" but me, not so much.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

People aren't inherently negative, and just like others don't need to find reasons to pick things apart, you don't need to search out reasons to be upset. But it all starts with being clear, not ambiguous.

They aren't - but when there are so many phone calls that pretend to be someone they aren't, like "I'm xxxx from yyyy and I need to confirm some information" and they have some of what they need - you wonder, gee, they must really be that person because they know this, that and some other stuff............ I start out right away by saying "can you give me a web site or number I can call to take care of this myself".
Last person who started asking for current insurance information was really taken aback when I refused to comply, telling her I had no proof she was who she said she was. She was all flustered as if no one had ever questioned her at all before, and I thought - no wonder so many people get scammed!
She was legit - I could tell when she said the phone number and name of the business I could contact if I didn't want to give her the information. She ended up knowing some details and giving me a number as proof and that number matched what I already had.
But around that same time, we got notices that the biggest health care corporation around here had been "compromised" and they didn't know exactly what had been accessed - all they could say was no SS numbers were touched - seriously? A huge organization like that with insurance records, complete medical histories and more - hacked??????
So it's not a matter of being negative - it's a matter of - how the heck do I know you are who you say you are?

Approach things correctly, and I'm pretty much an open book, ready to share and help and even give stuff away........... but..........
That reminds me - I still need to see what it would cost to ship out my Rubicon Fox shock take-offs, they'll be going to someone just for shipping, and I have a DrawTite front receiver I need to find shipping on, going dirt cheap.

 

[Hootbro]

My daughter bought a used mustang locally from a small town dealer. The past owner came up to her during a fireworks show when my daughter drove up to it. Long story short, but being from these small towns, my daughter ran into her several times since. The past owner was always saying stuff like "there goes my car" or "hope you're treating my car well". It kind of got old really quick. My daughter got so tired of it, she traded it off again. I'm not weighing in if you are right or wrong, but some people just want to be left alone and you should consider that when searching them out. A solution might be to request the dealer ask the previous owner these questions. Or request the dealer ask the previous owner if they would not mind a call from you.

I know women generally are not confrontational in public, but if that had happen to me, I would have politely the first time to tell the guy to stop it and any next time been more terse about it and blunt.

Bought a used Chevy Cavalier for my then teenage Step-Daughter from the next door neighbor for her as a first car and the guy thought it was carte blanche reason to talk to her every time they met outside. Had to nip that in the bud real quick and the guy got the first hint.

 

[ZoMojave]

Wondering if it smells just a tad like rotting whale ?

Ha!

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