Our 1953 Commemorative Edition Corvette Story

Chaz & Gael Cone, Atlanta, GA

The Search (part II)..

I kicked myself all around the house on Monday, still hoping that something might happen to the Wisconsin car.  I consulted my candidates list and started sending emails and making calls.   I quickly eliminated all but two candidates:

  1. 99 Black with 30500 miles in Greenville, SC advertised in AutoTrader
  2. 98 Torch with 19800 miles Creal Springs, IL advertised on eBayMotors
Though the mileage was high on Car #1, it was close enough by to go look at (about two hours from Atlanta) and it was a 99:

Car #2, had 10K fewer miles (important) looked to be immaculate and was halfway to Rochester, MI (Remember I have to get the mule car to Michigan...) and it also has brand new tires:

Yes, it has Body Side Moldings -- but they're coming off during the conversion!

Tuesday, August 20th

I arranged to visit the Greenville car while I contacted the seller of Car#2.   I was impressed with the seller and the way he behaved on the phone.   He had a "Buy it Now!" number on the page.   I asked him if he'd take $500 less to stop the auction and sell me the car -- and he agreed.   So on Tuesday evening I agreed to buy this C5.

Wednesday, August 21st

Wednesday morning I called the seller of Car #1 and told him I wasn't coming.   And then I tried to send the agreed-upon $3,000 deposit to the Creal Springs, IL seller.   He suggested PayPal and, since I use it all the time, I agreed.   This'll be easy.

Wrong!

When I tried to send the $3,000, PayPal informed me that American Express had declined the charge.   That was a surprise.   I tried again, same result.   So I called AmEx customer service and explained what was happening.   They said there was nothing wrong with my card (or credit limit) and couldn't explain the message from PayPal.   They agreed to call them and stay on the phone with me.   After several "on hold" delays the three of us were finally together.   I explained the situation and the PayPal customer service rep said the problem was that PayPal has a $2,500 transaction limit.

Well, that's fine, I said but how about a message that SAYS THAT instead of the one that blamed AmEx (and, by extension, "me") for this.   I tried to post the $2,500 deposit -- and got the same error message! They checked and said that because I'd made three attempts in a short period of time that the "fraud trigger" had fired.   PayPal's software had determined that I was some kind of a thief because of the three failed attempts! Getting two levels of supervisors involved (and me proving that I am who I am) got the $2,500 transfer approved.   Remember that I'd agreed to send the seller $3,000; the PayPal rep suggested that I now post a $500 transfer.   I did -- and it bounced with the same "AmEx has declined!" message.   The supervisor checked and learned (at the same time I did) that PayPal has a $2,500 transfer limit for any 30 DAY PERIOD! That's right.   Any user can only transfer $2,500 in any thirty day period.   I guess they aren't really interested in people using PayPal for significant purchases.   At any rate, all's well that ends well.

Over the next day or so the Illinois seller and I spoke on the phone several times making arrangements for me to get the car (and satisfying him that I could only send him $2,500 via PayPal).   We concluded that I would fly to Indianapolis on Tuesday, 8/27.   He would (most graciously) bring the car to the airport to conclude the deal (this saves me 4-5 hours of driving).  I'd then drive to Rochester Hills, visit Steve's shop (don't worry, there'll be pictures), leave the car and fly home from Detroit.   And that's the plan.

So, once again, here's my 2003 CE mule car:

Now the only question is do I pay to have the oak interior changed to red/white...the top will remain oak regardless.   So many decisions!!!!

Click HERE for the next chapter..