á ABOUT RAYMON á


I have been selling cars, especially muscle cars and classics, on the internet for over twelve years.  I started doing it as a favor for friends who had cars for sale.  A coworker asked me if I would be willing to sell her mother's car.  Her mother had just recently passed away.  I told her I would do it, but considering that there is a considerable amount of time a work involved, I would appreciate it if she would compensate me for my time.

The process involves me going to a client's location, taking pictures with my digital camera, or scanning existing pictures, formatting the pictures to be published on the world wide internet, creating a web page for each specific vehicle, posting an abbreviated version of the ad for the vehicle on at least thirty internet automotive classified sites with links to 3,000 to 5,000 additional sites world wide, all with a link back to my site, and replying to all inquiries.

When I first started, I found that the largest drawback was that every time an interested buyer would inquire about a listing, he or she would request additional pictures and any additional information that I could provide about the vehicle.  It became necessary to send him, or her, a separate E-mail with additional pictures and information.  I found this process to be extremely time consuming.

Last spring (June 2004) it became necessary for me to leave my teaching position in the Pennsylvania public school system due to some health concerns.  As a result it was necessary for me to accept a reduced pension (Normal, full retirement would require thirty-five years).  Due to the reduced pension, and the resulting reduction in our family income, I made the decision to put more time and effort into this venture.

I believed that the solution to the time consuming process of sending individual replies to each inquiry, would to have a website of my own where interested potential buyers could view a complete description, as well as a complete photo album for each vehicle.  I consider myself to be above average when it comes to computer, and internet, literacy.  I took a class at the local university, University of Pittsburgh, on website creation, development, and design.  After about three month, I was able to get my first effort onto the Internet.  I have made numerous changes since that time and I plan to continue to make changes.  It may not the best site out there, but it is my honest, sincere effort to get my clients' vehicles at a place where they can be visible to as many potential buyers as possible.  As I said, I plan to improve, and add to it.  I have been a muscle car lover and enthusiast for over forty years and this is also my attempt to help the muscle car hobby continue to thrive.
 

ADVANTAGES TO ADVERTISING ON MY SITE

If you make the decision to advertise your vehicle on my web site you should experience the following advantages over advertising in a local newspaper, or other local classified sources:

  • Your add will be viewed by millions of potential buyers all over the world.  I have received replies from all over the United States, as well as from many foreign countries.  You may be surprised at how many people in other counties are very interested in American classic cars.  I have made sales to Australia and Canada.  I have a contact in Australia who owns a 1969 Mercury Cougar convertible and his brother has a 1967 Pontiac Firebird convertible.  I have, a customer from Sweden who  as sent me pictures of an American classic car cruise with over 350 cars. 
     
  • Unlike newspapers, and many Internet automotive classified sites, I put no limit on the number of words you may use to describe your vehicle and no limit to the number of pictures you would like to post.  Almost all Internet classified sites limit the number of words you can use to describe your vehicle.  Some will allow you to post one picture, some will not allow any pictures.  I will also list your vehicle until it sells, or you and I agree not to list it.
     
  • You have to option to include your contact information, if you like.  Or, you can defer all contact to me.  I can protect you from Internet scammers.  I can review all replies, make a decision on which ones are legitimate and which are scam.  An annual Federal Trade Commission report on fraud stated that the amount of internet scams have almost doubled to 98,650 in 2004, up from 51,000 in 2002, and accounted for 16 percent of all complaints.  The crimes cost consumers $265 million dollars, with a median loss of $214, the FTC said.  The FTC said 246,570 people reported that they were victimized, up from 161,890 in 2002.  E-bay alone reported 700,000 scams last year...and that's just the ones they know about.  I sell cars for private individuals.  I lost $5,400 to a scammer last year and had to make it up from my personal funds.  I feel it is my obligation to protect my clients from any potential scams.  I have a personal 'unofficial' contact with the FBI.  I send all scam replies to him.

BRIEF BIO

I have been working on, driving, and enjoying muscle car since about 1963.  I started working on cars, in my driveway, and on the street in front of my house, before I was old enough to drive them.  I had an 'informal' apprenticeship under a neighbor who restored British sports cars.  While attending college, I worked as a mechanic for a local salvage yard.
I worked as a teacher and a coach in the Pennsylvania public school system for thirty years.  I have taught numerous subjects including, English, creative writing, math, reading, health, and physical education.  I worked in Instructional Support and Family Support for the past ten years.  I worked directly with students who were struggling, or experiencing other problems, and their families.  I coached football and wrestling.  My wrestling teams earned six conference championships.
  I have had a passion for cars, especially muscle cars, for as long as I can remember. I have done at least two complete restorations including a 1966 GTO a 1977 Z-28, and a 1974 MGB.  I currently own the 66 Goat, a 92 Z-28, and a 79 Harley-Davidson XLH 1000
Recent tragedy; my beloved 92 Z-28, that I have owned since November of '91, was completely destroyed as a result of an engine fire.  However, I was able to find a suitable replacement.  The newest addition to my corral is an 89 Camaro IROC-Z convertible.
I am a member of several national muscle car organizations.  I am a moderator of an international GTO list site.  I consider myself to be fairly knowledgeable when it comes to American muscle cars (Is there any other kind?) and classics.  Anything I don't know, I make the effort to find out.  I have many sources both local, and world wide.  I plan to continue to support and defend the muscle car hobby in our great country for the rest of my life.

THANK YOU FOR VISITING MY SITE

 

  

 

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