Overheard at Work

[BlueHouse]

("this is only for people retiring within five years" / me - "well, I do plan on going within five" - *to self* "months").

LOVE LOVE LOVE!  Congrats Zephyr911

[BuffaloStache]

("this is only for people retiring within five years" / me - "well, I do plan on going within five" - *to self* "months").

LOVE LOVE LOVE!  Congrats Zephyr911

Ditto- congrats!
-------
The morale has been pretty low at my company for a while, so one of my coworkers is trying to organize an afterwork event for some of the people in my working group. He asked me what we should do, and I recommended going for a walk in one of the nearby parks or on a hike. Then he said that some of the other guys were interested in going golfing, to which I said I would prefer not. I then spent the next 10 min explaining that I don't like to golf, and I view it as an expensive hobby...

[Just Joe]

You could just go along and not actively golf. I tried that b/c I don't golf. The group I went with didn't like it.

[RyanAtTanagra]

You could just go along and not actively golf. I tried that b/c I don't golf. The group I went with didn't like it.

That's what I'd do.  To me, golfing is just something you do while drinking.  Same with fishing, or bowling.  Those activities bore me, so I opt out and just hang out and drink and watch everyone else.

[Goldielocks]

You're killing yourself, but you're doing it frugally? #Getthefuckouttahere!

I grow my own tobacco, and roll cigars and chew some of it.

That quote was from me to someone else, but since you've chosen to quote it, I would ask you the same question.

Hint: the part after the hash tag would stay the same.

Although tobacco isn't necessarily healthy, home grown doesn't have the same terrible additives as commercial, right?

Tobacco seeds are so tiny, they get everywhere and into everything.  Yet when they grow, they look like many other "desired" annuals for the first couple of months.  I remember once weeding and I ripped out everything BUT the tobacco plants.     Therefore, I do not recommend growing your own tobacco due to the challenges wind-spread tobacco seeding brings.

[briesas]

You're killing yourself, but you're doing it frugally? #Getthefuckouttahere!

I grow my own tobacco, and roll cigars and chew some of it.

That quote was from me to someone else, but since you've chosen to quote it, I would ask you the same question.

Hint: the part after the hash tag would stay the same.

Growing my own tobacco is totally going to be my retirement hobby.

[dragoncar]

You're killing yourself, but you're doing it frugally? #Getthefuckouttahere!

I grow my own tobacco, and roll cigars and chew some of it.

That quote was from me to someone else, but since you've chosen to quote it, I would ask you the same question.

Hint: the part after the hash tag would stay the same.

Growing my own tobacco is totally going to be my retirement hobby.

tastes like grandma!

[jinga nation]

Tax season deadline in the US... every year I have to hear this, in a military (with contractors and civilians) environment:

• Taxes are too damn high
• Bad roads and infrastructure
• IRS are assholes/thieves
• Bitch Whine Moan

These are the same people who

• buy used luxury cars/trucks on a 6 year loan
• moan about the traffic (the metro is in the top 10-20 worst traffic rankings in North America)
• whine that the Tampa and St. Pete Mayors spend public money to improve their downtowns yet they go downtown for the food/drink/art festivals and free parks
• and stuff we Mustachians are used to hearing

Headphones ON, Music ON, Tune OUT.

[zephyr911]

Tax season deadline in the US... every year I have to hear this, in a military (with contractors and civilians) environment:

• Taxes are too damn high
• Bad roads and infrastructure
• IRS are assholes/thieves
• Bitch Whine Moan

These are the same people who

• buy used luxury cars/trucks on a 6 year loan
• moan about the traffic (the metro is in the top 10-20 worst traffic rankings in North America)
• whine that the Tampa and St. Pete Mayors spend public money to improve their downtowns yet they go downtown for the food/drink/art festivals and free parks
• and stuff we Mustachians are used to hearing

Headphones ON, Music ON, Tune OUT.

There's a lot of stuff I respect and genuinely admire about military culture, like the loyalty and work ethic, but on some issues (see above) so many just don't get it... and what's with everyone loving soldiers/cops/first-responders/etc, and hating the IRS? They're just the soldiers and cops of the financial world, implementing policy created by legislators... don't like tax code, bitch to your Congressman. Meanwhile, obey the fuckin' law. And don't get me started on infrastructure. There's just nothing good to say about our collective myopia thereon. We cost ourselves more money in car damage and public health than we save by not inflation-indexing our gas tax, but NOOO MUH TAXEZZZ :P

/rant

[Chris22]

("this is only for people retiring within five years" / me - "well, I do plan on going within five" - *to self* "months").

LOVE LOVE LOVE!  Congrats Zephyr911

Ditto- congrats!
-------
The morale has been pretty low at my company for a while, so one of my coworkers is trying to organize an afterwork event for some of the people in my working group. He asked me what we should do, and I recommended going for a walk in one of the nearby parks or on a hike. Then he said that some of the other guys were interested in going golfing, to which I said I would prefer not. I then spent the next 10 min explaining that I don't like to golf, and I view it as an expensive hobby...

People don't like what they don't like, that's fine, but golf does not have to be an expensive hobby at all.  Plenty of good golf to be played for <$20/round on public courses. 

[merula]

People don't like what they don't like, that's fine, but golf does not have to be an expensive hobby at all.  Plenty of good golf to be played for <$20/round on public courses.

With what clubs?

You're right that golf doesn't have to be as expensive as some people make it, but if you contrast it with soccer, basketball or tennis, which can often be played for free in public parks with less expensive equipment, golf is more costly.

[Chris22]

People don't like what they don't like, that's fine, but golf does not have to be an expensive hobby at all.  Plenty of good golf to be played for <$20/round on public courses.

With what clubs?

Oh come on, that's like saying biking is expensive because you have to run out and buy a bike. 

You're right that golf doesn't have to be as expensive as some people make it, but if you contrast it with soccer, basketball or tennis, which can often be played for free in public parks with less expensive equipment, golf is more costly.

I forgot that anything that costs more than $ZERO is "expensive".  Christ. 

[mtn]

People don't like what they don't like, that's fine, but golf does not have to be an expensive hobby at all.  Plenty of good golf to be played for <$20/round on public courses.

With what clubs?

You're right that golf doesn't have to be as expensive as some people make it, but if you contrast it with soccer, basketball or tennis, which can often be played for free in public parks with less expensive equipment, golf is more costly.

Used clubs. I have a total of $300 into my golf clubs. More than half of that is in my two putters--but I can get a superb putter for $10, and I'm very unusual in carrying 2. Actually, a full 1/2 of that is in one putter.

I could buy, and have bought, a set of excellent golf clubs including bag, driver, putter, wedges, and irons, for less than $75--and unless you play 100 rounds a year, your clubs will usually last 10-30 years, unless your swing speed changes dramatically in that time.

I'll say that my golf addiction is cheaper than my hockey, racing, and fishing addictions. The only reason my Guitar addiction is cheaper is because they are legitimately appreciating investments.

[Vindicated]

People don't like what they don't like, that's fine, but golf does not have to be an expensive hobby at all.  Plenty of good golf to be played for <$20/round on public courses.

I agree with this.

I bought my clubs for $75 used (Not counting the $110 putter my parents got me for Christmas), and typically spend <$20 per round.  I only played 4 times last year, and will probably only play 4-6 again this year.  It's worth it to me, even if there are cheaper options for hobbies.

[Paul der Krake]

Seconding the used golf clubs. They last for DECADES.

[Pooperman]

Seconding the used golf clubs. They last for DECADES.

Agreed. My used set is older than I am haha. It has a wood wood.

[Chris22]

I started with one of those "all in one" department store sets for $200, and gradually swapped clubs out here and there, mostly used or last season's model on eBay.  Haven't bought a new club in years.  Basically, golf costs me a $20 case of balls 1-2x a season (depending on how badly I suck), a new $7 golf glove once a year (they get stinky and wear through) and maybe a new $50 pair of golf shoes every 5 years.  And then whatever I want to pay as far as greens fees and the park district courses nearby charge ~$16 for 9 holes after 1PM.

[cheapass]

With what clubs?

I found my clubs next to our apartment dumpster :)

[mm1970]

People don't like what they don't like, that's fine, but golf does not have to be an expensive hobby at all.  Plenty of good golf to be played for <$20/round on public courses.

With what clubs?

You're right that golf doesn't have to be as expensive as some people make it, but if you contrast it with soccer, basketball or tennis, which can often be played for free in public parks with less expensive equipment, golf is more costly.

Meh, so you still have to buy a soccer ball.  Or a tennis racket and balls.  My husband used to play tennis with a friend, and had to buy a fair number of balls, plus had to have the racket restrung.

Now, I don't know how many public courses we have here (don't golf), but there are no public tennis courts.  There are a few around that you can get into, but they are owned by the city or by private parks.  They have monitors who go around and check, and charge you a fee if they find you playing ($6-10 per person).  Even first thing in the morning on a Sat or Sun (7:30 am) was not safe.

[mm1970]

People don't like what they don't like, that's fine, but golf does not have to be an expensive hobby at all.  Plenty of good golf to be played for <$20/round on public courses.

With what clubs?

You're right that golf doesn't have to be as expensive as some people make it, but if you contrast it with soccer, basketball or tennis, which can often be played for free in public parks with less expensive equipment, golf is more costly.

Used clubs. I have a total of $300 into my golf clubs. More than half of that is in my two putters--but I can get a superb putter for $10, and I'm very unusual in carrying 2. Actually, a full 1/2 of that is in one putter.

I could buy, and have bought, a set of excellent golf clubs including bag, driver, putter, wedges, and irons, for less than $75--and unless you play 100 rounds a year, your clubs will usually last 10-30 years, unless your swing speed changes dramatically in that time.

I'll say that my golf addiction is cheaper than my hockey, racing, and fishing addictions. The only reason my Guitar addiction is cheaper is because they are legitimately appreciating investments.

Sounds cheaper than my running and swimming hobbies. (Swimsuits (x2 per year), YMCA membership, running shoes (x2 per year), race entries)

[mtn]

People don't like what they don't like, that's fine, but golf does not have to be an expensive hobby at all.  Plenty of good golf to be played for <$20/round on public courses.

With what clubs?

You're right that golf doesn't have to be as expensive as some people make it, but if you contrast it with soccer, basketball or tennis, which can often be played for free in public parks with less expensive equipment, golf is more costly.

Used clubs. I have a total of $300 into my golf clubs. More than half of that is in my two putters--but I can get a superb putter for $10, and I'm very unusual in carrying 2. Actually, a full 1/2 of that is in one putter.

I could buy, and have bought, a set of excellent golf clubs including bag, driver, putter, wedges, and irons, for less than $75--and unless you play 100 rounds a year, your clubs will usually last 10-30 years, unless your swing speed changes dramatically in that time.

I'll say that my golf addiction is cheaper than my hockey, racing, and fishing addictions. The only reason my Guitar addiction is cheaper is because they are legitimately appreciating investments.

Sounds cheaper than my running and swimming hobbies. (Swimsuits (x2 per year), YMCA membership, running shoes (x2 per year), race entries)

There are more costs--golf shoes, golf gloves, golf attire (not an added expense for me, but could be for others), golf balls.. but there are ways around all of it to do it cheaper/freer.

[Frankies Girl]

People don't like what they don't like, that's fine, but golf does not have to be an expensive hobby at all.  Plenty of good golf to be played for <$20/round on public courses.

With what clubs?

You're right that golf doesn't have to be as expensive as some people make it, but if you contrast it with soccer, basketball or tennis, which can often be played for free in public parks with less expensive equipment, golf is more costly.

Used clubs. I have a total of $300 into my golf clubs. More than half of that is in my two putters--but I can get a superb putter for $10, and I'm very unusual in carrying 2. Actually, a full 1/2 of that is in one putter.

I could buy, and have bought, a set of excellent golf clubs including bag, driver, putter, wedges, and irons, for less than $75--and unless you play 100 rounds a year, your clubs will usually last 10-30 years, unless your swing speed changes dramatically in that time.

I'll say that my golf addiction is cheaper than my hockey, racing, and fishing addictions. The only reason my Guitar addiction is cheaper is because they are legitimately appreciating investments.

My dad played golf for well over 20 years, and he was as cheap (not frugal - CHEAP) as they come. He played public courses, walked and never rode cart unless someone else insisted on renting one, and got all of his clubs and supplies second-hand (he was addicted to yard sales and you can pick them up soooo cheap there). He taught himself how to cut down club shafts if they were too long, rewrapped/replaced grips and would never miss an opportunity to fish abandoned balls out of the brush or water traps (he had a special golfer's tool that extended and had a little scoop on the end for this).

When he died, we gave away over 2 dozen golf bags and probably close to 3-400 clubs of various brands and age. Way more than he could ever use (and use up) in probably multiple lifetimes.

[infogoon]

With what clubs?

I found my clubs next to our apartment dumpster :)

I got a full set of hand-me-downs for free from someone on my college golf team when he upgraded.

[shelivesthedream]

Tax season deadline in the US... every year I have to hear this, in a military (with contractors and civilians) environment:

• Taxes are too damn high
• Bad roads and infrastructure
• IRS are assholes/thieves
• Bitch Whine Moan

These are the same people who

• buy used luxury cars/trucks on a 6 year loan
• moan about the traffic (the metro is in the top 10-20 worst traffic rankings in North America)
• whine that the Tampa and St. Pete Mayors spend public money to improve their downtowns yet they go downtown for the food/drink/art festivals and free parks
• and stuff we Mustachians are used to hearing

Headphones ON, Music ON, Tune OUT.

There's a lot of stuff I respect and genuinely admire about military culture, like the loyalty and work ethic, but on some issues (see above) so many just don't get it... and what's with everyone loving soldiers/cops/first-responders/etc, and hating the IRS? They're just the soldiers and cops of the financial world, implementing policy created by legislators... don't like tax code, bitch to your Congressman. Meanwhile, obey the fuckin' law. And don't get me started on infrastructure. There's just nothing good to say about our collective myopia thereon. We cost ourselves more money in car damage and public health than we save by not inflation-indexing our gas tax, but NOOO MUH TAXEZZZ :P

/rant

Also, are military salaries not paid through taxes? If taxes were lower, wouldn't many of these people lose their jobs?

[jinga nation]

Tax season deadline in the US... every year I have to hear this, in a military (with contractors and civilians) environment:

• Taxes are too damn high
• Bad roads and infrastructure
• IRS are assholes/thieves
• Bitch Whine Moan

These are the same people who

• buy used luxury cars/trucks on a 6 year loan
• moan about the traffic (the metro is in the top 10-20 worst traffic rankings in North America)
• whine that the Tampa and St. Pete Mayors spend public money to improve their downtowns yet they go downtown for the food/drink/art festivals and free parks
• and stuff we Mustachians are used to hearing

Headphones ON, Music ON, Tune OUT.

There's a lot of stuff I respect and genuinely admire about military culture, like the loyalty and work ethic, but on some issues (see above) so many just don't get it... and what's with everyone loving soldiers/cops/first-responders/etc, and hating the IRS? They're just the soldiers and cops of the financial world, implementing policy created by legislators... don't like tax code, bitch to your Congressman. Meanwhile, obey the fuckin' law. And don't get me started on infrastructure. There's just nothing good to say about our collective myopia thereon. We cost ourselves more money in car damage and public health than we save by not inflation-indexing our gas tax, but NOOO MUH TAXEZZZ :P

/rant

Also, are military salaries not paid through taxes? If taxes were lower, wouldn't many of these people lose their jobs?

Understanding feedback loops is not part of the learning curriculum. Only life or a Control Theory book can teach you that. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Control_theory

When I've suggested to the BMWs (yes that's what I call BitchMoanWhiners) to email their local, state, federal reps, and that there's online sites for that, "Oh that's too damn hard". WTF they're online all day on Facebook and Youtube and Buzzfeed.

Myopia... misery loves company. Meanwhile I'm trying my hardest to FIRE the fuck outta here, despite the curve balls life throws at my personal and professional lives.

[Linea_Norway]

My colleague used to have a building company. He and his brother did all the work in buying building grounds and getting approvals. Everything except for the building itself, which they used their father for. His job was uncertain and planned to be cancelled in 2008. He was planning to make himself an alternative career. Eventually his real job was not cancelled anymore and he got too busy at it. Brother fucked himself up with narcotics and the father with the construction company died. So the whole thing is off.
He also told me he received a whole extra year salary to stay working at his job when it was so uncertain. This was from 2006 to 2008.

[Mr. Green]

A co-worker's wife's brand new Mercedes ($70,000 SUV) was hit by someone else and sustained extensive damage. Now that it's fixed, they want to get a different car. They want to sell it quick before the damage has a chance to hit the Carfax report and devalue the car. However, he doesn't have the $10,000 to float for the likely difference in the sale price and the balance of the loan. My co-worker also just bought a $100,000 BMW 750.  I was floored that they just bought $170,000 worth of cars but don't have 10k rattling around.

[BuffaloStache]

I was floored that they just bought $170,000 worth of cars but don't have 10k rattling around.

Wowza. If this isn't a firm commitment to the clown-car commuting lifestyle, I don't know what is.

[ysette9]

In my new role here there are a few people around me who get takeout food every day for lunch during the workweek. I realize that for this particular thread that is nothing worth posting about, but it has been particularly interesting for me because it highlights how most people at work don't buy food and most bring their own lunch. Thankfully it is just that way things are, so me bringing my lunch doesn't stand out but is totally normal. I would guess that by the nature of our work and industry, most people at work earn between $100-200k depending on how long they have been working.

[TheGrimSqueaker]

A co-worker's wife's brand new Mercedes ($70,000 SUV) was hit by someone else and sustained extensive damage. Now that it's fixed, they want to get a different car. They want to sell it quick before the damage has a chance to hit the Carfax report and devalue the car. However, he doesn't have the $10,000 to float for the likely difference in the sale price and the balance of the loan. My co-worker also just bought a $100,000 BMW 750.  I was floored that they just bought $170,000 worth of cars but don't have 10k rattling around.

Selling the car before the Carfax report is updated to hide the damage from the buyer is a pretty low-down, dirty thing to do. I'd be pretty ticked off someone did that to me. By deliberately concealing the wreck information, the seller is basically ripping the buyer off for the difference between the selling price and the car's actual value based on the Carfax report. The buyer wouldn't find out about the accident until he or she went to sell the vehicle and pulled the Carfax report.

Concealing damage to a vehicle or information that would dramatically affect its value is fraud by concealment. If the difference in value ends up being more than $1000 or so, and it easily could on a vehicle that expensive to begin with, that's a felony level crime. Is he seriously willing to do time because he "wants a different car"?

[RWD]

A co-worker's wife's brand new Mercedes ($70,000 SUV) was hit by someone else and sustained extensive damage. Now that it's fixed, they want to get a different car. They want to sell it quick before the damage has a chance to hit the Carfax report and devalue the car. However, he doesn't have the $10,000 to float for the likely difference in the sale price and the balance of the loan. My co-worker also just bought a $100,000 BMW 750.  I was floored that they just bought $170,000 worth of cars but don't have 10k rattling around.

Selling the car before the Carfax report is updated to hide the damage from the buyer is a pretty low-down, dirty thing to do. I'd be pretty ticked off someone did that to me. By deliberately concealing the wreck information, the seller is basically ripping the buyer off for the difference between the selling price and the car's actual value based on the Carfax report. The buyer wouldn't find out about the accident until he or she went to sell the vehicle and pulled the Carfax report.

Concealing damage to a vehicle or information that would dramatically affect its value is fraud by concealment. If the difference in value ends up being more than $1000 or so, and it easily could on a vehicle that expensive to begin with, that's a felony level crime. Is he seriously willing to do time because he "wants a different car"?

While this is pretty shady, I think it is technically legal as long as the seller doesn't claim the vehicle has never been in an accident. Carfax is not the only way to determine if a vehicle has been in an accident. Any buyer should be having the vehicle inspected by a third party mechanic regardless of what the Carfax report says.

[boyerbt]

I was floored that they just bought $170,000 worth of cars but don't have 10k rattling around.

Any idea of their total income? Even an estimate?

With this sort of spendypants business going on I would assume that your coworker has several other antics that would fit on this thread.

[Mr. Green]

A co-worker's wife's brand new Mercedes ($70,000 SUV) was hit by someone else and sustained extensive damage. Now that it's fixed, they want to get a different car. They want to sell it quick before the damage has a chance to hit the Carfax report and devalue the car. However, he doesn't have the $10,000 to float for the likely difference in the sale price and the balance of the loan. My co-worker also just bought a $100,000 BMW 750.  I was floored that they just bought $170,000 worth of cars but don't have 10k rattling around.

Selling the car before the Carfax report is updated to hide the damage from the buyer is a pretty low-down, dirty thing to do. I'd be pretty ticked off someone did that to me. By deliberately concealing the wreck information, the seller is basically ripping the buyer off for the difference between the selling price and the car's actual value based on the Carfax report. The buyer wouldn't find out about the accident until he or she went to sell the vehicle and pulled the Carfax report.

Concealing damage to a vehicle or information that would dramatically affect its value is fraud by concealment. If the difference in value ends up being more than $1000 or so, and it easily could on a vehicle that expensive to begin with, that's a felony level crime. Is he seriously willing to do time because he "wants a different car"?

While this is pretty shady, I think it is technically legal as long as the seller doesn't claim the vehicle has never been in an accident. Carfax is not the only way to determine if a vehicle has been in an accident. Any buyer should be having the vehicle inspected by a third party mechanic regardless of what the Carfax report says.

I had a 2006 that needed frame repair and the replacement part was laser cut with precision. When my car came out of the shop it was almost impossible to tell work was done. I'm not saying that makes it okay but I think most people still think of frame damage as something that means the car is never the same.

[Mr. Green]

I was floored that they just bought $170,000 worth of cars but don't have 10k rattling around.

Any idea of their total income? Even an estimate?

With this sort of spendypants business going on I would assume that your coworker has several other antics that would fit on this thread.

I think their combined income is in the neighborhood of 400k.

[marielle]

In my new role here there are a few people around me who get takeout food every day for lunch during the workweek. I realize that for this particular thread that is nothing worth posting about, but it has been particularly interesting for me because it highlights how most people at work don't buy food and most bring their own lunch. Thankfully it is just that way things are, so me bringing my lunch doesn't stand out but is totally normal. I would guess that by the nature of our work and industry, most people at work earn between $100-200k depending on how long they have been working.

It's not even that bad when they make that much. People where I work still buy food and some make as little as $10.50 an hour, or 21k a year before overtime. Granted, it's stuff like Taco Bell and McDonald's, or maybe Zaxby's, but still $5 minimum...

[MgoSam]

In my new role here there are a few people around me who get takeout food every day for lunch during the workweek. I realize that for this particular thread that is nothing worth posting about, but it has been particularly interesting for me because it highlights how most people at work don't buy food and most bring their own lunch. Thankfully it is just that way things are, so me bringing my lunch doesn't stand out but is totally normal. I would guess that by the nature of our work and industry, most people at work earn between $100-200k depending on how long they have been working.

It's not even that bad when they make that much. People where I work still buy food and some make as little as $10.50 an hour, or 21k a year before overtime. Granted, it's stuff like Taco Bell and McDonald's, or maybe Zaxby's, but still $5 minimum...

That shit adds up! I started meal prepping and one of my favorite things to make is a chicken burrito bowl. It has black beans, rice, vegetables, chicken, shredded cheese, and salsa and like 4 meals is under $10 and tastes way better than Taco Bell and is loads healthier.

[RyanAtTanagra]

A co-worker's wife's brand new Mercedes ($70,000 SUV) was hit by someone else and sustained extensive damage. Now that it's fixed, they want to get a different car. They want to sell it quick before the damage has a chance to hit the Carfax report and devalue the car. However, he doesn't have the $10,000 to float for the likely difference in the sale price and the balance of the loan. My co-worker also just bought a $100,000 BMW 750.  I was floored that they just bought $170,000 worth of cars but don't have 10k rattling around.

Selling the car before the Carfax report is updated to hide the damage from the buyer is a pretty low-down, dirty thing to do. I'd be pretty ticked off someone did that to me. By deliberately concealing the wreck information, the seller is basically ripping the buyer off for the difference between the selling price and the car's actual value based on the Carfax report. The buyer wouldn't find out about the accident until he or she went to sell the vehicle and pulled the Carfax report.

Concealing damage to a vehicle or information that would dramatically affect its value is fraud by concealment. If the difference in value ends up being more than $1000 or so, and it easily could on a vehicle that expensive to begin with, that's a felony level crime. Is he seriously willing to do time because he "wants a different car"?

While this is pretty shady, I think it is technically legal as long as the seller doesn't claim the vehicle has never been in an accident. Carfax is not the only way to determine if a vehicle has been in an accident. Any buyer should be having the vehicle inspected by a third party mechanic regardless of what the Carfax report says.

Withholding information that you should reasonably believe would change the mind of the buyer can still be considered fraud, if I recall my business law classes correctly.

[TheGrimSqueaker]

A co-worker's wife's brand new Mercedes ($70,000 SUV) was hit by someone else and sustained extensive damage. Now that it's fixed, they want to get a different car. They want to sell it quick before the damage has a chance to hit the Carfax report and devalue the car. However, he doesn't have the $10,000 to float for the likely difference in the sale price and the balance of the loan. My co-worker also just bought a $100,000 BMW 750.  I was floored that they just bought $170,000 worth of cars but don't have 10k rattling around.

Selling the car before the Carfax report is updated to hide the damage from the buyer is a pretty low-down, dirty thing to do. I'd be pretty ticked off someone did that to me. By deliberately concealing the wreck information, the seller is basically ripping the buyer off for the difference between the selling price and the car's actual value based on the Carfax report. The buyer wouldn't find out about the accident until he or she went to sell the vehicle and pulled the Carfax report.

Concealing damage to a vehicle or information that would dramatically affect its value is fraud by concealment. If the difference in value ends up being more than $1000 or so, and it easily could on a vehicle that expensive to begin with, that's a felony level crime. Is he seriously willing to do time because he "wants a different car"?

While this is pretty shady, I think it is technically legal as long as the seller doesn't claim the vehicle has never been in an accident. Carfax is not the only way to determine if a vehicle has been in an accident. Any buyer should be having the vehicle inspected by a third party mechanic regardless of what the Carfax report says.

If their goal is to not reveal something that might devalue the car, then admitting it's been in an accident will drive down the value just the same as the Carfax report would, and there would be no benefit to concealing the Carfax information.

[cheapass]

I was floored that they just bought $170,000 worth of cars but don't have 10k rattling around.

This reminds me of a director at my job. He bought a Mercedes and she bought an Infiniti. Turns out, she liked his car more than hers. So they just bought another Mercedes. And kept the Infiniti.

I just.. 3 cars... 2 drivers... Aaahhh!!!

The best part? He does FINANCIAL ANALYSIS for a living.

[Chris22]

I was floored that they just bought $170,000 worth of cars but don't have 10k rattling around.

This reminds me of a director at my job. He bought a Mercedes and she bought an Infiniti. Turns out, she liked his car more than hers. So they just bought another Mercedes. And kept the Infiniti.

I just.. 3 cars... 2 drivers... Aaahhh!!!

The best part? He does FINANCIAL ANALYSIS for a living.

Meh, I do FINANCIAL ANALYSIS for a living too, and we have 3 cars for 2 drivers.  One of them is a fun car.  I guess the difference is, my two cars are long paid for, and have a combined value of probably half the Mercedes or Infiniti.  I got 2 cars by buying one, paying it off, and keeping it when I bought the second one instead of trading it.  No regrets.

[kayvent]

A co-worker's wife's brand new Mercedes ($70,000 SUV) was hit by someone else and sustained extensive damage. Now that it's fixed, they want to get a different car. They want to sell it quick before the damage has a chance to hit the Carfax report and devalue the car. However, he doesn't have the $10,000 to float for the likely difference in the sale price and the balance of the loan. My co-worker also just bought a $100,000 BMW 750.  I was floored that they just bought $170,000 worth of cars but don't have 10k rattling around.

Selling the car before the Carfax report is updated to hide the damage from the buyer is a pretty low-down, dirty thing to do. I'd be pretty ticked off someone did that to me. By deliberately concealing the wreck information, the seller is basically ripping the buyer off for the difference between the selling price and the car's actual value based on the Carfax report. The buyer wouldn't find out about the accident until he or she went to sell the vehicle and pulled the Carfax report.

Concealing damage to a vehicle or information that would dramatically affect its value is fraud by concealment. If the difference in value ends up being more than $1000 or so, and it easily could on a vehicle that expensive to begin with, that's a felony level crime. Is he seriously willing to do time because he "wants a different car"?

While this is pretty shady, I think it is technically legal as long as the seller doesn't claim the vehicle has never been in an accident. Carfax is not the only way to determine if a vehicle has been in an accident. Any buyer should be having the vehicle inspected by a third party mechanic regardless of what the Carfax report says.

So you think caveat emptor applies here? I think if I went to civil court and such an activity was found (after an accident the car was quickly sold), the judge or peers would employ caveat venditor and say that whether it was intentional or not, the seller should be liable for the price differential that withholding that information incurred.

Edit: I was able to find one court applying caveat venditor to used car sales in Kentury. http://law.justia.com/cases/kentucky/court-of-appeals/1954/268-s-w-2d-627-1.html

[BuffaloStache]

That shit adds up! I started meal prepping and one of my favorite things to make is a chicken burrito bowl. It has black beans, rice, vegetables, chicken, shredded cheese, and salsa and like 4 meals is under $10 and tastes way better than Taco Bell and is loads healthier.

Totally agree. Even at $5 a pop you are talking ~$1,250 a year. for someone making ~$21k/yr, that's 5% of your salary. I'll have to try your burrito bowl idea, I typically just eat leftovers or bring a sandwich for lunch.

[marielle]

That shit adds up! I started meal prepping and one of my favorite things to make is a chicken burrito bowl. It has black beans, rice, vegetables, chicken, shredded cheese, and salsa and like 4 meals is under $10 and tastes way better than Taco Bell and is loads healthier.

Totally agree. Even at $5 a pop you are talking ~$1,250 a year. for someone making ~$21k/yr, that's 5% of your salary. I'll have to try your burrito bowl idea, I typically just eat leftovers or bring a sandwich for lunch.

Yep, but I think a lot of them spend more than that. They also get stuff out of the vending machine, sometimes multiple times a day. A soda is $1.50 and some snacks are $1.00. A lot of people make more than $21k with overtime or positions that pay slightly more, but still no where near the salaries people make on this forum, and we all bring our lunches. One guy told me he gets extra food from taco bell to save for later, so I imagine some could be spending $7-9 easily.

[MgoSam]

That shit adds up! I started meal prepping and one of my favorite things to make is a chicken burrito bowl. It has black beans, rice, vegetables, chicken, shredded cheese, and salsa and like 4 meals is under $10 and tastes way better than Taco Bell and is loads healthier.

Totally agree. Even at $5 a pop you are talking ~$1,250 a year. for someone making ~$21k/yr, that's 5% of your salary. I'll have to try your burrito bowl idea, I typically just eat leftovers or bring a sandwich for lunch.

Let me know if you have any questions, the only thing I don't know how to do is make the salsa that I use as it's my mom's recipe and I haven't bothered to learn it yet. I absolutely love this dish and it's very easy to make.

[Dave1442397]

This was at my previous job. We had a board of Directors meeting, and I happened to be sitting in the break room when a couple of the Directors came in, and one of them opened the fridge and took out a brown bag lunch.

I was just thinking to myself that he's pretty frugal, when he starts telling the other guy that he has his lunch made by a service that delivers it to his door in Manhattan every morning...and it only costs $45 a day!

[cloudsail]

This was at my previous job. We had a board of Directors meeting, and I happened to be sitting in the break room when a couple of the Directors came in, and one of them opened the fridge and took out a brown bag lunch.

I was just thinking to myself that he's pretty frugal, when he starts telling the other guy that he has his lunch made by a service that delivers it to his door in Manhattan every morning...and it only costs $45 a day!

*picks jaw up from floor*

[JAYSLOL]

This was at my previous job. We had a board of Directors meeting, and I happened to be sitting in the break room when a couple of the Directors came in, and one of them opened the fridge and took out a brown bag lunch.

I was just thinking to myself that he's pretty frugal, when he starts telling the other guy that he has his lunch made by a service that delivers it to his door in Manhattan every morning...and it only costs $45 a day!

Wait, what!?!?  Is that just for lunch or also breakfast and dinner for a day?  Our family of 3 can typically eat a meal out at an actual restaurant for less than that, including a big tip!  I wonder if he charges it as a business/work expense?

[ketchup]

This was at my previous job. We had a board of Directors meeting, and I happened to be sitting in the break room when a couple of the Directors came in, and one of them opened the fridge and took out a brown bag lunch.

I was just thinking to myself that he's pretty frugal, when he starts telling the other guy that he has his lunch made by a service that delivers it to his door in Manhattan every morning...and it only costs $45 a day!

*picks jaw up from floor*

Yeah, I think I need to get in on this business.

[RidetheRain]

This was at my previous job. We had a board of Directors meeting, and I happened to be sitting in the break room when a couple of the Directors came in, and one of them opened the fridge and took out a brown bag lunch.

I was just thinking to myself that he's pretty frugal, when he starts telling the other guy that he has his lunch made by a service that delivers it to his door in Manhattan every morning...and it only costs $45 a day!

*picks jaw up from floor*

I know you're not joking, but I can't help but think you're joking. This messes with my world view so bad.

[Dollar Slice]

There are tons of high-end/boutique lunch delivery services in Manhattan and I don't think I've ever seen one that cost more than $20 a meal. Maybe that's for more than one person? :-/  Let's hope.