I have been thinking about selling my pa28-235 for some time, but I
dread
the process. I understand why a buyer inexperienced with the model
would
want a prebuy inspection, and I respect that. But until I have a
check in
my hand, the plane is still mine and I am going to treat it as such.
Buyers
need to respect that.

Snip

I'll be happy to remove the inspection panels and
take off the cowl, and he can come LOOK at it in MY hanger. If
desired, he
can have a mechanic of his choice come and LOOK at it in my hangar.
But
while the plane is still mine, it is not going to the buyer's shop or
being
touched by the buyer's mechanic.

It's all a matter of degree. In Jack's case, the plane in question had
NOT complied with Service Bulletin 1006 (or at least I couldn't see it
in the logbooks) -- the "Big One" that addresses wing spar corrosion.
I'm assuming that Jack would have wisely required that this SB be
complied with, and the spar be checked, before or at the pre-buy.

This, of course, means removing the gas tanks -- a MAJOR operation on a
Cherokee -- pulling them forward and inspecting the spar. To comply
with the SB, you have to paint the spar with anti-corrosion goop, and
you might as well replace all the (probably original) fuel lines while
you're at it. None of this is cheap, and there is always the
opportunity to break, scratch or dent something in the process.

Was this the deal killer? Did the seller find someone dumb enough to
buy his plane *without* complying with this service bulletin? Dunno.
It's a major operation, and I wouldn't blame the seller for not wanting
to do it. On the other hand, any Cherokee that has sat outside for any
length of time -- and this one was parked on the ramp for a decade of
Illinois winters -- must comply with that SB, or (IMHO) it is a
completely unsellable aircraft.

So, Jack's search continues. Maybe you should sell him your 235, and
solve *everyone's* problems! :-)
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"