# What is "flipping" cars? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 8, 2016, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-flipping-cars/751556 "2016-04-08T16:16:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2016, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-flipping-cars/751556/1 "2016-04-08T16:16:43Z")
I found this in a communication a lawyer asked me to transcribe; 'nuff sed. (Excuse me! Take that “”" out of the heading, please!) ---
**Author:** ![troub](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troub/32/14802_2.png) [@troub](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/troub)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2016, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-flipping-cars/751556/2 "2016-04-08T16:21:56Z")
With no context how are we to know? It could mean a handful of people lifting on side of a car and literally flipping it over, or I suppose it could mean buying a busted up car cheap and doing a quick job of covering up some rust or mechanical problems and selling it for more (sort of like “flipping houses”). Or something else. But probably one of those two? ---
**Author:** ![leahcim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b4bc9f/32.png) [@leahcim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leahcim)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2016, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-flipping-cars/751556/3 "2016-04-08T16:22:54Z")
Or if he didn’t like the cars, he may have been saying “fucking cars!” but with a minced oath. ETA: And “flipping cars” in the sense of “flipping houses” could also mean buying them in one place and selling them somewhere else where the prices for that model are higher, without fixing anything up. Cars, unlike houses, are generally mobile. ---
**Author:** ![Asympotically\_fat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e47c2d/32.png) [@Asympotically\_fat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asympotically_fat)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2016, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-flipping-cars/751556/4 "2016-04-08T16:24:08Z")
Are they from the UK? “Flipping” in the UK is a mild intensifier that is usually used in place of a swear word to express annoyance. ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2016, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-flipping-cars/751556/5 "2016-04-08T16:37:31Z")
Given the context of the communication, I think Leahcim’s second answer comes closest. Sorry, I couldn’t give more information–attorney-client confidence, you know. Thanks, Leahcim. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2016, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-flipping-cars/751556/6 "2016-04-08T16:59:53Z")
Flipping refers to buying and then reselling stuff. Some people flip houses. Some people buy stuff at thrift shops, garage sales, auctions, clearance sections of retail stores, Craigslist and then resell at eBay, Amazon, Craiglist… Some people flip cars. In general the time between buying and selling is less than a year or so (preferably much less). If you are interested there is subreddit called flipping at Reddit. ---
**Author:** ![davida03801](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5e925/32.png) [@davida03801](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davida03801)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2016, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-flipping-cars/751556/7 "2016-04-08T17:08:35Z")
There is a TV show about this. [Counting Cars](http://www.history.co.uk/shows/counting-cars) ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2016, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-flipping-cars/751556/8 "2016-04-09T04:25:46Z")
Also _Wheeler Dealers_ from across the pond from USA. _Fast and Loud_ is another show. Premise is picking up a collectable in less than top condition and restoring it or modding it to get a higher price. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2016, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-flipping-cars/751556/9 "2016-04-09T14:34:55Z")
> [@Asympotically\_fat](#): > > Are they from the UK? “Flipping” in the UK is a mild intensifier that is usually used in place of a swear word to express annoyance. Same here, though it might be more or less common based on region. ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2016, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-flipping-cars/751556/10 "2016-04-09T15:50:49Z")
And I saw a usage of the word in a very sad context. In an old cartoon by H. T. Webster, a kid who has lost a leg stands, on crutches, watching other more fortunate kids happily ice skating on a frozen pond below the rise he stands on. The caption reads, “The Boy Who Flipped Trains.” I don’t know what the (apparently obsolete) meaning of the word “flip” is as it is used here. but I can guess. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![D18](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@D18](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D18)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2016, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-flipping-cars/751556/11 "2016-04-09T15:54:36Z")
I had an acquaintance who flips cars and he described two common circumstances: 1. He has a sense for the types of cars (usually vintage muscle cars in his situation) that there is a demand for and if he comes across one that he can buy at a good price, he does, knowing that at some point in the near future someone will be looking for it 2. Guys (and it’s usually guys as opposed to gals) will tell him they are looking for a type of car. If he finds one, instead of saying, say, I found someone selling that car you were looking for, he’ll buy it himself and then resell it to the guy I’m surprised he can make money at it, because you would think that the seller wouldn’t be pricing it low enough to make a profit or the buyer would be able to find it himself, but he does it frequently enough that it must make him something. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2016, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-flipping-cars/751556/12 "2016-04-09T16:26:28Z")
\*\*What is “flipping” cars? \*\* Nitpick: What\* are \*“flipping” cars? They’re the ones that break down while you have children and nuns with you. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2016, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-flipping-cars/751556/13 "2016-04-09T16:33:22Z")
> [@dougie\_monty](#): > > And I saw a usage of the word in a very sad context. > In an old cartoon by H. T. Webster, a kid who has lost a leg stands, on crutches, watching other more fortunate kids happily ice skating on a frozen pond below the rise he stands on. The caption reads, “The Boy Who Flipped Trains.” I don’t know what the (apparently obsolete) meaning of the word “flip” is as it is used here. but I can guess. ☹ I found that one on Google books. by the context I’d wager it was kids looking for a thrill by standing on the tracks and jumping out of the train’s way at the last possible second. ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2016, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-flipping-cars/751556/14 "2016-04-09T18:19:22Z")
> [@leahcim](#): > > … > ETA: And “flipping cars” in the sense of “flipping houses” could also mean buying them in one place and selling them somewhere else where the prices for that model are higher, without fixing anything up. Cars, unlike houses, are generally mobile. Right. This can happen with all sorts of movable things. For example, someone might buy farm tractors in an area where agriculture is giving way to suburban sprawl and then go sell those tractors in an area of booming agriculture. The trick to this is not only buying low and selling high, but keeping overhead costs low enough to still make a profit. ---
**Author:** ![epbrown01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@epbrown01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown01)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2016, 10:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-flipping-cars/751556/15 "2016-04-10T10:09:15Z")
> [@D18](#): > > I’m surprised he can make money at it, because you would think that the seller wouldn’t be pricing it low enough to make a profit or the buyer would be able to find it himself, but he does it frequently enough that it must make him something. When you see an ad where someone says “don’t call me with lowball offers” that’s someone that’s dealt with a lot of flippers. They call sellers hoping someone is desperate enough to take a bunch of money off, or more annoyingly agree to the asking price then show up and waste a sellers time with “I only brought this much wit me, will you take it?” Not saying your friend engages in such antics, but flippers can make selling a car or bike a pain in the ass. ---
**Author:** ![campp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@campp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/campp)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2016, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-flipping-cars/751556/16 "2016-04-10T13:04:35Z")
My father flipped grand pianos until he could afford to keep the best one for himself. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2016, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-flipping-cars/751556/17 "2016-04-10T14:18:44Z")
> [@D18](#): > > I’m surprised he can make money at it, because you would think that the seller wouldn’t be pricing it low enough to make a profit or the buyer would be able to find it himself, but he does it frequently enough that it must make him something. A local guy was buying cars that were garbage (in a flood, blown engine, bent to shit frames, impossible to title, etc) then putting just enough into them so they’d look good and run for a while. He got busted for turning back odometers, altering titles, and not paying taxes. He can no longer sell cars in PA. But it must be a money making thing, because he went right back to it, working behind the scenes and using relatives’ names as the sellers. ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2016, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-flipping-cars/751556/18 "2016-04-10T14:36:13Z")
I used to flip cars, it wasn’t called that back then though. I would buy cars through GSA, local and state auctions or through impound auctions. Do some cosmetic fixing and some minor repairs and sell them for a profit. The state finally shut me down for selling too many cars without a dealer’s license. The taxes associated with selling a car or two a month didn’t make sense so I quit. ---
**Author:** ![Isilder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@Isilder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isilder)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-flipping-cars/751556/19 "2016-04-12T03:48:26Z")
some cars are flipped when the owner gets a pay out for repairs to doors, headlights ,bumper bars or something, or just because doors have stopped working properly, door trips are failed, there’s a bearing or shock absorber problem… So the car is basically worthless , and so a flipper would see that the large mechanics (engine and gear box or “Transmission” ) and body is mostly alright… So the replacement of parts they can do themselves… They get in the right parts for a wreckers ,eg already painted doors , and all the other small things to replace and sell it as a well looked after going concern… Flipping houses is the same, the house doesn’t just need paint , it has some work needed, which is scaring off buyers, but its just simple work … replace a carpet, replace a gutter , a handrail, fix a leak, rebuild a wall in the garden, that sort of thing. ---
**Author:** ![sqweels](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f19dbf/32.png) [@sqweels](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sqweels)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2016, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-flipping-cars/751556/20 "2016-04-13T04:43:24Z")
First, sneak up on the car in the middle of the night… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-flipping-cars/751556.md?page=2)