When a new guy says he just bought an MV with a busted transfer case, and he believes that he is getting a near zero time engine that's a red flag. It could be the deal of the decade... most times its not.
Why sugar coat it?
'Sweet ride' and 'transfer is shot' do not belong in the same sentence. That's up there with 'Ran when parked' and 'needs brake work', or 'smokes a little'.
I buy the truck, not the story, nor the 'pleasantness' of the seller. You get a written guarantee on that mystery transfer case? What if they forget to adjust the X,Y,Z or don't hook up the P,D,Q? How are you going to know when you are broke down and looking at a huge towing bill?
Trucks with blown transfer cases get passed over. That's common sense.
Being helpful is not just about saying 'nice truck'.