Caveat Emptor

Buyer beware...

Curbsiders are unlicensed dealers in the business of selling cars, but who pose as private sellers. The vehicles they sell are often misrepresented, accident-damaged, odometer-tampered, stolen, or have liens against them.

Source: http://www.omvic.on.ca/

A few years back, when we had to replace our beloved Red Dwarf (1996 Windstar), we turned to internet classifieds to find a new ride. My Darling Bride spotted what appeared to be a good deal on Kijiji, an internet classified site with local pages. We met with a Lady selling a 2000 Grand Caravan for her in-laws at a local garage. It showed well, was certified and emissions tested and was a good price.

When we saw the ownership our hearts skipped a beat.

We knew the person selling it.

We went to High School with him.

We worked with him when we drove taxi's.

We knew him when he was a shady used car salesman working for fly by night dealers.

We knew he was a Curbsider.

We also knew where we could find him. And he knew it too.

When the 'new' power steering pump blew up 20 minutes after picking the van up we should have walked away then. But we gave him a chance to make it right and he did.

Within a year after we bought it the rust started to pop out like pimples before the prom.

Anyhow, I digress.

Last week, after a few years of minor wear and tear problems with that van, the death knell sounded when the timing belt let go.

So M.D.B set out on another Kijiji quest while I searched dealer sites. I wasn't doing well with the cash we had to work with, but she had a find. Newer, well optioned, safety checked and e-tested. I called the number, and was called back by a woman who said we could come look at it after her husband got home. She gave me her name, and then her husbands name and somewhere in my head there was a 'DING!' I asked for a last name and wasn't given the same one as the Curbsider of a few years ago. M.D.B. heard my ding and when a few checks on Canada 411 didn't set off any further alarms, so we decided to do a drive by in the daylight and headed for the address given.

When we pulled in the driveway, I was looking at the van, and M.D.B. spotted the name on the mailbox.

It was him.

We never even put the car in park.

How bad is it when you feel the need to give a false name over the phone when selling a car?

Later that same day...

...When the woman called us back (number blocked) to say her husband was home and we could come by, I told her they had burned us before, but not again.

I have heard other stories of a similar nature on Kijiji, but, I imagine it's much the same on most Classified web sites. Ads are usually free and you can hide behind some anonymity.

According to The Ontario's Motor Vehicle Industry Council's website, "Curbsiders account for approximately 25 per cent of used - vehicle classified ads..." They frequently have you meet them in a public place, use cell phones, don't have the required used car sellers package, and sell as-is.

Of course you get no guarantees.

If it smells bad, it probably is.

In the end, we bought from reputable dealer in business for more than 15 years, and got a warranty.

And we reported the curbsider.

Caveat Emptor....buyer beware

Operor non adepto dementis adepto vel...

...Don't get mad, get even.

DJW

So long, Bulwinkle.
Stand by for the naming of the new van.