This is not my finest moment. It happened so fast, this is my first time buying a car on my own, but no excuses. I don't know yet whether I have a lemon - but here's my story:
I've been without a car for a few weeks. I have an old car that I recently had towed to a storage unit - it was not running, no obvious diagnosis, I was reluctant to put more money into it because it has no resale value. The plan was to buy a new car, then figure out what to do with my existing car.
I responded to a Craigslist ad yesterday. Nice looking car. Below KBB value by 25% (assuming Good condition). It's the type of car that would typically sell quick. It was pictured in front of a residence. Nothing sketchy about the ad. I set up a time to see it. Communication via text message.
Seller proposes we meet at a McDonalds. Location was convenient for me. I checked the car out, drove it, it drove well. Seller says he is selling because he just bought a new truck. The dealer offered to give him a trade in offer - but obviously only suckers do trade-ins.
There were small things that seemed off. Temp license plate, corner lamp assembly missing ($20 fix, why wouldn't he want to fix it), windshield washer fluid compartment was torn up - I don't care about the windshield washer fluid, but that went against the well cared for image I had been given.
I would have normally insisted on having the car checked out independently. But it drove well, I needed a car, the price was such that I figured worst case, I could drive the new car temporarily and then re-sell it. Seller had other calls, I don't expect the car the car to available for so long. Seller agreed to an honor system, would work with me if I found out there were any big repairs needed (but mechanics are out to make money he cautions and he won't be concerned with minor stuff). I was nervous, and deep down I knew something was off. But...
I gave in. Got cash. We drove to a third-party MVD next to McDonalds. Everything was easy. I was a little surprised when I found out the title had been in the name of a used car dealership (or otherwise an LLC). I asked the seller about that, he says a family member has a commercial license. I was slightly relived b/c if this was a commercial sale, I would be protected by Lemon Laws. We shake hands. He doesn't need a ride anywhere; said his cousin lived across the street.
I had a sinking feeling, and eventually Googled the seller's phone number. The seller's phone number linked to a Yelp page for a used car dealership - located across the street from the McDonalds where we met. I looked him up on FB - his profile says he owns the lot and there is at least one post referencing "his dealership."
I did text him to let him know I knew what was up, I asked him whether I bought from a dealer or a private party. He says, yeah he's dealer affiliated but he had been driving this car for awhile and it was a private sale; says he paid my sales tax and stuff for me, inferring he did me a favor (luckily I can screenshot this, it infers he could have sold as a dealer but instead chose not to). We're still talking a little back and forth. Don't know how it will end up...
I'm not sure yet that I got a lemon, the car runs ok for now, I will have it checked out thoroughly if the seller will not refund (and I expect to possibly find out that superficial repairs had been done to a not so well maintained car that is costly to repair). The title had been in the dealership's name and not the seller's name - so I am not sure that it can still count as a private sale?
I hope to resolve this situation without an attorney. Anybody have insight? thx
I've been without a car for a few weeks. I have an old car that I recently had towed to a storage unit - it was not running, no obvious diagnosis, I was reluctant to put more money into it because it has no resale value. The plan was to buy a new car, then figure out what to do with my existing car.
I responded to a Craigslist ad yesterday. Nice looking car. Below KBB value by 25% (assuming Good condition). It's the type of car that would typically sell quick. It was pictured in front of a residence. Nothing sketchy about the ad. I set up a time to see it. Communication via text message.
Seller proposes we meet at a McDonalds. Location was convenient for me. I checked the car out, drove it, it drove well. Seller says he is selling because he just bought a new truck. The dealer offered to give him a trade in offer - but obviously only suckers do trade-ins.
There were small things that seemed off. Temp license plate, corner lamp assembly missing ($20 fix, why wouldn't he want to fix it), windshield washer fluid compartment was torn up - I don't care about the windshield washer fluid, but that went against the well cared for image I had been given.
I would have normally insisted on having the car checked out independently. But it drove well, I needed a car, the price was such that I figured worst case, I could drive the new car temporarily and then re-sell it. Seller had other calls, I don't expect the car the car to available for so long. Seller agreed to an honor system, would work with me if I found out there were any big repairs needed (but mechanics are out to make money he cautions and he won't be concerned with minor stuff). I was nervous, and deep down I knew something was off. But...
I gave in. Got cash. We drove to a third-party MVD next to McDonalds. Everything was easy. I was a little surprised when I found out the title had been in the name of a used car dealership (or otherwise an LLC). I asked the seller about that, he says a family member has a commercial license. I was slightly relived b/c if this was a commercial sale, I would be protected by Lemon Laws. We shake hands. He doesn't need a ride anywhere; said his cousin lived across the street.
I had a sinking feeling, and eventually Googled the seller's phone number. The seller's phone number linked to a Yelp page for a used car dealership - located across the street from the McDonalds where we met. I looked him up on FB - his profile says he owns the lot and there is at least one post referencing "his dealership."
I did text him to let him know I knew what was up, I asked him whether I bought from a dealer or a private party. He says, yeah he's dealer affiliated but he had been driving this car for awhile and it was a private sale; says he paid my sales tax and stuff for me, inferring he did me a favor (luckily I can screenshot this, it infers he could have sold as a dealer but instead chose not to). We're still talking a little back and forth. Don't know how it will end up...
I'm not sure yet that I got a lemon, the car runs ok for now, I will have it checked out thoroughly if the seller will not refund (and I expect to possibly find out that superficial repairs had been done to a not so well maintained car that is costly to repair). The title had been in the dealership's name and not the seller's name - so I am not sure that it can still count as a private sale?
I hope to resolve this situation without an attorney. Anybody have insight? thx
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