Unhappy with Ebay Classic Car Purchase

[ffas23]

I live in the state of New Jersey. On June 11,2002 I purchased a 1967 Classic Corvette Coupe from a Missouri car dealer on Ebay. This car was advertised as a 98pt perfect car. The buy out price was $34,900. I sent a inspector listed on the same Ebay page out to inspect the car after my purchase. He found the car not to be a 98pt car but maybe a 80+pt car. He pointed out flaws of the car to the owner of the dealership by the name of Todd who in turn called me and said he didn't know much about Corvettes and wanted to know if I was still interested in purchasing the car. He said that he and the inspector came to the conclusion that it would take between $2500-$3000 to bring the car up to a 98pt car. He then offered to knock $2900 off of the price of the car which brought it down to $32,000. I agreed to the purchase and wired the money out. Todd handled the shipping details of which I paid another $600. I received the car on July 1,2002, drove it around and was happy with my purchase. Three weeks later being I am a car collector I decided to put the car up on my car lift to detail it. While detailing it I noticed some rust on the frame covered with Black Silicone. I took a flat bladed screwdriver and started to scrape the rust and the screwdriver went through the frame. I found that someone deliberately put gobs of black silicone in the frame to hide rusted out areas of the frame.I opened up a can of worms. The frame started to look like Swiss Cheese. Never at any time was I told by Todd or the inspector that the car had badly rusted areas in the frame. The rust was hidden so well that I didn't find it right away. I would of never purchased the car if I had known this. I called Todd on Aug 12 and told him what I found and that I felt deceived. He said he wasn't awhere of this problem and for me to take pictures and send them. That same day I did and sent them out by way of Fedex next day air. According to Fedex tracting Todd received them the next day Aug 13. I haven't heard another word from Todd but emailed him twice since. Once to let him know that I expect to be compensated for the rust damage a professional will have to fix. Still no response. I already made a complaint to Ebay but they can't help me and I would like to keep the car. I have already spent more money on parts for this car trying to bring this car up to a 98pt car in order to show it. What are my legal rights? Any help would be appreciated here. Thanks

 

[ffas23]

I would just like to update everyone who has read my first thread dated Aug.25,2002. I filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau of Missouri and the Attorney Generals Office of Missouri on Aug.26,2002 against the Missouri Classic Car Dealer. On Oct.26 the Better Business Bureau closed my case after (2) months because they didn't get a reply from the dealer. They posted a unsatisfactory record for the dealer on their website at www.kansascity.bbb.org.for one unanswered complaint. After (3)months I received a letter from the Attorney Generals Office stating that they regret to report that they were unable to obtain a response from the dealer and that since they were unsuccessful, I may wish to consult a private attorney. They also added that the Attorney Generals Office is unable to assert a claim on behalf of a private citizen. They also mentioned that they would keep my complaint on file and additional complaints of a similar nature could warrant state action. This is where I stand right now, no better then (4) months ago. I tried to locate a attorney through this website but with no luck in the KC area. I really do need some help here if anyone has some ideas. In the mean time this dealer is still selling on Ebay. I forgot to mention that Ebay did nothing for me but take my complaint. Square trade tried but the dealer walked away after responding once and didn't make anymore contact so Square trade had to close the case.