Yep, it was eBay, and yep I wasn't too bright! Believe me, pictures can be
most deceiving. Remember, you can carefully crop out what you don't want a
buyer to see. And even though you ask questions, the reply can either skirt
around the issue or be totally dishonest. At least it was only a twelve
hour round trip with my truck and trailer! To make the matter worse is the
car didn't make "reserve" and they still offered it to me a the non-reserve
price. When I contacted them they said they had another interested buyer,
and the first with the money got the car. I thought I was getting a heck of
a deal, and FedEx'd a money order deposit. I guess they saw me coming. I
could have lived with the car being not as expected, and just chalk it up to
experience. What really p*sses me off though is the title thing. I was
really hoping it was stolen. I bet the Missouri state police would have
really enjoyed the signed bill of sale of a stolen car! I did learn a
couple of very important (and probably expensive) lessons:
One: Never buy a car off of eBay without sending someone to actually see and
touch it. I'm sure I could have asked the list, and someone was close
enough to St Louis to check it out for me. and,
Two: Never send a deposit money order in advance.
Three: Always ask if it has a title.
Thanks,
Bill
-----Original Message-----
From: Peter S. [mailto:alfapete@pacbell.net]
Sent: Tuesday, September 28, 1999 4:10 PM
To: Bill Miller; spitfires@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: Title question
You put a deposit without seeing it? Is that right?
I think Ebay must have a lot problems like this. Except that there is
usually a photograph and lots of written description to support it.
How far away are you from the seller. If you don't want the car I'd suggest
suing the seller and based on what you've said you'd win. Although you
should exhaust all other efforts before tying up the justice system.
When I call about a car I always ask about title and if they are the owner.
If they have a problem with these question then you don't want to do
business with them.
Messy, very messy. Best of luck to you.
PS
----- Original Message -----
From: Bill Miller <millerb@netusa1.net>
To: <spitfires@autox.team.net>
Sent: Tuesday, September 28, 1999 11:07 AM
Subject: Title question
>
> I bought a very early 71 spit in missouri. I was told that it was
complete,
> and not that bad of shape. Well when I got there, it was in a lot worse
> shape than I expected! Rot in rear wings, NO floorboards, motor
incomplete
> (though "SAH tuned") and frozen, and unfortunately NO TITLE! At least the
> frame was solid and it had a restorable hardtop. Well, I tried to back
out
> do to "no title" and they would not return my deposit. Several agruments
> later, I wound up taking it home with a signed, complete, bill of sale for
> just the deposit ($375) but no title. I had a cop friend run the
commission
> number and the vehicle was not stolen. Do any of you have a clue how to
get
> a title, or is this poor spit going to be a parts donor only. A friend at
> work suggested Hemmings, but I can't find anything in the latest copy. I
> hate to part out a "restorable" spit, but what can you do without a
title??
>
> Bill
>
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