So I put down a $5K deposit on a Vette a couple weeks ago. The seller told me he was in the process of getting the new title and had to bring the Vette into the DMV to have them inspect the VIN since it had been off the road for 13 years. So he didn't have a title in his name. He only had it for a month before selling to me. Then he said he'd fix a leaky caliper and the water pump as part of the deal. So I leave the car with him and get a signed bill of sale from him showing that I put down $5K and owe him the remainder.

Tonight I get a call from him saying he has bad news and that he needs to pull out from the deal. Says his wife is mad at him. He gave me the same story when he sold it saying his wife didn't know about the car and that he needed to sell it fast. Now he says she's mad for whatever reason and that he needs to get out of our deal.

My guess is that he found a buyer willing to pay him more than the price he sold it to me for and now wants to back out of our deal to sell for more money.

So is the car mine or not? I have a signed bill of sale.
I know I owe him money still and don't have a signed title, but is it legally sold to me? This is bummer because I started buying parts to restore it as well. Any advice on what I should do?

Steve

Bummer You should get your money back, count your blessings and move on. Sounds to me like he has been lying from the start. How can you believe anything concerning the vehicle's condition?


|UPDATED|11/7/2003 9:43:10 PM|/UPDATED|

I agree with Owen. Sounds like there's a lot more going on here with this character than you want to take on. If he's lying about the deal, imagine what other "surprises" are in store for you regarding the car.

I'd do whatever I could to get my $$ back and be glad you're done with him.

That said, you do have a signed receipt of deposit for the car and if you really wanted to I supposed you could force the issue.

The question is - do you really want to? Sounds like a major hassle is about to begin and you could avoid it all.

Tough as it is when you find the car you want (I know - having been through that myself) to just walk away, but my sense is there are some MAJOR RED flags...

I guess i'm more of the redneck kinda person ! I would make him hold to his agreement! If ya have his sig....then get ya a lawer, and get your car. Used to be a mans word was better than anything on paper. Times have changed , thats why ya hear people say get it in wrighting.....then if things like this happen , take that ass to court !!

I agree with the others get your $$$$ back ASAP in CASH he sounds pretty fishey and if he write a check that may bounce. Get your money back, run and run fast and don't look back. You'll find a better veet b4 you know it. I got mine off of E-Bay and I love it!!!

Good luck

Get your money back and run far and run fast. This doesn't sound like a guy that can be trusted. There's other Corvettes out there looking to be adopted.

I bought both my Vettes through Ebay and am very satisfied with both and the people I bought each from. Just ask a lot of questions before buying and if something doesn't sound right or the person doesn't seem forthcoming, take it as a red flag.

My Vote: Get your money back, IN CASH!

This guy sounds like a flake. If you can get the cash back, it'll be better spent elsewhere.

Buyer beware......

Title issues can be a headache. Run and hide from this one. It took the guy I bought my vette from 3 months to come up with the original title( he lived in Ohio, car was titled to his mom in Florida and I needed a PA title).....Luckily it worked out because I knew his ex-wife, and she had the car. Keep on looking, Im sure the right vette is out there waiting to come home with you.

Good luck,

Dan

Run, Forrest, Run! Sounds a little too shady a situation to me. There are a ton of other C3's out there who need a good garage to call home.

I agree, get your money back in cash and be thankful you didn't get tied up with this guy or this car.