"SteveLehto" (stevelehto)
04/05/2015 at 07:45 • Filed to: None
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"SteveLehto" (stevelehto)
04/05/2015 at 07:45 • Filed to: None | 3
| 6 |
I have been doing weekly podcasts for a bit now and the total listens recently crossed the 25,000 mark. And as many of you have gathered, they often focus on car sales.
So, we have what to do if you are going to buy a used car from an individual.
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How to shop for a car at a dealer.
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And how to sell a used car.
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!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! Bad Dealer Horror Stories galore (two episodes), Things to Never Buy From a Dealer and stuff about As-Is and CPO.
Those are all the variations I can think of. If you can think of others that I have missed, let me know. (What if I am an illegal alien, purchasing a stolen vehicle at a government surplus auction in Croatia?) My advice on buying the car at the top? Bring lots of money
Follow me on Twitter: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
Hear my podcast on iTunes: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
Steve Lehto has been practicing law for 23 years, almost exclusively in consumer protection and !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! He wrote !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .
This website may supply general information about the law but it is for informational purposes only. This does not create an attorney-client relationship and is not meant to constitute legal advice, so the good news is we're not billing you by the hour for reading this. The bad news is that you shouldn't act upon any of the information without consulting a qualified professional attorney who will, probably, bill you by the hour.
Funktheduck
> SteveLehto
04/05/2015 at 09:08 |
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I love the horror stories. It just shows how inept/bad some companies can be. Like the guy who had his short block replaced 7 times. You would think at some point someone would figure it out. Or the dirty tricks bad dealerships play on people like yo yo financing. I didn't even know that was a thing until you came around.
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SteveLehto
> Funktheduck
04/05/2015 at 09:37 |
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Thanks. I have SO many of those stories it can be scary. I hear them so often that I forget how weird they really are.
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Funktheduck
> SteveLehto
04/05/2015 at 09:57 |
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I like talking to ER doctors or people in med school on ER rotations for the same reasons. They don't think about it because it becomes normal but for the non medical person the stories can be fascinating.
jayed_coins
> SteveLehto
05/07/2015 at 11:09 |
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Hi Steve,
I had a few questions. I’m preparing to sell my 2005 Escape (I’m in Michigan if you’re interested :)).
The first one seems kind of silly, but is important. How do you recommend to privately sell the car safely? What I mean by that is, at some point, any buyer with half a brain is going to want to take a test drive. There are no guarantees in life, but do you have some common sense tips for ensuring that you don’t hop in the car with a Craigslist lunatic? Is it simple as, meet to show the car at a safe place (the PD/city hall building of the city I live in encourages residents to do Craigslist deals at the PD parking lot) and take a friend along?
Second, I’ve never bought a used car if the seller won’t let me take it to a mechanic/shop that I trust. Of course this often means they either need to dedicate a few hours of their time, or they need to trust you to go solo with the vehicle. I would expect any smart buyer of my car to want to do that same. That being said, if they’re from the other side of the Detroit metro area or something like that, is there a safe way I can allow them to take the car to their trusted mechanic? Or is it simple as, we need to come to an agreement on a mechanic close by that we can visit together?
Third, what is the best way to ensure you’re receiving a verified payment? You mention to be wary of money orders, but what about a certified/cashier’s check from a local credit union or bank? Is there a better way yet?
Lastly, I love the idea of going with the buyer to the SOS to complete the sale. I live very close to one of the super centers, too, so it would be very convenient and quick to get done, all things considered. Is this something where you just get in line together and get to the desk, tell them one is selling the car the other is buying? I may be over-thinking this. :)
Thanks, I know this is a lengthy post.
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SteveLehto
> jayed_coins
05/07/2015 at 11:41 |
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Not at all. I would say use your judgment on the person going for a drive with you in the car. (Obviously, do not let them drive it without you!) If they seem sketchy and you don’t want them driving it, you could TRY to take them for a test ride. Not sure if anyone would go for that, though.
As for a mechanic, again, you have to go. So just hope they have a mechanic who will come look at it OR that their mechanic is not far away. There are no easier answers here. Again, you have to use your judgment. If you are in Detroit and the buyer wants to take the car to the UP for an inspection . . . .
As for payment. If they do not have cash or that is impractical, suggest consummating the deal at their bank. They can bring the cashier’s check to THEIR bank and you can either get cash or have the bank cut you certified funds. The key is that it is hard to trust someone handing you an instrument that anyone can make with a laser printer these days.
And do what you can to get their ID. If they want to test drive and you are going to let them ask to see their DL. Tell them your attorney requires it! (And write down the name and DL#).
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jayed_coins
> SteveLehto
05/07/2015 at 14:08 |
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Thanks very much for the reply!