What is Curbstoning?
Curbstoning refers to the practice whereby a dealer presents themselves as a private seller to sell a vehicle. Dealers are supposed to comply with a series of regulations which they evade by posing as private sellers. Falling prey to this can mean high post-buy hassles, including unknowingly investing in a flood damaged vehicle or a vehicle with a lien. There are a number of safety measures buyers must take to avoid falling for such scams when shopping for repairable cars for sale. We cover five tips below. Let’s dig in.
Safety Tips
Read the Classified Ads Carefully
One of the most common places to watch out for curbstoning is classified ads. It is, therefore, important for you to read every classified ad carefully and cross-check the information provided to avoid scams such as curbstoning. If multiple classifieds have the same contact number, it may be a sign of curbstoning, it is best to steer clear of such sellers.
Ask About the Car Title
Before finalizing on a car you wish to buy, it is important that you enquire about its title. Having knowledge of a vehicle’s title gives you an idea of its condition, such as is it salvaged or damaged in a flood. Do your homework and know what different car titles mean before choosing from salvage or junk cars for sale.
Match Important Information
Another important thing to do when looking into a car’s title is to match the seller’s name with the one mentioned in the title. You can also ask for documents, such as a driver’s license, to match and compare the information. In the off-chance that the details do not match, ask about the reason behind the anomaly to make an informed decision.
Wrap Up
Curbstoning is a common way for dealers to escape the various regulations they must fulfill when selling a vehicle. The best way to dodge such scams is to conduct some thorough research, shortlist a few reputable sites that provide salvage cars for sale or junk cars for sale. Comparison-shop between different auctions websites and salvage cars for sale and find one that is within your budget and meets your needs. That is one sure way to escape curbstoning.