WANTED: Enough TNT to blow up my 1998 Jetta

[Quantum TD]

What a nightmare. I sold the car over two weeks ago on ebay, guy has yet to pick it up. While driving it last week, I noticed that it was pushing coolant out of the overflow at high RPMs/speeds (not a problem before, and it never overheated). I checked the fan switch (new), water pump (works fine), and t-stat (opens fully at proper temp), hoses look good, not notable leaks in the EGR cooler. Looks like the HG is pushing compression into the coolant.

So, I inform the buyer of the problem that has just appeared, and tell him that I will take care of it completely at no additional cost to him, but it will take some time to fix the HG (after New Years it will be ready: afterall, it's been sitting here for 2 1/2 weeks already). He concedes and asks me to keep him up to date on progress.

Tonite I get a call from his (Can't Understand Normal Thinking) wife, claiming they have a lawyer on retainer ready to sue me if i dont' refund all their money!! So, they've got the title and bill of sale in hands, I have the car and their money. I'm ok to refund, but given the crap this lady has given me, and thier somewhat unsettling ebay rating, I'm reticent to send ANY money before they send me the title and bill of sale.

The lesson here: never be honest and forthright when dealing with the R-tards on ebay. I could have just sent them on their way with the car and ignored their phone calls. Try to be a stand-up guy and I get shat upon.

The only (potential) happy ending to this story, is that I may get to sell the car to the guy I really wanted to win it: a guy in PA that I talked to for about 1-2 hours about the car and diesels in general. Hopefully, this will all work out. If not, I'm gonna need that TNT...

[MaxHedrm]

Well, you actually have a couple choices.

You can tell them, nevermind you won't fix the problem, they bought the car as is. Come get it, or you will scrap it. You have no legal obligation to fix a car they own. Of course you probably shouldn't have been driving it either.  :? That's the only real weakness to this option.

The other option is to tell them that you cannot refund their money until the title and bill of sale are back in your hands. Possibly point out that it isn't that you don't trust them, but that you have another potential buyer lined up, and cannot wait around for the paperwork.

Good luck!

[rabbid79]

That "I have a lawyer" B.S. is just a scare tactic.  The lawyers I've dealt with cost around $200/hr.  If they talked to one, that's just money down the drain for them, because they'd spend all the money they're trying to get back, in a very short time just by talking to him.  Even if they took you to small claims, they can't use a lawyer, so again, just wasted money.  Just tell them your not going to play their games, they can lose the "we have a lawyer B.S.", and that they'll get their money once you receive the title and bill of sale.  Since you're holding the cash, you definately have the upper hand.

[commuter boy]

If they really do have a lawyer, have them ask him to contact you to confirm that he will hold the title in escrow for you.  Then you send the lawyer the cash ** IN TRUST **, he sends you the title, they pay the bill.

Easiest way to go if you don't trust someone and you're not local to do a Mexican handoff.

Just make sure he's a real lawyer, check with the state bar association.

[addautomotive]

Well, you actually have a couple choices.

You can tell them, nevermind you won't fix the problem, they bought the car as is. Come get it, or you will scrap it. You have no legal obligation to fix a car they own. Of course you probably shouldn't have been driving it either.  :? That's the only real weakness to this option.

The other option is to tell them that you cannot refund their money until the title and bill of sale are back in your hands. Possibly point out that it isn't that you don't trust them, but that you have another potential buyer lined up, and cannot wait around for the paperwork.

Good luck!

Good advice here.

It's a shame that they have to be arseholes about it. You've shown that you are forthright & flexible, and it's a shame that they don't have teh decency to reciprocate.

If I were you, I would get the paperwork back and refund the money. These people sound like nothing but trouble, and you're sure to get more grief if you try to make them happy... you can't.

[BleachedBora]

Wow! Sorry to hear of the troubles. My '98 just started doing the same thing--I hope it's just the HG, but it could be the heater core or a host of other items. Good luck with the fix and with the retards, let me know if I can be of any help.
Cheers,
-BB

[Quantum TD]

I'll let you all know how it turns out. I'm keeping my fingers crossed at the moment that it all works out (without lawyers).

As for the problem, I'm pulling the head tomorrow to inspect. I've prepared myself for at least $300 in head work (pressure test, resurface, and valve job after re-cut). If there really is a god, it won't be too bad. But given my absolute *** luck, the head will probably be FUBARed.

Pray for me guys.

[Gearhead]

Is that a TDI Jetta?  What were you asking as is? I have a car trailer, and I'm not too far away.  :p

[jtanguay]

I don't see why you'd want to blow up the jetta.  It seems like the buyer's wife should be the recipient of the TNT.

Andrew

x2

[myke_w]

I understand your frustration and don't want to rub salt in the wound, but my policy when selling a car is once I have a deposit, the car gets parked. This way the new owner gets the car exactly like it was when the money hit my palm. I know at this point in your transaction it's hindsight but for future sales, I'd suggest not driving it after the buyer pays, reduces risk to both parties..


I'd agree with the other guys on the lawyer, if they really had one, you'd have had a letter on his letterhead with their grievances and demands...  

Best luck getting it straightened out...

[jtanguay]

it almost sounds like the guy impulsively bought the diesel car, and his wife is mad at him now and trying to 'fix' the situation...  cry loud enough and they get what they want... i hate little princess'