DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU....PRESENTING CARSTEALER JONES, THE TRAILER TRASH FROM HELL!
I decided to sell my old Ford Escort Wagon. I was tired of all the repairs which literally cost me thousands a year. After putting in a new Alternator, Timing belt, Parking break - I decided it was time to sell the Car since my Dad was giving me his old Toyota Camry. So I took an Ad out in a local newspaper and was visited by a young woman and her Mother. They looked like nice people -- The Mother had a giant cross on her car. I told them why I was selling the car and pointed out some things. I let Ms. Jones drive the car in which she told me her husband died last year and that her car blew up and she had no way to get to work. She also said she didn't make much money (that should have tipped me off) and maybe I could lower the price. Being the nice Christian man that I am, I lowered the price from $500 to $400. When we got back to my home -- she then anounced that she didn't have any money on her (that should have been the second tip off). Ms. Jones asked if she could make payments, I said OK. At that point the Mother came up with a brainstorm (the smart one in the Scam duo), "If I write you a check for $100 -- will you let Carstealer drive the car until she can pay the rest -- I live nearby." I said OK and said, "You seem like nice people -- I trust you." (Meet Mr. Schmuck who has the Jaw bone of an Ass -- yes that is me) Then the Mother came up with another great idea: "Can you let Carstealer have the Title so she can register the car on her day off?" Thinking to myself with a little hesitation, I said OK. To make matters worse, they asked me for my second car key! I gave Ms. Jones a hug and wished her good luck. I never saw them again!
The Story Continues...
After one week, I left a message with the Mother with my phone number for Carstealer to call me back -- No response. A few days later I wrote a letter to the Mother asking for payment...No response. I sent a third letter that was certified asking for payment from the Mother. A day later I receive a phone call from Ms. Jones telling me not to harass her Mother and to contact her only. She gave me a phone number and address. Now the good part -- SHE ACCUSED ME OF PAWNING THE CAR OFF ON HER! According to her the car died and that it cost her $200 to have it towed to a mechanic and that she had to miss two days of work. Since I put so much work in this old car, I was curious as to what repairs had to be done. They thought it was the Alternator (which was new) -- it turned out she needed a battery because there was no water in the battery! I offered to give her the $100 back if she returned the car -- at which she refused. I told her to show me the repair bills and I would knock another $100 off (I figure half a loaf of bread is better than none) -- she said alright. To this day she has never returned to pay the money she owes me. She has my Car, my Title, and my Money -- and I defrauded her! The next day I received a handwritten letter basically telling me that she agreed to a good working car and that I might get my money! She also said she contacted the Police about me! Taking her to Small Claims Court would be a waste of my time and Court fees. The Police would do nothing for me because I turned over the Title to her. There is no law protecting my stupidity!
MORAL OF THIS STORY: DON'T TRUST ANYONE!
Ms. Jones let me leave you with some parting words:
What goes around -- Comes Around -- and yes, I believe God is still on His Throne and will deal with you someday!
Follow-Up To This Story
It has been one year since Ms. Jones, the trailer trash from Hell, stole my Car through my stupidity. Her address was phony and so was her phone number! I brought her to a Collection Agency and they were not able to locate her. We did a Skip-Trace on her Social Security Number and Credit Record which gave me a little relief. Hopefully, if Ms. Jones tries this scam again, someone will be smart enough to investigate her record.
Let me also say, that if Ms. Jones had brought me the money for the Car, I would have turned over many waranties and Service Plans that I paid for with the Car. I enjoyed lighting the Flame to all the records she will never have the joy of using!
In the long run -- the Car would have paid for itself! Also, If she had come to me and asked me to lower the price because of "the problems" she claimed to have experienced (instead of calling me dishonest) -- I would probably have forgiven the debt, gave her the waranties where she could get repairs, and her record of skipping payment would be clean.
4/25/07 She is listed under 4 addresses in Knoxville, TN -- and she had a Skip-Trace placed on her credit record. To this day I have never heard from her again...
