what is curbstoning and why is it illegal?

Answer 1

Curbstoning is a term to refer to someone who is selling cars without being licensed. That means they don't have to follow the same regulations as a license dealer. Buying a car from a curbstoner is a big risk.

Answer 2

An automobile is a major purchase and consumers need to be protected. As is the case in the sale of Real Estate, most states regulate the sale of used automobiles. Unfortunately, there are many "Predator Types" that will take advantage of unsuspecting consumers. An Unscrupulous Curbstoner can easily take advantage of unsuspecting consumers by passing off inproperly rebuilt (and often dangerous) salvage vehicles. Curbstoners often sell improperly rebuilt salvage vehicles that have missing Air Bags and inoperable restraint systems. A seriously misaligned vehicle is dangerous in a panic stop situation. Especially on wet roads. Very often they will sell vehicles with bad transmissions, motors that overheat, etc. (But the consumer will never know the transmission slips after the vehicle warms up. Curbstoners will usually "control" the test drive by confining it to a low speed or a short duration in order to prevent the consumer from discovering that a vehicle overheats or the transmission slips, etc.) When an unsuspecting consumer hands over their hard earned cash for a vehicle that has major problems but without knowledge of such fact, they often do not have the funds to repair the vehicle. Curbstoners often obtain vehicles from impound lots and wrecking yards. They buy the types of vehicles that can be spiffed up cosmetically and have little or no concern with their street worthiness. They market such inferior vehicles as being dependable and often pose as a private seller. Many curbstoners deal in vehicle which they can sell for less than $3000.00. Such vehicles can seem very attractive for low income consumers who end up losing their money to a predator that isn't concerned with the fact that their victim might loose their job if they don't have a way to get to work. This fact is being mentioned as many low income consumers fall victime to the unscrupulous acts of curbstoners. In closing, an automobile isn't just an object that has a motor, 4 tires and a steering wheel. When a consumer purchases an automobile, they are purchasing "Transportation". In most states, the Department of Transportation regulates the automobile industry in an effort to protect consumers. The Insurance Industry, Doctors, Dentists, Health Care Workers are all licensed and regulated as a means of protecting the public. Although Small Claims Courts provide a means for a victim to seek remedy from a bad deal. Victims usually either don't know this or will not be able to afford missing work but even if they could afford to seek restitution from the courts, most Curbstoners keep their assets hidden. They usually don't pay Income Tax as they almost always avoid disclosing their name on the vehicle title or paperwork. (They often claim to be selling a car for a relative such as their Sister, Nephew, etc.) Curbstoners do not operate from an established location or place of business and therefore Curbstoners are usually difficult to find and therefore prosecute. As a final comment, not all unlicensed sellers of motor vehicles are a ruthless as those I've destribed here. Unfortunately, many are! Therefore, Curbstoning is illegal as a means of helping to protect consumers.