How would you verify a MB from a person in which the title is under a company and....
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
How would you verify a MB from a person in which the title is under a company and....
The guy selling his MB has the title. He says the title is under his company name. He says the car is from another state and was owned by a celebrity. It does not have in state plates. But he is selling it on the celebrity's behalf and the title is under his own company name now. I get the feeling he bought it from an auction since he says his buddy goes to them "sometimes".
But whats a good way to verify everything before purchasing. If I call the company on the title. It could be his home as people work out of their homes. I did go to his house and things seem ok. But you never know. I do think the celebrity story is bogus. Any advice you can give me? thanks
But whats a good way to verify everything before purchasing. If I call the company on the title. It could be his home as people work out of their homes. I did go to his house and things seem ok. But you never know. I do think the celebrity story is bogus. Any advice you can give me? thanks
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,121
Likes: 86
From: West Plam Beach, FL
'16 S550 Coupe, '11 Lexus LS460, '02 CL500 (SOLD)
Originally Posted by GIRTHBOY
The guy selling his MB has the title. He says the title is under his company name. He says the car is from another state and was owned by a celebrity. It does not have in state plates. But he is selling it on the celebrity's behalf and the title is under his own company name now. I get the feeling he bought it from an auction since he says his buddy goes to them "sometimes".
But whats a good way to verify everything before purchasing. If I call the company on the title. It could be his home as people work out of their homes. I did go to his house and things seem ok. But you never know. I do think the celebrity story is bogus. Any advice you can give me? thanks
But whats a good way to verify everything before purchasing. If I call the company on the title. It could be his home as people work out of their homes. I did go to his house and things seem ok. But you never know. I do think the celebrity story is bogus. Any advice you can give me? thanks
Last edited by Jud Chapin; Dec 3, 2005 at 08:41 AM.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
The carfax looks fine. He just some maintenance and brake service at a MB dealership near us. I called them and gave the VIN number. They told he has 9 months left on the warranty but that they are limited as to what they can tell me. What do you think?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,121
Likes: 86
From: West Plam Beach, FL
'16 S550 Coupe, '11 Lexus LS460, '02 CL500 (SOLD)
Originally Posted by GIRTHBOY
The carfax looks fine. He just some maintenance and brake service at a MB dealership near us. I called them and gave the VIN number. They told he has 9 months left on the warranty but that they are limited as to what they can tell me. What do you think?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
hmm. He told me he will sign as owner of the company which is shown on the title. DMV told me to call the company and make sure he is the owner of that company. But for all I know, he could be working out of his house and will answer the phone. I dont know what else to ask of him since he said the car is celebrity owned and he is selling it on the celebrities behalf and thats why the title is under his company name.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,121
Likes: 86
From: West Plam Beach, FL
'16 S550 Coupe, '11 Lexus LS460, '02 CL500 (SOLD)
Originally Posted by GIRTHBOY
hmm. He told me he will sign as owner of the company which is shown on the title. DMV told me to call the company and make sure he is the owner of that company. But for all I know, he could be working out of his house and will answer the phone. I dont know what else to ask of him since he said the car is celebrity owned and he is selling it on the celebrities behalf and thats why the title is under his company name.
Another thing is why is the car being maintained at your local MB dealer if the celeb lives in another state?
If you are truly interested in buying the car, perhaps you could do some independent research and find something on his company, (Dunn & Bradstreet, for example) and see if this individual is listed as the company's owner/president. Also, you could ask for his company's bank references and call such bank(s) to check him out. If this proves okay, and you decide to buy the car, you could then take him to your own notary where he would have to prove his identity prior to signing the title. I wouldn't advance any money until all these steps check out.
From what I'm gathering here, though, you do not have complete trust in this guy. If you can't get rid of this feeling, I'd walk away. There are plenty of deals out there. Good luck!
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 740
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC
No longer car shopping...
Originally Posted by GIRTHBOY
Thanks alot. I get the feeling he bought it at an auction and is simply trying to make profit on it. He never would disclose which celeb owns/owned this.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,141
Likes: 30
From: Texas
M6 Gran Coupe
Who cares if it were a celebrity's car though? I would never pay more for that. The exception would be people who maybe buy the cars for collecting purposes...like if a big Elvis fan wanted one of his old cars.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 27
Likes: 1
From: Chicago
E350W4
If the guy claims that he is an owner of the company, ask to see the articles of incorporation of the company showing him as an owner. These articles should have been recorded with the county recorder in which the Company was created (evidenced by a stamp on the articles). Otherwise, I like the bank reference idea.
Also, does he have a copy of the title that he sent in? or a bill of sale from prior owner?
Don't pay more for a celb. car, in many cases this just means that they beat up the car, or failed to get it serviced. Do you really think hanging out in the service department is high on the list of most celebs?
Also, does he have a copy of the title that he sent in? or a bill of sale from prior owner?
Don't pay more for a celb. car, in many cases this just means that they beat up the car, or failed to get it serviced. Do you really think hanging out in the service department is high on the list of most celebs?
