Purchasing a used vehicle from an unlicensed seller in Alberta can have serious repercussions, should something go wrong after the sale is complete. Make sure that you understand the difference between a private seller and a curber using the below information.
What is a curber?
- Curbers are illegal, unlicensed vehicle sellers.
- Curbers will often pose as private sellers, when in fact they sell vehicles for profit, as a business.
- Curbers often sell vehicles that have hidden damage, have tampered odometers or mechanical issues.
How to spot a curber:
- Curbers will often pressure you into purchasing the vehicle quickly, without much questioning.
- The seller may claim that they are selling for a family member or friend in an attempt to explain why their name is not on the vehicle registration.
- Curbers may have multiple listings on marketplace websites. Private sellers normally only have one listing. Make sure that the details on vehicle’s documents match up with the details of the vehicle itself. For example, does the name on the registration match the seller’s ID?
- Do a free check on AMVIC Online to see if they are a registered salesperson selling from a licensed business.
What should you do if you suspect that you are dealing with a curber?
If you suspect you are dealing with a curber, walk away from the vehicle sale and contact AMVIC by filing a complaint on AMVIC Online. Go to amvic.org for more information on filing a consumer complaint.