Buying Online and the "As Is" Rule

Dear Miss Mota Mouth,

This past spring I bought a car from an individual online. He is in Texas and I am in North Dakota. I asked a lot questions before agreeing to buy it. It seemed like a good deal on a used 1999 Volvo with pretty low mileage.

I flew to Texas and checked the car over myself to make sure that it was as he had described it, liked what I saw and drove it home. When it got cold enough to turn on my heater I discovered that it didn’t work. The mechanic is now telling me that the heater core needs to be replaced at a pretty big expense! I called the guy in Texas and he won’t call me back! What should I do?

Mark R., Fargo, ND

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Dear Freezing in Fargo,

I have been to Texas in both late spring and summer and can understand why you wouldn’t have given the heater a test drive on a swampy 100 degree day! Unfortunately you will probably have to pony up for the replacement heater core because the bill of sale would have stated that the car was bought “as is”. Even if you had thought to test the heater it might have worked because he could have used a dose of radiator stop leak additive to temporarily cover up any issues.

This is a great example of why paying for a local mechanic to a car to do an inspection is such a solid idea. Is there a silver lining? Because you bought a FSBO (For Sale By Owner) and not a dealer you probably got a good deal so the extra expense of replacing the heater core will probably still keep you ahead in savings.

Warmly,

M

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