Sniffing out stolen deals

[TheBCSledder]

Hey guys I recently found a deal on two snowmobiles on Kijiji about 2.5 hrs drive from me in Alberta that seems super under priced. Any tips on sniffing out stolen sleds or someone whos just trying to flip a lemon onto someone else vs a legit wicked season end deal? TIA

 

[KatMan]

yup. pay your money take your chances. at a minimum ask if you can do a compression test, and the serial number before you get there so you can do a lien/stolen search. spin the track. other than that. not much you can do.

unless he says you can test drive it. i once looked at a Viper in June, guy said "you can take it for a rip in that stubble field if you like". i ran away.

 

[HOTLAP]

Have them send you a pic of the registration and their drivers licence, that alone will eliminate 90% of scammers. If they do send you them and they match run the VIN in the RCMP database of stolen property/vehicles.
If they won't send them, or they don't match, or the VIN shows up in the RCMP search...walk away.
Here is a link to the RCMP search site.
http://www.cpic-cipc.ca/index-eng.htm

 

[TheBCSledder]

Thanks guys I'll see if I can get a VIN. They are in AB so no registration.

 

[TylerG]

Thanks guys I'll see if I can get a VIN. They are in AB so no registration.

Registration is required here in Alberta just the same as it is in BC

 

[zal]

Registration is required here in Alberta just the same as it is in BC

Which 80% of the people don't have.

 

[zal]

And don't waste your time with running a VIN with Registrations. You will be throwing your money away and know less. Except that it was a waste of money.

 

[HOTLAP]

Insurance and registration is required in Alberta if it is used on public lands.
What town are they in? maybe someone from here can run over and have a look at them and scope out the situation for you.

 

[2dawgsfawkin]

Au contraire

if if it was registered , they can tell you the last year it was, also if it was active or maybe a salvage title(insurance claim). Just because you don't find anything doesn't mean it wasn't worth while.

You can also do a lien search, not sure if it's through the registry, but that will tell you if it has finacing associated with it. It will be a pissing match if you take possession of a sled that has a lien on it. The bank will go after you and the previous owner.

 

[zal]

Au contraire

if if it was registered , they can tell you the last year it was, also if it was active or maybe a salvage title(insurance claim). Just because you don't find anything doesn't mean it wasn't worth while.

You can also do a lien search, not sure if it's through the registry, but that will tell you if it has finacing associated with it. It will be a pissing match if you take possession of a sled that has a lien on it. The bank will go after you and the previous owner.

Sorry 2dawgsdoingeachother in Climax (I like the handle), maybe in Sask its different. If you bring the VIN to registries in AB, they will do a search and you will have a sheet with "possible" VIN's attached to it that has nothing to do with what you're looking for or even the right type of vehicle. Been there, done it twice.

Banks actually use Car Fax for their searches. Well, at least the bank that I deal with. More info. Registries is a waste of your dollars in AB.

 

[Machomachoman]

2dawgsfawkin did state if it was registered. That is the key. As he said if you get no match at registry it means not been registered. Waste of 15$ on a 5-10k investment? Ok.

another red flag if no registration. Not saying it's stolen, but still. Spend 15 k on a sled and can't afford the 100$ a year to insure and register it?

farmer riding on his own land. Ok. Probably not the case though.

 

[zal]

Maybe so. But this was on a pickup that was registered.

Didn't work for me. Try it. If it works for you, great. Only stating what I went through. Good luck.

 

[S.W.A.T.]

2dawgsfawkin did state if it was registered. That is the key. As he said if you get no match at registry it means not been registered. Waste of 15$ on a 5-10k investment? Ok.

another red flag if no registration. Not saying it's stolen, but still. Spend 15 k on a sled and can't afford the 100$ a year to insure and register it?

farmer riding on his own land. Ok. Probably not the case though.

30 years of sledding and not a single registered unit.

I did register my SxS but only because they started to really crack down and we ride lots of forestry roads

 

[Machomachoman]

And a stupid fine like 250 $ if you don't have it. That's if they don't confiscate and make you go through the process to prove ownership as impound fees rack up. Now that the communists are in power in both bc and ab, they are targeting OHV.

 

[SnowJunkie82]

Have them send you a pic of the registration and their drivers licence, that alone will eliminate 90% of scammers. If they do send you them and they match run the VIN in the RCMP database of stolen property/vehicles.
If they won't send them, or they don't match, or the VIN shows up in the RCMP search...walk away.
Here is a link to the RCMP search site.
http://www.cpic-cipc.ca/index-eng.htm

Asking someone for a pic of their drivers license is pretty bold. I would never send a pic of mine, if that kills the deal than so be it. VIN for a lien/stolen check makes sense. If the deal seems to good to be true than it probably is.

My two cents!

 

[lilduke]

Asking someone for a pic of their drivers license is pretty bold. I would never send a pic of mine, if that kills the deal than so be it. VIN for a lien/stolen check makes sense. If the deal seems to good to be true than it probably is.

My two cents!

Yeah not a fawking chance Id send a stranger a pic of my drivers license.

 

[pete gads]

registration is required here in alberta just the same as it is in bc

i have ran sleds for 15 yrs and never register one of then in either province, just ins.

 

[dropitbuster]

Personally or have a friend go to the sellers house to check out the sled. The condition of the property and their other toys will give you an indication of how well they took care of it. Do a lien search. Check the VIN with the RCMP. See if you can check the service history at the dealership, might need the sellers permission. Check the person's license when you purchase the sled and make sure it matches the seller's information on the bill of sale. If they want to meet at the Walmart parking lot at 2 in the morning to make the deal you might want to walk away.

 

[Tchetek]

Personally or have a friend go to the sellers house to check out the sled. The condition of the property and their other toys will give you an indication of how well they took care of it. Do a lien search. Check the VIN with the RCMP. See if you can check the service history at the dealership, might need the sellers permission. Check the person's license when you purchase the sled and make sure it matches the seller's information on the bill of sale. If they want to meet at the Walmart parking lot at 2 in the morning to make the deal you might want to walk away.

I like to meet at a parking lot location to sell my non stolen items but not at 2 am.

I don’t want a tire kicker scoping my shat then coming back to steel it later.

 

[KatMan]