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Legal Staff News & Views Newsletter What You Should Know about Auto Auctions.
Each year approximately ten million cars are sold at auction in the United States, and an alarming percentage of wreck damaged and other problem cars have an auto auction sale in their history. Understanding how auto auctions operate and what information is available about a sale is often the key issue in automobile fraud cases. Auction records and procedures can prove that a vehicle’s problems were disclosed to the dealer purchasing a car at auction.
A large number of small local auctions exist. There is a good possibility that a car was sold at an auction affiliated with either Mannheim or Adesa using procedures that are standard for that auction chain. Virtually all auctions are only open to registered dealers. Auction registration applications provide detailed information about a dealer and its finances. The types of cars commonly sold at auction are:
To find out if a car was sold at auction check with at least one, and preferably two summary title services, i.e. Carfax, AutoCheck, and CarFraud.com all receive information from at least some of the country’s auto auctions. Even if no such auction sales appears on the summary title it does not mean that the car was never auctioned, or if it shows only one auction it does not mean that it was only auctioned once since title is not transferred to the auction company.
At an auto auction, cars move to the auction block from long lines. Each line has a designation, i.e., long term lease, daily rental, salvage vehicles, etc. Dealers can inspect the cars as they wait in line. Dealers know something about a car’s origin simply by the line in which it is auctioned. The auctioneer announces the condition of cars arriving at the auction block and turns on a red, yellow or green light. A red light means the car is being sold “as is” indicating it has some serious problems, a yellow light indicates that it has certain specified defects and a green light indicates that the car is in “drive away” condition. Often the seller will stand next to the auctioneer to represent the car.
Disclosures at the sale will be reported in the auction’s records. The list of cars at the auction that is distributed prior to the sale will disclose what line the car will be sold from and may disclose the problems that the auctioneer will announce. The auction invoice produced after the sale will list any problem with the car as announced by the auctioneer. Many auctions audiotape and videotape each sale. Some auctions even offer a post-sale inspection service to buyers, and the auction will retain a copy of this report, showing the dealer’s knowledge of any vehicle defects.
WHAT’S NEW...
Perhaps you have heard the attorneys in your office mention the Attorney Resource Center (the ARC) at the courthouse. It is located on the third floor just to the right of the escalator and elevators. The area was formerly part of the State’s Attorneys Office. It’s a large space with tables and chairs and some private cubicles or offices that are available on first-come first-serve basis. There is coffee service and vending machines. The space is large enough to accommodate some of our meetings and seminars. It’s a great place for attorneys to conference or work on files between court calls. Even some of the judges pop in for coffee. The ARC is open by 8:30 a.m. and remains open until 5:00 p.m. when the courthouse closes. A Bar staff member manages the reception area from 8:30 a.m. until noon everyday to answer questions and handle walk-in lawyer referrals. There are no telephones or computers on site, but attorney can use their cell phones and laptops. A Wifi connection and wireless printer are available, and a coatroom. Attorneys may not bring their clients into the ARC. The space is limited to lawyers only.
FUN IN THE FALL...
September 25-26, 2005 Lynfred Winery Oktoberfest and Pig Roast in Roselle. Sample award-winning wines and delicious hearty sandwiches from the pig roast. Dance to German folk band. FREE. More info at or call 630-529-WINE (9463).
October 1-3, 2005 Long Grove Apple Fest, Route 83 1/4 north of the intersection of Routes 53 & 83. Music, entertainment for young & old. More than 80 shops and restaurants celebrate with apple inspired treats. FREE. More info at 847-634-0888.
October 2-3, 2005 Morton Arboretum’s Fall Color Festival, Lisle. View fabulous autumn colors, have a hand dipped taffy apple, or do pumpkin carving, etc. Nominal fee. More into at 630-719-2465.
October 7, 8, & 9, 2005 St. Charles Scarecrow Festival. More than 100 handcrafted scarecrows on display; vote for your favorite. Juried craft show, carnival, great food, lots of children’s activities, and live entertainment. More info at: or call 630-377-6161.
October 13-16, 2005 Weed Ladies Fall Show and Sale. Annual sale features creative seasonal arrangements and dried bouquets. Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. More info: 630-420-6010
October 15, 2005 Bartlett High School Fine Arts Booster Club Craft Show. Approx. 200 artisans. 701 Schick Road, Bartlett, IL. Admission charged.
October 22-24, 2005 Christmas at the Faire Craft Show, DuPage County Fair Grounds, Wheaton, IL. Admission charged. More info call: Cindy 815-730-3390.
October 22 & 23, 2005 North Suburban Carvers Artistry in Wood, DuPage county Fair Grounds, Wheaton, IL. Admission charged. More info call: Marcy 773-763-1788.
SUMMER PROJECTS TIPS AROUND YOUR HOUSE:
Thin trim paint. Whether you are using oil based or latex, try thinning the paint a bit when it begins to thicken. Stir a little paint thinner into oil based, or add water to latex. The result is fewer brush strokes. Spend a little more money on good paintbrushes. They will last longer and produce better results.
Rub a clear paste wax on your metal outdoor furniture to help water bead and run off as well as to prevent rust or mildew.
If you are doing any cement projects, substitute a small amount of antifreeze for some of the water required to make a batch of concrete. By adding antifreeze, you will prolong the drying time, which will strengthen the concrete.
Brush off all of the dirt, wash and air dry gardening tools then rub with oil to keep them from rusting. To further prevent your garden tools from rusting, pour a small amount of motor oil into a bucket of sand until the sand changes slightly in color. Storing your metal tools in the sand mixture will keep them from rusting.
Refinishing old furniture can be fun but messy. To remove chemical stripper and finish the without gouging the wood use and old credit card as a scraper, a round edged putty knife, or a rubber kitchen spatula. Add wood shavings (available in pet and hardware stores) to the surface before you remove the stripper. The shavings will absorb the sludge of dissolved finish so scraping is less messy. Set the legs of the furniture in pie pans to catch any stripper and sludge that runs down.
WHAT’S COOKIN’...
ORIENTAL SPINACH SALAD
1 Bag Or 2 bunches spinach, washed thoroughly 1 Can Water sliced chestnuts, drained 1 Can Bean sprouts, drained 1/4 Lb. Bacon, fried and crumbled 4 Hard boiled eggs, sliced
Mix together then toss with dressing
DRESSING:
1/3 Cup Catsup 1 Cup Oil 1/4 Cup Vinegar ½ Cup Sugar 1 Tbls. Worcestershire sauce 1 Onion, finely chopped Salt & pepper.
Mix dressing together in blender. Add to salad.
Keri-Lyn J. Krafthefer Ancel, Glink, Diamond. Et al Chicago, IL Bus. Tel: 312-782-7606
Find this and other good recipes in the DCBA “Cooking Legally” cookbook. $20 at the Bar Center. Contributions to For Your Eyes Only and
BarSmarts are most welcome! |
