[Strayinsane]

I live in Montana. I was desperately trying to sell my car and I finally did! I sold it for 2300$ but the guy could only pay me 1500$ I made an open title and I gave it to him. I am a naïve nineteen year old. He gave me his word which I thought meant something at the time. On top of all this, he is in the Air Force and I actually sold it to him on base. It has been months and I feel like a complete tool and I really don't think I have any options. Can someone help a poor college kid find a way to get his money?

[ScottGem]

If you have a bill of sale showing the $2300 sales price and a receipt for the $1500 as payment, then I would handle this like this.

The first thing I would do is send a letter to the commandant of the base. Include copies of the bill of sale and receipt and ask for the commandant's help in collecting the balance owed. The military is very sensitive of about their personnel taking advantage of the locals. So there is a good chance he will do something.

In your letter state that, if you can't get the payment by a certain date (I would give him 2-4 weeks), then you will be forced to go to Small Claims court to collect. When the deadline passes file in Small Claims court.

[Strayinsane]

I don't have a bill of sale and the guy won't make contact with me. Do I have any options?

[Fr_Chuck]

Honestly I doubt you can win, a hard lesson learned, if he would not sign a contract he did not intend to pay you.

Also legally they is suppose to be a bill of sale, he could actually sue you for warranty issues on car if there was not a "as is" bill of sale.

But you can try, you sue him in small claims court, but he has a signed title ( they are not given until paid in full normally) so it will appear he paid you and you gave him a title.

You have no proof he owes you more money.

But you can sue and hope a judge may believe you or perhaps the buyer will say something stupid in court