Reviving a bit of an old thread here.
However, some people have been inquiring and I have good news to state!

Some of you may recall that last year I purchased my first syncro, long
distance and sight unseen from a seller on thesamba.
He shipped the car and took my money, but refused to give me a bill of sale
and could not procure a title. I later found out that this was because the
car was legally scrapped and he purchased it illegally from a scrapyard.

Thanks to the help of a vanagon list member that lived in his area literally
showing up and knocking on his door! (Don't we have the best friends
ever!?), I was able to get a bill of sale.
From that I was able to take a suggestion from one of you and hire a titling
company which made an effortless process of getting things legal.
As of today, I am told (though not home to see) that I received in the mail
a letter of instructions, a state of Maine vehicle registration in my name,
and a Maine plate registered for a year! Now all I have to do is take these
items to the Pennsylvania DMV and apply for a title. Since Maine has no
titles, they will recognize this registration and issue me a new title and
plates. Apparently it's quite easy from here.
In the meantime, The car's registered and insured, I intend to be driving
it!
(Though I'm not sure if I have to get it inspected? Since it's registered in
Maine but i'm living in PA?)

Also, the syncro in question, after sitting for THIRTEEN YEARS now runs and
drives, though it needs quite a bit of work to get through PA inspection
still. The project starts in two weeks when I get home from my summer job
and start turning wrenches. Big plans and big wheels (literally) are already
in motion!

Thanks again to all those who have supported me so far with advice and
physical efforts, and thanks to all those who will support me in the future.
I love this community and want to express my gratitude.

-Craig Cowan
'87 SUNROOF syncro
'85 GL turned WESTY
BOSTIG in the back

On Mon, Oct 11, 2010 at 3:15 PM, craig cowan <phishman068@gmail.com> wrote:

> I have a problem.
>
> I purchased a 1987 Sunroof Syncro from a seller via TheSamba from Oregon in
> July and had it shipped out to me in PA. It was sold without a title, and
> there will be some titling issues as the car has been scrapped... but more
> on that later. I can't even start with the titling issues without a bill of
> sale and paper trail (past bills of sale), all of which were promised to me
> in the purchase. Not only that, they were to be filled out on supplied forms
> and notorized (PA is big on that).
> Anyway, I am now over 3 months from the purchase of the vehicle and the
> seller has had all this time to spend my money, yet I have not had any time
> to use my vehicle as he has still provided no bill of sale. He is very
> unresponsive towards phone calls and emails.
> Furthermore, he runs a business with it's main advertising on TheSamba.com.
>
>
> So, would it be wise to Contact Thesamba.com and see if they can ban him
> untill my issue is resolved?
> Is it wise for me to start talking with an attorney, and further claiming
> damages for my lost time without a vehicle?
> Is it wise for me to fly out to his address with a local constibul and meet
> him face to face demanding he sign on the spot?
>
> I am a college student and a long time vanagon nut. As such, I have no
> money. It took me years of patient saving and waiting to purchase the syncro
> that I have, and this man is standing between me and my dreams. What's that
> worth?
>
> Any suggestions would be helpful. Feel free to contact me on or off list.
>
> I have a problem.
>
> -Craig Cowan
> '85GL turned WESTY
> BOSTIG in the back
> '87SUNROOF Syncro
>
>