GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga.,None — Some Gwinnett County businesses say illegal used-car sales are booming and they want law enforcement to crack down.
The practice is called "curbstoning," and state law has prohibited it for four years.
Youve likely seen used cars for sale on the side of the road or in shopping plazas. A Channel 2 news crew spotted them in an empty lot along Lawrenceville Highway near Beaver Ruin Road in Lilburn and down the road at the Walmart shopping center parking lot off Lawrenceville Highway.
Rick Pittman, owner of AR Motorsports in Lawrenceville, says its bad for his business and the economy.
"That does affect our business." Pittman said. "They don't pay Georgia sales tax, and that does affect our economy."
At AR Motorsports, Pittman said he inspects all of his cars before they land on the lot, and for many he offers a warranty. But, he said, with the third-party dealers, its buyer beware.
"They're going to run. They sold you a bad car; they're going change their phone number. You're not going to know where their address is, where they live."
Channel 2s Kerry Kavanaugh called several of the phone numbers listed on the vehicles. She got ahold of a man at the listing on a Chevrolet Lumina parked in the Walmart lot. The man told Kavanaugh that he owns the car and parks it in the lot to advertise because no one ever told him he couldn't.
The Georgia law does allow for title holders to park and advertise their vehicles with the property owners permission.
"I'd love to see law enforcement cracking down more," Pittman said.
Kavanaugh checked with law enforcement agencies across Gwinnett County. The city of Lilburn said right now, they are working to figure out how they can better enforce the law. There are Gwinnett County police quality of life officers doing the same.
Meanwhile, Pittman said his business will suffer and that so too will potential customers.
"They can't offer warranties. They're just kind of a shade tree-type business, he said.
The Georgia Association of Independent Auto Dealers said there is also added concern with potential buyers. GAIDA said the sellers could be drivers without licenses or people connected to organized crime.