Another dishonest seller out there. Be careful

docmirror

Touchdown! Greaser!
Joined
Jan 5, 2007
Messages
12,008
Display Name

Display name:
Cowboy - yeehah!
Well, I thought I was dealing with an honest aircraft owner. Lucky I never sent Bill Borgstrom of Deer Park, Ill, any money. Here's the story in all it's gory detail.

He advertises an EXP plane for sale on Barnstormers. I call, ask some questions, tell him I'm interested. A few days later, I make an offer by phone, and by email. I get a call back from Bill, and there are 'problems'. The plane isn't airworthy. It has no 8130-12 and there is no AW cert on file, and never has been one. It's also not owned by him, but it's in a partnership, and his partner wants more money. So, fine I agree to the new price from his new silent partner. He then proceeds to ask me a bunch of personal questions to make sure I'm not an internet scammer. Which I find pretty offensive but I give him some of my info, and he seems satisfied. He tells me his 'partner' is ok with this, and that we have a deal. I tell him I will send him a check for $1000 when the 8130-12 is in my hands.

Then I explain that he's selling an unairworthy plane, and it needs to get the 8130-12 signed by the builder and notarized. I send him the forms, and he goes on vacation to FL. He says he knows the builder and it's "no problem". This was back before Thanksgiving, so I tell him I'll bring money on Dec 5th, and pay him when the 8130-12 is signed and notarized by the builder, and I can fly the plane away. So far, we're all fine.

Then, I don't hear from him for a few days. Then he's not answering my email. so I have to cancel my flight, pay a ticket fee and still no AW paperwork. Dec 5th comes and goes, no contact. He gets back from FL, and I finally call to set a new date, and to get the 8130-12 copy.

He stammers a bit on the phone, and finally tells me he has sold the plane to someone else. I ask him did he ever get the 8130-12 and he says it's not a problem. Which is right, it's not a problem for me, but the new owner is going to have a costly lawn ornament in the future.

If you are the buyer from MI or anyone else around, I recommend you do not do business with Bill Borgstrom.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Doc,

Deer Park is in my neighborhood. The name *could be* familair. There's a car dealer with that name.

Where is he allegedly keeping this alleged plane?

I could have driven you around if it had worked out.
 
Maybe it's all for the best. If he couldn't get you a straightforward form in a timely manner, I would wonder about any other information/description he provided about the plane. You might have made the trip and found the plane unsuitable.


Trapper John
 
Back
Top