Almost ripped off on airplane deal. I got out pretty clean

Well, I thought I was dealing with an honest aircraft owner. Lucky I never sent any money.

Bill Borgstrom of Deer Park, Ill is a liar, cheat and attempted thief. 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(appl for airworthiness) 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 plane buyer from MI or anyone else around. Do not do business with Bill Borgstrom. He will lie and cheat for a few pieces of silver.

 

Sorry, maybe I put it in the wrong spot. I'm glad it's not my headache. Live and learn, I thought in my +50 years I'd see the worst. I was wrong.