Yep, as the title states, I am unfortunately out $9500 so far!
Responding to an ad on Facebook marketplace this Monday posted by a Curtis Crawford of Garden Grove, California, I arranged to pay $9500 (cash only) on Tuesday to Shawn Guerette, who was the “owner”of the Stark and owns an independent motocross service shop, Top Notch Performance in Stanton California. Having been in business for 21 years and in possession of a California title for the bike, I felt safe to purchase from him.
So I handed over the money, loaded up the Stark and headed home.
Long story short, after contacting Coyne motorsports in Banning, CA where the bike was originally purchased (yes I was also given the original sales receipt for it!) to get some Download information, it turned out that it had indeed been stolen from them in August. As Guerette had not fully activated the “computer”, there was no way for them to track the location of the bike until now.
So, although happy for the dealership to get their stolen merchandise back, I am now out almost $10,000 and left to the small claims court process to try to get my money back. I have contacted Guerette by text for my money to be returned, but of course, zero response.
Hopefully this doesn’t turn into an “I hate Stark” thread. I do still hope to own one someday, especially as I sold my KTM 300 to be able to buy one. I just figured this situation was worthy of a public announcement. Maybe someone reading this can hook me up with a good deal on a “legal” one!🙁
Thanks for listening to my rant, and buyer beware, especially from Top Notch Performance!
Terrible story, but doesn’t make sense- You say you were given the “CA title and original sales receipt” for the bike. Did you mean to say you were given a fake title and fake sales receipt?
Oh man! So sorry to hear this
No, somehow a California title had been assigned to this bike but as I found out from Coyne, it was under the same fake name that had been used to “purchase” the Stark from them but never paid for. As I said, it’s a long story with many details that I didn’t want to bore people with, but as always, thieves and bad guys are always one step ahead of us that try to do the right thing.
I'm sorry to hear this. Blackhills powersports sells them for 10k +change and drop ships from CA. I hope this helps.
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So Shawn Guerette is a real person with a real business and you paid him $9500 cash for a stolen bike, am I reading that right?
Correct, as shown on the business card. Someone willing to sell a used bike from his business of 21 years definitely gave me some sense of security.
I only found out it was stolen yesterday, a day after buying it from Guerette. I’m assuming somebody here knows this guy and can perhaps convince him to give me my money back as he’s been in our small community for a long time.
Can the cops pay him a visit, for selling stolen property?
Yes, apparently that is underway as multiple police reports have been filed, but unfortunately I don’t have a whole ton of faith in justice system these days. I hope I get proven wrong on that one.
Right? $9500 isnt exactly petty cash and there's a clear link from the original dealership it was stolen from, to the person who fradulently sold the bike with a fraudulent title. At a minimum, they would be interested to hear how he ended up in possession of stolen property if he somehow is actually just a victim himself.
All that said, I wouldnt beat yourself up. Sounds like you did everything right, I'd have felt just as blindsided.
bummer dude....sorry to hear about this. Document everything...involve the police.
How did they end up with the paperwork to be able to title it?
Sorry for you loss but the whole thing seems odd.
I would be hanging onto the bike until it's settled.
Unfortunately, now knowing the full details behind this theft and also knowing the stories he gave me regarding the bike, he definitely isn’t a victim in this. Also refusing to respond to any messages, ties right in with his guilt in the matter.
Again, the police are heavily involved in this matter, so I’m just left to go through the court system. And of course, vent here!😊
Yes, so the dealership actually gave the dude a clear title and sales receipt? Did he then like dispute the charge to his credit card or something? Or did the dealer actually give him all this WITHOUT actually having the cash in hand and then he refused on his payment? They took a personal check and it was no good or he block payment with his bank?
Just not seeing how the dealership gave out a title and a receipt for the sales and not have their money in hand?
Otherwise, none of this makes since?
Either way, you farther and did a better job than I normally do when evaluating a potential buy. I'd have felt safe as well. I hate it for man. $9500 is a lot of money to me!!
I do not know for a fact but in some states dealers have a different path in title transfer than buyers/sellers do. Dealers in Texas as I understand can as dealers say run the title through the dealership. Cuts out steps an individual has to follow for transfer of title. I’d bet CA has something similar.
O'l Shawn is not showing "Top notch performance" on this deal. Phone # is 714 484-0264!
So I’ve just found out two minutes ago that they believe the pink slip is fake.
I had no desire to hang on to a stolen bike and as I said, I was happy that the dealership could get it back. But yes, unfortunately it leaves me as pretty much the only victim in all of this.
Maybe spend another grand and go round up some "Homies".
I can't imagine a state titling a new unit without the MSO.
Pit Row
Nope, fake pink slip is what I’m now hearing from the dealership
Again, I have little faith in the dealers claim but could be wrong. Certainly check with the state. In NY they keep them on file.
Wow, what a strange situation. I'm curious to learn more.
FWIW, you can get a new one delivered to your door for a little over $11k. Don't let this interrupt getting your hands on a Stark, they are awesome.
Sorry to hear about that.
Either way he ripped you off, for $500 more you could have had a brand new Varg (or $1500 if it was 80 hp).
After all this settled, the Dealership could offer you a $5,000 store credit in good faith.
Did you buy it from his business location, or meet him somewhere? Victim or not he owes you $9500.
I talked to this guy a couple months ago about bringing my bike in for service. He came off as a know it all and there were a few lies that he spewed through the conversation. Crazy! Glad I didn't bring my bike to him.lol
That sucks man, I'm sorry to hear that. Sold your bike to buy it so you're bikeless right now? That's brutal!
Yes from his business location hence the mistaken feeling of safety.
I would think the dealership would have filed an insurance claim on the bike and been paid out for it? In this case it would belong to the insurance company.
What a bizarre deal.
Yep, now bike-less and I just bought all new gear to celebrate the new arrival! 🤬
Your a 45 minute drive away. I'd be sitting outside his shop waiting for him, F.......a call or a text.
His shop wouldn't be operating until i had my money in my hand
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