A curbstoner is an individual who buys and sells vehicles for profit without a dealer license, operating entirely outside regulatory oversight. They typically pose as private owners to dodge taxes, warranty obligations, and lemon laws. The vehicles are often parked on public streets, empty lots, or curbsides with a phone number taped to the window.
Heard on the job
Make sure you check the name on the title before handing over cash, because this guy has three cars parked on the block and smells like a curbstoner.
Insider tip
Curbstoners frequently practice title jumping, leaving the buyer section blank when they purchase the car so their name never appears in the official ownership history.