I've been on various car forums for 15 years, and this problem never seems to go away, and seems to be even more prevalent now, than ever.
Losing money to phonies always sucks, but when it is in the thousands or 10's of thousands of dollars, I truly have to question the buyer's judgement, too.
I have bought cars and parts via the internet, and even via chat room "for sale" forums. What I have never once done is send money for a car via pay pal or any other electronic method.
Before the days of the internet, there was Hemmings Motors, and while living in NJ I purchased a car from Alabama. The sop t the time was to "wire" a deposit. I did not.
WHat I did then, and what I did when purchasing cars via the net was to go see the car for my self.
If you are THAT SERIOUS about a car, a few hundred dollars for a coach R/T ticket and 2 days was all it took to be sure the car was "as advertised".
Usually by the time a committed to buying the plane ticket, I was pretty sure I was going to buy the car, too.
This isn't a "holier than tho" post, and I don't even expect a majority of people here to agree with me, it's merely a comment on how I, personally, do things.
If I'm buying a car over the 'net, and I can't afford to go inspect the car for myself, than I can't afford that car. PERIOD.
Even when it comes to shipping a car I want to make those arrangements, myself. I've personally done this about a half dozen times:
*Fly or drive to the seller's location,
*inspect ( test drive, if possible)the vehicle,
*make the deal,
* secure all the paperwork for the car,
*secure an itemized list of anything that is included in the deal besides the car (parts, literature, etc)
*arrange transportation.
On two occasions, the seller requested either a certified check from the bank, or a personal check and a certified letter of credit credit from the bank. Either is a reasonable request, and easily obtainable.
On a few of these occasions, I found that it was actually less expensive to pick up the car, myself, than it was to ship it. The cost of the drive there and back, with a trailer ( or even to rent a trailer) was less than the cost of having the car shipped to me.
On one occasion I traded my car for another car and some cash. I lived in NJ at the time,and the deal was made with a guy who lived in Winter Park, Fl. About 1000 miles one way.
I towed my car down, made the swap, and towed the other car back. It was a 4 day round trip ( no hurry) and including gas, meals, and hotels, I save nearly $1700.00 in common carrier and insurance costs.
I do not, advocate doing business with anyone that you have not met face to face. I realize that most of these rip off transactions are the exception to the rule, but why risk it.
There is also another benefit to do business fac to face. Most often you'll get a better deal negotiating price face to face either by getting a lower price, or by getting some more "stuff" thrown into the deal.
just my 2¢.
