purchasing on e-bay question

[Flatlander]

I know of the vehicle inspection services and transport but is there any way to gaurantee the title will be signed over? Buying long distance like that seems pretty scary to me. Anybody here have any bad or good experiences?

 

[grumpuscreature]

That's how I bought Hester, no problems. The seller was close enough for me to pick her up in person though. Personally, I wouldn't make a deal that didn't involve face to face with the seller, even if I had to fly across the country to get it done. Airfare is a lot cheaper than losing the purchase price. Most sellers are as honest as we are and will work with you and do what is right. Most shipping companies will also attach strings like no signed paperwork from the owner, no pickup, and some of them will even act as your agent and make final payment when they pick up the car. Good rule of thumb, don't make more of a deposit than PayPal will cover and make the deposit through PayPal. If the seller is up and up, he or she will go along with that. Remember, you have what the seller wants, money.

 

[ValiantMike]

Beware of Ebay scammers. The best way to protect yourself is to personally inspect before bidding, and paying with paypal or credit card, because you can cancel these after sale if seller doesn't meet their obligations. Ebay also has certain types of buyer protection programs available. Did I mention Beware of Ebay scammers? I just sold a Dodge van on Ebay and three times with different sign-in names a person said they would buy it now but wanted me to click onto a link in their message, which of course I didn't. Instead I forwarded their message to ebayspoof.com. They shortly emailed me back that this person was indeed a scammer trying to hijack my listing and ebay info. Today I'm changing all my passwords. There are tons of phony car ads on ebay at any given time. Rule of thumb is, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. A really good source for dealing on ebay is the Ebay Motors Forum. These people know most of the scams going on and the ins and outs of dealing safely there. I would strongly suggest visiting that forum and asking the same question you asked here before making a long distance purchase. Mike

 

[340mopar]

I have always purchased my autos close enough that I payed in person and picked it up.

If you decide you are going to purchase an auto long distance and never see the car until it arrives I would find an attorney locally were the car is for sale and pay them to make sure everything is in order. This would be money well spent, because not only is there a better chance of everything being right, if something goes wrong you have an attorney as a witness.

I have had a situation were I purchased a car about 200 miles from me and when I got it to home realized that not all of the paperwork was in order. I just signed the paper work myself, the state doesn't have the the persons signature on file. I know, technically it is forgery, but the difference is, the forged signature was not done to de-fraud someone it was done to fix an error in paperwork.


Chuck

 

['64 Cuda]

I purchased a car about 600 miles away on ebay that was part of the settling of a mans' estate. The seller was the Son-in-law. He emailed me over 40 photos of the car & was very up front about everything. He even asked me if it was okay if he parked the car outside in December. He was concerned because he didn't think the car had ever been parked outside! When I picked up the car he gave all the paperwork I needed, including a copy of his power of attorney to settle the estate & also a copy of the death certificate of previous owner. I ended up with a nearly 30 year old car with under 40,000 miles on it for less than $2,500. Before I was able to pick it up I was offered nearly $1000 more than I paid by a bidder who had computer problems & wasn't able to bid at the last minute. I was still getting offers for the car from people who missed out on the bidding a month after I brought it home. And this car was listed twice before it sold! It was probably the best used car deal I've ever been involved in. Just be sure to cover your bases & do what's necessary to protect yourself. Don't buy one of those restored Hemi Cudas I see on there for $6,000. :wack:


:burnout:

 

[moparman1]

I purchased a car on the west coast and I live on the east coast, no problem. got lucky I guess

 

[flyboy01]

Pay cash upon pick up, that way if you get screwed, you have the option of going home with your cash. I paid cash when I got my car, I was also lucky enough to go see it before I bid on it.

 

[mopar_1974]

hi, there.
everyone here has offered great tips already about buying online and not getting scammed. i personally suggest not buying it unless you can pick it up yourself with cash. of course, looking at it before bidding is great also. Ebay is where i picked up my duster and it is also where i just sold my 1968 dart. both transactions went smoothly. :headbang: