Best way to pay for a car found online?

[jeeperguy21]

I’m currently in the process of purchasing a collector car that I found for sale on a forum dedicated to that particular type of car. This car is rare enough that I never find them for sale locally. This means that I am not going to have the opportunity to pay for the car in person. The man selling the car said that he doesn’t feel comfortable giving me his bank info to do a wire transfer, so he wants me to send him a cashier’s check and then he’ll send me title. After that is done, I’ll arrange shipping for the car.

Needless to say, I don’t like it. Too many ‘what ifs’ involved. One thing that has me concerned is that we have only spoken via email. I do know that he owns the car in question. He has provided multiple clean and clear photos on the forum, and I searched google maps and saw the car parked under a car cover using the “street view” feature.

I guess I’m just looking for some input as to what I should do. He has made it clear that he only wants cash or check, but I don’t feel like I’m getting any sort of guarantee like I would if I were purchasing it through ebay or other online dealer. The car is the one I want though, which really stinks because I am almost forcing myself to take this risk. It will cost too much to fly out to do the exchange, and the car needs some work before I want to drive it cross country; hence the shipping.

What would you do?

 

[crimsondragon]

If it's a collector's car, I'd definitely pay the expense to fly out and have a look personally. All in all, it's a car and if you find something in person you don't feel comfortable with, then it's better to back out of it then have it sitting in your driveway when all is said and done.

 

[Cottontail]

I would spend an extra couple hundred bucks and buy an airline ticket to the location of the car, meet the guy in person, inspect the car, then hand over the cash and title face to face, and then arrange to ship the car back to my house.

For a transaction that big and important it seems to me to be worth a little more.

I found my WJ on line in Kansas City and rather than shipping it to Tennessee, I bought a one way airline ticket, had the dealer meet me at the airport, signed the title and check in the parking garage and headed home. I was looking at a WJ in Washington State that I would have done the same thing with, had the one in KC not worked out.

 

[casm]

I’m currently in the process of purchasing a collector car that I found for sale on a forum dedicated to that particular type of car. This car is rare enough that I never find them for sale locally. This means that I am not going to have the opportunity to pay for the car in person.

Been there, done that. More:

The man selling the car said that he doesn’t feel comfortable giving me his bank info to do a wire transfer, so he wants me to send him a cashier’s check and then he’ll send me title. After that is done, I’ll arrange shipping for the car.

See if he'll take a personal cheque as deposit with the remainder as a cashier's cheque on collection. If it takes a few days for your personal cheque to clear, that shouldn't be a big deal - it gives him time to get the car ready for collection, and you time to figure out how you're going to do that.

Needless to say, I don’t like it. Too many ‘what ifs’ involved. One thing that has me concerned is that we have only spoken via email. I do know that he owns the car in question. He has provided multiple clean and clear photos on the forum, and I searched google maps and saw the car parked under a car cover using the “street view” feature.

Get a phone number and physical address to send payment to. It sounds like this is a private sale, so check the address out in both Google and Google Earth/Maps to make sure it's not a PO Box place or similar. It's possible that he has the car stored somewhere other than his home (which is understandable), but it'd be good to know this in advance.

My guess is that the guy isn't looking to scam you, but is being very cautious to not get burned himself. That's not unreasonable, but it may be worth gently reminding him that there is a distance equation involved here and that you both need to work with each other to make it happen. If he can't handle that, walk away - it's one thing for him to want to be careful as regards the transaction, but if he's being totally inflexible it's probably just not putting up with his demands to get the car. Your call on that one, but that's how I'd approach it.

I guess I’m just looking for some input as to what I should do. He has made it clear that he only wants cash or check, but I don’t feel like I’m getting any sort of guarantee like I would if I were purchasing it through ebay or other online dealer.

You're not getting any guarantee, same as if you bought the car out of a newspaper ad. Just treat it that way with the added caveat of distance.

The car is the one I want though, which really stinks because I am almost forcing myself to take this risk. It will cost too much to fly out to do the exchange, and the car needs some work before I want to drive it cross country; hence the shipping.

What would you do?

Given that it's not really the one you want and the cost involved with getting it back, I'd probably hold out for one at the right spec and/or price, or negotiate the cost of this one down. Sounds like you've agreed to a price, though, so that may not be a realistic option.

 

[jeeperguy21]

Great info casm. I think you mis-read the end of my post because this IS the car that I want. How would it work with a personal cheque as a deposit? In other words, are you saying that he shouldn't get the rest of the funds until the actual car, or just the title is delivered to me?

 

[ChiXJeff]

If the gent on the other end knows anything about banking, he won't accept a personal check, as ultimately that will give you his routing number and account number.

Me, I bought a 1 way ticket from Chicago to SLC to buy a pickup 7 years ago, and was prepared to go right back to the airport for a 1 way back if it wasn't acceptable. I carried a cashier's check for payment.

 

[r33pwrd]

There has to be someone on here that lives in the same area... ask them to go inspect the car and if they say it is what you want than send them money and have them pick up the car for you and store it until you can have it picked up. If the car is in seattle I would do it for you no charge

 

[iwannadie]

There has to be someone on here that lives in the same area... ask them to go inspect the car and if they say it is what you want than send them money and have them pick up the car for you and store it until you can have it picked up. If the car is in seattle I would do it for you no charge

That's what I was thinking. Otherwise I would make the trip out to him, what's a few hundred bucks to inspect the car and make payment on the spot.

 

[jeeperguy21]

Obviously flying out to see the car and make the exchange in person would be the ideal situation. Unfortunately, to flying there on the weekend with little notice is going to run over $1100, not to mention the fact that I need to pay $900 to have it shipped. I'm not a rich guy folks.

Could the shipping company act as a third party? Could I give them payment, and have them exchange payment for the title and car for me? I guess I'll be calling the shipping company to find out. That sounds like a safer option.

 

[OverlandZJ]

A few months back i asked about payment and shipping a Scrambler from CA.. got some great tips and my bud had a smooth transaction.

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1049049&highlight=vehicle+shipping

Friend used DAS Auto Shippers and was very pleased with cost, care and daily updates via tracking number.

For payment he ended up sending a deposit via paypal, then used an escrow service to protect both parties. Service notified seller that funds were in hand, and he released the Jeep to shipper. Once buyer signed for it the Service released funds to the seller. The service fee was roughly 250 for a $10K purchase.. cheaper than a flight and was split by buyer and seller.

I'll get the escrow service name and update later if you may be interested in checking it out.

So, what kind of car?

 

[jeeperguy21]

Thanks for the info. It's for a '81 DeLorean DMC-12.

 

[iwannadie]

Obviously flying out to see the car and make the exchange in person would be the ideal situation. Unfortunately, to flying there on the weekend with little notice is going to run over $1100, not to mention the fact that I need to pay $900 to have it shipped. I'm not a rich guy folks.

This is going to come out sounding like a jerk and it's not meant to but, it sounds like you can't afford to buy the car to me. You can't expect to buy a car across the country without spending a lot more. You could easily end up mailing a cashier check out and never seeing the money or the car if you try and take the cheap route.

I don't think any normal shipping company will take on the responsibility of handing your payment.

 

[jeeperguy21]

I am now considering using an escrow party to handle the deal. I can make a deposit that the seller receives, and then he receives the rest of the payment once I, the buyer, have title and car in hand... all this for a much cheaper price of about $190.

 

[GRIMUS99XJ]

I have used escrow companies in the past and have had nothing but good exp with them. They really make you feel secure about the transaction and knowing that worst case your out a few hundred bucks if its wither doesnt get delivered or it does and its not a delorian but a fiero with a body kit haha

 

[OverlandZJ]

I'll get the escrow service name and update later if you may be interested in checking it out.

www.escrow.com

Good luck.. lets see pics of the DeLorean.

 

[jeeperguy21]

www.escrow.com

Good luck.. lets see pics of the DeLorean.

I gladly will if I ever get it home. Thanks for the escrow idea. I think that's the best option.

 

[XJEEPER]

If it has a Flux Capacitor installed, it'll be worth the trip to pick it up in person...


:laugh3:

 

[jeeperguy21]

If it has a Flux Capacitor installed, it'll be worth the trip to pick it up in person...


:laugh3:

Oh Jeff... I have a feeling I'm going to hear a lot of comments like that On the forum I am on, one guy made something to give to people that make BTTF references:
http://weasel.brazi.net/webstuff/stuff/Certificate.jpg

On a side note, the seller agreed to use an escrow company to handle the exchange. I should be a new-to-me car owner fairly soon. Thanks for all the ideas and suggestions.

 

[Corprin]

Too bad it's not a 1974.5 MGB, I would have tired to sell you mine!

Escrow service seems like the way to go in this situation, and I will vouch for DAS Auto Shipping as well.

 

[casm]

Oh Jeff... I have a feeling I'm going to hear a lot of comments like that On the forum I am on, one guy made something to give to people that make BTTF references:
http://weasel.brazi.net/webstuff/stuff/Certificate.jpg

On a side note, the seller agreed to use an escrow company to handle the exchange. I should be a new-to-me car owner fairly soon. Thanks for all the ideas and suggestions.

Given the car involved, escrow sounds like the best way to go and the seller's wariness makes a little more sense.

Let me know if you need any help with the PRV V6 - it's been quite a while since I've tinkered with one, but still have some of that info rattling around in print or my head. My recollection is that the DMC-12s used the Renault version of that engine, though, and most of my experience with them was on the Peugeot side. They're similar, but not entirely the same, and that applies to their use in Volvos and Eagles as well.

Is this one a manual or automatic?