Should I be suspicious
Discussion
Is your car quite old? If so, then the enquiry is probably genuine, given the strict French rules on importing 7s. I've sold cars to Poland, Germany and France-all genuine.
Don't forget that English is his second language. So treat him as a serious buyer and if you seal a deal, have him bring cash and take him and the cash to a branch of your bank and they'll check it's not counterfeit. It's as easy as that!
Don't forget that English is his second language. So treat him as a serious buyer and if you seal a deal, have him bring cash and take him and the cash to a branch of your bank and they'll check it's not counterfeit. It's as easy as that!
ajroberts said:
Play a long with it, can be quite humorous sometimes.
What he said. I had a guy last week wanting to buy a 3 ton WW2 truck I advertised. He was apparently on a ship working for New Zealand Oil paying full asking price and shipping to Australia as a gift for his father. No questions, no photos requested, no phone as he's on a ship isn't he.
Email highlights over 2 days
Me: yep that's no problem just advise your name/address/phone number
Him: I'm on a ship
Me: you have no name?
Him: it's for my father.
Me: (start the fun and offer helpful advice): the only problem with the truck is the vertical pinger on the boodle is bent and hits the fandango
Him: that's ok. What are your bank details
Me: it's a remould engine with a tiptip kingpin - they changed the type of boiler in the MK2 version but it's ok
Him: that's ok. What are your bank details
Me: Sperm Bank, Whitehall 1212.
Me early next day: it's ready for shipping and I have put a spare tollygunge with it for you the rubber has split on the old one
Him: my father will be pleased.
Me (ultra helpful): would you like my passport number and bank security details and full address so you can take out whatever money you like in case your father doesn't like it?
Him: yes what are they
I then made a number of things clear including his parents lack of wedlock.
Not at all. I had lots of euro enquiries when. I sold mine. However if it isn't a factory built car, say so up front. It makes a difference on the continent I believe. Mine went to Germany in the end, though via a dealer.
No doubt it's a harder sale, so be upfront if you only want to sell in the uk. No harm in being polite, but I wouldn't assume scam out of hand.
No doubt it's a harder sale, so be upfront if you only want to sell in the uk. No harm in being polite, but I wouldn't assume scam out of hand.
How the purchase of my car worked:
- Guy calls up private seller in the UK 30mins after the ad is posted on PH.
- He has an Australian accent and claims he lives in Germany
- Transfers deposit (£5k-ish) sight unseen
- Books overnight ferry, rents car carrier, and comes to pick up the car
- Turns up with a Germany friend.
- Wants to take the car away on a Polish registered car carrier.
- Leaves the UK with the car
Sound crazy? It was completely genuine.
Of course, I am the 'Australian guy' mentioned above. It all happened, and the sale/purchase was completed to (and above) the satisfaction of both parties.
Some more information and key points I would insist on when buying remotely:
- Both parties exchange copies of more than one form of photo ID in advance, and before any money moves anywhere. (buyer first)
- Use the internet to ascertain as much about the other party as possible (LinkedIn, Facebook, google their email address, etc.)
- Exchange copies of V5, do HPI check etc.
- When buying, insist on photos of the "worst damage or problem with the car". Explain (in writing) that if a worse defect on the vehicle can be found (on the pickup day), then the transaction will not occur and all monies will be refunded.
- Transfer a deposit to secure the car. This should be no larger than an amount you are prepared to lose entirely, and in-line with the feeling of risk you have from the above steps.
- Only complete the transition at the address on the ID's
- Nobody goes anywhere until all the money arrives in the right account (should be obvious).
- Complete FULL receipts (templates online) with as much detail as possible.
- Bring a witness
In my case, I was able to find the sellers details on LinkedIn and via a reputable companies website. So, I knew where he worked and what he did for a living. This, together with his general demeanour gave me a secure feeling that the sale was 'real' and the seller would even refund my deposit if something went wrong on the day (though I accepted that I could lost it).
The other piece of information that made me feel better was that the car only had 100miles on it and all the photos supported this.
Over 12 months later and I am occasionally sending the seller videos to show what his car is up to now.
- Guy calls up private seller in the UK 30mins after the ad is posted on PH.
- He has an Australian accent and claims he lives in Germany
- Transfers deposit (£5k-ish) sight unseen
- Books overnight ferry, rents car carrier, and comes to pick up the car
- Turns up with a Germany friend.
- Wants to take the car away on a Polish registered car carrier.
- Leaves the UK with the car
Sound crazy? It was completely genuine.
Of course, I am the 'Australian guy' mentioned above. It all happened, and the sale/purchase was completed to (and above) the satisfaction of both parties.
Some more information and key points I would insist on when buying remotely:
- Both parties exchange copies of more than one form of photo ID in advance, and before any money moves anywhere. (buyer first)
- Use the internet to ascertain as much about the other party as possible (LinkedIn, Facebook, google their email address, etc.)
- Exchange copies of V5, do HPI check etc.
- When buying, insist on photos of the "worst damage or problem with the car". Explain (in writing) that if a worse defect on the vehicle can be found (on the pickup day), then the transaction will not occur and all monies will be refunded.
- Transfer a deposit to secure the car. This should be no larger than an amount you are prepared to lose entirely, and in-line with the feeling of risk you have from the above steps.
- Only complete the transition at the address on the ID's
- Nobody goes anywhere until all the money arrives in the right account (should be obvious).
- Complete FULL receipts (templates online) with as much detail as possible.
- Bring a witness
In my case, I was able to find the sellers details on LinkedIn and via a reputable companies website. So, I knew where he worked and what he did for a living. This, together with his general demeanour gave me a secure feeling that the sale was 'real' and the seller would even refund my deposit if something went wrong on the day (though I accepted that I could lost it).
The other piece of information that made me feel better was that the car only had 100miles on it and all the photos supported this.
Over 12 months later and I am occasionally sending the seller videos to show what his car is up to now.
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