Buying Scam or Not?
Discussion
I like to think I'm not stupid but this has got me thinking. I'm selling my 99 Camaro and had an email from a guy in Hungary.
Apart from wanting a few detailed photos of specific parts of the car, he wants my reg number to see if the car has been in an accident at any time: "Using your license plate number it would be an easy check".
Really?
And then there's this:
"And I have another thing I'd like to ask you (it's a"Camaro-nut" thing): if you open your drivers' side door, you should see a white sticker facing you on the door edge. This contains the cars RPO (regular production order) codes. These stand for the optional equipment in your car. Please take a photo of this sticker. Your license plates and the RPO sticker cannot be used for fraudulent causes. Just type in "rpo door sticker" for example in a search engine and you'll get hunders of these.
I'm pretty sure you're quite misgiving if I'm a scammer or not. I will not ask you to send me money, credit card codes, public health insurance account numbers etc. If we can make a deal, I'll send a trailer for the car and cash in Euros, or British pounds, you decide. I've been there: bought a jetski from Spain which simply hadn't exist. Bank got my money back though, but lost a few hundred pounds due to transaction fees."
What would your gut reaction be? I do know someone who has sold cars to guys in Eastern Europe - who turn up with a trailer and cash. So its not unheard of. But what do you guys think?
Apart from wanting a few detailed photos of specific parts of the car, he wants my reg number to see if the car has been in an accident at any time: "Using your license plate number it would be an easy check".
Really?
And then there's this:
"And I have another thing I'd like to ask you (it's a"Camaro-nut" thing): if you open your drivers' side door, you should see a white sticker facing you on the door edge. This contains the cars RPO (regular production order) codes. These stand for the optional equipment in your car. Please take a photo of this sticker. Your license plates and the RPO sticker cannot be used for fraudulent causes. Just type in "rpo door sticker" for example in a search engine and you'll get hunders of these.
I'm pretty sure you're quite misgiving if I'm a scammer or not. I will not ask you to send me money, credit card codes, public health insurance account numbers etc. If we can make a deal, I'll send a trailer for the car and cash in Euros, or British pounds, you decide. I've been there: bought a jetski from Spain which simply hadn't exist. Bank got my money back though, but lost a few hundred pounds due to transaction fees."
What would your gut reaction be? I do know someone who has sold cars to guys in Eastern Europe - who turn up with a trailer and cash. So its not unheard of. But what do you guys think?
1 for, 1 against! See why I'm asking? 
I must admit I don't fall for stuff as a rule but I can't make my mind up on this one.
The RPO sticker on the Camaro is on the door - the leading edge (where the lock etc is). Well, there are 3 stickers with Chevy info on, so I guess 1 of them is the RPO sticker...
Is there anything dodgy about asking for my vehicle reg number?
The other thing was that his reply to my enquiry about him being in Hungary had a "read receipt requested" on it. Which I declined to send. Might be nothing in that, I suppose but I was already suspicious of the freemail.hu email address.
I must admit I don't fall for stuff as a rule but I can't make my mind up on this one.The RPO sticker on the Camaro is on the door - the leading edge (where the lock etc is). Well, there are 3 stickers with Chevy info on, so I guess 1 of them is the RPO sticker...
Is there anything dodgy about asking for my vehicle reg number?
The other thing was that his reply to my enquiry about him being in Hungary had a "read receipt requested" on it. Which I declined to send. Might be nothing in that, I suppose but I was already suspicious of the freemail.hu email address.
Edited by Flip Martian on Saturday 15th November 13:05
WinstonWolf said:
Ask him for a landline number so you can cross reference it to a directory. He shouldn't baulk or will suggest an alternative if he's legit.
Might be an idea that, cheers. Although I suppose he could give his Auntie's address and phone number without her knowledge... Worth a try anyway.Flip Martian said:
WinstonWolf said:
Ask him for a landline number so you can cross reference it to a directory. He shouldn't baulk or will suggest an alternative if he's legit.
Might be an idea that, cheers. Although I suppose he could give his Auntie's address and phone number without her knowledge... Worth a try anyway.If i were buyinh your car I'd also want the VIn to run a carfax report.
Don't see any harm so far, and he wants to send cash too it seems. Personally I'd want to see the whites any buyers eyes, but it depends if you're struggling to sell I supose.
Think of it this way, if a guy from your next town turns up in person, says he'll think about it, then takes a photo of the RPO's, the VIn, and the reg, you wouldn't say a word would you?
Don't see any harm so far, and he wants to send cash too it seems. Personally I'd want to see the whites any buyers eyes, but it depends if you're struggling to sell I supose.
Think of it this way, if a guy from your next town turns up in person, says he'll think about it, then takes a photo of the RPO's, the VIn, and the reg, you wouldn't say a word would you?
Nothing wrong with giving him the RPO codes.
When I sold my Z06 to a guy in Sweden - he also wanted those codes.
It gives him all the details of the factory fit and options specced on the car. e.g. Cheap sat nav, expensive sat nav, Motorised driver seat, manual passenger seat, Leather, motorised steering wheel etc etc
The could be a big variance in spec and price.
What the buyer should also be looking to is ask for.
1/ HPI Check for the UK
2/ Carfax check for the US
3/ GM Recall check
I had no problem in telling my buyer all three. I had the reports available on line to show him and email him.
If he's happy to ruck up to your bank with pounds - and pay them into your account - go with it.
Mine did a fast international bank transfer. Took about 2 minutes to show up into the account.
I also did a little research on the buyer - He told me he worked for Audi in Sweden - a quick google - and sure enough on an Audi franchise - there he was, also LinkedIn etc
It was the simplest car sale I ever had.
When I sold my Z06 to a guy in Sweden - he also wanted those codes.
It gives him all the details of the factory fit and options specced on the car. e.g. Cheap sat nav, expensive sat nav, Motorised driver seat, manual passenger seat, Leather, motorised steering wheel etc etc
The could be a big variance in spec and price.
What the buyer should also be looking to is ask for.
1/ HPI Check for the UK
2/ Carfax check for the US
3/ GM Recall check
I had no problem in telling my buyer all three. I had the reports available on line to show him and email him.
If he's happy to ruck up to your bank with pounds - and pay them into your account - go with it.
Mine did a fast international bank transfer. Took about 2 minutes to show up into the account.
I also did a little research on the buyer - He told me he worked for Audi in Sweden - a quick google - and sure enough on an Audi franchise - there he was, also LinkedIn etc
It was the simplest car sale I ever had.
Troubleatmill said:
Nothing wrong with giving him the RPO codes.
When I sold my Z06 to a guy in Sweden - he also wanted those codes.
It gives him all the details of the factory fit and options specced on the car. e.g. Cheap sat nav, expensive sat nav, Motorised driver seat, manual passenger seat, Leather, motorised steering wheel etc etc
The could be a big variance in spec and price.
What the buyer should also be looking to is ask for.
1/ HPI Check for the UK
2/ Carfax check for the US
3/ GM Recall check
I had no problem in telling my buyer all three. I had the reports available on line to show him and email him.
If he's happy to ruck up to your bank with pounds - and pay them into your account - go with it.
Mine did a fast international bank transfer. Took about 2 minutes to show up into the account.
I also did a little research on the buyer - He told me he worked for Audi in Sweden - a quick google - and sure enough on an Audi franchise - there he was, also LinkedIn etc
It was the simplest car sale I ever had.
Thanks for that. Appreciated.When I sold my Z06 to a guy in Sweden - he also wanted those codes.
It gives him all the details of the factory fit and options specced on the car. e.g. Cheap sat nav, expensive sat nav, Motorised driver seat, manual passenger seat, Leather, motorised steering wheel etc etc
The could be a big variance in spec and price.
What the buyer should also be looking to is ask for.
1/ HPI Check for the UK
2/ Carfax check for the US
3/ GM Recall check
I had no problem in telling my buyer all three. I had the reports available on line to show him and email him.
If he's happy to ruck up to your bank with pounds - and pay them into your account - go with it.
Mine did a fast international bank transfer. Took about 2 minutes to show up into the account.
I also did a little research on the buyer - He told me he worked for Audi in Sweden - a quick google - and sure enough on an Audi franchise - there he was, also LinkedIn etc
It was the simplest car sale I ever had.
Plus with most newer cars now anyone can see the VIN through the windsrceen panel and the reg stuck on both front and back.
If his mate turns up with a trailer and cash just get him to accompany you to the bank as you pay it in before releasing the car.
Make him welcome as you would hope to be treated.
It's a more unusual car you are selling so not wholly surprising that someone may want to buy from abroad.
Let us know how you get on.
Good advice on phoning him on a landline.
If his mate turns up with a trailer and cash just get him to accompany you to the bank as you pay it in before releasing the car.
Make him welcome as you would hope to be treated.
It's a more unusual car you are selling so not wholly surprising that someone may want to buy from abroad.
Let us know how you get on.
Good advice on phoning him on a landline.
Oh other things that may be of use
I sent a lot of photos. Car from every possible angles.
I explained I couldn't insure him to test drive the car ( I couldn't )
However - I gave him the offer of two Corvette specialists who know the car - and have done all the servicing on it.
If he paid for them to check it out mechanically - and report to him - so he is sure that he wouldn't be wasting a journey. It cost him £90 to get that report.
As the transaction was between him and the specialst- he would get a warts and all story. ( There was nothing wrong - but if you are going to the expense of flying over - it's nice to have that piece of mind )
I was happy to give him a passenger ride - and also his mechanic friend.
Usual pleasantries - Give the guys a coffee, allow them wifi / phone access if they need to make calls to sort out insurance etc etc.
I sent a lot of photos. Car from every possible angles.
I explained I couldn't insure him to test drive the car ( I couldn't )
However - I gave him the offer of two Corvette specialists who know the car - and have done all the servicing on it.
If he paid for them to check it out mechanically - and report to him - so he is sure that he wouldn't be wasting a journey. It cost him £90 to get that report.
As the transaction was between him and the specialst- he would get a warts and all story. ( There was nothing wrong - but if you are going to the expense of flying over - it's nice to have that piece of mind )
I was happy to give him a passenger ride - and also his mechanic friend.
Usual pleasantries - Give the guys a coffee, allow them wifi / phone access if they need to make calls to sort out insurance etc etc.
Troubleatmill said:
Oh other things that may be of use
I sent a lot of photos. Car from every possible angles.
I explained I couldn't insure him to test drive the car ( I couldn't )
However - I gave him the offer of two Corvette specialists who know the car - and have done all the servicing on it.
If he paid for them to check it out mechanically - and report to him - so he is sure that he wouldn't be wasting a journey. It cost him £90 to get that report.
As the transaction was between him and the specialst- he would get a warts and all story. ( There was nothing wrong - but if you are going to the expense of flying over - it's nice to have that piece of mind )
I was happy to give him a passenger ride - and also his mechanic friend.
Usual pleasantries - Give the guys a coffee, allow them wifi / phone access if they need to make calls to sort out insurance etc etc.
Thanks - I have my local Yank specialist 30 mins away and could do something similar with a report, I'm sure. I got the impression he would send a trailer over with cash - but whoever came over would certainly be looked after here - my wife's dad lives with us and he's Hungarian. I'm sure he misses yapping away in his native tongue.I sent a lot of photos. Car from every possible angles.
I explained I couldn't insure him to test drive the car ( I couldn't )
However - I gave him the offer of two Corvette specialists who know the car - and have done all the servicing on it.
If he paid for them to check it out mechanically - and report to him - so he is sure that he wouldn't be wasting a journey. It cost him £90 to get that report.
As the transaction was between him and the specialst- he would get a warts and all story. ( There was nothing wrong - but if you are going to the expense of flying over - it's nice to have that piece of mind )
I was happy to give him a passenger ride - and also his mechanic friend.
Usual pleasantries - Give the guys a coffee, allow them wifi / phone access if they need to make calls to sort out insurance etc etc.
All good advice - especially the "let's go to the bank" thing.
Roo said:
Identifaction isn't a word is it?SidJames said:
If i were buyinh your car I'd also want the VIn to run a carfax report.
Don't see any harm so far, and he wants to send cash too it seems. Personally I'd want to see the whites any buyers eyes, but it depends if you're struggling to sell I supose.
Think of it this way, if a guy from your next town turns up in person, says he'll think about it, then takes a photo of the RPO's, the VIn, and the reg, you wouldn't say a word would you?
No I wouldn't - but then dealing with someone in person is less likely to be an internet scam. Agreed though, it doesn't cut out the possibility altogether! Not struggling to sell yet - the ad only went in on Thursday. He is the only respondent so far though.Don't see any harm so far, and he wants to send cash too it seems. Personally I'd want to see the whites any buyers eyes, but it depends if you're struggling to sell I supose.
Think of it this way, if a guy from your next town turns up in person, says he'll think about it, then takes a photo of the RPO's, the VIn, and the reg, you wouldn't say a word would you?
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