Foreign buyer - genuine?
Discussion
Hi all
I have someone in France interested in my car. Latest message:
"I can make a bank transfer anytime as the money is avalaible as I speak. Once you confirm my transfer has arrived to you, I'll plan to come meet you and ride the car back to France, of course if no covid restriction by then...
You described the car so well that I'm not worry about it's overall condition"
The car is a rare one and I've priced it fair I believe so can understand why he'd come. He's a collector and he said he'd bought a few from a dealer in Stoke in the past few years but hadn't found one this spec / colour. I googled that dealer - they seem to be real - rang the guy and he confirmed that the French guy had bought a few cars from him in previous years.
So all sounds genuine... anything to be wary off?? Once the money is in my account, it's in my account, right? Can't be withdrawn or anything? And it sounds like it will be with me a few days before he even comes!
Just a bit wary as I now there are no many scams around ...
Thanks
Ross
I have someone in France interested in my car. Latest message:
"I can make a bank transfer anytime as the money is avalaible as I speak. Once you confirm my transfer has arrived to you, I'll plan to come meet you and ride the car back to France, of course if no covid restriction by then...
You described the car so well that I'm not worry about it's overall condition"
The car is a rare one and I've priced it fair I believe so can understand why he'd come. He's a collector and he said he'd bought a few from a dealer in Stoke in the past few years but hadn't found one this spec / colour. I googled that dealer - they seem to be real - rang the guy and he confirmed that the French guy had bought a few cars from him in previous years.
So all sounds genuine... anything to be wary off?? Once the money is in my account, it's in my account, right? Can't be withdrawn or anything? And it sounds like it will be with me a few days before he even comes!
Just a bit wary as I now there are no many scams around ...
Thanks
Ross
He plans to collect in person.
Why would I prefer cash on collection? Money in account is safer than possibly dodgy bank notes, right?
If it weren't for Covid I'd suggest going into a bank and doing the payment there but there isn't any open near me.
I've just realised that it's not quite as 'too good to be true' as I thought as he's offered me a grand less than my asking price; I'd missed that
Why would I prefer cash on collection? Money in account is safer than possibly dodgy bank notes, right?
If it weren't for Covid I'd suggest going into a bank and doing the payment there but there isn't any open near me.
I've just realised that it's not quite as 'too good to be true' as I thought as he's offered me a grand less than my asking price; I'd missed that
Depending on the amount I think I'd prefer bank payment than cash!
If he sounds genuine, and sends money up front via transfer (and not western union/paypal etc.) then there's not a lot of risk, especially if he's going to come and collect the car.
I've sold cars on ebay and some of those went to the continent, despite the broken English they paid (in cash as it was worth f
k all) came and got the car as promised, no drama.
If it's a unique/limited/rare car, I don't think it's unusual for a buyer to come from a wider area....
If he sounds genuine, and sends money up front via transfer (and not western union/paypal etc.) then there's not a lot of risk, especially if he's going to come and collect the car.
I've sold cars on ebay and some of those went to the continent, despite the broken English they paid (in cash as it was worth f
k all) came and got the car as promised, no drama.If it's a unique/limited/rare car, I don't think it's unusual for a buyer to come from a wider area....
Cars are cheap in the UK when compared with most of mainland Europe, and the exchange rate is making it extra attractive at the moment. I think it's quite unlikely that it's a scammer given that he's given you a reference contact in the UK. I've bought quite a few cars from the UK in the past, but I always took cash. If you look at it from his point of view there's also a risk - he has to transfer the money to you before he's seen the car.
I would estimate that more than 50% of the Lotuses (Loti?) and a large proportion of the sporty renaults I see on track days over here are RHD imports from the UK.
What car is it?
I would estimate that more than 50% of the Lotuses (Loti?) and a large proportion of the sporty renaults I see on track days over here are RHD imports from the UK.
What car is it?
I sold to a French guy, who transferred the money to my account, turned up a few days later with a friend, and drove the car away.
It only broke down twice on the way home, including a poorly battery due to a faulty alternator. He refused any money back from me for either the alternator or the battery.
He'd already sent me the money, and I'd moved it into another account, so I felt happy with the deal.
It only broke down twice on the way home, including a poorly battery due to a faulty alternator. He refused any money back from me for either the alternator or the battery.
He'd already sent me the money, and I'd moved it into another account, so I felt happy with the deal.
My dad retired from his market trader business and I sold his van for him on eBay - an old AA Fiat Ducato.
A chap from Poland bought it, turned up, drove it back to Poland. This was through eBay though so had some security.
Go to your local branch if it's open, ask them the risks and what to put in place if you're unsure.
A chap from Poland bought it, turned up, drove it back to Poland. This was through eBay though so had some security.
Go to your local branch if it's open, ask them the risks and what to put in place if you're unsure.
My brother in Jersey sold his 60's 911 to a chap from Madrid. All done by bank transfer in advance, the buyer Juan flew into Jersey and collected it a few days later, booking it on the ferry and driving it all the way home.
Not only was it all legit, but they hit it off and became good buddies, Juan periodically sends my bro photos of his old car on its travels round Europe and has offered him first refusal on buying it back, should he decide to sell it.
Only trouble is that the Porker has pretty much trebled in value since, so my bro' couldn't now afford to!
Not only was it all legit, but they hit it off and became good buddies, Juan periodically sends my bro photos of his old car on its travels round Europe and has offered him first refusal on buying it back, should he decide to sell it.
Only trouble is that the Porker has pretty much trebled in value since, so my bro' couldn't now afford to!
A bank transfer, (with you checking that the money is in your account), is NON-REVERSABLE!!!
There is no argument that the money has been transferred.
Cash is VERY dodgy, as, unless you and he physically go to the bank together, and the bank accepts the cash it is open to many aspects of it going wrong .
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