Transferring money for car remotely

[Duke Caboom]

Hi,

I've bought a car unseen from a dealer. I realise this is a risk. But have put various things in place to protect me if not as described.

I'm sending a delivery person to pick it up due to lockdown.

Question is about how to get money to dealer.

Its very unlikely, bit what if if is a scam or hes going bust or something?

I'm thinking get delivery man to call me to say he can see the car. I do electronic bank transfer. Man collects car is and brings it to me.

Is an alternative PayPal, safer but I'd have to pay the extra (not sure how much).

Is a £4k car and 100 miles away.

Thanks.

[Philv8s]

You could ask for a FaceTime video chat to view the car and see the premises actually exist in real-time and ask for the dealers company details to do a check on the company.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Certainly wait for collecting agent to eyeball it.

A face time call to look at the car as suggested.

Pay for with credit card? Offers more protection.

Check references for dealer?

All I'd say is, it is risky, there must be plenty of £4k cars you can see locally?

Good luck, let us know how it goes.

[stevekoz]

Risk is high on buying unseen and paying online.

Do as much research as you can.

Check the address out on Google maps (use street view) check its a proper dealer and the premises.

Check companies house for the company information.

Get them to do a video walk round of the car highlighting any damage/issues. As usually you'll have issues with dealers even buying face to face about unknown faults or faults that start as you get the car.

Buying with a credit card is certainly the safest option as it offers you much more protection should you be defrauded.

Personally, i would search autotrader for any similar make, model, age etc within your local area - unless its a specialist car, there must be nearer ones. If not, and its due to the price being "very good" then question is it "too good to be true". E.G all the same cars are 7K locally - why is this one 4k etc. They'll be reasons for it.

Take the number plate. Run a MOT history check. Run a HPI check. Make sure its clean and not recorded (unless the dealer has already divulged any history etc).

Ask the dealer to send you pictures of service history and logbook.

Just cover as many bases as you can. Buying a second hand car is not without risk no matter how you do it. You can always end up with a dud or being ripped off regardless - but if that happens, as long as you can look back and say i had protection of my money and i did everything i could, its a gamble we all take.

Good luck.

[alfabeat]

I'd also give the guy picking it up a little check list :

- V5
- MOT ticket
- service history
- 2 keys?
- spare wheel/jack etc
- boot cover (if hatch/estate)
- check oil / coolant levels
- check tyres are all legal

Always a MASSIVE hassle getting these bits after you have driven gleefully away, when you forget the important bits.

[Duke Caboom]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm as confident as I can be that I know what I'm buying and that I have a written contract in effect that I could go back to, if needed. I know that the left hand mirror doesn't electronically adjust, for example.

My only worry is that they car doesn't exist.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Duke Caboom said:

Thanks for all the replies. I'm as confident as I can be that I know what I'm buying and that I have a written contract in effect that I could go back to, if needed. I know that the left hand mirror doesn't electronically adjust, for example.

My only worry is that they car doesn't exist.

When's the trade?

[MattyD803]

Duke Caboom said:

Thanks for all the replies. I'm as confident as I can be that I know what I'm buying and that I have a written contract in effect that I could go back to, if needed. I know that the left hand mirror doesn't electronically adjust, for example.

My only worry is that they car doesn't exist.

If that is the case, then certainly get your collection guy to get eyeball of the vehicle with his mini check list before transferring any money over.

Alternatively if its in a relatively well populated area, perhaps a kind PH'er will be willing to take their daily "exercise" past the dealer in question to take a quick look for you?

[HocusPocus]

https://www.gov.uk/online-and-distance-selling-for...

Distance selling rules apply where goods are supplied in a non face to face transaction. A consumer has a 14 day cooling off period to return goods with no requirement for a defect. Use a credit card to pay if possible or bank transfer once basic checks are done.

Best thing is to check dealer is reputable, because your legal rights are only as strong as the ability of the dealer to refund you.

Have bought several high value cars from dealers, including a Porsche in December and another from Poland, all at distance without any problem. If the dealer knows up front you are aware of the right to return within 14 days, he will be more nervous of you than you are of him.

[GMac1]

I was in a similar position last week and was about to buy a car from Belfast and bring to Glasgow unseen in a private sale. (very risky)I was planning on using a transport company to load the car onto their trailer before making payment. Had asked for full video walk round of car, full Total check on the car's history, however the seller pulled out of the deal. Ended up buying a car 20 minutes away.
Would be worth another search locally if you don't feel comfortable doing the deal.
If you do go for it the cover all bases as others have mentioned, I would use a credit card as it's a dealer for more protection.

[M4cruiser]

Duke Caboom said:

Hi,

I've bought a car unseen from a dealer. I realise this is a risk. But have put various things in place to protect me if not as described.

I'm sending a delivery person to pick it up due to lockdown.


Thanks.

I'm just astounded that anyone is that desperate to get their hands on a car like that at the moment.
You have created this problem for yourself.
If I needed a car urgently (say the current one broke down seriously) then I'd buy a local banger to tide me over until the lockdown's finished.

[Pistonheader101]

M4cruiser said:

Duke Caboom said:

Hi,

I've bought a car unseen from a dealer. I realise this is a risk. But have put various things in place to protect me if not as described.

I'm sending a delivery person to pick it up due to lockdown.


Thanks.

I'm just astounded that anyone is that desperate to get their hands on a car like that at the moment.
You have created this problem for yourself.
If I needed a car urgently (say the current one broke down seriously) then I'd buy a local banger to tide me over until the lockdown's finished.

Unless it’s a new car/ something from a manufacturer dealership/ car supermarket. In which case chances are it’s fine.

[alabbasi]

See if they will accept credit card payment or offer to do a bank wire transfer. This way you have a record of the transaction.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Did it all work out OK OP?

[Duke Caboom]

Yep! All worked out ok.

I stuck to the plan and had got the vendor to describe the car in writing, in specific detail. Thanks also for some of the advice on here too.

I got the van man to call as he was loading the car, transferred the money and he delivered it 4 hours later. Car basically as described.

Truth is I really wanted a specific model, spec and, ideally, colour that wasn't rusty and was willing to take a gamble to get it.

330i manual, dark blue, no rust.

Edited by Duke Caboom on Wednesday 20th January 19:03

Edited by Duke Caboom on Wednesday 20th January 19:17

Edited by Duke Caboom on Wednesday 20th January 19:19

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Well done, looks nice!

[RammyMP]

Looks good! Worth the risk!

[Duke Caboom]

Update: car went in to specialist to have a few bits done, which I knew about and had budgeted for, and he was very impressed with condition of underside and mechanics.

So still pleased!

[bearman68]

Hang on, this doesn't sit well with the "All traders are crooks" PH narrative.

In other news, well done OP, looks nice.

[GreatGranny]

very nice OP.

Makes sense now why you wanted it and were prepared for a slightly risky unseen purchase.