Buying from a seller over the pond...
Buying from a seller over the pond...
Author
Discussion

mickrick

Original Poster:

3,759 posts

202 months

Wednesday 13th November 2019
quotequote all
Anyone have any tips for ascertaining if a seller is genuine?
I'm interested in an engine that's advertised in the states. My gut feeling tells me if something is too good to be true, it usually is.
But what if it is genuine?
How can I tell if it's a scam or not?
I'm obviously nervous of sending money to someone I don't know.

unsprung

6,054 posts

153 months

Wednesday 13th November 2019
quotequote all


If the price sounds just a bit too good to be true... why risk your money?

Unless your requirement is for a truly uncommon component, the US market tends to offer a good amount of choice. It's worth peace of mind to move along.

If, however, you're absolutely convinced that you must proceed, you could pay for a video visit -- to "see" the engine and to verify basic details of the seller. Use a service such as the following.

https://www.taskrabbit.com/

https://wegolook.com/products/instant-inspections


PRE-PURCHASE INSPECTION OF CARS

When purchasing an entire car from a US buyer, Google around to find one of the many pre-purchase inspection services for used cars. The most detailed and costly of these is less than $300 and well worth the peace of mind, imo.

Here are just two of numerous examples:

https://lemonsquad.com/

https://www.promobileauto.com/inspections



mickrick

Original Poster:

3,759 posts

202 months

Thursday 14th November 2019
quotequote all
Hello Unsprung. Thanks for you advice. It appears to be a scam. I'm having correspondence with the fellow regarding a supposedly brand new built BDG, but so much is not tying up. He's being very pushy for a shipping address to arrange shipping at the moment, even though I'm still asking questions, and haven't agreed to buy it yet.
I've asked him for a walk around video of the engine, so let's see what he says about that.
He sent me pictures, but one of them is on another website for a UK engine builder, of an engine that was for sale a couple of years ago for twice the price.
My gut feeling appears to be right.
It's a pity I can't do much about it if he is a scammer.

unsprung

6,054 posts

153 months

Thursday 14th November 2019
quotequote all
mickrick said:
He's being very pushy for a shipping address to arrange shipping at the moment, even though I'm still asking questions, and haven't agreed to buy it yet.
mickrick said:
He sent me pictures, but one of them is on another website for a UK engine builder, of an engine that was for sale a couple of years ago for twice the price.
Massive red flags. And irreversible in my opinion.

You can't lose if you don't play the game.

Such a person could be located anywhere in the world. Best to move on, I suggest.


mickrick

Original Poster:

3,759 posts

202 months

Thursday 14th November 2019
quotequote all
Absolutely! Red flag came up pretty quickly, due to the ridiculously low price, but you never know for sure... which is why I asked for some advice. But now it's an absolute no no.
I may have a bit of fun with the scumbag now though wink
Oh, and now Clay Carter is suddenly Jean McCrane....

Here's a link to the add, if anyone's interested. Should be at least 20k+ IMO.
https://racecarsdirect.com/Advert/Details/105866/c...

Edited by mickrick on Thursday 14th November 14:10


Edited by mickrick on Thursday 14th November 14:12

keithVR46

2 posts

77 months

Thursday 23rd April 2020
quotequote all
Hiya all, new to this site but I have come across Jean McCrane after replying to an advert for a classic bike, photos of the bike appear to have been photoshopped, just wondered if there was any more info on him/her. Cheers

mickrick

Original Poster:

3,759 posts

202 months

Thursday 23rd April 2020
quotequote all
keithVR46 said:
Hiya all, new to this site but I have come across Jean McCrane after replying to an advert for a classic bike, photos of the bike appear to have been photoshopped, just wondered if there was any more info on him/her. Cheers
Yes I've seen him advertise cars and bikes too, since. I have even seen his e-mail in the classified section of Old Bike Mart. He uses a gmail account rydeclassic9.
Everyone he mentioned, who'd supposedly built the engine, or supplied parts I managed to contact, and they'd never heard of him. Stay well clear!

keithVR46

2 posts

77 months

Friday 24th April 2020
quotequote all
Many thanks for that, he ran an ad in Classic Racer with an email address 'rareclassicguy', photos he sent of 'him' on the bike were photoshopped. I'll stay clear.
For future reference, I did find a company CFR Rinkens who offer Escrow payments to give some protection for your money.

mickrick

Original Poster:

3,759 posts

202 months

Saturday 25th April 2020
quotequote all
and thank you Sir, I checked them out. Here's a link for anyone following this post...

https://www.cfrrinkens.com/cfr-safepay-customer-gu...

That could be very useful in the future smile