Paying for a car before it’s collected?
Discussion
I’m looking for peoples experiences and opinions on this.
I’m looking at a Westfield tomorrow as I’m in the area for work. It is however, 4 hours drive from home.
If I go ahead with the purchase I intend to have the car collected and delivered as I don’t fancy driving it that far if it’s piddling rain.
I’m not hugely comfortable with paying in full and then leaving the car there until it’s collected a few days later.. I’m thinking pay in full and get the owner to do the Reg transfer online.. other than that I’m not sure what else I can do?
Edit: I should probably add, it’s a private sale.
I’m looking at a Westfield tomorrow as I’m in the area for work. It is however, 4 hours drive from home.
If I go ahead with the purchase I intend to have the car collected and delivered as I don’t fancy driving it that far if it’s piddling rain.
I’m not hugely comfortable with paying in full and then leaving the car there until it’s collected a few days later.. I’m thinking pay in full and get the owner to do the Reg transfer online.. other than that I’m not sure what else I can do?
Edit: I should probably add, it’s a private sale.
Edited by James-06gep on Friday 14th May 21:28
I've had four separate sellers buy cars from me over the years who have paid in full up front and then collected later.
The first was exceptional - a guy in Lithuania bought my Audi GT in full and didn't collect it until 6 weeks later once he'd bought two others and sent a low loader to collect them all!
The second was a guy from Dundee who bought my then 16 month old A6 avant sight unseen as it was in Southampton. He transferred the cash in full three or so days before he flew down to collect it.
Third one was a guy who bought and paid for my URQuattro a week or so before he had it collected via a low loader (think it was a shiply arranged collection)
Final one was my Alfa 147 ducati corse who again had a shiply courier collect and paid in full a day or two before it was collected.
On all occasions it's gone smoothly and everyone was happy with the way the sales went. However, I've never done it the other way around so have no comment.
For all my sales the buyer spoke at length with me prior to sale and payment to get comfortable with me and the car. I would recommend doing the same if you're looking at paying before collection. As others have said try and get a deposit sorted (which a private seller should be fine with) and then pay on day of collection.
Good luck with the purchase either way
The first was exceptional - a guy in Lithuania bought my Audi GT in full and didn't collect it until 6 weeks later once he'd bought two others and sent a low loader to collect them all!
The second was a guy from Dundee who bought my then 16 month old A6 avant sight unseen as it was in Southampton. He transferred the cash in full three or so days before he flew down to collect it.
Third one was a guy who bought and paid for my URQuattro a week or so before he had it collected via a low loader (think it was a shiply arranged collection)
Final one was my Alfa 147 ducati corse who again had a shiply courier collect and paid in full a day or two before it was collected.
On all occasions it's gone smoothly and everyone was happy with the way the sales went. However, I've never done it the other way around so have no comment.
For all my sales the buyer spoke at length with me prior to sale and payment to get comfortable with me and the car. I would recommend doing the same if you're looking at paying before collection. As others have said try and get a deposit sorted (which a private seller should be fine with) and then pay on day of collection.
Good luck with the purchase either way
Edited by QuattroDave on Friday 14th May 21:49
No way would I pay for a car in full before seeing it. It's not worth the risk to me.
I remember buying 80 quid of parts for my zzr 600 from a member of a forum who had been posting for years and was supposedly trustworthy. I never got my bits and he stopped posting. Everything said he was ok. I wouldn't fancy risking that situation with thousands
I remember buying 80 quid of parts for my zzr 600 from a member of a forum who had been posting for years and was supposedly trustworthy. I never got my bits and he stopped posting. Everything said he was ok. I wouldn't fancy risking that situation with thousands
Done a few 'Distace purchases' and sales over the years.
The key is communication.
Email is fine to start. Talk on the phone. Find out more about them, their reasons for buying this way.
THEN take a deposit.
It can, and does work. But you have to be have to be 'Seller aware' as much as 'Buyer beware'.
If eveything is upfront and honest and you have good vibes it shouldn't be bad.
I had a chap buy a rare Alfa from me, lots of negotiation and phone calls. BIG deposit paid. He, and his wife and very small child, flew over to Gatwick, met them, drove them to where the car was. He checked it over (including he depth of the paint), paid the outstanding, in cash. Drove off back to Germany on a pre booked Ferry.
Not every buyer is a scammer.
Communication is EVERYTHING.
The key is communication.
Email is fine to start. Talk on the phone. Find out more about them, their reasons for buying this way.
THEN take a deposit.
It can, and does work. But you have to be have to be 'Seller aware' as much as 'Buyer beware'.
If eveything is upfront and honest and you have good vibes it shouldn't be bad.
I had a chap buy a rare Alfa from me, lots of negotiation and phone calls. BIG deposit paid. He, and his wife and very small child, flew over to Gatwick, met them, drove them to where the car was. He checked it over (including he depth of the paint), paid the outstanding, in cash. Drove off back to Germany on a pre booked Ferry.
Not every buyer is a scammer.
Communication is EVERYTHING.
bluezedd said:
No way would I pay for a car in full before seeing it. It's not worth the risk to me.
I remember buying 80 quid of parts for my zzr 600 from a member of a forum who had been posting for years and was supposedly trustworthy. I never got my bits and he stopped posting. Everything said he was ok. I wouldn't fancy risking that situation with thousands
The OP is viewing the car tomorrow.I remember buying 80 quid of parts for my zzr 600 from a member of a forum who had been posting for years and was supposedly trustworthy. I never got my bits and he stopped posting. Everything said he was ok. I wouldn't fancy risking that situation with thousands
Every day a journey said:
Done a few 'Distace purchases' and sales over the years.
The key is communication.
Email is fine to start. Talk on the phone. Find out more about them, their reasons for buying this way.
THEN take a deposit.
It can, and does work. But you have to be have to be 'Seller aware' as much as 'Buyer beware'.
If eveything is upfront and honest and you have good vibes it shouldn't be bad.
I had a chap buy a rare Alfa from me, lots of negotiation and phone calls. BIG deposit paid. He, and his wife and very small child, flew over to Gatwick, met them, drove them to where the car was. He checked it over (including he depth of the paint), paid the outstanding, in cash. Drove off back to Germany on a pre booked Ferry.
Not every buyer is a scammer.
Communication is EVERYTHING.
The OP is buying a car, not selling.The key is communication.
Email is fine to start. Talk on the phone. Find out more about them, their reasons for buying this way.
THEN take a deposit.
It can, and does work. But you have to be have to be 'Seller aware' as much as 'Buyer beware'.
If eveything is upfront and honest and you have good vibes it shouldn't be bad.
I had a chap buy a rare Alfa from me, lots of negotiation and phone calls. BIG deposit paid. He, and his wife and very small child, flew over to Gatwick, met them, drove them to where the car was. He checked it over (including he depth of the paint), paid the outstanding, in cash. Drove off back to Germany on a pre booked Ferry.
Not every buyer is a scammer.
Communication is EVERYTHING.
As a seller I've done it a couple of times Including never meeting buyer who sent a low loader.
As a buyer, no chance. 1. You can't really tell condition from photos, I have bought unseen and sometimes disappointing. 2. Does car and seller really exist? When I've sold this way you realise how easy it could be to be scammed.
For both these reasons I'd only risk a couple of hundred deposit. Bank transfers when sat with seller are usually instant, though once it took a few hours. Seller let me take car anyway, though I did have proof of transfer and who I was.
As a buyer, no chance. 1. You can't really tell condition from photos, I have bought unseen and sometimes disappointing. 2. Does car and seller really exist? When I've sold this way you realise how easy it could be to be scammed.
For both these reasons I'd only risk a couple of hundred deposit. Bank transfers when sat with seller are usually instant, though once it took a few hours. Seller let me take car anyway, though I did have proof of transfer and who I was.
A guy bought a car off me unseen once, he didn't want to leave me a deposit and just transferred me nearly £6K.
Was 2 weeks before he turned up on the train to pick it up. I was running late, so got to the station about 10 mins after we agreed. I wonder what was going through his head as he stood waiting in the rain !
Was 2 weeks before he turned up on the train to pick it up. I was running late, so got to the station about 10 mins after we agreed. I wonder what was going through his head as he stood waiting in the rain !
Agreed a deal on my Tuscan and £5k deposit paid on clear understanding the car could be used within agreed mileage limit with balance paid and car collected 5 months later.
The seller was completely genuine, the car was what I wanted and the deal worked for us both, he got a last few drives out in it, I was in the financial position I needed to be to complete the deal.
To most people it sounded like an agreement full of danger signs but it worked perfectly for both of us
The seller was completely genuine, the car was what I wanted and the deal worked for us both, he got a last few drives out in it, I was in the financial position I needed to be to complete the deal.
To most people it sounded like an agreement full of danger signs but it worked perfectly for both of us
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