Seller beware?
Discussion
I’m selling a high performance car and have had some interest from someone who seems a bit keen. They wanted to send me a deposit without seeing the car. When I refused they then wanted to send a family member to look at it and pay a deposit. They plan to buy the car and drive it to Eastern Europe.
I told them for a sale to happen I would need full ID and bank transfer, they said no problem and would even pay cash if needed. Is it too good to be true?
I told them for a sale to happen I would need full ID and bank transfer, they said no problem and would even pay cash if needed. Is it too good to be true?
Flatteraxe372 said:
I’m selling a high performance car and have had some interest from someone who seems a bit keen. They wanted to send me a deposit without seeing the car. When I refused they then wanted to send a family member to look at it and pay a deposit. They plan to buy the car and drive it to Eastern Europe.
I told them for a sale to happen I would need full ID and bank transfer, they said no problem and would even pay cash if needed. Is it too good to be true?
I'd make sure the transaction took place at a bank especially if they are paying cash. Have it paid directly into your account and let the cashier handle and count it all. I sold my Supra that way to a couple of guys who flew over from Germany they were really understanding and had no issue with the arrangement at all. I told them for a sale to happen I would need full ID and bank transfer, they said no problem and would even pay cash if needed. Is it too good to be true?
Yes agree if anything seems off, in bank transfer is a great way to do things.
Rather than bank transfer from his phone, a buyer of one of my cars wanted to do this in branch - I had never done this before but it's quite nice with someone handing over their ID to their bank etc.
For cash I bought a £10 UV light, it's really handy - you can spread up to £1000 or so out in one hand and see the UV pattern across each note so doesn't take a while. I did this after someone came to buy a car from me with £7000 of loose notes in a carrier bag.
Rather than bank transfer from his phone, a buyer of one of my cars wanted to do this in branch - I had never done this before but it's quite nice with someone handing over their ID to their bank etc.
For cash I bought a £10 UV light, it's really handy - you can spread up to £1000 or so out in one hand and see the UV pattern across each note so doesn't take a while. I did this after someone came to buy a car from me with £7000 of loose notes in a carrier bag.
Daston said:
Flatteraxe372 said:
I’m selling a high performance car and have had some interest from someone who seems a bit keen. They wanted to send me a deposit without seeing the car. When I refused they then wanted to send a family member to look at it and pay a deposit. They plan to buy the car and drive it to Eastern Europe.
I told them for a sale to happen I would need full ID and bank transfer, they said no problem and would even pay cash if needed. Is it too good to be true?
I'd make sure the transaction took place at a bank especially if they are paying cash. Have it paid directly into your account and let the cashier handle and count it all. I sold my Supra that way to a couple of guys who flew over from Germany they were really understanding and had no issue with the arrangement at all. I told them for a sale to happen I would need full ID and bank transfer, they said no problem and would even pay cash if needed. Is it too good to be true?
With a bank transfer I have done and would like to see the amount in their account before they transfer it + check with my Bank that it is there before sending them on their way.
TX.
Flatteraxe372 said:
Thanks guys. It’s a supercar so quite a lot of money. I’m also worried about a straight theft, maybe I’m being too paranoid.
Re the theft risk I always meet them away from the house first to suss them out then if all feels "right" go back to the house to fill in paperwork etc. That way if they turn up en mass you can just drive away and they still don't know where you live. Some people don't like that eg we must meet at the house etc but for me thanks but no thanks.TX.
You have every reason to be wary but I done the same thing for my friend a few weeks back.
Owner wouldn’t take a deposit. I went to view the car for him, left a deposit and then he transferred the rest of the money.
The car was £70k and he paid via bank transfer.
Not everyone buying a car is scamming, some people are genuine.
Owner wouldn’t take a deposit. I went to view the car for him, left a deposit and then he transferred the rest of the money.
The car was £70k and he paid via bank transfer.
Not everyone buying a car is scamming, some people are genuine.
Not quite in the same league as you but when I sold my old TVR T350 in 2019 I had an e-mail, then a call from a chap in France. Asked a few questions then asked if he could wire a deposit so I didn't sell it until he could get over to look. 3 weeks later he turns up, we go for a drive, he looks round it agrees a deal. 3 days later rest of the money arrives in my account and a week after that he arranges transport back to France - easiest deal I've ever done - albeit over a little time
OP - Im on the Z4 facebook page and a chap selling his car on there got two messages from Autotrader warning him he had been contacted by potentially fraudulent accounts who they suspect are stealing cars i.e. turning up and distracting the seller and driving off. They apparently are eastern european and and offer cash near or on the asking price. The guy posted the mobile numbers of the two people in the warning email he received from autotrader, the mobile numbers ended in *****140 and ****136 - if they are the numbers you have I would turn them down and mention it to autotrader.
Note: I didnt want to post the full number in case they are legitimate but hope that gives enough info.
Note: I didnt want to post the full number in case they are legitimate but hope that gives enough info.
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff