I'm selling a car on ebay and something's smelly
Discussion
Am selling a little hatchback on eBay.
Accurately described with a load of pictures. The spec / mileage / age / options is a good price compared to similar.
It's up for £5,200. Someone "makes me an offer" of 4,8. The price is very close to what I want, so I come back with 4,9 and she accepts.
The bidder has been on ebay for 6 years, has a high score, consistent history of buying / selling regularly, all 100%. And yes, she can write perfect English!
She mails me asking if I want a deposit via PayPal, how I want paying and when can she come round.
The thing that strikes me is it's all too good to be true. I can't put my finger on it, but... I mean, who tries to haggle on the price of a car before seeing it and then offers to pay a deposit (without seeing it)? I'm fearing if someone's got hold of someone's ebay / PayPal and bank details.
Or I'm just being paranoid? It's a £5k Toyota not a £50k Aston after all.
I am treating this as if I've sold it in the paper and has nothing to do with eBay - ie. pay me in CHAPS before you take the car. But... why didn't the buyer want to come and see it before? Or maybe she doesn't really care and if the car's as described she's happy and if not she walks.
Accurately described with a load of pictures. The spec / mileage / age / options is a good price compared to similar.
It's up for £5,200. Someone "makes me an offer" of 4,8. The price is very close to what I want, so I come back with 4,9 and she accepts.
The bidder has been on ebay for 6 years, has a high score, consistent history of buying / selling regularly, all 100%. And yes, she can write perfect English!
She mails me asking if I want a deposit via PayPal, how I want paying and when can she come round.
The thing that strikes me is it's all too good to be true. I can't put my finger on it, but... I mean, who tries to haggle on the price of a car before seeing it and then offers to pay a deposit (without seeing it)? I'm fearing if someone's got hold of someone's ebay / PayPal and bank details.
Or I'm just being paranoid? It's a £5k Toyota not a £50k Aston after all.
I am treating this as if I've sold it in the paper and has nothing to do with eBay - ie. pay me in CHAPS before you take the car. But... why didn't the buyer want to come and see it before? Or maybe she doesn't really care and if the car's as described she's happy and if not she walks.
well legally now she has entered an agreement to pay you.
even if she turns up and she doesnt like it she has to pay you. obviously this wont always happen and i cant imagine the court being too fussed about it.
but buying things on ebay is a legal binding contract.
i would take cash only. as you avoid fees and there cant be any funny paypal retractment shennaigans
even if she turns up and she doesnt like it she has to pay you. obviously this wont always happen and i cant imagine the court being too fussed about it.
but buying things on ebay is a legal binding contract.
i would take cash only. as you avoid fees and there cant be any funny paypal retractment shennaigans
Could be a scam, theres a few going round at the moment one of which offers to pay by paypal and asks for your paypal details. Not sure if there is any harm in giving them this, but in the scam they continue by saying they are out of the country and will have a collection agency pick up the car.
Again not quite sure where they are going with this, but if this is their next statement then its definitely a scam.
Again not quite sure where they are going with this, but if this is their next statement then its definitely a scam.
maybe she's had an argument with her other half and said 'look I'm gonna decide which car I buy this time so give me the 5k!'
based on her good feedback and the fact that there has been nothing really strange apart from her ?paying over the odds, I wouldn't be so worried, if she gives you the cash in full before taking the car than there's no issue
based on her good feedback and the fact that there has been nothing really strange apart from her ?paying over the odds, I wouldn't be so worried, if she gives you the cash in full before taking the car than there's no issue
I've sold three £5K+ cars privately on Ebay
With all 3, they have been bid on and bought without anyone actually seeing the car. I've asked for a token deposit through Paypal and then bank transfer on collection.
Always worked successfully so far!
In fact, the 2nd one i sold (a diesel Picasso) the guy won the car and arranged a bank transfer (contact only by email). It was 3 (yes 3) weeks later before he phoned me to arrange collection - he wanted me to pick him up from Sheffield station. Took me a while to get across town after he called to say he was ready, i really wonder what was going through his head while he stood there waiting for me.
With all 3, they have been bid on and bought without anyone actually seeing the car. I've asked for a token deposit through Paypal and then bank transfer on collection.
Always worked successfully so far!
In fact, the 2nd one i sold (a diesel Picasso) the guy won the car and arranged a bank transfer (contact only by email). It was 3 (yes 3) weeks later before he phoned me to arrange collection - he wanted me to pick him up from Sheffield station. Took me a while to get across town after he called to say he was ready, i really wonder what was going through his head while he stood there waiting for me.
pikey said:
Accurately described with a load of pictures.
So it's well described and she has a good idea of the condition.She pays a deposit, comes round, if it turns out to be a heap she doesn't buy it and gets her money back through Paypal. Not really risky for her IMO. I'd do the same.
If i was buying a normal car then i would buy on pictures and description, i think if you even know a little bit about cars its not too hard to spot a dog.
I bought my van unseen and it turned up (was delivered to me) as described.
I would only want to view a car properly if it was something specialist, even then i would have my mind made up 99% before visiting. I have never understood these people who view umpteen cars, surely detailed pics would give the game away and save everyone a lot of messing.
I bought my van unseen and it turned up (was delivered to me) as described.
I would only want to view a car properly if it was something specialist, even then i would have my mind made up 99% before visiting. I have never understood these people who view umpteen cars, surely detailed pics would give the game away and save everyone a lot of messing.
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