Etiquette when buying a car on ebay

milliemonster

Ok, I have never bought a car before from ebay, but I have seen a car I like the look of and have emailed the seller to have a look at it.

The car is on a buy it now (but with a best offer option aswell) they have had 2 offers already but obviously I don't know what they were although the buy it now price seems reasonable.

The seller wants cash on collection which I fully understand. He has said I can visit to take a look anytime after 6pm but as its dark then I would prefer to go at the weekend and am waiting for him to get back to me.

Anyway, my question is, if it is not sold before then and I have a look, like it and want to buy it, I'm not going to be able to pay the cash straight away (it's £2k) as I am working until Saturday, then will have to go to the building society and withdraw the money, because it is over £500 I will have to have a cheque and this will take 3-4 working days to clear.

So realistically, if I want to buy it, I will only be able to leave a deposit and return a week later once I have the full amount in cash, is this a reasonable thing to do?, I don't want the seller to think I am a timewaster because I really aren't but not sure what the done thing is here as I have never bought a car privately before

Can anyone advise?

StaffsSW

Having sold two cars in the last 2 weeks on ebay (that's Gold PS level sorted for the next 3 months!!) then yes, I'd say that is reasonable.

In my case, the listings were on a BIN with best offer, one person put an offer in that I was happy with, and asked to look the next day. They came, approved, paid £150 deposit, so i accepted the Best Offer to end that listing.

It took them a few days to sort out the insurance and getting the cash together, then took the car away.

The other car sold for full price, I got a call about 2 minutes later from the buyer who turned up the next morning with £2500 cash, spent 2 minutes looking over the car, rang their insurance broker, filled out the V5, asked if I wanted to cancel the sale to save me some fees, then left. They were with me for no more than 15 minutes!!

I didn't cancel the sale, as the discounts that Gold PS level will bring me are more than the FVF on the sale!

Hintza

Seems fair enough OP but you are at a bit of a risk (what happens if the car gets hit by a bolt of loghtening etc), its just not a tidy solution if you know what I mean. Why not arrange the money now and then if it is suitable you are all set to go.

korny88

The seller should agree for you to leave a deposit, but if he doesn't you can always buy-it-now through ebay, and he will have to oblige the sale. This is of course considering it will still be listed on ebay at the time you go to meet him.

CluelessJock

Simple way is a bankers draft

mikey72

My building society will give cash if you phone them the day before.
I usually take cash, and if I buy drive the car away, if you can sort out the insurance, or if you buy it for your wife. Or give the seller a few pounds to drive it over if they're insured, then give them a lift back.