Selling car online

Indelwin

I'm trying to sell my car online and I received an email from someone interested in buying the car. In the email he says that he can't come look at the car or call to discuss the sale, as he's working offshore (can't call as lines are down due to bad weather) but happy to go ahead with the sale as he is looking to buy the car for his dad. This is what raised the alarm bells, the car i'm sell is a baby blue nissan converitble - not what you consider a mans car! The second thing that raises alarms is that he will be using a courier service who will deal with the signing of all the car ownership papers when they collect the car. He's also asked for the ad (which was on gumtree) to be removed to show I'm ready to sell. He's offering to pay through paypal and pay all charges, I've onyl used paypal to pay for things, never received payment.

Has anyone had any experince with this? or heard of any scams that sound familliar? Paypal to me is one of the safe ways to transfer money online, but worried about the money been removed from the paypal account once the car has been handed over - is this possible? any advice would be great

TadleyBaggie

Anyone who offers to buy a car without seeing it, is likely to be a scammer in ny view. Just because they use Paypal means nothing I'm afraid, they might have access to a hacked account.

scotsbob

Indelwin wrote: »

(can't call as lines are down due to bad weather)

LOL what lines?? Offshore rigs/vessels use radio/satellite phone technology.

Walk away from this deal.

colino

Well that certainly is different from being in Nigeria, but no-one is a buyer until you see the whites of their eyes and the money in their hand. Everyone else you treat politely and you set the rules, no exchanging wrong money cheques or drafts or entertaining paypal payments or escrow accounts.

Tomby1

Had something similar when trying to sell my car - I would imagine its a common scam.

Avoid!

Tobster86

Personally I'd seek advice from paypal, and if they assure you you're safe, release the car once the funds are cleared. Don't be afraid to question him with the holes in his story, if he's genuine he shouldn't mind. Yes it does sound like a scam, but that doesn't mean you can't protect yourself whilst exploring the possibility that it isn't.

rxbren

it will be a scam paypal are notorious for taking money from your account without permission as they are their own judge jury and executioner.
a friend was caught out by a similar scam he sold a playstation 3 buyer paid through paypal but reported to paypal that it had not been delivered (was sent recorded) so he wanted his money back paypal judged in his favour and gave him his money back
in the terms and conditions of paypal they have access to funds in your registered bank account and can access the money to pay disputes
as always with selling a car take only cash
if someone pays buy cheque wait for it to clear before handing over the car
never take any other form of payment

forgotmyname

Working offshore and no phones lines but the internet is working?