About to buy a car on ebay from overseas

Cute_'n'_Quirky

Well, since we are not attached to any part of Europe they are 'overseas'

StockportGerbil

edsjad wrote: »

ooh - didn't know anything about that - i have just bought a car tonight from ebay with my paypal money - i think i'm in a different league though - it cost £370; i bought one of those vehicle inspection reports which i think is good as it is a check against stolen vehicles etc and also gives a suggested value - seems crazy that you only get a guarantee from these inspection guys if you apply for it before you buy the car - i would recommend for people to do that! I never thought i would get this car as i had so little money and this car is worth 700 at least. I'm picking it up tomorrow - wish me luck! Any advice anyone wants to give me before i leave to collect? I have paid thorugh paypal tonight which you might say is a mistake but i had to use my paypal funds. I hope you don't feel i've hijacked your thread - seems similar - and you are looking for a car again now...

Hi!
I bought a car via ebay for £3800 and didn't inspect it first :eek: It was from a car dealer who had (and still has) pretty good feedback and on the whole I think I got a bargain. With it being paypal then you do have some protection. When you pick the car up take someone with you; ideally somone that knows about cars, but if not just a mate or family member to give a second opinion and provide moral support if there is something you don't like about the car.

I hope you too get a bargain

Kevin

ixwood

Sod that. Buying a used car in this country is risky enough. Especially without seeing it.

7.5k is loads! You could get many a nice motor for that locally. Even better, spend a grand, get something older with low milage and good service history and pocket the other 6.5k!!

freddysmith

mrtg0525 wrote: »

If you're buying a car from 'overseas' (sorry, I still can't get my head around calling the rest of Europe overseas), why not fly out there and drive it back instead of having it shipped?

I would say that if you're looking at a scam it'll fall apart at this point as there will obviously not be a car waiting for you at the other end.

I would be very careful doing this if you have any reservations, as you could be walking straight into a criminal gang and heaps of trouble.

dizzy_blonde_2

OK, here's an update. Seller is no longer a registered user and the ad has been removed- surprise, surprise, but I had another email this morning replying about my enquiry on how to pay:

"I want to end this deal using the protection account that I have with Ebay, where Ebay safe harbor will supervise the transaction.

From the moment you receive the car you have 15 days to inspect it. If is not like I said or something is not ok with it you can reject it and eBay will fully refund you and the vehicle will be shipped back to me, on my expense.

The financial part of this deal will be managed by ebay, as I want both parties protected and get what they are looking for.

EBay will transfer the money to me, only after you will confirm, them the purchase of the vehicle. Until then, the money will be safe kept by eBay and not released to me.

The car will be shipped directly to your requested address, as soon as I will have the payment confirmation from eBay. EBay will hold the money until you will receive, inspect and accept the car.

If you want to move forward with the purchase please send me your ebay user ID, your full name and address and I will initiate the deal with eBay.

They will contact you at that time with all the necessary information.

I will send you my International phone number on Monday, if you want, and you can call me on that day, just let me know. The shipping company I will use it is called European Shipping, here it is their website: http://www.european-shipping.de/en/leistungen.html

I am sure you will love the Volvo from the first moment because it is exactly like I described it and like you saw in the photos."


What's an ebay protection account?

frivolous_fay

You can safely disregard anything this seller tries to tell you.

FloFlo

Any money you pay to paypal goes through paypal not ebay, ebay don't hold any money. Either ignore the email or email back saying that you have had second thoughts and are taking legal advice - should get rid of them.

Shambler

Sniff Sniff...I smell Spam...hang on no, its a SCAM! :eek:

Please never buy anything expensive like this on Ebay no matter what country the seller is from, it's just not worth the risk.

You are giving me chest pains here!

frivolous_fay

Report him to his ISP for good measure.

zzzLazyDaisy

I know someone who bought a car on ebay without seeing it first. But he did send lots of emails, asking loads of questions, and the seller was very cooperative. He also asked for photos inside outside, engine the works, and again the seller sent loads of photos. The car was described as 'near concourse condition' and definitely looked like a fabulous car.

It was in London so he paid a company to pick it up and bring it back for him. When it arrived, he cried (really). The car was a beat up wreck, it didn't run and looked like it had been in a bad smash and then left out in all weathers to rot. The ONLY thing that was the same as the description and photos was the number plate and the colour.

The seller immediately de-registered, and he never got his money back.

Personally I would never buy anything above £100 from ebay without going to pick it up myself and paying cash on collection. I once had a seller 5 miles from me refuse to allow inspection or collection of the item. I didn't bid. My money is too hard earned to throw it away and I'm sure yours is too!!