Car buying scams?

Dips

I've advertised my car on ebay as a classified. It's a decent car, only a few years old, and I had a call from a guy this morning around 200 miles away.

He runs a small used car outfit and apparently a customer of theirs is after a car like mine after losing out on one similar just recently. He made me a decent offer and I asked how we would go about it if I was to say yes. He said they would pay me a deposit and then come collect the car next week.

Is this something to be wary of? The used car outfit does exist as I Googled the landline number he called from.

Anything I need to be careful of before accepting such an offer?

motorguy

Dips wrote: »

I've advertised my car on ebay as a classified. It's a decent car, only a few years old, and I had a call from a guy this morning around 200 miles away.

He runs a small used car outfit and apparently a customer of theirs is after a car like mine after losing out on one similar just recently. He made me a decent offer and I asked how we would go about it if I was to say yes. He said they would pay me a deposit and then come collect the car next week.

Is this something to be wary of? The used car outfit does exist as I Googled the landline number he called from.

Anything I need to be careful of before accepting such an offer?

Landline, actual dealer website, just paying a deposit, cash on collection, all sound legit. He may try to chip you back on price when he gets there would be the only thing i'd say, so be careful of that.

I was selling a year old passat at a reasonable price and a dealer bought it from me. Had a customer waiting.

facade

Watch out for a reduced offer when they collect because there is a scratch that you didn't notice, but if they have come 200 miles, they won't want to go back empty handed for £50.

Make sure you get the trader part of the V5 filled in by them AND YOU KEEP IT, then you photocopy and send off yourself.

Tell them to bring cash (if you can check for forgeries)/do a bank transfer at your house, not use paypal or any other "secure" money transfer.

Give them a ring on the number you googled the day before to confirm that they are coming. (If they don't know what you are talking about, it is a scam)

However, as long as you have the money, the filled in part of the V5, and they have taken it away- no problem.

roonaldo

From what you have said it sounds legit, but take the advice of others.

The think I thought of though is are you selling it too cheap?? if a dealer reckons he can sell it there must be a decent profit in it for him. Although if you're up north this might explain it.

facade

Obviously, the dealer is taking a massive cut, so if you knew the final buyer, you could miss out the dealer, split the difference, and both benefit, but you don't.

If the dealer is willing to pay what the OP wants, and the 'phone isn't ringing off the hook with offers from other buyers, then selling to the dealer is a good result.

I sold my MGB to a dealer in France, who was put in touch with me by a dealer in England, so 2 dealers got a mark up, but no-one wanted to buy it private at the price I wanted.

nobbysn*ts

roonaldo wrote: »

From what you have said it sounds legit, but take the advice of others.

The think I thought of though is are you selling it too cheap?? if a dealer reckons he can sell it there must be a decent profit in it for him. Although if you're up north this might explain it.

There's always a difference between private and dealer prices. If the op tried to sell it at the dealer price themselves, I doubt they would have much interest.

Bigphil1474

Just a note on the landine - my daughter has a landline number which has the same area code as me, except she lives in Angola in Africa (internet phone). However, if you are happy its where its supposed to be, no probs.

My brother has a business buying and selling motorbikes, has a shop and workshop, and is often buying and selling all over the country. He evens sends some bikes by courier across the country and abroad. Its not unusual for him to be on the lookout for a particular bike if he knows he's got a customer wanting one, and the price your happy with might be less than he can sell it for. The main thing is the paperwork and money. If its a legit trader, you won't have any alarm bells ringing. As previously described, get the forms signed, payment you are happy with, and a proper receipt. It always helps if the trader has a fixed premises - have alook on street view to see what it looks like - picture might be a bit old, but it'll give you an idea. Suppose it depends on the car as well - doubt a trader would travel 200 miles for a 10 year old car worth £500, but they probably would for an eight grand car that they can make a grand on.

forgotmyname

How are they paying when they collect it? Goto the bank and deposit it at the same time.

Nodding_Donkey

Get a bank transfer rather than cash it's much safer. Going to the bank and being told the £2k you are paying in is snide is no fun.

castle96

if cash,, get one of those forgery detecting pens ?

colino

Two points here. Unless it is particularly unusual, or difficult to shift, I don't take deposits. Cash is King and the first person to turn up with folding drives it away. No hassle then of a partially paid for car sitting around waiting to be damaged while the "buyer" sorts their life out.
Secondly, I'm sure there was talk circulating for a long time of a "trader" who used the press as a two-way street. Can't recall the name, but he basically secured cars with promised deposits then re-advertised the cars (using the sellers pictures!) to get a retail buyer. Worked fine when it worked quickly, but loads of complaints about sellers being fobbed off when he didn't pay and collect.