Selling used car online, pitfalls?

Parisien

I've sold my car via an online site. Usual details and photos supplied. Ive spoken to him on phone email to clarify a few points, hes agreed to pay by bank transfer. Hes not come to view the car.

Firstly are they any issues I need to know about as regards both his rights and my responsibilities as a private seller as its a "distance" sale, or indeed can he freeze or recall funds if he dislikes car etc?

Any direct experiences or thoughts appreciated

glentoran99

Just be wary of scams. Its not a distance sale, I presume his coming to collect it, If hes coming to collect it then why cant he pay cash on collection?

maninthestreet

Private sale, and the buyer has not inspected the vehicle - unless you have mis-described the car in you ad, the buyer would have no come-back.
Not sure about how easy the buyer could recall any payment - others on here may no more about this point.

Alter_ego

Look out, you could end up with no car, no money. Tell him cash on collection.

EdGasket

I have read about some kinda scam with bank transfer. Somewhere along the line they say that a close family member has died and it goes on from there; sorry I can't remember more; be careful. Why would anyone pay for a car without seeing it, and a large amount of cash to someone they don't know? Smells dodgy. If they are coming to collect it they may as well pay cash.

Ah here's a possibility:

"Buyer" pays from a hacked bank account. Seller hands over car & bank reverses the payment 3 weeks down the line. Seller is left without a car or cash. Unlikely but not impossible.

Paully232000

How much is the car?

the combination of bank transfer and not seeing the car before viewing would make me, to say the least, wary. Like others have said, ask him for cash on collection.

Parisien

Ok, spoke to my bank, without my authorisation the money cannot be removed from my bank account unless via a court order etc. Its not a very expensive vehicle, so we did a deal that I'd deliver it.

I'm in N Ireland, hes on mainland GB.


Theres all sorts of urban myths out there as regards scams, not sure how many have actually happened or one offs!

burlington6

Parisien wrote: »

Ok, spoke to my bank, without my authorisation the money cannot be removed from my bank account unless via a court order etc. Its not a very expensive vehicle, so we did a deal that I'd deliver it.

I'm in N Ireland, hes on mainland GB.


Theres all sorts of urban myths out there as regards scams, not sure how many have actually happened or one offs!

Greedy people usually fall for it when they think they can get a £25,000 vehicle for £7000

maninthestreet

What car are you selling? If is it rare/special enough to make some from GB consider buying a car in NI ?

Alter_ego

A cheap vehicle is hardly worth the ferry fare.

Parisien

Didn't say cheap, just not £25Ks worth!

Just not many of them about, hard to shift over this way!