Paying deposit by bank transfer

bitasuite

First post so apologies if this is in the wrong forum. We've just agreed to hire a campervan from a local private individual and been to meet them, seen the van. I'm happy that insurance and everything else is fine but he's asked for £1000 deposit to be paid by bank transfer. I'm concerned that if there was a dispute he could keep the money and I'd have no recourse. He seems like a reliable guy but should I trust everything will be OK? Is there a safer way to do this without too much cost?

Thanks in advance

phatbear

bitasuite wrote: »

He seems like a reliable guy but should I trust everything will be OK?

Said by every victim of fraud in human history!

Voyager2002

Could you hold the van's logbook so long as he is holding your money?

BoGoF

Walk away.

Sharon87

NEVER pay for goods via bank transfer! You have no protection if anything goes wrong.

TELLIT01

'Never' is a bit excessive, but I would only pay by bank transfer if I knew the recipient very well.

Socajam

TELLIT01 wrote: »

'Never' is a bit excessive, but I would only pay by bank transfer if I knew the recipient very well.

I knew someone very well and they screwed over for 5,000.
I agree don't do it.

DCFC79

He could be genuine but dont do it, only do it if your happy to lose the £1000 eg he scammed you.

jonesMUFCforever

A bit more information might help - such as where is the van and holiday?

If someone is renting out campervans they should be set up as a proper business that accepts cards - you then get some protection.

Every other poster has told you not to do it - I agree!

maman

bitasuite wrote: »

First post so apologies if this is in the wrong forum. We've just agreed to hire a campervan from a local private individual and been to meet them, seen the van. I'm happy that insurance and everything else is fine but he's asked for £1000 deposit to be paid by bank transfer. I'm concerned that if there was a dispute he could keep the money and I'd have no recourse. He seems like a reliable guy but should I trust everything will be OK? Is there a safer way to do this without too much cost?

Thanks in advance

So it's not a business just someone who's 'lending' you his campervan and you've agreed to pay £1000+. So he's not a business at all. I don't know how much it normally costs to hire a campervan but £1000 seems an excessive 'deposit'. How much is the total bill? When is the holiday?

I only use BACs transfer for very close friends and family who've paid something on my behalf or vice versa like for theatre tickets. I wouldn't give £1000 to someone I'd only just met.

Neil49

On the off chance that you are still undecided.

DON'T DO IT!