How do you buy online --- Ebay or private

[lthrneck]

I bid on a car, (68 Vette) it didn't meet reserve. The ebayer asked if I was intrested in the car as I was high bidder, we negotiated a price. However I told him I neeeded to somehow get the car inspected first (no money has changed hands yet). It's a good 2k miles from where I live. So if he's amable I'm going to try and find a way to get the car inspected. Now what I'm really nervous about is sending the money w/o anything other than a couple of emails back and forth as proof of purchase. He is not a dealer and has a good ebay history (I think 97 %) however I don't see a history of selling cars, just buying and selling different things. The one ding he has, (which is a car) his reply to it is that he let a friend use his ebay account.... Any thoughts on all this are appreciated.
thanks

 

[69_Dream]

Not only can I appreciate what you're going through because I went through it, I'm even in another country from where the car was.

Not one to throw thousands of dollars away without even seeing the car, I simply arranged to be down in his neck of the woods for say... 3:00 o'clock and had the car shipper show up at 5:00. I had the money in hand (certified check) and this gave me a window of at least an hour or so to say "Looks good" or "Sorry buddy".

Negatives to my method are

Cost of the plane ticket: $1200
Cost of hotel room: $110
Cost of rental car: $45

Peace of mind, priceless.

Let us know how you make out.

Sly

 

[olouieo]

Hello lthrneck, IMHO I would not buy a car without inspecting it first. Did you talk to the seller via phone or email? Personaly I would not buy a car unless I spoke to him/her on the phone. There are a lot of scams going on on ebay regarless of the feedback (ebay history) Again this is just my opinion. I am sure someone else will come along with more on this. hope this helps.


Louie

 

[lthrneck]

Thanks for replies. Yes I have talked with him, and numerous emails. 69 Dream do you mean the guy shipped the car to you w/o money up front?
thanks for help guys...

 

[ArkShark]

Where is the car?

You could ask nicely if a member of CAC was nearby and could stop in and look at it.
Also, that member might know of a shop to inspect the car before you spend the $$ to fly out and look at it yourself.

 

[Stallion]

lthrneck, good luck with the Vette, and I'm sure you will get a lot of information from our members over here. We got quite a community.

I assume that "lthrneck" is short for "leatherneck". Are you a Marine?

 

[lthrneck]

Former Marine stallion, 3/4 and 2/8 U? I'm not sure we have a deal yet, haven't heard back from him regarding inspection. I'm really curious how to handle the funds transfer/pink slip thing when doing this out of state. He's in Minn. I'm in S. Calif.
thanks for the help guys, I'm in an area I'm not very confident about. I've done my homework and know what to look for numbers wise but I'm far from a mechanic.

 

[69_Dream]

Thanks for replies. Yes I have talked with him, and numerous emails. 69 Dream do you mean the guy shipped the car to you w/o money up front?
thanks for help guys...

No no, I just had the money in hand when I flew down to see the car in person. I had spoken to him a few times via phone as well as numerous emails. I then flew down having arranged for the guys to pick the car up. If it hadn't been as described, I wouldn't have taken it.

Sly

 

[lthrneck]

I think what you did is the smart way to go. I can't imagine cutting a check for close to 20K and hoping things work out ok. Guess I'll fly to Minn.
Anyone knowlegable want to meet me. He's 45 min outside of St. Paul. I'll pay for inspection to someone who knows what to look for with used vettes. (It's a 68).

 

[lthrneck]

I think what you did is the smart way to go. I can't imagine cutting a check for close to 20K and hoping things work out ok. Guess I'll fly to Minn.
Anyone knowlegable want to meet me. He's 45 min outside of St. Paul. I'll pay for inspection to someone who knows what to look for with used vettes. (It's a 68).

Is this the right forum to post this kinda request?

 

[lthrneck]

Well airline fee's are so expensive I'm just gonna back out of this.... sad.
Anyone looking for a nice vette I know where one's for sale. ;-)

 

[Stallion]

Former Marine stallion, 3/4 and 2/8 U? I'm not sure we have a deal yet, haven't heard back from him regarding inspection. I'm really curious how to handle the funds transfer/pink slip thing when doing this out of state. He's in Minn. I'm in S. Calif.
thanks for the help guys, I'm in an area I'm not very confident about. I've done my homework and know what to look for numbers wise but I'm far from a mechanic.

I'm aspiring to be a Marine. I'm going into the Naval Academy June 30th, and as of right now, I want to be commissioned as a Marine.

This is the right forum, by the way. I'm sure there is a member 10 minutes from that Vette that will go there, inspect it, take pictures, and turn it inside out for free. That's the kinda guys we are. If only I was closer to that Vette...

 

[lthrneck]

Stallion, that's a pretty big step getting accepted by the Naval Academy..congradulations. Four yrs will seem like 30 while you're doing it but when you look at what you're going to accomplish it pales in comparrison. Good luck and god speed. I'll hold the Semper fi till you earn that eagle globe and anchor. ;-)

 

[Dean Barker]

Do you want me to look at the car? We're going up to St. Paul probably Friday to the Back to the Fifties Car show. We will drive the Corvette. I don't know about 68's in detail, but I can tell you if it is nice or junk.

 

[lthrneck]

Do you want me to look at the car? We're going up to St. Paul probably Friday to the Back to the Fifties Car show. We will drive the Corvette. I don't know about 68's in detail, but I can tell you if it is nice or junk.

Dean, I really appreciate your offer. I'm still on the fence. The car is beauitful and I'd really like to get it. I'm just not sure how the fund transfer to him with me but nothing but a bunch of emails in my hand (It's a private party), would leave me sweating bullets till the car arrived with pink slip, I just can't afford to be out that kind of money. He's probably on the up and up but he's got a bad ding on his ebay history, with the one car he did sell, his reply was that a friend who used his account did it,his other ratings are good but he's dealing mostly in parts and stuff, .... When is the latest I would have to tell you.

 

[69_Dream]

Decisions decisions

If someone will go down there and have a look at the car for you, I say go for it.

It's true you'd have to find some way to pay for it (wire transfer, etc) and trust he ships the car to you... I guess that's why I went down, not only to see the car but to pay for it and have the title in my hand - I'm possessive like that

Sly

 

[ArkShark]

If you are going to fly out there and look at it, I'd be sure to leave with it as well. Whether you were going to drive it back, or tow it, I wouldn't feel comfortable letting him handle all the shipping details.

 

[Utah]

That is a nice looking Vet, but it would worry me when he says the odometer does not currently work.

I would definatly inspect it or have someone else inspect before purchasing..

UtAh

 

[elmer88]

How about an Escrow service?

If you can have someone local give it the thumbs up on you behalf then use an escrow service as your payment. I don't have all the details but basically here is how it works:
You deposit sale amount with a service that "holds" the money on your and the sellers behalf. Once he ships the vehicle and you accept delivery they release the funds to the seller. I am sure there are lot's of ways to make contingencies (meaning the transporter shows up at your door with a wreck) Most escrow companies represent both parties and help both to avoid fraud. Also look into some of the transport companies (Horseless Carriage for example) they may offer an inspection service prior to shipping??

The best advice I can give about Ebay is that if you are not 100% positive of what you are getting, the seller, the terms, etc then DO NOT buy or send any money!!! I'm a frequent Ebay seller and buyer and have been on both ends of the fence. Ebay's feedback can be manipulated- use that as a guide, not a rule.

I thought Ebay offered inspection services as well? They had talked about it- offering a comprehensive inspection report (facts not judgement) about the condition of the car. It still leaves alot to worry about, but again the more tools you have the better. Feel free to email me for details or opinion on the Ebay process.

 

[lthrneck]

Thanks guys, Escrow service is a great idea... Utah which vehicle are you reffering to. I had two which both didn't meet reserve. One in Minn. other in St. Louis.
thanks again guys, the help is much appreciated.