buying car on ebay

[edakota]

need advice thinking about buying a car from ebay sight un seen other then pics the car is at das auto shippers the guy who owns it is out of the country and tells me that the car will be shiped from das because that is where it is at

[Steve1968LS2]

It's risky.. I got burned the first time.. the latest turned out ok (the fairlane).

The real problem is that any photo can hide a million sins, so your left to trust the word of the seller.

The problem is that it's relative.. what's 9 to him may be a 5 to you.. what he considers a "show quality" paint job may be barely driver quality to you.

The cheaper the car the less risk in taking the chance. You can also go by how honest he sounds in the add (does he point out flaws?) and to some degree his feedback rating helps. Ask him to send you a pic of the title showing that he in facts owns the car before you send cash.

You can also ask if anyone here lives near the car and offer a few bucks for them to check it out.

What's the eBay auction link?

[Restomod]

Call them Email is not a good way to go. Ask all the questions you need to know ,listen to the way they answer it can tell you things to. Pay just as little of a deposit as you can at the end and pick it up your self. If it turns out to be junk you are out that and travel cost but that may be CHEAP.

[dropit69]

or you can try to get someone from this site to loook at it for ya i think we prolly cover almost every state here!!..aloyt will do it for free if close enough or throw them a few bucks for gas money..it can save ya big time!! damn steve beat me to the answer but oh well..

[nacnac]

Be very cautious. I bought a car on ebay and wished I hadn't.
I would do it again but not w/o seeing it first.

[ZL-1]

Look at the car in person. Positive feedback means nothing. Yes I got burned.

[mikey]

Sounds like the typical scam to me. Seller is out of the country probably in eastern europe. I've seen quite a few like this the excuse is always had to go for business or they live there and came back to settle somebodies estate don't want the willing to make you a real good deal. Does it sound like this? If so run and run far.

[nancejd]

I don't think I'd touch it. Buying a car in a foreign country is something you would want to use escrow on, and I mean a company you find, not one that the seller brings to the table. Cars do get traded internationally, but if it's cheap, it's fake. That kind of stuff is not going to make selling a car for 10k worth it.

[69muscle]

be very very carefull. lots of scams on e-bay.

[1970cuda]

My wagon turned was stated as a "california car" but I think he meant that is was sitting in the pacific ocean off the coast of california. cost me a fortune to fix the rust free body and pop riveted on quarter panel but other than that..........

[Steve1968LS2]

I re-read your post.. yep.. scam time..

They make it seem too-good-to-be-true.. guess what.. it is.. lol

Out of the country? Yea, in Nigeria sitting in a mud hut with a T1 line..

[toofun]

Well I can comment on this since I have sold and bought alot of cars on ebay. I will tell you right off the bat it looks like a scam. Anyone who is out of the country and selling a car here is a sure tell sign of a scam. If you want to be sure of this, ask to be able to fly out there and pay him cash in hand. You want to be able to see the vehicle and check the title to be sure the VIN numbers match. If he does not respond back(which I am sure this will be the case) then you know it was a scam for sure. If he does have the balls to email you back and comes up with some lame arse excuse, then walk!!

The schemes on ebay are pretty elaborate now and you have to be very very careful. I advise ANYONE who is looking at one of my auctions or anyone elses auctions to come out and see the car in PERSON AT MY HOUSE not in a parking lot or airport parking lot!! This is the only true way not to be scammed. You may spend an extra few hundred dollars going out there, but at least its insurance against getting screwed out of thousands!!! Just my two cents!!

Mark
TOOFUN

[gordonquixote]

Sounds shady....don't let your money burn a hole in your pocket. There are deals you can kick the tires on locally.

[JamesJ]

Whats the link to the auction?

[67SSDan]

Yep, sounds fishy.

I have bought a car off eBay before from inside the states (my 97 TransAm) and had a good experience. I got the guys phone number and drove all the way up to Ohio to test drive it before buying. Most people are reasonable and would understand you wanting to check it out before buying.

Surely there is a car here in the US that you would be happy with. :)

[69TAPoser]

I've sold 18 cars on eBay in the past year. Every single one of them is available to view prior to bidding, even though people rarely act on this. But the most important thing is, they have the option to and they know it.

1. If you don't even have this option to see the car, I would be very suspect.

2. If there is no option to pick up the car in person, I would be very suspect.

...So I would assume payment terms are 100% up front and you don't see the car until it is shipped to your door? If so, I would be very suspect.

Phil

[David Sloan]

I've sold 18 cars on eBay in the past year. Every single one of them is available to view prior to bidding, even though people rarely act on this. But the most important thing is, they have the option to and they know it.

1. If you don't even have this option to see the car, I would be very suspect.

2. If there is no option to pick up the car in person, I would be very suspect.

...So I would assume payment terms are 100% up front and you don't see the car until it is shipped to your door? If so, I would be very suspect.

Phil

Iagree 100% I have not bought or sold cars form the internet an would not pay more than a couple grand site unseen!
Just my 2 cents

I will be selling a couple camaro shells in the next few months (69s and 73s) I will be asking those that are interested to come an look at them first. not sure if i will put them on the net or not!

[Dayton]

I'm 99% sure this is a scam and 100% sure you'd lose your $$$$$$$$.

[CliffS]

Sounds like a scam. I bought my last car fom Ebay. Called the guy asked for more info & pics. Small down payment and flew in from Europe to LA to judge with my own eyes.