Car scams everywhere

We are looking at cars for the cousin. Out of the 5 we had lined up only 2 were legit. And it's currently taken apart, can't be driven and has no oil on the dipstick.

How do these scams where people lead you on then disappear work?
craigslist or market place ads?

cant be legit auto lots doing this..
 
It's hard selling stuff too.

I listed a car at a very reasonable price because of a few deficiencies - which I detailed. The prospective purchaser had it inspected (they found the same deficiencies) and then wanted to deduct the estimated cost to repair all the deficiencies.

It was lucky they didn't want me to pay them to take it away.
I've had that too. If a car's perfect people ask what's wrong with it and get overly suspicous. If a car has issues they want the seller to pay twice to fix it.

I don't bring up an excuse when I haggle. I look the thing over with a deadpan expression, ask the necessary questions, then out of the blue just ask "will you take $xxx". I find it more respectful, and, with today's culture, it tends to work well. People think they need an excuse to take money off, and the dumb ones will rub my own evaluation in my face. Best response is "if it doesn't sell in a couple weeks I'll cut the price, update the ad, and let you know."
 
I feel as If some info is missing but I saw a news story where folks bought used BMWs from a used car dealer and never received any titles so the cars were repossessed and the owners out their downpays with no cars. Even though the news attempted to assist, seems all the victims can do is to sue. And the dealer keeps in operation.
 
I was texting back and forth.as soon as I ask to meet or send me an address no response.
Maybe they’re mining for good cell numbers?

I’ve seen a few sites that seem legit for car listings but then go nowhere. I figured they were to get a name, email and phone number.
 
Wasted day. Talked to a guy about 11. Said we could look at it @5 as he would be home then. Got the address @4:15. Got there@4:58 and he had just sold it .
I had a setup like that once. Drove from NJ to VA with a wad of cash, turned out he had someone coming at the same time, with a trailer. Was just trying to get a bidding war I guess.

I get it that buyers can be no shows, flaky, etc too. So you do need to keep more folks coming until the bitter end. There is some rationale to it as lousy as it is.
 
This is just frustrating to no end. Seems like the legit cars are behind in registration. California had no leniency on that . The late fees add up very fast.

A 2001 grand Cherokee with 12-23 tags is $900 to bring up to date.
 
Craigslist charges $5 for car ads now. It moved all the scammers to Facebook but now the number of cars on Craigslist has dropped significantly.
Yep, but all of the cheapskates still post fully functional, whole vehicles for sale on Craigslist in the "Auto Parts" section to avoid the $5 fee if posted in the "Cars and Trucks" section. It isn't entertaining to see a 2013 Tahoe listed for $14,000 in the "Auto Parts" section. I always wonder what kind of maintenance was done by an owner who is unwilling to spend $5 for a legit CL listing.
 
Hate to point it out, but there is a reason old-fashioned used car lots are still in business.
Yeah, you pay a bit more, but how soon until all this running around adds up to what you pay at one?
Think about it
 
Hate to point it out, but there is a reason old-fashioned used car lots are still in business.
Yeah, you pay a bit more, but how soon until all this running around adds up to what you pay at one?
Think about it
A lot more. Looked at a grand Cherokee for $2000 we may go after. Same car at a lot is $6k.
 
You have an advantage, you are a mechanic.
Most people just want to drive off the lot safetied and ready to go.
If they can look at the vehicle, out in the open, take it for a drive…takes the ‘shadiness’ out of it.
For a lot of people, worth the extra $$.
 
This past summer I was selling a street bike, it was in mint condition, needed nothing.

The first 4 people who came to see it all tried low ball offers, that was day 1 of it being for sale.
Day 2 a lady shows up, looks it over good, we chat some, turns out she is an auto mechanic.
She makes me a reasonable offer, I say come up $500 and we can do this.
She buys it, and since she came in a car, I load it into my pickup, and follow her to her home, and unload it.
Later that day 2 of the original 4 come back wanting to buy it, I said too late,it's sold.
They knew that they messed up, it was cherry, and they should have bought it.
 
Hate to point it out, but there is a reason old-fashioned used car lots are still in business.
Yeah, you pay a bit more, but how soon until all this running around adds up to what you pay at one?
Think about it
In NH no lemon laws privately AND you can be sold a vehicle costing thousands to register. My FB bargain buy $500 on the cheap with lights to pass inspection .
 
Hate to point it out, but there is a reason old-fashioned used car lots are still in business.
Yeah, you pay a bit more, but how soon until all this running around adds up to what you pay at one?
Think about it
True, but not everybody values their time the same. Deals are still to be had if the work is put in.

The used car dealer just as likely to sell you a pig in a poke vehicle as the private party, just they have a public face and access to go back to.
 
At this point selling privately is a huge pain whether it's on FB or elsewhere. I sell things a lot but mostly niche items that are somewhat easy/small target audience. I should have sold my son's Lexus privately a few mos. ago but for the first time didn't bother, Carvana was simple and worth losing a bit on the sale for the simple experience/not dealing with tire kickers/drama. It's sad but it's just not as easy as it used to be to sell to the general public.
 
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