How to Sell a car? HELP!!!!!

wn1998 · Mar 30, 2005

I have been trying to sell my 1975 corvette for a while and have had it on two corvette websites for about 5 months. I have found a buyer but here is the deal.

I am in Chicago, The corvette is in Washington state at my fathers house and the buyer is in North Carolina. I don't want to get burned on this deal. What is the proper way to safe guard myself?

The buyer has sugessted he send me a $2000 deposit and I have the car insured and he will have it transported to N.C. and when it arrives he will send me another check for the remainder of the balance ($11,500). He said I am protected by still having the pink slip and it is insured.

What do you guys think?

TooManyWheels · Mar 30, 2005

The only definitive answer to this question would be what your insurance company would be willing to commit to writing.

oldman · Mar 30, 2005

I would request all of the money for the car up front. Once he has it in N.C. it would be hard to get it back. Do you have the time and money to go to court in NC if he says that was not the deal he agreed to? I have sold a car once to someone who told me he was going to pay each payday. Never saw the money, he was discharged from the service and abandoned the car, which was still in my name. I learned my lesson the hard way. I agree that you can ask the insurance company but it is a big chance to take. Why can't he do the same thing as he is suggesting to you? Just be careful. Would you do the same thing? It just doesn't seem right to me.

Drew99GT · Mar 30, 2005

DON'T DO IT!!! See if he'd pay to have it shipped and the transaction could be done COD. That's about the only way of doing it without being in person. Also, only accept cash or a certified check. There are TONS of scams going around with certified checks now, where people will make copies of them..........you can see wher that leads! Your still not safe with a certified check but it's the closest to cash.

MAJA · Mar 30, 2005

Buyers on Ebay Motors are required to pick up their own purchases. In a one on one sale such as this, communication is key. I would want a $2000 deposit, which I would make sure clears, and be holding a $11,500 certified check as he takes possession. There has to be a little trust in sales of this nature, being on both sides of the country. All this is assuming you have a definative buyer, and not just a tire kicker.

[ March 30, 2005, 05:08 PM: Message edited by: MAJA ]

wn1998 · Mar 30, 2005

The buyer is going to be paying to have it shipped. Is there a way I can have it delivered COD by a shipping company if he is paying?

Drew99GT · Mar 30, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by MAJA:
There has to be a little trust in sales of this nature.

I say trust no one when selling something over the net or long distance like this. Here are some good tips to avoid these cashier's check scams. It almost sounds a little fishy with the 2,000 deposit. If he asks for it back and then says he'll pay the remaindor, then you know your screwed. Check this site out:

Cashiers Check Scams and Tips to Avoid Them

I'm not trying to be so negative about it, just pointing out that you have to cover your butt and trust no one in these kinds of dealings. My father got burned badly trying to sell a car years ago so he has taught me wise. Good luck

Drew99GT · Mar 30, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by wn1998:
The buyer is going to be paying to have it shipped. Is there a way I can have it delivered COD by a shipping company if he is paying?

Absolutelly.

74 Laguna · Mar 30, 2005

I would not do it that way. When we bought our car in Florida through E-bay, we had to send the seller a electonic bank transfer and then had to find a shipper that would bring the car to us here in Colorado. Just be carefull!

wn1998 · Mar 30, 2005

The $2000 was a rough estimate that we had talked about on the phone. I think this guy is just as legit as I am. I just want to be covered "just in case".

I have seen a lot of scams and I have communicated with the buyer for about 2 weeks and have done my homework. (looked him up and called him) He is in fact who he said he was. He has given me his number at work (he is a optomitrist) I have verified that by calling his place of employment.

I have seen some websites such as www.lawdepot.com that you can pay $24 and type in the names of the buyer, seller, date, price, make, model, year ect and it writes up a contract. If we both signed would that do any good in court?

wn1998 · Mar 30, 2005

I found a company that is reccomend by ebay www.escrow.com. This sounds like a great solution. I can use this service for only $180.00. Does anyone have any expirence with this?

PulMax · Mar 30, 2005

Frankly, I'd rather just have the person come to me. THis summer I plan to hit up California to bring home a Datsun

The_Jeff · Mar 30, 2005

Be careful! Even if you still have your pink slip the car is old enough to not need a title in many states. He could forge a bill of sale with your name on it and (il)legally own the car.

I'd arrange to fly seperately on the same day and meet at the Washington area airport within the secure zone. He'll show you the money but retain it; you show him the pink slip and retain it. If he has checked baggage have him put it in a locker and not take anything from it. That way neither of you can rob the other. Have your Dad (or a taxi if paranoid about security) pick you up and drive you out to the 'vette. Exchange money and keys and leave the car out of the garage.

Flaws in the plan include "How will he register it and drive it home?". Maine, for example, has 14 day transit plates that don't require proof or transfer of ownership. See if WA or NC has such an option. They're possibly for in-state use only but you might count on the fact that out-of-state cops don't know that.

Drew99GT · Mar 30, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by wn1998:
I found a company that is reccomend by ebay www.escrow.com. This sounds like a great solution. I can use this service for only $180.00. Does anyone have any expirence with this?

Although I haven't used them, this sounds like a great idea. Has similar protections like CoD.

2005tundra2002yz250f · Mar 30, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by wn1998:
I have been trying to sell my 1975 corvette for a while and have had it on two corvette websites for about 5 months. I have found a buyer but here is the deal.

I am in Chicago, The corvette is in Washington state at my fathers house and the buyer is in North Carolina. I don't want to get burned on this deal. What is the proper way to safe guard myself?

The buyer has sugessted he send me a $2000 deposit and I have the car insured and he will have it transported to N.C. and when it arrives he will send me another check for the remainder of the balance ($11,500). He said I am protected by still having the pink slip and it is insured.

What do you guys think?

I used to buy and sell toyota land cruisers for a while, selling them to people all over the US such as FL, TX, MA, MN, and I am in NJ. THe last sale I did was a few months ago, when I sold my daily driver to a guy in canada. In any of my sales, I always had the full amount for the truck before it left my hands. I would never ship an unpaid vehicle out. I usually scan the signed title and email to the person. Do everything through wire transfer, so both you and him have records of the transaction. Dont get burned.

How to Sell a car? HELP!!!!!

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