Stephen Tinker Posted 20September, 2020 Report Share Posted 20September, 2020 I know lots of you have bought cars from out of your home state from private sellers (and some sight unseen), but how do you pay the money for a car to someone you haven't even met - or more importantly - don't know if they will send you the car after they have received your money. In this scenario, the interstate "seller" can both hold the car AND have your money in their nominated account. Buying from a reputable known dealer is usually a pretty safe transaction, but buying from a private individual seems to be fraught with danger if the seller is a dodgy individual - and who would know if he is. Is there a way of paying for the goods that can lessen the risk factor of losing the car and your money to someone in another state? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason E Posted 20September, 2020 Report Share Posted 20September, 2020 27 minutes ago, Stephen Tinker said: I know lots of you have bought cars from out of your home state from private sellers (and some sight unseen), but how do you pay the money for a car to someone you haven't even met - or more importantly - don't know if they will send you the car after they have received your money. In this scenario, the interstate "seller" can both hold the car AND have your money in their nominated account. Buying from a reputable known dealer is usually a pretty safe transaction, but buying from a private individual seems to be fraught with danger if the seller is a dodgy individual - and who would know if he is. Is there a way of paying for the goods that can lessen the risk factor of losing the car and your money to someone in another state? I know what you mean, can be daunting. I've only ever put small deposits down & then gone to the bank with the interstate seller on arrival in the State (obviously pre Covid). I'm pretty sure Paypal has some type of insurance re purchases - not sure of the limits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rego Posted 20September, 2020 Report Share Posted 20September, 2020 I've had the shop doing the PPI verify a license for me before sending a large deposit but I have always jumped on a plane and handed over the cheque and drove the car to CEVA or whoever was transporting the car myself. edgy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishcop Posted 20September, 2020 Report Share Posted 20September, 2020 I think it's the old adage, "You buy the owner"... Trust just has to come into play. I've bought two cars sight unseen and interstate in the last year (Amarok and 944), and both were a case of being happy with the communication and good photos, do REVS and PPSR checks (REVS for crash/insurance history, and PPSR to check for financial ownership) they're only a few dollars for the peace of mind. If you can find an independent person (or friend) to take a look and just be sure it is what it is, then do that too. In Porsche world it's pretty easy to find someone happy to eyeball a car for you (and I've usually sent a Dan Murphy's gift car their way ) Payment wise, that's a trust thing, but using eft means there are electronic and account records should you have to chase it. Transport wise there used to be options (fly in and drive, drive down with a trailer etc...), but at the moment it often falls to using a transport company. GC9911 and WOKA 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edgy Posted 20September, 2020 Report Share Posted 20September, 2020 This is where I’d advocate bringing a 3rd party into the equation, if it’s possible, you can try to use the shop doing your PPI to help facilitate the transaction (assuming you’re going that path) always pays to have that extra level of validation. In lieu of that, I’m not sure what options there are like Escrow? It would take a super trustworthy seller to ship a car based on “just a deposit”, equally so, a buyer to pay in full for a car that’s sight unseen... this is where associations and relations come into play, if someone can vouch for them then that goes along way! On top of all the other due diligence, there’s gotta be a strong element of trust! If it doesn’t feel right and there’s red flags... you know what to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishcop Posted 20September, 2020 Report Share Posted 20September, 2020 You can also speak with your insurance company to get a cover-note in advance - they'll soon flag any anomalies if the details don't check out. They may even be able to cover you for any fraud? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proud Member Posted 20September, 2020 Report Share Posted 20September, 2020 I always ask for a photo of the buyer or sellers driving license. It’s pretty easy to do e-stalking/diligence and learn a surprising amount about them. It’s no way 100% but with this and a number of conversations on the phone it usually creates some ease. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dreamr Posted 20September, 2020 Report Share Posted 20September, 2020 It is very daunting and have been on both ends recently ... I know I'm a good guy, but the buyer of my SC put all the funds in my account (a lot of $$$) and then waited a week to pick it up ... I guess he bought the seller as well! .. 😅 When we bought the 944 from Perth (we're in Sydney) we had video calls with him and the car, he also took us inside the house to go through the paperwork. I also got him to send a copy of the rego papers "for the revs check". Everything matched up and the vibe I got from him was that it was ok to buy sight unseen. Besides ... if things went wrong, it was my son's money, not mine ... so I was ok! ... 🤣 michel, firstone and Fishcop 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OBRUT Posted 20September, 2020 Report Share Posted 20September, 2020 I’ve sent payment a bunch of times and it’s always worked out, both interstate and overseas. If you’re really concerned, find someone local know/trust and mail them your bank cheque to hand over personally when they collect the car on your behalf. Fishcop 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D2000 Posted 20September, 2020 Report Share Posted 20September, 2020 Carsales used to have some kind of payment service. Not sure if it still exists Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
symsy Posted 20September, 2020 Report Share Posted 20September, 2020 You can always register your interest as PPSR with an agreement prior with the owner or have a contract of sale that protects you . Or send the local bikies to do the transaction for ya 😜 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KGB Posted 20September, 2020 Report Share Posted 20September, 2020 Just sold a Benz to a new home in Perth. Purchaser bought the vendor! He asked how the money works, I said I trust you’ll sent it, and then you trust I’ll send the car. No inspection other than video, PPI impossible, 3rd party visit impossible. Allan’s pick up the car tomorrow morning. Bit of faith goes a long way. I had no trouble remitting a sum to Hughesy, bought him too, sight unseen!. Otherwise it’s always been in the flesh. All that being said, sooner or later someone’ll get bitten. If you’re not 100% comfortable, don’t. It’s only a car. OBRUT and edgy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwoHeadsTas Posted 20September, 2020 Report Share Posted 20September, 2020 Must admit I've only dealt with relatively small amounts for stuff via PFA buy and sell. In those cases, I've had no doubts about sending money to PFA members for goods to be shipped, and and have no problems, as at least WE seem to be a trustworthy bunch........ Might have an issue with a member who has just joined, or has few postings, but it's easy to go back and look at their posts to get some idea of what they're about. I guess this is an another example of buying the seller. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJM Posted 20September, 2020 Report Share Posted 20September, 2020 I’ve bought several times from interstate and paid for the car via EFT. It’s a leap of faith but I’ve never had a problem. Usually by that point you’ve had several discussions with the seller and a mechanic/PPI to validate both car and seller. You get a pretty good feel for the seller and whether it seems “safe”. I’m generally quick to commit and keen to expedite the transaction once my mind is made up so speed overtakes caution. Just sold a car in Vic the same way. While the buyer was also in Melbourne, he was unable to inspect due to Covid so it was a phone inspection and chat to my mechanic then I wrote him a draft receipt with a copy of my licence and details of how the transaction would play out. He was then happy to pay in full via EFT and I signed and sent the final receipt and the car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skidmarks Posted 20September, 2020 Report Share Posted 20September, 2020 I’m a frequent flyer in this space ... I endorse all of the above. What I generally do is a deal with a workshop I know and respect in whatever state the car is in to take possession of the car once all things mentioned above have been done. Part of the deal deal is that once I have transferred the money the workshop then gets an email and call from the seller that they can release the car to me. That said, the deal I did with Gavin Cliff to Coast was on trust and we exchanged cars in Holbrook (it was a swap so we each had security!). There’s always an element of trust. Building a relationship is the key. If it feels wrong - walk away. I know in COVIDworld that’s all likely to be different. Fishcop, crsedge and edgy 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nikos Posted 20September, 2020 Report Share Posted 20September, 2020 Agree with all of the above. I came across this issue when asked for a $10K holding deposit, so I could book a flight and organise a PPI. Asked the seller to drop the car off to a reputable Porsche Specialist for a PPI, and it stayed there until I arrived. Once I was happy with the car, paid the seller via EFT and drove the car directly to the Ceva depot. The seller ended up being a legit great guy, but you just never know. Given the current travel restrictions, I'd either organise all this via a third party such as a reputable Porsche Specialist or even an interstate solicitor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arne Krix Posted 21September, 2020 Report Share Posted 21September, 2020 I bought unseen from Perth , agreed with the seller to have it all facilitated through a big dealership. Went without a hitch. But there are lots of scams out there , but I think the alarm bells go up quickly once you get unusual stories , funny answers and the other side does not verify what your asking about. tomo 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Tinker Posted 21September, 2020 Author Report Share Posted 21September, 2020 Thanks everyone - some good advice, though sending (say) $150k interstate to a seller (genuine or not) makes me feel apprehensive to say the least.... Listening to the high percentage of genuine d1ckheads who ring regarding the sale of your car leads me to believe that there are some serious malfunctioning people out there - and they are not all from a Nigerian royal family! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OBRUT Posted 21September, 2020 Report Share Posted 21September, 2020 1 hour ago, Stephen Tinker said: Thanks everyone - some good advice, though sending (say) $150k interstate to a seller (genuine or not) makes me feel apprehensive to say the least.... Listening to the high percentage of genuine d1ckheads who ring regarding the sale of your car leads me to believe that there are some serious malfunctioning people out there - and they are not all from a Nigerian royal family! What state is it in? Someone should know someone who could assist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwoHeadsTas Posted 21September, 2020 Report Share Posted 21September, 2020 1 hour ago, OBRUT said: What state is it in? Someone should know someone who could assist. I thought of that as well, but we could be asking someone we don't personally know, to take part in a deal for what could be quite a sum of money. If it ends up going wrong we could be putting that person in the middle of a shit fight...... Unfair unless that is their job and we're paying them for the privilege I think. Perhaps better to leave other PFA members out of it unless they offer???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hugh Posted 21September, 2020 Report Share Posted 21September, 2020 Do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harsh Posted 21September, 2020 Report Share Posted 21September, 2020 I am in WA and home for a while.........bought a car sight unseen from Vic and there were no problems at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Tinker Posted 21September, 2020 Author Report Share Posted 21September, 2020 11 hours ago, OBRUT said: What state is it in? Someone should know someone who could assist. No decision as yet - my question is hypothetical as to what others have done when transferring large amounts of money to someone you don't know. When I bought my GT3 from Rob Rymer, I flew from Brisbane to Melbourne to inspect the car and to meet Rob (who turned out to be a genuine good guy). But of course with all the restrictions now in place, the world is a totally different place. Buying from (say) Autohause Hamilton in Sydney would not be a problem as they are a bona fide business with a good rep, but Joe Citizen in Thomastown is a completely different scenario.... GC9911 and Arne Krix 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arne Krix Posted 21September, 2020 Report Share Posted 21September, 2020 My son is trying to sell his Golf. He proudly reported to me : just about sold . A guy from Taralgon is meeting me in Pakenham (45 min) drive from our home , he brings a mate as well . They give me the money and take the car . No consideration for his rego and insurance or the likelihood he gets punched and his car stolen . Why would you drive under restrictions 45 min to some deserted meeting point? The whole thing was crook . Goes to show how easily you can be conned , if you don’t have much experience. GC9911 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michel Posted 22September, 2020 Report Share Posted 22September, 2020 I never been robbed, punched, dakd , canoodled, doodled, swindled ... and Ive done some fine and weird shit .... The only time i felt out on a hills hoist and swinging in the breeze, was sending monies to a deal in Vn that bit my left ball with car deals all that’s being said before holds true . 3rd party , escrow , buy the seller ya da ya da Buying and selling at a distance is not that tricky dicky and not compounded by covid times . IME The biggest fuk is transport Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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