Hey now folks, a seemingly simple question, but I`m willing to take some ribbing in exchange for some real answers. How does one buy a car long distance and not get ripped off? Trustworthy money exchange? I`d appreciate your advice and experience. Thanks in advance. Scotty
Go look at it, meet the owner, pay with what he will accept. The safest way to get it done. Plane tickets are ridiculously cheap right now!
Hi Scotty You are so right to approach this with serious caution. There are a lot of scammers out there. I have personally bought 4 cl***ic cars long distance and it is a gamble each time. Before cell phones I bought a 59 Cadillac limousine advertised in Hemmings. Car was in Bay Area and I was on Maui. I called and spoke by old fashioned telephone with owner. He offered to snail mail pics. I declined (worried someone else would buy it) and asked him to walk around car and answer my questions. I trusted seller and his answers. Sent a certified check by snail mail. I had car taken to Matson and shipped over water to Maui. Lots of concern until car arrived better than description. Just dumb luck. Another 59 Cadillac Fleetwood sedan advertised in Hemmings up in Minnesota. Still before cell phones. I spoke with seller then paid an inspector to go check it out. There was nothing specifically wrong with inspection but he advised against buying it so I backed out of sale. Seller was very gracious. Three weeks later I changed my mind and bought it. I had it transported to coast and shipped over water to Maui. Car was better than described. A long time Mopar collector was auctioning off his entire collection up in Montana. Close to 100 vehicles. Flyer had postage size pic of 3 finned Sweptside pickups. I called and talked with Auction employee. He told me details of each and I placed my best bet. Oops. I won but not close to what I thought I was buying. This one was paid via credit card. I just licked my wounds and kept it. This one might be closer to what you are trying to do. Now living in Lubbock TX. On Craigslist Sacramento was a 1957 Pontiac Safari same color I used to own. Talked by cell with seller n agreed on price. Said I'd take it if as described. For a deposit put $500 from credit card. He wasn't a dealer but his friend had a restaurant and for $35 fee took my credit card. I booked a flight round trip to Sacramento (OUCH! quick roundtrip $1400). Satisfied with car I paid balance in cash. About $1500 to transporter for delivery. Gets better with cell phones and pics. I found a 1939 Chevrolet panel delivery on eBay I liked. I was high bidder but didn't reach reserve. I called and told seller. I was expecting to hear his reserve to buy it but he said yes I'll sell it for that. A little leary I asked if he wanted a deposit. He said no, come look and pay then. I have a 454 dually stretched with a car hauler bed. Son n I drove to Denver. Panel was better than pics so paid cash n hauled her home. Now with cell phone pics and access to people (like HAMBers) all over the country a clear idea of what you are buying should be easier. Payment still tricky. I like the idea of meeting at a bank branch and exchange cash for ***le inside bank. If you have to wire money across country I'd like to see proof they exist. Maybe their name on property tax roll? Best of luck with a tricky task. BTW I still have these vehicles and glad I bought them cross country. 1 more car I promise, Rex Winter Dry n windy Lubbock TX
I transport more than a hundred cars per year & 90% of the never go to see the car before purchasing. Many of them are 6 figure + cars. Ask for specific pictures of areas that you know were a problem on that model vehicle. Ask for a walk around narrated video while the car is running, these days this kind of stuff is so simple to do. Talk at length with the seller, kind of feel him out. Most of the time you can tell if he is sincere or blowing smoke. If you are not the kind of person that can do a long distance purchase, you could always pay a professional vehicle inspector. The good ones will do a complete inspection, write up a report for you & take plenty of pictures of any questionable areas! As far as payment goes, I recommend to all my customers to use a wire transfer from your bank to his. It is worth the little bit of money spent to make it secure. God Bless Bill https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...ar-transport-hauling-open-or-enclosed.614419/
Thanks for the stories and insight. My greatest concern is the transfer of money and receiving the vehicle. Having only purchased cars locally, the idea of sending money off into the great unknown is a giant leap of faith! Scotty
Thanks Bill! I know your insights and thoughts are born and backed by years of experience and honesty. I hope to use your services someday soon! Blessings, Scotty
I sold several cars and will only use a wire transfer from the bank, it's up to you to make sure you are doing business with a reputable person. HRP
Late to the party however I purchased my 64 Fairlane from a reputable dealer in Phoenix AZ and had it shipped to AUS via CA. I had it thoroughly inspected beforehand, at my cost, with a report provided before I paid a deposit and balance. I transferred funds electronically via my bank and filled out all the necessary export/import do***entation as well as arranging insurance over there and whilst in transit. Then came the shipping (Enclosed transport) from AZ to CA and then from CA to AUS. Nerve-racking however quite a smooth transaction, everyone I dealt with had done similar previously and had some experience. If concerned use Escrow or agent. Caveat Emptor, buyer beware!
I have bought my last 4 projects sight unseen...typically everything goes along pretty decent...sometime there is some condition issues but I look at it like this...I did have a Datsun truck that was supposed to run and drive and it did not...I spent as much on shipping it as I did for the truck so I didn't feel too bad...for the most part if it seems to good to be true...it probably is.... Good luck with your purchase. MikeC
I recently bought a rod from Mainland Europe, I live in the U.K. asked all the questions, had lots of pictures of everything and video of it driving. It looked great, just what I wanted, it wasn’t cheap either. Due to Covid travel restrictions, I couldn’t risk the journey to go see it and decided to take a chance. I had up to the minute updates and pictures of it being transported, brilliant. So when the car turned up it looked fantastic, I couldn’t have been happier. Sadly after a few days of checking it out it wasn’t quite as rosy as I thought. There were some serious faults and questionable build quality. 8 weeks on and more difficult conversations with the seller, I got a decent refund for rectification work. Not ideal by any stretch of the imagination but, luckily a decent seller who values his reputation. What did I learn from all of this? Have a really good knowledge of what you’re buying ( I didn’t) if at all possible go an see it, there is no subs***ute for physical contact and driving it if possible. If not have a second opinion from someone who knows what they are looking at or get an engineer to inspect it. Would I do it again.... probably, but hopefully better informed. Good luck with your search, oh and I did a bank transfer to the company, still nerve racking though. Sent from my iPad using H.A.M.B.
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