[s-cars] Online fraud (car related, delete if you're not interested)

[Tom Winter]

On 10/16/06 6:23 PM, On Oct 16, 2006, at 4:29 PM, Brett Dikeman wrote:
wrote:

> I know of half a dozen people who have bought cars in precisely this
> manner, though I think cashiers or bank-issued loan checks were
> involved.  Not sure; didn't really ask.

I bought my '95 S6 avant via personal check. The car was in Vermont, I was
in Colorado (listers may remember by shipping vs. road-trip dilemma).

If the buyer is honest, he/she will have no problem waiting for a check to
clear before taking delivery of the vehicle.

There will also be other signs of legitimacy: work and home phone numbers in
addition to a cell phone number. An email address that is linked to a
website that is a legit company: for example tom at freeskier.com. (Check out
freeskier.com and you'll know what I mean). An ability to write and spell
correctly in email correspondence.

Ultimately it is up to both the seller and buyer to establish trust. If your
gut tells you that something is wrong, it probably is.

And, as always, cash is king. That's one thing that will never change.

Of course, some listers will think me a fool for sending a check and not
even driving the car or knowing the seller, but before you judge me for
making that decision, you should know that the seller works for Head skis,
and he was very easy for me to check out, since his boss works closely with
my company.

Tom
Very happy long-distance purchaser of one black '95 S6 Avant.