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

[Taka Mizutani]

I wouldn't take a personal check for a car- only a cashiers check or a wire
transfer.

I also wouldn't release the car until the funds cleared the Fed- at least
3-4 business days.

Having said that, I've sold two cars long-distance in this manner without
the buyer having
any issues about the funds clearing. I've also sold another car the same
way, many years
prior, not having waited for the funds to clear (stupid).

When it comes to expensive stuff, I always ask the buyer for full contact
info- name,
address, phone numbers. If that doesn't happen, then I don't do the
transaction.

Taka

On 10/17/06, Tom Winter <tom at freeskier.com> wrote:
>
> 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.
>
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