Here is the message I received in response to my inquiry into his 2003 SL:
Hello There,

Thank you for your interest in purchasing my car. First of all I must inform you that currently I'm in Amsterdam, Holland and I have to let you know that the SL500 car is here with me and it is in a perfect condition.

The car is still for sale and it has never been damaged in any way. It's condition is outstanding and most important I have a clear title which you will receive it with the car. It can be registered into your name, so stay cool about this. The odometer shows 9191 miles. The problem is that I had to move with my family in Holland, Europe. I brought the car here with me with the intention of driving it but when I found out about the very high holland import duties I have made up my mind and decided to sell the vehicle back to the USA.

I have to tell you that I have other serious offers that I have to consider and I will make a decision regarding this sale function or time of payment and price. I want to tell you that I've choosed this type of sale to escpape by the non-paying possible bidders.

The car is as new, with no scratches and it was never involved in an accident. You can check the VIN (WDBSK75F13F016491) on www.CarFax.com The paint looks just as new, the car was always garaged. As options, the car has all premium packages, premium sound, bixenon headlights etc.

The price I hope to obtain is USD 28.000 (this price includes the shipping and insurance because I am willing to cover the air freight to the USA) and if you agree with this price we can start to complete the transaction.

The payment method is by using a money order service. I prefer money order because in this way I will ship the car in the same day you make the payment. During the time I learned that the best deals are closed when the risk involved is minimum.

You will arrange payment through Western Union (www.WesternUnion.com). In case you want to ship you the car right now you have to make me a confirmation for 15% of the amount of money (USD 4200 ) and after you receive and inspect the car you have to send me the rest of the money. The inspection period for it is 10 days.

I have something safe for you because I want you to be sure that you will receive the car and I hope we will collaborate in future too.

Look what I can do for you:

- You will make the transfer to my location but not to my name (you will use your best friends name for example as receiver's name) so you can be sure that I will not pick up the money until you get the car. So you make a deposit at Western Union and you will give me the transfer's details (MTCN, SENDER'S NAME, RECEIVER'S NAME) so I can check that the deposit was made. After I verify I will send you the car immediately.

- Only after you will receive the car and check it if it ok you will have to change the receiver's name of the transfer to my name so I can collect my money. So until you will have the car in your hands the money w ill be deposited on your best friend's name at Western Union agent.

I think it is better to not inform Western Union that you will change the receiver's name in a few days because it is possible they ask you to pay the fees twice (fees that are quite big for such an amount). When you will go to the Western Union office to wire the money sometimes they ask you why are you doing that. If you will tell them that they are for something you have bought, I will have to pay when I pick up the money a very expensive tax for making commerce. Please say you send the money to your friends or to your partner.

Also, I can accept 2000$ through from the amount prior and in this case I will take you as a serious and possible buyer and arrange a further deal but in this case you have to come in person to the car's location to see the car and take it back with you or you can send a friend or agent that lives near by to inspect the car and pay the r est of the money.

If you are agree with this method you can transfer the 2000$ from your home using your credit card via phone calling 1-800 CALL CASH service of Western Union that is a free of charge phone number and is available 24 H a day.

After you've completed the transfer you will receive a confirmation that will allow me to track the transfer. Here are the details that I need:

- Sender's Name and address
- Receiver's name will be me
- Exact amount wired
- MTCN # (10 digits)
- If it is possible a scanned copy of the receipt format .JPEG for me to add to the files

As soon as the payment will be confirmed and the money properly sent, I will IMMEDIATELY proceed with shipping if you sent me the 15% of the amount or I will hold the car for you if you've deposited only 2000$.

In case you've payed the 15% of money I will ship the car via Lufthansa Airplane Cargo insured and i t will take 72 hours until you will have it at your door. The shipping is free. The shipping taxes will cost arround USD 2600, but of course that I will cover them.

The 15% of payment are fully refundable if for any reason you do not accept the car or if the car has scratches, hidden defects, or it is not as advertised. I will even pay for the shipping back to my location if you reject the car but since it is a state of the art Mercedes-Benz and works and looks perfectly I think it would get to this.

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