Do you trust cash? I've got "cash" (craiglist related) - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

asnowsquall · #1 03-16-2008, 03:27 PM

So I've got my car on craigslist and someone is ready to drive up today and give me "cash". 1st flag: Hasn't asked one question about the car. 2nd: Can only do it on a weekend. Wants to drive 3.5-4hours now to buy it on a Sunday. Yes, I may be a little paranoid, but craigslist is a breeding ground for scammers.
I told them meet me next Saturday at my Credit Union so the "cash" can be verified.

Thoughts....

turbobenz · #2 03-16-2008, 03:31 PM

link us to the page, maybe you just have a really rare car and dont know it!

asnowsquall · #3 03-16-2008, 03:49 PM

Just a 1998 beetle http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/car/608001936.html

Here is his ad:

http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/car/604918553.html

Guess I shouldn't be so nutty.

Think I'll clean up the inside, put the grill on and look for $5000 on Ebay.

asnowsquall · #4 03-16-2008, 03:57 PM

He has got to be a scammer. Said he can only come up on the weekend, works 9-4 on Sat. I told him if he want the car bad enough he can meet me at my credit union. I sent him a link to the location and the hours there open and told him tell me when and where, otherwise its a no go.

pawoSD · #5 03-16-2008, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asnowsquall

He has got to be a scammer. goldsteininvestment.msn.com
Said he can only come up on the weekend, works 9-4 on Sat. I told him if he want the car bad enough he can meet me at my credit union. I sent him a link to the location and the hours there open and told him tell me when and where, otherwise its a no go.

Isn't that beetle the one you just recently bought for like $900 with a blown oil pan and then found it still ran after changing the pan and oil? Where exactly did it gain $4000 in value so suddenly? Especially since the bumper is still broken and there are no hubcaps.

If they show up with cash, who cares. Have someone else there with you as a witness.....and buy one of those counterfeit money detection pens and check the money they give you. Then you'll be fine.

Jim B. · #6 03-16-2008, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asnowsquall

He has got to be a scammer. Said he can only come up on the weekend, works 9-4 on Sat. I told him if he want the car bad enough he can meet me at my credit union. I sent him a link to the location and the hours there open and told him tell me when and where, otherwise its a no go.

Good thinking. You can't be too careful.

I just bought a new car a week ago and traded in my old one (which was in great condition!!)

Got screwed on the trade in, I knew that at the time, but then, never having done it before, was saved the trouble of scammers, people who would call but never show up on the appointed hour, all the other crap you have to put up with when selling a car yourself.

Also, I drove down to the new car dealer alone, what would I have done with TWO cars on my hands had I bought the new one and not traded it in?

I am well satisfied with the new car, and the old one is gone, totally gone, with no hassle to me, all DMV paperwork handled by the dealer ($50 fee for it though).

Hatterasguy · #7 03-16-2008, 04:36 PM

If he didn't ask any questions about the car he is a scammer.

I have zero faith in Craigslist, I think most people on it are crooks or beats.

asnowsquall · #8 03-16-2008, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

Isn't that beetle the one you just recently bought for like $900 with a blown oil pan and then found it still ran after changing the pan and oil? Where exactly did it gain $4000 in value so suddenly? Especially since the bumper is still broken and there are no hubcaps.

If they show up with cash, who cares. Have someone else there with you as a witness.....and buy one of those counterfeit money detection pens and check the money they give you. Then you'll be fine.

Yes it is. Low book is $6000, high is $8000. My goal has been $4000.
The guy said he works Mon-Sat which may be true. I'm just a pekahead

JimmyL · #9 03-16-2008, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

Isn't that beetle the one you just recently bought for like $900 with a blown oil pan and then found it still ran after changing the pan and oil? Where exactly did it gain $4000 in value so suddenly? Especially since the bumper is still broken and there are no hubcaps.

I fail to see why the above is relevant.......

Would it somehow make you feel better if he was asking $2000?

TylerH860 · #10 03-16-2008, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyL

I fail to see why the above is relevant.......

Would it somehow make you feel better if he was asking $2000?

In the words of my generation, POWNED!

lutzTD · #11 03-16-2008, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

If he didn't ask any questions about the car he is a scammer.

I have zero faith in Craigslist, I think most people on it are crooks or beats.

ive bought and sold on Craigs with pretty good luck, actually better luck than ebay since you see before you buy. just use common sense. If it were the other way and you were bringing the cash I would be cautious, but since all you are bringing is the car and title, dont sign until your satified and do it somewhere safe if you are worried. in general when guys said this over the phone to me, they never showed. Dont promise to wait or hold without cash in hand, otherwise people will string you along.

Diesel911 · #12 03-16-2008, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyL

I fail to see why the above is relevant.......

Would it somehow make you feel better if he was asking $2000?

I have always wondered about this myself. People will go to a store and pay $30 for something knowing that the store is making a profit off of the sale and accept that idea.
If a private party is selling the same items no one wants to pay him/her the $30 and they resent the idea of a private party making a profit.
If a dealer paid $900 for the VW as a tade (an everyone knows they are not going to get a good price for their trade in) in and sold it for $4,000 we would consider that smart business.

isc62 · #13 03-16-2008, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diesel911

I have always wondered about this myself. People will go to a store and pay $30 for something knowing that the store is making a profit off of the sale and accept that idea.
If a private party is selling the same items no one wants to pay him/her the $30 and they resent the idea of a private party making a profit.
If a dealer paid $900 for the VW as a tade (an everyone knows they are not going to get a good price for their trade in) in and sold it for $4,000 we would consider that smart business.

Very well put.

Why would a guy be a scammer for not asking questions on the phone? For close to 30 years I have been buying and selling cars. I always carry cash when buying and only accept cash when selling. if I have any questions I will ask them when looking at the car. If I feel the car is not worthwhile upon arrival I simply turn around and leave. No hard feelings aftrer all it is business not an intimate relationship.

Todays modern medicine has medication for paranoia. While I have not bought vehicles from either Ebay or Craigslist, I have had many smooth transactions using either and have not felt like I have gotten taken.

Then again my motto for years has been "Money talks BS walks!"

Hatterasguy · #14 03-16-2008, 07:45 PM

Why would you drive 3-4 hours to get a car and not ask any questions about it when you call on it? How long have you owned it, etc, etc.

I don't know lots of strange people on the internet.