Paying for out of state car - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

1stimer · #1 08-23-2007, 12:50 PM

If an inspection checks out on a forum member's '92 300D in Orlando, I would like to purchase it and have it shipped to California.

How do I go about getting payment to this person?

How do we both protect ourselves in this type of situation?

Thanks.

POS · #2 08-23-2007, 02:24 PM

You need to start with the DOT. Your biggest problem is going to be importing a 1992 anything into the US without a buttpile of paperwork. The US allows cars 25 years or older into the country very easily, but newer than 25 years will take the usual red tape.

First, contact the DOT and ask them what you'll need to get a 1992 MB across the border. Then, you can contact a Transporter and have them bring it across the border, and they in turn will handle all the paperwork necessary to get it across. You really should inspect the car before paying him. Most Canadians come to the southern US to buy rust-free cars, which means buying a car from Canada will have rust as the primary issue.

As far as payment, that's as simple as writing him a check or getting him a cashier's check; if you're worried that the Seller isn't honest, then you shouldn't do the deal.

Hatterasguy · #3 08-23-2007, 02:25 PM

Last I checked Orlando was in FL.

dynalow · #4 08-23-2007, 02:47 PM

I assume you are concerned about the mechanics involved in assuring you don't get stiffed and no car makes it out to you.

You could run it thru ebay somehow. Maybe pay with pay pal and have the ebay guarantee protection.
You could fly to FL and take possession and you hire the shipper.
You can rely on good faith of seller...and pray.

I don't know if there are any intermediaries that handle this type of thing, if that's what you are looking for.

I bought 3 on ebay.
The first one I flew to FL, inspected and auto-trained home.
The second one I was stiffed on and notified FBI.(out 3k)

The third was prepaid and shipped and delivered as promised and I was entirely satisfied with the car.

caveat emptor.

edit:

Just because the seller is a forum member, doesn't make him any more honest. Shoot, we even have lawyers here.

I wouldn't trust him any more or less than any other invisible person.

kerry · #5 08-23-2007, 02:49 PM

[QUOTE=dynalow;1600279]The second one I was stiffed on and notified FBI.(out 3k)

QUOTE]

Inquiring minds want to know. Can you elaborate?

dynalow · #6 08-23-2007, 03:12 PM

[QUOTE=kerry edwards;1600282]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dynalow

The second one I was stiffed on and notified FBI.(out 3k)

QUOTE]

Inquiring minds want to know. Can you elaborate?

The story:

I "bought" ( or was the successful bidder on) a VW Passat in 2001. It was going to be for my daughters to cut their teeth on. After I did some soul searching, I decided it was probably too much car for them as 17 yr olds.
So I called the guy. His name was Harold Hooper. I discussed it with him and he said he'd let me out of the deal, but he wanted to wait until he relisted and sold it and if it went for an equal or greater amount, he'd send me my money back. If it went for less, I'd eat the difference.

Well, the car was relisted and I assume resold. But then he went silent to emails and telephone messages.
Ebay didn't have the buyer protections like they have now.
I of course complained to them, but had no real recourse.

I did contact the FBI internet fraud desk and sent them a whole bunch of information they requested. That was in early 2002. I also found a few other folks who had been skinned by this guy (I think through ebay feedback).
A guy in Grand Rapids MI (Explorer) and a woman in Mississippi (Infiniti).
The guy had never received his title and could not register the car in MI.
The woman actually received a junk or salvage title with the car and she could not register it in MS iirc.

About a year after that (mid 2003) I received a follow up from the FBI requesting a little more info and confirmation that the claim was still unsettled. I sent them what they wanted and that's the last I ever heard of it.

Caveat emptor for sure!

LUVMBDiesels · #7 08-23-2007, 03:22 PM

When I bought my Impala SS it was from an ad I saw in Hemmings. The car was in Florida, so I found a car inspector appraiser there to look the car over. When he told me it was OK, I sent down a deposit check of $150 I then flew down there and paid the difference on site. That way I also got all the documentation, title etc in my hands. I had the car shipped back by Horseless Carriage transport in a closed trailer. That cost $100 more than an open trailer but I was not taking any chances.

GottaDiesel · #8 08-23-2007, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dynalow

The story:

I "bought" ( or was the successful bidder on) a VW Passat in 2001. It was going to be for my daughters to cut their teeth on. After I did some soul searching, I decided it was probably too much car for them as 17 yr olds.
So I called the guy. His name was Harold Hooper. I discussed it with him and he said he'd let me out of the deal, but he wanted to wait until he relisted and sold it and if it went for an equal or greater amount, he'd send me my money back. If it went for less, I'd eat the difference.

Well, the car was relisted and I assume resold. But then he went silent to emails and telephone messages.
Ebay didn't have the buyer protections like they have now.
I of course complained to them, but had no real recourse.

I did contact the FBI internet fraud desk and sent them a whole bunch of information they requested. That was in early 2002. I also found a few other folks who had been skinned by this guy (I think through ebay feedback).
A guy in Grand Rapids MI (Explorer) and a woman in Mississippi (Infiniti).
The guy had never received his title and could not register the car in MI.
The woman actually received a junk or salvage title with the car and she could not register it in MS iirc.

About a year after that (mid 2003) I received a follow up from the FBI requesting a little more info and confirmation that the claim was still unsettled. I sent them what they wanted and that's the last I ever heard of it.

Caveat emptor for sure!

Wow!

Could you try reaching out for the contact @ the FBI again and seeing if anything ever came of it? What about where you sent the money? Couldn't you have gone, or had somebody go there? Maybe gotten together with other people he screwed?

Just some thoughts... that really sucks!

cscmc1 · #9 08-23-2007, 04:24 PM

You could try an escrow (not ESCORT

) service, or just fly in and drive it out yourself. The latter allows for inspection of the vehicle and will almost certainly be cheaper than shipping. If you have the time to drive it yourself, I think I'd go that route.

dynalow · #10 08-23-2007, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GottaDiesel

Wow!

Could you try reaching out for the contact @ the FBI again and seeing if anything ever came of it? What about where you sent the money? Couldn't you have gone, or had somebody go there? Maybe gotten together with other people he screwed?

Just some thoughts... that really sucks!

Go where? I think I wired the money to a FL bank. He was kicked off of ebay as a seller.
I did contact the other people some time afterward and the guy from MI was going to have to get to FL and have a replacement title issued, but he didn't have time to get to FL to do it. The woman from MS was in a tougher spot. She had a car that she coudn't drive and didn't want and couldn't sell! NOT happy.

I never have inquired back to the FBI about it. A little thing like 9/11 and the Patriot Act, etc. came along and I'm sure chasing internet crooks fell way down below evrything else on the FBI must do list.

At least I only dropped 3k. Who knows it may have been a real POS and cost me much more to keep running. It's replacement, the 3rd ebay purchase was a good deal and never much problem, except for the 4 or 5 accidents the girls had with it. (Totaled twice)

The Passat have a Vortec (?) engine that may have been too powerful for them and more expensive to operate than the Yahama engine in the EscortLX they ended up with.

Ya live and learn.

1stimer · #11 08-23-2007, 10:05 PM

Thanks guys for all the suggestions. Dummy me....I forgot I have a friend in Orlando who might be able to help me out. The problem is DAS says it could take 20 days to have the car delivered. I'd rather have it sooner. I'll figure it all out. If my friend can't help, and I don't fly in and drive it myself, then an escrow company sounds like a decent alternative.

Anyone near Orlando feel like giving it a preliminary inspection for me before it goes to Eurotech first thing Monday morning?

Thanks again guys.

1stimer · #12 08-24-2007, 12:00 AM

I think I've decided to fly in and drive it back to California. I just went through a divorce less than a month ago. My 4-year old and I came back to California for family support, but I haven't had any time to myself. A cross-country trip might be beneficial to get some perspective on this next chapter of my life. The offer is still open for anyone near Orlando that wants to give a preliminary inspection for me. Thanks again all.