Bought Sight Unseen
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 56
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From: Avon Lake OH
Bought Sight Unseen
Well I did what most will never do, I bought my fourth car (each on eBay) sight unseen, nor did I have anyone inspect this latest one - or any of the other three for that matter - prior to making this purchase.
This latest, a 1995 Admiral Blue Metallic LT1 with 100,000 miles on it. This is the third owner I bought it from and a 2,500 distance between us. Latest owner has only had it for two years but the two previous owners (boyfriend / girlfriend then got married) took it to the same Chevy dealership for maintenance on a regular basis. I paid $7,000 for this one.
So, I wired the money on April 1st (yes, I know…) and I still don’t have the car. There have been a number of iterating and annoying reasons why including a lost title. There’s more to all of this but it would take up a few dozen paragraphs and in the end all readers of it would agree that I was a certified and total incompetent Corvette owner. And probably shouldn't even be allowed to own a Corvette. BTW, I currently own a 2002 C5.
I should have the title at the end of this week (God willing and I don’t go postal first) and I’ll continue to update this frustrating and agonizing transaction.
Hopefully the Corvette Gods will be watching over me. Say a prayer.
Please, easy on the comments!
This latest, a 1995 Admiral Blue Metallic LT1 with 100,000 miles on it. This is the third owner I bought it from and a 2,500 distance between us. Latest owner has only had it for two years but the two previous owners (boyfriend / girlfriend then got married) took it to the same Chevy dealership for maintenance on a regular basis. I paid $7,000 for this one.
So, I wired the money on April 1st (yes, I know…) and I still don’t have the car. There have been a number of iterating and annoying reasons why including a lost title. There’s more to all of this but it would take up a few dozen paragraphs and in the end all readers of it would agree that I was a certified and total incompetent Corvette owner. And probably shouldn't even be allowed to own a Corvette. BTW, I currently own a 2002 C5.
I should have the title at the end of this week (God willing and I don’t go postal first) and I’ll continue to update this frustrating and agonizing transaction.
Hopefully the Corvette Gods will be watching over me. Say a prayer.
Please, easy on the comments!
Last edited by TFJM; Apr 21, 2015 at 06:49 AM. Reason: Spelling
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 1,072
Likes: 48
From: Henderson Nevada
It's certainly a tough thing to buy sight unseen, and I would REALLY encourage anyone considering that option to have the car inspected prior to purchase (Lemon Squad, Car Chex etc. can check cars almost anywhere for you).
With that said, hopefully these are just a few unfortunate snags and it IS an honest seller. Good luck, and at the very least it was bought via E-bay. The seller IS obligated to provide the car as described.
Gorgeous car, btw.
With that said, hopefully these are just a few unfortunate snags and it IS an honest seller. Good luck, and at the very least it was bought via E-bay. The seller IS obligated to provide the car as described.
Gorgeous car, btw.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 15,926
Likes: 579
It's certainly a tough thing to buy sight unseen, and I would REALLY encourage anyone considering that option to have the car inspected prior to purchase (Lemon Squad, Car Chex etc. can check cars almost anywhere for you).
With that said, hopefully these are just a few unfortunate snags and it IS an honest seller. Good luck, and at the very least it was bought via E-bay. The seller IS obligated to provide the car as described.
Gorgeous car, btw.
With that said, hopefully these are just a few unfortunate snags and it IS an honest seller. Good luck, and at the very least it was bought via E-bay. The seller IS obligated to provide the car as described.
Gorgeous car, btw.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,652
Likes: 629
From: Rural North West NV
Where is the seller / car located? Maybe you can get some help from local forum members.
I sold a car to a guy in Florida. I happened to have a friend that lived close to the buyer. I got a $4K wire transfer deposit from the buyer then shipped the car and title to my friend.
The buyer went and looked the car over then wired the balance to me. When my bank confirmed receipt I called my friend and he gave the title and keys to the buyer.
I sold a car to a guy in Florida. I happened to have a friend that lived close to the buyer. I got a $4K wire transfer deposit from the buyer then shipped the car and title to my friend.
The buyer went and looked the car over then wired the balance to me. When my bank confirmed receipt I called my friend and he gave the title and keys to the buyer.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,097
Likes: 191
From: Vienna VA
I hope I'm wrong, but this doesn't sound like it will end well.
If there is too much of a story going on with delays and a "lost" title it seems like a lot of excuses.
I would recommend you take the advice of the previous post and have someone local go and view the car if possible.
Good luck and I hope you get to enjoy it soon.
If there is too much of a story going on with delays and a "lost" title it seems like a lot of excuses.
I would recommend you take the advice of the previous post and have someone local go and view the car if possible.
Good luck and I hope you get to enjoy it soon.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 15,926
Likes: 579
I hope I'm wrong, but this doesn't sound like it will end well.
If there is too much of a story going on with delays and a "lost" title it seems like a lot of excuses.
I would recommend you take the advice of the previous post and have someone local go and view the car if possible.
Good luck and I hope you get to enjoy it soon.
If there is too much of a story going on with delays and a "lost" title it seems like a lot of excuses.
I would recommend you take the advice of the previous post and have someone local go and view the car if possible.
Good luck and I hope you get to enjoy it soon.
where is the car if by me I can still shake a tree
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,475
Likes: 270
From: Kingman AZ
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Enjoy the drive home and tale lots of pics. Some tips for the "fly and drive". Unless recently done, have the owner change out the upper radiator hose as the underhood temps cause it to fail early. Make sure the spare is aired up and that the car has its jack/lug wrench/lug nut key. Pack some tools in your luggage - if you are only using carry on luggage then you might be better off stopping at a Wal Mart on the way home and buying a few. Include some duct tape and wire in your tool kit.
I have done the "fly and drive" three times now and loved the adventure!
I have done the "fly and drive" three times now and loved the adventure!
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Avon Lake OH
It's certainly a tough thing to buy sight unseen, and I would REALLY encourage anyone considering that option to have the car inspected prior to purchase (Lemon Squad, Car Chex etc. can check cars almost anywhere for you).
With that said, hopefully these are just a few unfortunate snags and it IS an honest seller. Good luck, and at the very least it was bought via E-bay. The seller IS obligated to provide the car as described.
Gorgeous car, btw.
With that said, hopefully these are just a few unfortunate snags and it IS an honest seller. Good luck, and at the very least it was bought via E-bay. The seller IS obligated to provide the car as described.
Gorgeous car, btw.
Thanks for you comments. Much appreciated!
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Avon Lake OH
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Avon Lake OH
Thanks for your best wishes. Let's hope God is a Corvette lover!
I'll be sure to post a follow up of receiving the '95 and all the other mishaps and seller excuses (and stories) I had to endure, and that's beyond the "lost" title issue, but only after I have the car and the title.
The tale of this sale is something else. Stay tuned!
Thanks!
I'll be sure to post a follow up of receiving the '95 and all the other mishaps and seller excuses (and stories) I had to endure, and that's beyond the "lost" title issue, but only after I have the car and the title.
The tale of this sale is something else. Stay tuned!
Thanks!
Last edited by TFJM; Apr 21, 2015 at 10:06 PM. Reason: Comments added