Buying from private seller long distance
03-10-2018, 12:55 PM
#1
Buying from private seller long distance
Are there companies that you can send the money to, and they will facilitate the purchase so you know you will get the car? I can find a shipper, so that's not an issue, I just want to make sure I don't send someone money for a car, and they just don't send me the car or let the shipper pick it up.
03-10-2018, 01:24 PM
#2
Le Mans Master
Where are you located? Where is the car located? Pre purchase inspection? Exchange of car service records or VIN to have your local dealer check?
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RynosaurRex (03-10-2018)
03-10-2018, 01:27 PM
#3
I'm in Nebraska. The car doesn't say exactly where, but it's 1100 miles away (cars.com only shows the miles away, not the location). I do plan to have a pre purchase inspection, but I'm more concerned about me sending the seller the money and them just not sending me the car.
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RynosaurRex (03-10-2018)
03-10-2018, 01:33 PM
#6
Melting Slicks
You should protect your investment and fly out and drive it home if it really meets your needs...That definitely is putting too much trust in a stranger. It's a little different with a business that can offer guarantees.
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RynosaurRex (03-10-2018)
03-10-2018, 02:54 PM
#8
Le Mans Master
There should be auto brokers that could do what you are seeking for a fee. The plane ticket would most likely cost you less and you are assured you aren’t getting the true “pig in a poke” if you drive the car yourself prior to purchase. Consider the expenses of the drive home to be less than a transport would cost you. AND you have a lot more fun.
As far as payment arrange in advance with your bank for a wire transfer to the seller’s bank. Go to the seller’s bank together for that transaction. Have the seller bring the title with him/her so the bank can Notarize the signatures on the bill of sale at the same time to avoid any potential DMV issues when you get home.
Make sure your insurance provider knows when you take possession of the car.
As far as payment arrange in advance with your bank for a wire transfer to the seller’s bank. Go to the seller’s bank together for that transaction. Have the seller bring the title with him/her so the bank can Notarize the signatures on the bill of sale at the same time to avoid any potential DMV issues when you get home.
Make sure your insurance provider knows when you take possession of the car.
Last edited by BADBIRDCAGE; 03-10-2018 at 02:56 PM.
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RynosaurRex (03-10-2018)
03-10-2018, 03:06 PM
#9
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St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
If you don't want to drive home, arrange to meet the shipping company at the time of transaction. Just a thought.
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RynosaurRex (03-10-2018)
03-10-2018, 03:08 PM
#10
There should be auto brokers that could do what you are seeking for a fee. The plane ticket would most likely cost you less and you are assured you aren’t getting the true “pig in a poke” if you drive the car yourself prior to purchase. Consider the expenses of the drive home to be less than a transport would cost you. AND you have a lot more fun.
As far as payment arrange in advance with your bank for a wire transfer to the seller’s bank. Go to the seller’s bank together for that transaction. Have the seller bring the title with him/her so the bank can Notarize the signatures on the bill of sale at the same time to avoid any potential DMV issues when you get home.
Make sure your insurance provider knows when you take possession of the car.
As far as payment arrange in advance with your bank for a wire transfer to the seller’s bank. Go to the seller’s bank together for that transaction. Have the seller bring the title with him/her so the bank can Notarize the signatures on the bill of sale at the same time to avoid any potential DMV issues when you get home.
Make sure your insurance provider knows when you take possession of the car.
03-10-2018, 03:09 PM
#11
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RynosaurRex (03-10-2018)
03-10-2018, 03:38 PM
#13
Safety Car
I'm in Nebraska. The car doesn't say exactly where, but it's 1100 miles away (cars.com only shows the miles away, not the location). I do plan to have a pre purchase inspection, but I'm more concerned about me sending the seller the money and them just not sending me the car.
For preliminary pre-purchase inspection, do a search for a mechanic or independent Corvette shop in the area where the thing is located, arrange with them to pay for your own inspection by them. That might save a plane ticket if the thing isn't as advertised.
A plane ticket might be cheaper than escrow fees. It also depends on how much you value your own time. For other long distance transactions, I've used Escrow.com. They offer their service for car purchases, but I've never done that through them. Check https://www.escrow.com/cars for details. I'm not affiliated with them in any way, just a customer who has used them for some other transactions.
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RynosaurRex (03-10-2018)
03-10-2018, 03:48 PM
#14
Le Mans Master
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Side note: I bought a 1970 El Camino SS a few years back from Wisconsin, sent money for car, had to wait like 5 days for it to get here and when it did I was relieved greatly that it made it in one piece. Come to find out that at a truck stop on the I-40 & Hwy 95 they had another trucker forget to set his brakes or some stupid stuff, he rolled into another truck that was fueling and caught fire, my truck had just pulled out.
Can you imagine the red tape I would have been in and no car or money
So you have every right to be nervous
Good luck
Can you imagine the red tape I would have been in and no car or money
So you have every right to be nervous
Good luck
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RynosaurRex (03-10-2018)
03-10-2018, 06:36 PM
#15
Side note: I bought a 1970 El Camino SS a few years back from Wisconsin, sent money for car, had to wait like 5 days for it to get here and when it did I was relieved greatly that it made it in one piece. Come to find out that at a truck stop on the I-40 & Hwy 95 they had another trucker forget to set his brakes or some stupid stuff, he rolled into another truck that was fueling and caught fire, my truck had just pulled out.
Can you imagine the red tape I would have been in and no car or money
So you have every right to be nervous
Good luck
Can you imagine the red tape I would have been in and no car or money
So you have every right to be nervous
Good luck
03-10-2018, 07:53 PM
#16
Le Mans Master
I have asked friends/acquaintances to look at faraway cars for me, but only to rule it out. If it came down to a purchase, I'd have to fly out in person.
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RynosaurRex (03-10-2018)
03-10-2018, 08:47 PM
#17
Instructor
There are escrow services out there for purchasing cars from out of state buyers,I looked into one when I bought mine but decided to drive the 14 hours instead
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RynosaurRex (03-10-2018)
03-10-2018, 09:21 PM
#18
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I sold my C3 to a person in Australia. He had a guy come out with a trailer and the cash.
He hired this co to drive 700 miles and look at the car. Take it for a drive and make sure all safety equipment worked and pulled it on the trailer.
Took 20 minutes.
He hired this co to drive 700 miles and look at the car. Take it for a drive and make sure all safety equipment worked and pulled it on the trailer.
Took 20 minutes.
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RynosaurRex (03-10-2018)
03-10-2018, 09:48 PM
#19
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
I've used escrow.com for about $1K worth of wheels. Worked very well.
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RynosaurRex (03-10-2018)
03-10-2018, 11:36 PM
#20
Le Mans Master
Thanks for the reply! Auto brokers might be what I'm looking for, I'll check into that. If I don't have to travel across the country to get my car, I'd prefer that, but I hear you on getting a first hand test drive. I'm going to be getting an inspection done, and these cars are pretty reliable, so I will definitely look into a broker. Thanks!
It's only 1100 miles...That is only a drive across Texas....Fly to wherever it is and have a nice drive home and you will save yourself some headaches and a few hundred bucks..Good Luck