Ever shipped a car?? This a scam or not??

Ok, I would say that I'm a pretty good judge of who's a scammer and who's not. I've been selling online for probably 13 years (ebay, craigslist, forums, and other places). I need some good advise on this situation guys.

I've had my 2010 Tacoma listed on Ebay for a couple of weeks (set price, open to offers). Last night I had a guy from Arkansas (I'm in FL) start asking me a bunch of questions related to the vehicle. Made a few offers til he reached my bottom dollar where I had to accept the offer. I didn't really respond too much because I was leery about shipping the vehicle.

This morning after I didn't write him back for a couple of hours he went ahead and purchased the truck for my buy it now price (which was only $1000 more than his offer) and I now I have a $500 deposit sitting in my paypal account.

Ok, he has been an Ebay member since 2008 and has 100% with 48 feedback ratings. All look to be legit. Gives me his number and I call him. Sounds like a country boy and wants the truck but wants to ship it. Doesn't really know much about shipping and wants me to help him ship it. I'm still pretty skeptical at this point.

I told him that I need the full amount before I will release the truck to ANY shipper. He said he would get the money together this week and I told him I would look into shipping this week (and research this whole subject).

What type of guaranteed payment can I accept other than cash and not get scammed?? I know people ship cars all of the time but I'm really torn on this one.

Here is the listing.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221359131206...84.m1561.l2649

 

paypal maybe? or have him western union you the money straight into your bank account? I western union my dad money for stuff quite a few times it takes about 1-2 days to go through. or he could call his bank and do a wire transfer (don't know if you'd want him having your account and routing number though).

 

I would be leery as hell. Something doesn't seem right. This guy can't find a truck in his "local area?" Is $24k the selling price? If so, he's willing to pay shipping costs on top of that, really.

But then I stay away from this kind of big ticket item purchases long distance over the internet for a reason. My two cents. Good luck figuring it out.

 

or you could tell him you accept his original offer and keep the $1000 that he added to do your but it now price and find a way down to florida to pick the truck up himself and drive it back. a plane ticket from arkansas to florida can't be that much. more of a hassle then anything, but i think you're in control since it's your truck.

 

Thanks guys. Yes, $24k was the selling price and he's willing to ship on top of that. Still debating...

 

tell him to send a personal / bank check and don't release the truck until it clears.

 

Can't those be bad even if they "clear"

 

ya I just looked it up the personal checks can clear and then bounce later but Im not sure about the bank checks or you can ask for a money order too

 

Call these guys and ASK ALL OF THESE QUESTIONS.....They do it for a living.. http://www.unitedroad.com/car-shipping-fl-car-shipping-florida-fl.html

 

Payment by wire then ship or no deal

 

either his bank should arrange payment with you or he provides the cash. I dont think its a scam, some places nice used tacos with the options you want are hard to find. for instance i couldnt find a 4wd that wasnt silver so I ended up settling on mine. I would allow him the chance to arrange whatever he needs to do with his bank, etc. since its the price you wanted, then ship once your bank is good with the transaction, etc.

 

As with anything you but online (tools, books, parts, appliances and vehicles)....If it's paid in full, then it's shipped.

PayPal or not, you need to be paid first before you let it go.

 

X2

 

Bank check (not a personal check)from him into your account is a guarrantee of funds. If he sends a personal check, it must clear before you ship it. period.

 

Tell him to keep the $1000 he over paid and use it to get a plane ticket, fly in, pay you cash, drive taco home

 

eBay recommends an escrow service for selling or purchasing vehicles called, Escrow.com. I think to use the service you would have had to mention your wanting to use the escrow service in the listing so the buyer was aware of the way the funds would transfer. It is not a free service, there are fees involved, but when you are waiting to receive that large an amount from a buyer, I am sure you want some protection regardless of cost.

I have shipped a car in the past, but it was one that I had owned, and it went to a family member in DC. The shipping part was very easily arranged with a pick up at my door and drop off at the delivery door three days later.

Sorry I could not be of more assistance on the funding process, but I am anxious to hear how you handle the situation and how it is resolved. I know some of the postings are suggesting a money order for the transfer of funds. I am not sure of the limit on the amount money orders can be purchased for, but I don't think it would apply in your situation.

Good luck.

 

Really appreciate all the info guys. I have decided to try and work it out under these conditions. He wires the money to my account and takes care of the shipping arrangements. I will only ship once I have the funds in full. Will let you know how it turns out.

 

I was thinking escrow as well for such a large transaction. This way both parties are protected.

 

I have experience with this. About two years ago I bought a truck on Ebay. Truck was located in Colorado and I live in Hawaii! The seller and I agreed that I would FEDEX him a cashiers check for the amount of the truck. He then deposited the check and when it cleared he sent me the title and registration certified mail. My insurance company got with the local company in Colorado and I even had the truck fully insured when it was shipped over. I set everything up with the shipper myself, I paid the shipper with my credit card and the truck was picked up at the sellers house in Colorado and trucked to Oakland and then put on a boat to Hawaii.


I used Dependable Auto Shippers. They sub contract to a lower bidder, like Shipping Wars on TV. The truck arrived dirty with a few scratches. But, I was able to track the truck throughout the process. Also, take a lot of pictures of the truck when its being loaded up. That way you can email the guy pics of what it looked like before it gets to him.


One more thing. See if both of your banks agree to do a wire transfer, its a lot less stressful then waiting on a check in the mail.

 

As long as you can get the funds cleared I'd have no problem with it. Some people would just rather pay a little more than deal with having to buy a plane ticket, possibly taking some time off work, etc to travel somewhere and drive a vehicle back.

I believe you're over on The Hull Truth, OP. Look at how many people ship boats there. Sure, maybe apples to oranges to an extent, but I'm sure plenty of people ship rather than dealing with having to go and tow a boat back. I know personally I'd rather just pay a little bit more to have it shipped myself.