[slither]

Well no better folks to ask than my fellow forum members. I've got an offer on the hook that I would be silly to refuse. My fiance and I discussed it and of course fuel mileage is an issue. She has an 01' Hyundai Elantra with about 120K on it. It still runs decent but is not good during the winter here in the Northeast. The FJ we're considering is a loaded auto pretty much all stock with the exception of sliders and TRD wheels. It's an awesome deal however the vehicle is in another state which would require me to fly my father down and pick it up and bring it back. The owner wants a wire transfer to his bank account. Is there anyway for me to have some kind of insurance on my deposit and final payment? What would y'all recommend I do so that both parties are insured against fraud? He wants a deposit and wire tranfer to his bank account upon which he will overnight me the title so I can insure and recieve the vehicle. I don't think I'm comfortable with that. Please post any ideas that are suitable for both parties. I need some input. Thanks!

 

[slither]

Come on guys, 8 views and no replies. I know someone has some input!

 

[sephcm]

Sounds kinda fishy to me. A certified check would do the trick, delivered when he hands over the title. Do you need do the title transfer at with a notoary or dept. of motor vehicles?

 

[FJCoastie]

If the vehicle seems to good to be true it probably is. Most wire transfers are untraceable. Once the guy gets your money. you may never see that individual or your money again. Also be careful dealing from state to state. If you really want the vehicle and it is really worth it, fly your father down, with a POA, and have him look at the vehicle. Have him drive it and give the guy the money personally.

I have a co-worker that was burned on E-bay and never received his money back because he sent a wire transfer rather than using Pay-pal. I am just to cautious so I may not be the right person whose reply you may want to follow, but I say don't do it unless you see the person and vehicle in person. Good luck on your decision and two FJ's would be too cool.

 

[BendFJ]

Don't do it. This sounds fishy. I think you should deal locally. If I was in the market for another vehicle... I'd look into a more fuel efficient ride. I just purchased a Fleetwood E-3 tent trailer and now I'm considering a Tundra to pull it. Although seems like I'm going backwards here?!?! How sweet a deal are you looking at with this out of state seller? Are you interested in my FJ?
BendFJ

Well no better folks to ask than my fellow forum members. I've got an offer on the hook that I would be silly to refuse. My fiance and I discussed it and of course fuel mileage is an issue. She has an 01' Hyundai Elantra with about 120K on it. It still runs decent but is not good during the winter here in the Northeast. The FJ we're considering is a loaded auto pretty much all stock with the exception of sliders and TRD wheels. It's an awesome deal however the vehicle is in another state which would require me to fly my father down and pick it up and bring it back. The owner wants a wire transfer to his bank account. Is there anyway for me to have some kind of insurance on my deposit and final payment? What would y'all recommend I do so that both parties are insured against fraud? He wants a deposit and wire tranfer to his bank account upon which he will overnight me the title so I can insure and recieve the vehicle. I don't think I'm comfortable with that. Please post any ideas that are suitable for both parties. I need some input. Thanks!

 

[Mikey D.]

Why not send your father down with the money and let him eye-ball the FJ first to keep it on the up and up...dad can send you pix of the FJ via cellphone so you can have the final say. If it falls through then at least dad got a mini-vacation out of it.

If the owner won't agree to those terms then I'd look somewhere else...my .02!

Good luck!

Mike

 

[XJ Cruiser]

Yea a "Great deal on a loaded FJ in another state only purchaseable through wire transfer and mailed title" doesn't sound too legit.

Go buy a used corolla or civic and feel better

 

[RabidPooch]

There is some type of holding company where they hold the money and title until both of you have signed off on the deal.

I don't know what it is called exactly, but I was told about this type of business insurance for transactions when I was thinking of doing some business deals I wanted to make sure were legit.

At the time, my plan was to import product, but I think it can be done in a similar way for a car transaction.

That is the only way I would trust doing this deal.

 

[firemedic]

I have to agree with all the guys -it just sounds to fishy. Try telling the seller that you are gonna go ahead and send you dad to visually "inspect" the vehicle and that money will be exchanged in person. Hell, tell the seller anything other than what he has proposed and guage his reaction. If he is okay with your father coming into town or okay with other options for the exchange of money than maybe it's not so fishy. However, if he is against meeting your father and/or refuses to budge from the wire transfer...RUN!

 

[Blackicebob]

Just remember: Any purchase or transaction is a negotiated deal. The seller told you what he wants, and you have not negotiated on your part at all. Just let the seller know that your dad will come down to look at the FJ--with certified funds in hand--ready to make the deal. If the seller squabbles, then back out. Just tell the guy "Well, if you change your mind, just give me a call. I would be happy to negotiate."

By the way, where is the FJ? There might be someone on the forum that is trustworthy enough to go check it out!

VDBob

 

[nativejim]

yeah I would have to agree with everyone on this one. It sounds to fishy for me. I think having someone on forum or you Dad just going thee would be best. If this guy is legit then he should have no problems dealing with ya...
Good luck amigo and do keep us posted.....:bandit:

 

[KD7NAC_07FJ]

It could possibly be a legitimate transaction but it sounds WAY to close the the good ol' Nigeria scam to me.

The only way to tell would be to go there in person.

You don't need a title to insure a vehicle, only the VIN - that is national. I have purchased vehicles from other states many times. All the insurance company needs to know is that it is "license-able" and what kind of vehicle it is so they can decide how much extortion they can get from you.

If the seller is willing to give you the VIN your next step is to CarFax it and find out it's history.

Do not under any circumstances wire any money to anyone until you have seen the vehicle and have the keys and title (or notarized proof of sale) in hand.

If the seller is not understanding of your need to protect yourself - walk!

If your Dad can be the go between that sounds like a good idea.

 

[breauxtus]

I agree on the fishy smell here.

However, there have been huge scams with "certified checks" and if this guy is legit, he may not go for it.

If he's legit, he will go for this:

Call him and tell him you'll fly your dad down to inspect, pre-drive the vehicle. Once your dad calls the ball green, you will wire the mail to the appropriate account and your dad can go to the guy's financial institution with him and once the loot shows in the account, he gets title and bill of sale notarized by financial institution. Everything is protected then.

 

[slither]

Just remember: Any purchase or transaction is a negotiated deal. The seller told you what he wants, and you have not negotiated on your part at all. Just let the seller know that your dad will come down to look at the FJ--with certified funds in hand--ready to make the deal. If the seller squabbles, then back out. Just tell the guy "Well, if you change your mind, just give me a call. I would be happy to negotiate."

By the way, where is the FJ? There might be someone on the forum that is trustworthy enough to go check it out!

VDBob

Actually I got a PM from someone who has vouched for him. Everything is Green light as far as finances, picking it up, and getting it back. I just need to be secure with actual payment. I'll know better after I get to talk to him in person. My father said he'd fly down, I'm a contractor and have to many projects going on right now to take the flight and drive back. The owner is a forum member and has posted on here since 06'. I appreciate the feedback and hopefully the other forum member doesn't take offense to this thread if he reads it. Just can't be too careful these days. I'm a PayPal fan because PayPal insures you against fraud. We'll see what happens. If it's meant to be i'll have another FJ by the end of next week.

 

[5150 Cruiser]

Actually I got a PM from someone who has vouched for him. Everything is Green light as far as finances, picking it up, and getting it back. I just need to be secure with actual payment. I'll know better after I get to talk to him in person. My father said he'd fly down, I'm a contractor and have to many projects going on right now to take the flight and drive back. The owner is a forum member and has posted on here since 06'. I appreciate the feedback and hopefully the other forum member doesn't take offense to this thread if he reads it. Just can't be too careful these days. I'm a PayPal fan because PayPal insures you against fraud. We'll see what happens. If it's meant to be i'll have another FJ by the end of next week.

Even though he's a forum memeber i'd still do what you can to prtect yourself. Just cause somone posts on a web site about there mods, trail adventures doesn't nessasarly make them a trust worthy person when it comes to major purchases or selling stuff on the internet. Even if a couple of people here vouch for him. Bottom line is you don't know him any more than the guy that posts just before, or after you.
When i was in my rice rocket days, people would post for days on VW borads, offer stuff for sale, then get the money and never be heard from again. I'm not trying to put down the forum memeber that is selling you this FJ that is such a fantasic deal, but he should also be understanding that you need to protect yourself. There's nothing wrong with wanting to do a certified check, holding company or as you preffered and probbly the best option Paypal if he is demeanding full payment up front. If everything is legit on his end then he should have no problem with somone coming and checking out the truck before any money is transfered. Your not disrespecting him in any way for wanting to take a differnt route with payment than he is sugjesting.

Good luck, and may the force be with you!

 

[stringmachine]

been there done that slither. do not wire it to his bank account. first either use Pay pal. or get a cashiers check in your hand and fly there and meet him in a public place and make arrangements for him to drive the fj to the meeting spot. and then make sure he has the clear title in his hand upon your meet. also do get the vin before hand and do a backgound check on the title and the fj.. my 02 NEVER SEND MONEY TO ANYONES BANK ACCOUNT. unless you know them real well and have a trusting reason to do so.. hope this helps be safe... be careful...:bandit:

and then maybe you should take 5150 with you on your trip he is armed and dangerous.. lol!

You can never be too careful these days..

Like I said your a fool to send cash to his bank account in this situation. I trusted in a situation like this and was burned..

 

[5150 Cruiser]

and then maybe you should take 5150 with you on your trip he is armed and dangerous.. lol!

.

I am in the middle of designing a shot gun rack for the Fj....:rocker:

 

[nativejim]

I am in the middle of designing a shot gun rack for the Fj....:rocker:

Inside roof mount? I can see a 10 gauge Roadblocker mounted to the inside roof with a quick release system. Now that would be cooooollllll! :bandit:

 

[Blackicebob]

I am in the middle of designing a shot gun rack for the Fj....:rocker:

Or you could take Uphill....he already has the shotgun (with gun affixed) in his FJ.... :rocker:

 

[5150 Cruiser]

Inside roof mount? I can see a 10 gauge Roadblocker mounted to the inside roof with a quick release system. Now that would be cooooollllll! :bandit:

Yup. Going to be an inside roof mounted rack that will span the lenth between the the rear suicide door latches. Its going to be for an employee of a goverment agencie, and this is were he wants its. Its going to be preety labor intensive since i'm going to have to mount the main supports between the roof and the air bag so it doesn't interfier with the deployment of the airbag. So yes, i'll have to make holes in the head liner for the quick realse and end mounts. Should be interesting.

Or you could take Uphill....he already has the shotgun (with gun affixed) in his FJ.... :rocker:

Really? I'll have to check out his build thread.

Sorry to thread hijack. Now back to your regularly scedualed program.