autotrader.com - serious issue plz help

dice

Senior Don Juan
Joined
Mar 22, 2004
Messages
304
Reaction score
5
Hello I am trying to buy a car from autotrader.com and most of the people that I email saying I am interested reply saying they are outside of the United States. I've gotten emails mostly from peopel saying they're in the UK accompanied by some emergency issue (son had heart attack, father died) and why they are selling their car. I even got an email supposedly from athens, greece. My question to all of you is should i trust these people because it seems very shady to me and I don't want to pay for something and get screwed. Im asking here because you guys are all like me and I respect your opinions. Thanks in advance.
 

spider_007

Master Don Juan
Joined
Mar 23, 2005
Messages
3,073
Reaction score
16
Location
ontario
i was under the impresion that auto trader had offices (they have an office in my city) go there and talk to them.

I personaly have a problem buying cars period (in person). imagine the trouble you could get into by buying one over the net or from a catalog.
 

Derek Flint

Master Don Juan
Joined
Nov 24, 2002
Messages
1,737
Reaction score
41
Location
Marin County, CA - just North of San Francisco
9 out of 10 times, it's a scam.

Usually involves a Cashiers Check.

Do a Google search.
 

dice

Senior Don Juan
Joined
Mar 22, 2004
Messages
304
Reaction score
5
many of them talk about using something called bidpay, but just the oddness of this makes me want to not even pursue this
 

Peace and Quiet

If you currently have too many women chasing you, calling you, harassing you, knocking on your door at 2 o'clock in the morning... then I have the simple solution for you.

Just read my free ebook 22 Rules for Massive Success With Women and do the opposite of what I recommend.

This will quickly drive all women away from you.

And you will be able to relax and to live your life in peace and quiet.

Desdinova

Master Don Juan
Joined
Nov 15, 2004
Messages
11,639
Reaction score
4,717
In my area, we have catalogs specifically designated to buying and selling cars. People have to pay to have their ad put in print.

You're better off going this route. Scammers want to make money for nothing. They'll pretty much stay away from things like newspapers.
 

diablo

Master Don Juan
Joined
Mar 2, 2004
Messages
4,685
Reaction score
8
Location
Louisiana, USA
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Sorry, but you're not going to find a McLaren F1 for $9,000 USD with free international shipping... speaking of, it costs $600+ just to get it shipped from one part of the US to the other (I know because I've been pricing cars on ebaymotors) - can you imagine how prohibitive the cost would be to transport a vehicle overseas?

Another thing, never give your money away with no form of recourse - to do so is asking to be taken advantage of.

If you've decided that the thousands of dollars it will cost to ship the car here is acceptable, and you think you've found a great deal on a car, why not spend a few extra hundred and hire an attorney in that area to go verify the car exists and the owner is indeed selling it before you make any sort of commitment? If it's a scam you're just out a few hundred bucks instead of the thousands upon thousands you'll lose if you don't follow this advice.

Best bet? Keep your shopping in the US, where you can actually fly or drive to see the car before buying it...
 
Top