How do you keep from getting screwed on transactions?

[jcal87]

I find a lot of really good deals on here as well as ebay and craigslist. but when were talking about thousands of dollars or even hundreds of dollars how do you guys go about making these transactions and not feel worried. i mean what if junior member bobby bo shea is selling his 68 camaro which you like, but wants you to send him the money first,how can you be sure little Ole bobby is gonna send the car, or let alone even have the car is there a certain way of doing this that i have not received the memo on? because there has be quite a few things on here i have been seriously interested on but was afraid to pursue due to this. i almost just wont consider it if its not driving distance from me. Help me out here guys alot of you on here i have really gotten to know and respect and others i havent as much as i would like to. but if theres a secure way to do this stuff then great .if its where johnbegood did business with leeroyjenkins and he said the product came fast and on time thats good to word of mouth. i just want to know

[ProdigyCustoms]

If it is a site un seen car purchase, I like to get my bank manager and his bank manager togther. Have his bank manager get possesion of the title and let his bank manager let my bank manager know when she has the title and to wire money. Then his bank manager Fed Exs the title to my bank manager.

Then you just have to hope the description was accurate.

[tones2SS]

Becareful of Craigslist.
I've seen reports on FOX News that people are meeting the potential "buyers" at a vacant lot or a place where there are not many people around and getting robbed of their possessions.

[JamesJ]

To make sure that the car or thing is real you can always have the person take a picture with some instructions you give him, like say hold three fingers up next to the car

[jcal87]

lol by the way i was on ambein when i wrote that post so if it sounds a little screwy thats why but what about car parts UCA LCA's wheels etc?

[bucks69]

Originally Posted by jcal87

lol by the way i was on ambein when i wrote that post so if it sounds a little screwy thats why but what about car parts UCA LCA's wheels etc?

Ambien...LOL I know that all too well..

[Blown353]

Originally Posted by tones2SS

Becareful of Craigslist.
I've seen reports on FOX News that people are meeting the potential "buyers" at a vacant lot or a place where there are not many people around and getting robbed of their possessions.

Yep, I set up meetings at busy public places and usually bring 2 friends along: one living and breathing and the other says .45 ACP on it.

Never had to use either, but you never know...

As far as internet deals on Ebay, this message board and other message boards for car parts and other stuff-- maybe I've been lucky but I've never been burned either by a flat out scam or an item not as advertised. UPS may have screwed up 1 or 2 items in shipment but that's it. My biggest piece of advice is to keep on your toes and if something doesn't feel right about the deal or seller-- it probably isn't, so walk away.

I don't know if I could buy a car or a very high dollar item though sight unseen-- pictures can hide a lot of flaws and my definition of "excellent condition" is not what it means to others; I've gone to look at "really nice" cars before that turned out to be total turds in my opinion. It works 2 ways though-- when I sold 2 of my cars and described them as "excellent" the guys who ended up purchasing them were a bit hesitant over the phone but in person they couldn't get their wallets out fast enough and there was ZERO haggling; they paid my asking price no questions asked. The last guy who bought a car from me actually sent a thank you card after the purchase saying he still couldn't believe the car was almost 4 years old with 40K miles (when is the last time a used car buyer did that?!?!); the tint guy he took the car to after buying it from me couldn't believe the age & condition either.

My rule of thumb is this: if the item is high enough in price that you can't walk away from the money when it either doesn't arrive at all or if it arrives in a condition not exactly as advertised you had better either go see it in person or just walk away.

As far as ways to protect yourself, for items under a few thousand USPS Money Order(s) are the way to go. The USPS does not take kindly to fraud conducted via their federal system and the postal inspector has no problem going after people and slapping them with federal charges for mail fraud when you send off a USPS MO and then the buyer does not ship the item.

[GM Muscle]

i pretty much do what frank said as far as cars go.. and i ALWAYS have my
XD40 on me if im meeting anyone.. :nod: