kbuhagiar Posted October 12, 2012 Report Posted October 12, 2012 Hello folks, I need to sound off on something. I am assisting a good friend find a 63 Riviera. We found one on Ebay that also happens to be local (San Francisco Bay Area). Contacted the seller, explained that we are just down the road and would like to take a look at the car before buying. Seller responded by saying that he will not be showing the car in person because he is afraid of Craigslist-type bad stuff happening to people who are selling cars. I replied with a conciliatory note, explaining that I understand his concerns, and asking him what situation would make him feel the most comfortable in order to be able to see the car before bidding (because just about every normal buyer in existence would rather see the car first???!!!). "Nope, cant see the car. That's why I won't sell on CL, I only do Ebay now" Really? I'm blown away on several levels. First of all, this fear of Craigslist has been way overblown by the media. Sure, you have to be careful, but you also had to exercise the same common sense back in the days of newspaper want ads. Same thing, different media. Second, are there that many people out there who are willing to purchase a car sight unseen that the seller is willing to flip the bird to someone who wants to see a vehicle in person? Third, and most basically, you have to ask what the seller is trying to hide? The seller appears to be an experienced Ebay buyer/seller with many years of experience. It wouldn't appear that he would be a fly-by-night sort of folk. I find this situation to be extremely frustrating. Am I missing something? Are there so many gullible buyers these days that the sellers feel they can dictate idiotic terms such as this? OK, I feel better. Thanks. Quote
oldmopar Posted October 12, 2012 Report Posted October 12, 2012 Either it is a scam and he does not have the car or he is a screwball . I would forget that car and look for another one Quote
Oldguy48 Posted October 12, 2012 Report Posted October 12, 2012 Sounds fishy to me. I just read a post on the H.A.M.B. about a guy who said he advertised his 38 Chevy on Craigslist. To his surprise, a listing showed up on Ebay for that very same car, with someone else listed as the seller. Could be the same kind of scam going on. Quote
Young Ed Posted October 13, 2012 Report Posted October 13, 2012 What does he expect to do when someone buys?? He's going to have to deal with someone in person eventually. If it was something I really wanted and it looked ok I'd buy it via ebay and then if it was a POS refuse to pay when I went to pick it up. Quote
JBNeal Posted October 13, 2012 Report Posted October 13, 2012 one test: have'm take a pic of the car with a newspaper on it (or some other inanimate object)...if they cain't do that, then it's just pie in the sky. As for CL, I had an odd experience in Oklahoma looking for a parts truck. The ad was placed in OKC, the guy tells me that it's near Kingfisher, then once I crossed the Red River, sent me onto Hennessy...then tells me to drive thru Hennessy, dang near to Kansas...a total of nearly 100 miles further away than we had originally discussed, out in the middle of nowhere...you could almost hear the banjo music playing. Sure enough, the truck was in much worse shape than his pictures showed, and I walked away with a few odds & ends instead of the entire truck, as he had nearly doubled the price of the truck once I laid eyes on the beast. Up until that point, I thought the CL stories were all hokum, but now I can see how squirrelly folks can make folks see what they want to see and trouble can ensue. Quote
Captain Neon Posted October 13, 2012 Report Posted October 13, 2012 If a stranger will not meet in the parking lot of a police station: run, don't walk, away. Quote
kbuhagiar Posted October 13, 2012 Author Report Posted October 13, 2012 (edited) What does he expect to do when someone buys?? He's going to have to deal with someone in person eventually. My sentiments exactly - at some point he's going to have to make physical contact with another human, and what's stopping his boogeyman from showing up then? If it was something I really wanted and it looked ok I'd buy it via ebay and then if it was a POS refuse to pay when I went to pick it up. That is under consideration, as we figure we would have a solid case against any protest ('we wanted to look at the car but he wouldn't let us'). If a stranger will not meet in the parking lot of a police station: run, don't walk, away. Exactly - he wouldn't even propose any alternate meeting condition that would alleviate his 'concerns'. Edited October 13, 2012 by kbuhagiar Quote
dezeldoc Posted October 13, 2012 Report Posted October 13, 2012 If he has your ebay name he has no real problems as ebay cooperates with law enforcement so if you did anything fishy all he would have to do is contact the popo and report it and ebay would turn your info over to them. Me thinks the guy is a nut case. Quote
40P10touring sedan Posted October 13, 2012 Report Posted October 13, 2012 Ebay policy is that you can hire someone to go look at it, but sheesh, if your close by there's no reason that you can't do it...have him call a sherif or local cop over to assist in the viewing if he's that paranoid, otherwise it sounds fishy.. I tried long ago to buy a '68 GP over in michigan and asked the seller to take 2 pics for me to confirm what I thought I saw on the cars kick and rear panels{bad rust} but she wouldn't do it...4 auctions later she finally did and I was right...pretty bad and not worth the asked money. Maybe ask the guy for a ton of pics...tell him exactly what you want to see. Quote
kbuhagiar Posted October 13, 2012 Author Report Posted October 13, 2012 Maybe ask the guy for a ton of pics...tell him exactly what you want to see. Actually he's been very good with pictures, he has sent over several that my friend has requested... If he has your ebay name he has no real problems as ebay cooperates with law enforcement so if you did anything fishy all he would have to do is contact the popo and report it and ebay would turn your info over to them. Me thinks the guy is a nut case. Yeah, I'm starting to think so too... Quote
48mirage Posted October 13, 2012 Report Posted October 13, 2012 If time still allows file a complaint with ebay that the seller refuses to allow a vehicle inspection. That should raise some red flags with them. Quote
mfccwhite Posted October 14, 2012 Report Posted October 14, 2012 (edited) Sounds fishy to me. I checked ebay and the current bid is $3400 and no reserve for the pictured white '63 Riv (I'm guessing it is the same car). In my opinion, the pictured car is worth way more. It sounds too good to be true. I think this seller is someone who will just post their car for all to see, but has no interest in selling (those type of people are out there). As upsetting as it is, I would not pursue the car. Perhaps look for one from a dealer on ebay. They are out there, but finding one like the one you want may be more difficult. Good luck. Edited October 14, 2012 by mfccwhite Quote
thrashingcows Posted October 14, 2012 Report Posted October 14, 2012 Sounds fishy to me. I just read a post on the H.A.M.B. about a guy who said he advertised his 38 Chevy on Craigslist. To his surprise, a listing showed up on Ebay for that very same car, with someone else listed as the seller. Could be the same kind of scam going on. I've seen/heard of car listed like this as well...could be what's happening? If time still allows file a complaint with ebay that the seller refuses to allow a vehicle inspection. That should raise some red flags with them. This is a really good idea. Quote
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