I might be buying a car in New Jersey. I have a reputable Buick guy going to inspect it for me, as I cannot get away from work anytime soon. I will have it transported back to Chicago. My question is, what is a safe way to pay the person for the car, without me handing him cash?
Buying a car long distance
- Thread starter DCVING 6
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I have had good success with using Official Bank Checks, some call it a Certified Check. Just get one from your bank, they will put the persons name with whatever notes on the bottom of the check, and other info on the stub portion. If you have your friend take the check to him when he goes to pick up the car, it would be as simple as arranging for him to go with the car owner to his bank and either deposit or cash it right then. Also, if the check has the stub still attached, this further helps prove that it actually came from a real bank, and not someones personal computer. You could even go so far as to write down your local branchs phone number and the tellers name that made out the check if they wanted further verification as to who and where the check came from. Have your friend keep the stub and either send it back with the car, or mail the stub back to you. It's always best to cover all the bases when making purchases like this site unseen.
This has been the best way I've found. Also, official bank checks are printed on specific paper similar to what paper money is printed on.
Just a thought.
Patrick
This has been the best way I've found. Also, official bank checks are printed on specific paper similar to what paper money is printed on.
Just a thought.
Patrick
I hope the person looking at it for you has the same "vision" that you have when ya get the carI just flew to Miami and drove the car back to Boston .... good luck :biggrin:
He's a Buick guy, ASE master tech, and used to do prepurchase inspections for a living, so I am going to go off of what he says for now. If he feels there is anything I might be worried by, I will drive out for a look.
I do understand what your saying though.
He's a Buick guy, ASE master tech, and used to do prepurchase inspections for a living, so I am going to go off of what he says for now. If he feels there is anything I might be worried by, I will drive out for a look.
I do understand what your saying though.
oh ok ...sounds good to me
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Bank wire/ why? So when you go to view the car where ever and its not as nice as you thought it would be, you back out and guess what?
No moola...
Take a tellers check or a bank check, then what happens if the car isnt as nice as it was represented? Take some cash, and also take the check lower than the agreed amount. Ive had to do this.
How long is the trip?
BW
It's around 725 miles, mapquest says 12.5 hours. Guess I will just take a Friday off work and make it a weekend.
I think you missed the part where he said he was buying the car site unseen. He was worried cash/cahsiers check could burn him. Mnaybe go back and reread it.
I just bought a car in FL. I decided to take the time off work and spend the $250 on a flight before handing over $19k.
I agree with you though. It is not worth cutting corners when making a car purchase.
Gary Wells
White turbo Buick trailer park trash
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I would never ever make a major purchase such as a turbo Buick sight unseen, and through my eyes too. I would rather be mad at myself for taking the time off of work and going through the hassle of flying where-ever, cross country and back if necesary, than be mad at myself for blowing 20K, or be mad at mysely and the person checking the car for blowing 20K.
Good luck with the purchase. I have heard that as many as 90% of the people that purchase cars sight unseen are not happy with their purchase. I would rather pay more money and at least have a shot at being one of the other 10% catagory. I know that Dan wouldn't either.
Good luck with the purchase. I have heard that as many as 90% of the people that purchase cars sight unseen are not happy with their purchase. I would rather pay more money and at least have a shot at being one of the other 10% catagory. I know that Dan wouldn't either.
I just bought a TTA from Florida. Here is what I did. I took 2 days off work, flew down there looked at the car. Then took the guy to my bank down there and paid him. Then had the car shipped back. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
Bought sight unseen
I've bought my last two TR's sight unseen and had transported from across the country. Very happy w/ both purchases.
You need good dialogue & trust. Pics are worthless so try for a video if the seller has the ability.
As far as $ transfer you can type up a bill of sale w/ each party having a signed copy and then have the seller mail the title so the car is yours even though it's out of state. Thn send a back check for payment.
Good luck.
I've bought my last two TR's sight unseen and had transported from across the country. Very happy w/ both purchases.
You need good dialogue & trust. Pics are worthless so try for a video if the seller has the ability.
As far as $ transfer you can type up a bill of sale w/ each party having a signed copy and then have the seller mail the title so the car is yours even though it's out of state. Thn send a back check for payment.
Good luck.
TT/Ameasap
The White Blur
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And get the title before you leave. Posession is 9 tenths.:biggrin:
DCVING6 has the right ideal up to a point. Have a know quality certified inspector go and look at the car first to make sure it is what the seller claims.
THEN fly or drive yourself there to look at the car and make the final decision.
Like most people was saying, better to waste a little money than a lots.
Going to his bank after you are happy and doing a wire transfer is good. The bank can noterize the title and a bill of sale at the same time.
Gary
THEN fly or drive yourself there to look at the car and make the final decision.
Like most people was saying, better to waste a little money than a lots.
Going to his bank after you are happy and doing a wire transfer is good. The bank can noterize the title and a bill of sale at the same time.
Gary
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I think you missed the part where he said he was buying the car site unseen. He was worried cash/cahsiers check could burn him. Mnaybe go back and reread it.
I just bought a car in FL. I decided to take the time off work and spend the $250 on a flight before handing over $19k.
I agree with you though. It is not worth cutting corners when making a car purchase.
I didnt really say it out loud, but i was assuming that he might catch on to take a check for not the full amount and a little cash for "room to work" on the total price of the car.
Basically, if the guy is asking 12k for the car, they agree on that price. If he gets there and the car isnt represented as it was, then he may still want to buy the car... and they agree on a price for less, then what do you do if you only have a check for 12K? Drive back home and get the check rewritten??
If he took a check for 9K and 3K cash, then maybe he might get the car for 11.5 or so.
Then again, he could just walk away if the car isnt as nice as everyone thought.
Im just saying that sometimes its best to plan ahead when buying cars.
I wished i had done the above when i went to chicago and picked up a car a few years back.
I was in the situation to buy the car with the check i had in my hand for full amout, the car turned out to have alot of issues, and i chose to buy it.... I now look back and wish i had taken a check in his name, and cash for wiggle room....
I would have felt better paying less, cause the car had "issues" that werent described in the ad.
Ive owned alot of cars.
BW
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