Buying sight unseen?

[///M///]

How do you guys handle a transaction for a car that is going to be shipped? Example would be buying from a reputable forum member and having the car shipped over (buyer pays shipping). Have over a 100 pictures of the car and had a friend check it out.

How do you handle the transaction with the seller? Escrow.com? Not comfortable sending a cashiers check and then wait for seller to ship the car.

Just curious as I have seen it being done on this forum.

Thanks.

[Tommy L Garage]

I bought my 6 month old M from a dealer in Wisconsin.

Even though I had the $ they wouldn't accept my cashier's check until it cleared (3 days!) I wasn't willing to send them the check without seeing the car.

So I flew out there, saw the car, got 100% financing from the dealer and paid it off a few days later. This allowed me to see the car in person and decide on the spot whether I wanted it or not.

Buying from a private person is a different story. I sold my old car to someone from Detroit. The guy came in once, saw the car and left me a $1000 personal check deposit. Once that cleared he flew down a few days later with the money.

If you're buying from a private party you should pay a company to do a Pre Purchase Inspection (find them online). Then if all checks out you can wire the person the money through escrow.com. They'll ensure that the seller gets paid only when you get your product...

Be sure to speak to the person over the phone, maybe even skype with them with the car in the picture as well.

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by ///M///

How do you guys handle a transaction for a car that is going to be shipped? Example would be buying from a reputable forum member and having the car shipped over (buyer pays shipping). Have over a 100 pictures of the car and had a friend check it out.

How do you handle the transaction with the seller? Escrow.com? Not comfortable sending a cashiers check and then wait for seller to ship the car.

Just curious as I have seen it being done on this forum.

Thanks.

http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1448144

[MannyS]

Never buy a car or marry a woman just based on pics

[alex2364]

I would never buy a a used car sight unseen. New car maybe since you have more recourse if there is any damage.

[Tommy L Garage]

Best deals can be found by taking a bit of a risk

worked out for me!

[wdskukm3]

Originally Posted by MannyS

Never buy a car or marry a woman just based on pics

So True

[nicknaz]

New car from dealer, no problems... I've done it several times

used car.. I would only buy sight unseen from a trusted friend or family member

[stuka]

Always paint meter a used car.

[chetrickerman]

I bought mine from a dealer in Chicago, although the car came from California.

I was very nervous about it, but I made them send me dozens of pictures so I could verify everything was in good shape. I also made sure the full factory warranty was in place just in case.

So far the car has been a dream.

[ano0oj]

Bite the bullet on a same-day trip to that city, inspect/drive the car. Take pics if necessary

[Draper]

New, yes.

Used, never.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by ano0oj

Bite the bullet on a same-day trip to that city, inspect/drive the car. Take pics if necessary

+1

My only edit would be to get the PPI done at a respected 3rd party shop in advance of the day trip

[///M///]

Thanks guys. I think this thread went off track from what I was asking. I wanted to know how folks have handled the transaction with private party sellers. Did you use an escrow service? With dealers it is prett straightforward but I wasn't sure of the process with private party.

Anyways, I got it all sorted out.thanks