It sounds really fishy. Seller has the vin number and a lot of pictures. Price is too low for what it is. He says car will be delivered to my house, I have 5 days to test drive and I can reject if it is not what was promised. Money stays in escrow with ebay until I release funds. A lot of weird reasons why I can't see it before. he says he started to send the car to the previous purchaser but his loan didn't go through so it's stuck in transit warehouse in Naperville, IL so I can't do a pre-inspection. Car originates from Denver. Just red flags all over the place.
I know the old adage, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is". I'm looking for someone who has bought a car through e-bay and done this ebay escrow thing or ever heard of it.
Car in question is a too clean, 1989 911 turbo for $17,750 with 100K miles. Says it runs like new, leaks no oil and never been in am accident. Going price for this car is at least $30K but you all know that already. Oh yeah and it's a convertible.
Full Version: OT Anyone ever bought a car through ebay motors
Never heard of eBay having an escrow account but why not set one up through First American or another company that will only release the funds once you receive the title for the car. 
RUN, run very far away 
QUOTE(angerosa @ Mar 24 2010, 04:08 PM) 
It sounds really fishy. Seller has the vin number and a lot of pictures. Price is too low for what it is. He says car will be delivered to my house, I have 5 days to test drive and I can reject if it is not what was promised. Money stays in escrow with ebay until I release funds. A lot of weird reasons why I can't see it before.
Another variation on a standard scam.
Report it as fraud to EBay, apologize later if it turns out to be legit...
Too much money not to do a PPI no matter what.
I've seen ads that claim there's no risk 'because the transaction is insured' -- IOW - there is no deal, it's just an insurance scam...
I've bought a car through EBay. It was close enough for us to go get it and walk if it was bad. Took a certified check in case it checked out. It did - Joy's driving it today.
I wouldn't trust an escrow deal unless you set it up through your bank. I wouldn't know how to check out an escrow company...
I bet we can find someone in Chicago who can go see the car - if it's there. I ain't holding my breath...
QUOTE(angerosa @ Mar 24 2010, 12:08 PM)
It sounds really fishy. Seller has the vin number and a lot of pictures. Price is too low for what it is. He says car will be delivered to my house, I have 5 days to test drive and I can reject if it is not what was promised. Money stays in escrow with ebay until I release funds. A lot of weird reasons why I can't see it before. he says he started to send the car to the previous purchaser but his loan didn't go through so it's stuck in transit warehouse in Naperville, IL so I can't do a pre-inspection. Car originates from Denver. Just red flags all over the place.
I know the old adage, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is". I'm looking for someone who has bought a car through e-bay and done this ebay escrow thing or ever heard of it.
Car in question is a too clean, 1989 911 turbo for $17,750 with 100K miles. Says it runs like new, leaks no oil and never been in am accident. Going price for this car is at least $30K but you all know that already. Oh yeah and it's a convertible.
I have bought a few cars on the bay...rule 1 look at it first...rule 2 look at it first
There is no question that is an absolute scam!!!!!!
So what if it is meant to be a scam... Beat them at it. Set up Escrow through a company you know and trust and make the terms clear that they are not to release the money until all terms are met. If the seller is unwilling to do it this way than he is most certainly trying to pull one one you.
QUOTE(tornik550 @ Mar 24 2010, 01:33 PM)
There is no question that is an absolute scam!!!!!!
Maybe... But if you're really convinced this is OK, please use "Eric's Escrow service. I run it out of the trunk of my car, so you know it's relaible. BTW; just send me the cash in a FedEx container, I will take care of everything else.... really.....
Eric Read
If they agree to use what Andy posted, the Ebay official escrow site, then that part is likely ok. But, why would you buy a car without seeing it first? That is nuts. Too fishey.
I bought my Vue off of ebay for about $10K off of blue book
I bought my Vue off of ebay for about $10K off of blue book
Oh ya, I am sure we have someone in that area that could swing buy and look at it. Get an address for the place 
Lets have fun with the guy if he is not legit Find out which company, call to see if there is that car there. Tell the seller you just happen to have a friend that works at that warehouse.
Lets have fun with the guy if he is not legit Find out which company, call to see if there is that car there. Tell the seller you just happen to have a friend that works at that warehouse.
QUOTE(angerosa @ Mar 24 2010, 01:08 PM)
It sounds really fishy. Seller has the vin number and a lot of pictures. Price is too low for what it is. He says car will be delivered to my house, I have 5 days to test drive and I can reject if it is not what was promised. Money stays in escrow with ebay until I release funds. A lot of weird reasons why I can't see it before. he says he started to send the car to the previous purchaser but his loan didn't go through so it's stuck in transit warehouse in Naperville, IL so I can't do a pre-inspection. Car originates from Denver. Just red flags all over the place.
I know the old adage, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is". I'm looking for someone who has bought a car through e-bay and done this ebay escrow thing or ever heard of it.
Car in question is a too clean, 1989 911 turbo for $17,750 with 100K miles. Says it runs like new, leaks no oil and never been in am accident. Going price for this car is at least $30K but you all know that already. Oh yeah and it's a convertible.
Why would you even ask about this? I can't imagine a more obvious scam. The Cap'n
QUOTE(Dr Evil @ Mar 24 2010, 02:43 PM)
Oh ya, I am sure we have someone in that area that could swing buy and look at it. Get an address for the place
Lets have fun with the guy if he is not legit Find out which company, call to see if there is that car there. Tell the seller you just happen to have a friend that works at that warehouse.
Awhile back I saw a website that messed with Nigerian scammers by making them do ridiculous things in order to get anywhere. One of them sent a sculpture to try to get a fake art grant that the potential scamee had concocted in order to scam back.
QUOTE(RJMII @ Mar 24 2010, 05:51 PM)
Awhile back I saw a website that messed with Nigerian scammers by making them do ridiculous things in order to get anywhere. One of them sent a sculpture to try to get a fake art grant that the potential scamee had concocted in order to scam back.
Such as: How To Scam The Scammers
I'm looking into the ebay escrow thing. I've e-mailed him back for a working phone number and asked him where he is located. I'm trying to get more information about exactly where the car is. This is totally a scam. I'm pretty sure he wants to set up the escrow account. I'm pressing him. He hasn't written me back yet.
Anyone have carfax?
WP0EB093XKS070514
Anyone have carfax?
WP0EB093XKS070514
QUOTE(angerosa @ Mar 24 2010, 03:41 PM)
Anyone have carfax?
WP0EB093XKS070514
No, but i have Google. Looks like the car has been for sale a lot ...
http://www.google.com/search?q=WP0EB093XKS...lient=firefox-a
![popcorn[1].gif](http://www.914world.com/bbs2/style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)
Andy
yup - that's the car in the pictures!
You serious about the car? I'm about 30 miles from Naperville, Ill.
I have every confidence the car is _not_ in a storage company in Naperville. There will be some reason why it can't be seen. "Safety regulations." "Insurance Requirements." "The only guy with the key is on vacation in Uzbekistan."
I've bought cars on ebay. In fact my first ebay purchase was my current 993 cab back in 2002.
Bought probably 5-10 of them when I owned Exclusive Motors. And yes...we got scammed once. Sent a deposit on a car that was 'too good to be true'. Turns out, so did about 10 other people....and nobody ever saw the car.
Rule #1: DO NOT BUY IT unless you can see and drive it first - in person.
Rule #2: See rule #1
Rule #3: talk to the seller a lot, get more pictures, ask questions, and definitely get a PPI. If he refuses, run away. That Turbo could cost you twice what he's 'asking' to fix.
Rule #4: See rule #1 again.
Bought probably 5-10 of them when I owned Exclusive Motors. And yes...we got scammed once. Sent a deposit on a car that was 'too good to be true'. Turns out, so did about 10 other people....and nobody ever saw the car.
Rule #1: DO NOT BUY IT unless you can see and drive it first - in person.
Rule #2: See rule #1
Rule #3: talk to the seller a lot, get more pictures, ask questions, and definitely get a PPI. If he refuses, run away. That Turbo could cost you twice what he's 'asking' to fix.
Rule #4: See rule #1 again.
Brad Meyers owns a Porsche repair shop in Naperville...doesnt he?
I would ask him to do the PPI for you.
Honestly, for a car that I could make 10k on in a few days, I would fly in on Jet blue or Southwest and touch it.
RIch
I would ask him to do the PPI for you.
Honestly, for a car that I could make 10k on in a few days, I would fly in on Jet blue or Southwest and touch it.
RIch
I bought my 914 through ebay and used an escort service, I mean an escrow service. The seller mails the title and you mail the money. When you accept the car the escrow company makes the swap. Simple enough right.
Since I made my purchase, there have been approximately 30 escrow companies that have been put out of business in the last three years due to scams on the part of the seller. Many times it is the escrow service that places the ad and them represents themselves as the seller to get your money. If you do this, make sure you get to pick the escrow service and do your research. Most services will even draw up the bill of sale and some will even do a title search for you. Good Luck
Since I made my purchase, there have been approximately 30 escrow companies that have been put out of business in the last three years due to scams on the part of the seller. Many times it is the escrow service that places the ad and them represents themselves as the seller to get your money. If you do this, make sure you get to pick the escrow service and do your research. Most services will even draw up the bill of sale and some will even do a title search for you. Good Luck
I couldn't find it on ebay.
Though I did find a 930 that I sold to a guy in CA. This car was PERFECT, and it sounds like it still is. Won a lot of concours here in NC when it was here. I absolutely love white 930's with white wheels...
<sigh>
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1989-Factor...=item4a9f9fb6d9
Though I did find a 930 that I sold to a guy in CA. This car was PERFECT, and it sounds like it still is. Won a lot of concours here in NC when it was here. I absolutely love white 930's with white wheels...
<sigh>
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1989-Factor...=item4a9f9fb6d9
Here is a classic scam,received this e-mail after replying to an 86 944T on craigslist that looked gorgeous in the pics:
Hi,
The vehicle is still available for sale, price as stated in the ad $4,300. It's in perfect working order, no damages or scratches, it wasn't involved in any accidents. You will inspect the vehicle before the payment will be made. I temporarily moved in Chester MT, with my work and I have the vehicle with me. All shipping costs and insurance during transportation are included in the price because I won a promotion at DAS auto shippers (1 free shipping+$500). You will also receive all necessary documents in order to finalize the purchase. I am selling the vehicle under market value because I need to pay the bank or they will take my house.Email me back if you're interested and have further questions.
Specs: 1986 Porsche 944 Turbo /// VIN: WP0AA0953GN153890 /// 84,600 miles /// Leather seats /// Sunroof /// CD player /// Cruise control /// Power locks /// Power seats /// Power windows /// Air conditioning /// 1 Owner /// Clear Title /// Non-Smoker /// Garage kept.
Thanks,
Hi,
The vehicle is still available for sale, price as stated in the ad $4,300. It's in perfect working order, no damages or scratches, it wasn't involved in any accidents. You will inspect the vehicle before the payment will be made. I temporarily moved in Chester MT, with my work and I have the vehicle with me. All shipping costs and insurance during transportation are included in the price because I won a promotion at DAS auto shippers (1 free shipping+$500). You will also receive all necessary documents in order to finalize the purchase. I am selling the vehicle under market value because I need to pay the bank or they will take my house.Email me back if you're interested and have further questions.
Specs: 1986 Porsche 944 Turbo /// VIN: WP0AA0953GN153890 /// 84,600 miles /// Leather seats /// Sunroof /// CD player /// Cruise control /// Power locks /// Power seats /// Power windows /// Air conditioning /// 1 Owner /// Clear Title /// Non-Smoker /// Garage kept.
Thanks,
yeah guys I know, total scam. I can't get the guy to respond, he doesn't answer my questions. He won't leave a working number. Number in add doesn't work. Car changes locations. Story doesn't add up. He wants to do it in a hurry. Language in the e-mail is pretty good but not perfect. You can usually tell a non native speaker.
With ebay escrow service it looks like either the buyer or the seller has to put the return shipping cost money in escrow so if the deal doesn't go through according to plan then the return shipping is already paid for. So it doesn't make any sense that the car is in limbo in some warehouse in a sealed container.
The car is not on ebay it's on cars.com. You can still find the add there.
OK just for everyones entertainment I'll post the e-mail. I know, I know... I'm laughing as a I read it again...
With ebay escrow service it looks like either the buyer or the seller has to put the return shipping cost money in escrow so if the deal doesn't go through according to plan then the return shipping is already paid for. So it doesn't make any sense that the car is in limbo in some warehouse in a sealed container.
The car is not on ebay it's on cars.com. You can still find the add there.
OK just for everyones entertainment I'll post the e-mail. I know, I know... I'm laughing as a I read it again...
QUOTE
Right now the car is at the trucking company warehouse (Naperville, IL) kept in a sealed container ready for delivery and since I am not at home right now a test drive it is not possible.
However I do offer an inspection period prior buying the car if we close the deal trough eBay Motors.
Let me explain you how the eBay process works.
The process works something like this:
1. You deposit the requested amount to an eBay Motors account.
2. eBay will confirm me that you have made the payment.
3. I will ship the car so you can inspect, test and make a decision if you will keep it or not.
4. If you will not get exactly the same car that you have viewed in the ad, and also a clean title you will receive all your money back from eBay motors.
5. If everything is OK eBay Motors will get the approval from you to release the funds to me.
If you agree with this process please let me know your full name and shipping address and I will forward the details to eBay Motors to set up our transaction.
The car will be insured during transportation and it will be delivered at your address in about 2-3 business days.
Along with the car you will receive a bill of sale in your name and signed by me and the title of the car.
Please let me know ASAP your decision.
However I do offer an inspection period prior buying the car if we close the deal trough eBay Motors.
Let me explain you how the eBay process works.
The process works something like this:
1. You deposit the requested amount to an eBay Motors account.
2. eBay will confirm me that you have made the payment.
3. I will ship the car so you can inspect, test and make a decision if you will keep it or not.
4. If you will not get exactly the same car that you have viewed in the ad, and also a clean title you will receive all your money back from eBay motors.
5. If everything is OK eBay Motors will get the approval from you to release the funds to me.
If you agree with this process please let me know your full name and shipping address and I will forward the details to eBay Motors to set up our transaction.
The car will be insured during transportation and it will be delivered at your address in about 2-3 business days.
Along with the car you will receive a bill of sale in your name and signed by me and the title of the car.
Please let me know ASAP your decision.
Same thing about a year ago or two, with an orange 914 6.
These criminals need to be hunted down and prosecuted to the fullest extent possible and then taken out behind the barn and ....... Seriously.
I played around with one of these guys last year. The ebay motors escrow account is really a private bank account. Once you send the money, it's gone, gone, gone. No real seller is going to eat the cost of shipping both ways if you refuse the car. I'm sure people get scammed by this all the time. Probably trying on cars.com since they played out the ebay site. Hope they get caught!
here's another thing. Read through the link that Andy posted about ebay's 'escrow' service. Ebay does not have an escrow service, they 'RECOMMEND' one. So you can't buy a car off of cars.com and use the "ebay escrow service", it does not exist.
I thought back a bit and remember seeing that multiple times in ads 'we will use ebay escrow, you can keep it for 5 days and release the amount after you are OK with it', etc, etc. etc.. Again, this is a scam. Unless he will let you look at it and do a transaction in person, stay away.
I thought back a bit and remember seeing that multiple times in ads 'we will use ebay escrow, you can keep it for 5 days and release the amount after you are OK with it', etc, etc. etc.. Again, this is a scam. Unless he will let you look at it and do a transaction in person, stay away.
Brad Mayeur has the 914 Limited business in Peoria area, I have done much business and trust his opinion. I have his number if needed.
QUOTE(etcmss @ Mar 25 2010, 04:45 PM)
Brad Mayeur has the 914 Limited business in Peoria area, I have done much business and trust his opinion. I have his number if needed.
Peoria is not Naperville, tho...
IIRC, Charles Navarro is sympathetic to the 914 cause and _is_ in (or near...) Naperville. He's who I'd call first unless a local volunteered first.
Assuming the car is really in Naperville, which I doubt...
(I think it's probably safely in the garage of whoever actually bought it last from EBay, from which auction all the current pictures and verbage were simply stolen...)
QUOTE(naro914 @ Mar 25 2010, 09:35 AM)
Ebay does not have an escrow service, they 'RECOMMEND' one. So you can't buy a car off of cars.com and use the "ebay escrow service", it does not exist.
That is what I said earlier, it is the fake escrow service that placed the ad. They have been running around for a few years taking pictures of random cars and putting them up for sale at some rediculous price and then recommending their own escrow service to take you to the cleaners. The car isn't the only scam, the escrow is.
I scared the guy away. Haven't heard from him after I kept asking questions. I reported him (if it is actually a him) to Internet Crime Complaint Center.
http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx
http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx
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