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Discussion Topic:
Has Anyone Purchased Cars Online?
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39Fordfan |
03-10-2020 @ 3:20 PM
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Member
Posts: 202
Joined: Oct 2009
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Hi there, I'm looking at a car for sale in a classic car magazine. After contacting the seller, it turns out the car I am interested is being offered by a 3rd Party Broker - www.eautonova.com out of Boston, MA. They've been in business since 2012 and they seem to be legit. Eautonova wants you the buyer to deposit funds into an escrow account and they will ship you the car. You have 10 days to inspect the car and decide if you want it. If it doesn't meet with your approval, for any reason and you let them know and they will come and get it and give you your money back. Shipping and Returns are free for the Buyer. If you are looking to sell, they can arrange that too. I was committed to go and personally look at the car in a different region, but its in a warehouse and unavailable for inspection that way. I've done some searching and they seem like the real deal, like a PayPal for cars purchased or sold online or from National Car Magazines or Craigslist. We all know how many scams and scammers there are out there. I was just wondering if anyone had heard of a service like this, or if anyone has used them to buy or sell a car and your thoughts? Thanks!
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ford38v8 |
03-10-2020 @ 3:28 PM
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Senior
Posts: 2764
Joined: Oct 2009
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I wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole.
Alan
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kubes40 |
03-10-2020 @ 3:33 PM
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Senior
Posts: 3406
Joined: Oct 2009
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I'm with Alan. While I have purchased a number of cars sight unseen, they are the aberration. If at all possible, get on a plane and inspect the car personally.
Mike "Kube" Kubarth
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39Fordfan |
03-10-2020 @ 3:35 PM
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Member
Posts: 202
Joined: Oct 2009
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Thanks Alan!
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39Fordfan |
03-10-2020 @ 3:40 PM
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Member
Posts: 202
Joined: Oct 2009
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Thank-you, Mike. That was my idea too. Though I was probably going to avoid the airport and just drive down a day or so to have a look at it myself. I figured I could rent a car carrier and pull the car back myself. I've never purchased a car sight unseen. How did you manage it. Did it go well?
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mfirth |
03-11-2020 @ 4:45 AM
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Posts: 208
Joined: Nov 2017
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I purchased my 52 Vic on line....never again. A "professional" appraiser [Hypo GT] was hired to inspect & drive the car. He did get the price down, but he missed ALOT of things that cost me lots of $$$$$$. DO NOT EVER BUY SIGHT UNSEEN !!!!! mike
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kubes40 |
03-11-2020 @ 5:31 AM
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Senior
Posts: 3406
Joined: Oct 2009
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The few cars I'd purchased sight unseen were known commodities to me. Other than two -a new Aston Martin and a '36 Ford roadster. Being new, the Aston was what it was so I didn't feel the need to inspect it. the '36? I knew the owner quite well and knew his representation would be accurate and honest - it was. Also, as has been mentioned in a different response, having another person inspect the car can have a number of issues "built in" if that person is not an expert on that particular make / model. Yeah, if you're a day away in driving, make a little "vacation" out of it and go see the car for yourself. These old cars are supposed to be fun. I'd hate to think you got a disappointing car from the start. it would, I'd guess, be difficult to overcome that initial let down.
Mike "Kube" Kubarth
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cliftford |
03-11-2020 @ 5:57 AM
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Senior
Posts: 845
Joined: Jan 2014
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If you are not allowed to inspect the car before depositing money on it, it is almost certainly a scam. My opinion.
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trjford8 |
03-11-2020 @ 6:53 AM
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Senior
Posts: 4218
Joined: Oct 2009
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I wouldn't touch that outfit with a 10 foot pole. Sure they say they will refund your money, but you may have to hire a lawyer to get it. Brokers are a middle man and most know absolutely nothing about the car they are selling. If you are looking to buy an early Ford V-8 I would start by looking in the V-8 Times magazine. There are lots of nice cars coming up for sale from private parties. Take the time to go look at the car yourself. If this is your first purchase you want it to be a positive experience and one you can live with because it was your choice. Right now the market for these cars is a little soft so you can buy a real nice car for less money that they were 5 years ago. You have the money and you are in control.
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TomO |
03-11-2020 @ 7:13 AM
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Senior
Posts: 7256
Joined: Oct 2009
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I am with the others in not buying a car that you personally have not inspected. If you don't know much about cars, bring along an expert (after making sure he knows what he is doing). If the seller can't be bothered with making the car available for inspection, start looking elsewhere. You may have to wait to find ano0ther car that fits your wants, but that is much better than having "Buyer's Remorse" until you can sell the car. This outfit is asking as much as 40% of the sale price, so the seller has to increase his asking price in order to get what he considers a fair price for the car. You can't ship a car for free, so someone has to pay for that.
Tom
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