Buying a Supra from another state, need advice please..

[whitemike]

Hey all,
I've located a fantastic buy for myself in another state. Guy wants 3k, which I believe is a great price for the car. How can I do this transaction in a safe way? How do I send the money in such a way that I know he won't screw me over? People are telling me, write a "contract" saying I'll pay him 3k, and he'll sign the title over, blah blah. Then send the money along with a bill of sale, but this seems shady to me.

Is there a more secure way of doing this, short of driving all the way to his house? (FL -> NJ = 24hr Drive) I got a shipping quote for around $550, so that's fine. I just want the money to him and the title in my name, in the safest manner.

Sorry if this is in the wrong forum, I looked at all of them and this seemed the most appropriate. Thanks guys.

-Mike

 

[OneJArpus]

Where in NJ is he from? I'm from NJ. What his name?

Here's how you can save yourself any trouble.

Fly to NJ, what is it 200 bux now? Round trip? Go to NJ see the car have the car shipped jump on the plane and meet your car home. BEST way IMO.


But if you post his name and location and i so happen to know him or know of him i know the deal will go good if not i can make a visit and kick some ass haha.

 

[whitemike]

Where in NJ is he from? I'm from NJ. What his name? What kinda car?

I forget exactly where, I have his address somewhere. It's a black 91 Turbo

 

[whitemike]

But if you post his name and location and i so happen to know him or know of him i know the deal will go good if not i can make a visit and kick some ass haha.

I appreciate your kind words :icon_evil haha..

But, it's not so much the $200 for the plane ticket, it's the time that I can't really sacrifice at the moment. The seller has sent me some pretty good pics, so I know what I should be getting. I just need to know the best way to go about the transaction. Some kind of escrow service maybe?

 

[OneJArpus]

ahh I C, this can be done in 1 day only a 3/4 hr trip.

But i understand. I think coming to a verbal and written contract would be good. Escrow service yea but no sure how you would go about that.

I would think if you can get a verbal (recorded) phone session with him stating his name address dl # vin # price on car etc that should be enough evidence just in case he decides to tak the money and run. Another thing would be 3/4's of the money title in the mail you sign it verify then pay the 1/4 left and have it shipped.

 

[whitemike]

ahh I C, this can be done in 1 day only a 3/4 hr trip.

But i understand. I think coming to a verbal and written contract would be good. Escrow service yea but no sure how you would go about that.

I would think if you can get a verbal (recorded) phone session with him stating his name address dl # vin # price on car etc that should be enough evidence just in case he decides to tak the money and run. Another thing would be 3/4's of the money title in the mail you sign it verify then pay the 1/4 left and have it shipped.

True.

Yea how about something like, signing an agreement with copies of our licenses, and a copy of the title faxed (so I don't have to fly). Then send some of the money, receive title, then send the rest, then ship the car.

I don't know, hopefully someone will chime in that has done this before? Or at least if anyone knows how much info/contract I need to actually legally do something incase I get screwed.

Thanks man

-Mike

 

[OneJArpus]

Yea, when i purchased one of my supra's from MA it was a 10 hr ride round trip. I just drove out there. GL MAN!

 

[spinningheadboy]

Perhaps a trusted member could go take a look. There are services that can inspect the car and give you a complete report.

cwd

 

[lewis15498]

I would never buy a car unless I made the transaction in person. Fly or drive.

 

[gaboonviper85]

Get a cheap round trip plane ticket for just one day....fly over and buy the car and drive back or not buy the car and fly back....

 

[Koenigturbo]

I would never buy a car unless I made the transaction in person. Fly or drive.

I'm with lewis.(except for the "drive" part kinda hard to drive two cars home) unfortunately I'd say your have to go there in person. If your not willing to see it in person then, I think your definately gonna need a neutral third party to act as an "escrow" service. (Just an idea) How about getting an manager at the D.M.V or Local Marshall or maybe "one J Arpus" to act as an "third party or "escrow" service?? D.M.V. ..gotta got there anyways. fed ex a post dated check (that way the seller knows there's money waiting for him) to the manager maybe??..don't know, just ideas.

Run his license plates to see if he really lives where he saids he does. The D.M.V won't give you his info but at least they can tell ya "yes or no" if he lives at the addres he says lives., and if his addres is legit.
I see why you would be concern, especially if you saw the ad in Craigs list(not saying you saw I there I said "If").:biglaugh:

 

[whitemike]

I appreciate it guys. I got a copy of the title showing the vin and all that info, as well as copy of his license. Buddy of mine is a cop, gonna have him run it, and gonna have a friend up there check on the car. She's not very mechanically oriented but she can tell me if it exists or not.

Thanks all!