French Lotus Dealer (?)

[Nelly13]

Hi, I am currently (with a heavy heart!) selling my beloved Lotus Elise and have been contacted by a French dealer who has indicated a desire to come across next week for a look-apparently sending a reservation fee by cheque. It is classic scam territory-valid cheque followed up by moody payment though I have of course made clear no dice unless full clear funds on any outstanding agreed price.I remain fairly sceptical but there seems to be a bona fide website roadracingcenter.com ,although I am of course aware how easy it can be to manufacture an online "front". Their website indicates Lotus;Caterham and ferrari independent dealers.

So I was really just wondering whether any other Lotus owners had had any dealings with or heard of these guys?

Cheers.

[bobd351]

Hi - my brother in law is currently in touch with these people. They contacted him as his Lotus is advertised for sale and they are supposed to be coming to view his car this tuesday. They said they would pay a deposit into his account and he gave them his bank details but so far no deposit. I am not aware of all the details but will contact him and try and get more info (or supply you with his telephone number).
When are they coming to see you? Have you had a 'deposit'? Reply a.s.a.p please.

[Nelly13]

To be honest I am just not sure what to make of them. I actually agreed to sell mine last night to someone else as wasn't willing to take the risk. The chap 'arnaud' was scheduled to see mine on tuesday as well re your brother in law. I refused to give him my bank details and suggested he send a cheque to my work address which has not come through (I will let you know if it does come through tomorrow). Difficult to say as apparently genuine exchange of emails and website but I 'google earthed' the address from website and saw no company name, signage or cars to match the photographs for sale on the website. It is easy to be paranoid and it's a tough one to call but safest way would be for your brother in law to march the guy to the bank and make sure any money is real or bank draft genuine and accepted by bank, as it's an old trick for a small genuine payment to be followed by a fraudulent one. Hope it goes ok. Cheers

[bobd351]

Yes I did the same with Google Earth and felt that the Google photo was newer than the website photo, as there are some new street lights on the Google photo which don't appear on the website photo. If it is newer, then the cars are no longer there!!
We have received an e-mail response from Arnaud this morning and he says that all money will be paid into the account and cleared before the car is collected. Mmmmmmmm - I'll let you know.
Thanks for speedy response. Bob

[Le TVR]

Cant give you much info as the company has only existed a couple months.

[Nelly13]

Well my deposit cheque never arrived despite statements that it had been sent (albeit I subsequently agreed to sell the Elise to another party anyway so was irrelevant)-however, ultimately for the purposes of this post, they said they had done something ie.sent cheque, when they hadn't done so. Not surprised really.

[bobd351]

Just an update. My brother in law has heard absolutely nothing from "Monsieur Arnaud" so will be re advertising his car "due to timewaster"!
I will leave you to make your own minds up about this man and his promises!!

[bobd351]

My brother in law has been contacted again by our French friend who says he is coming to view the car next week............

[bobd351]

He came, he agreed to buy and my brother in law is waiting for the money before handing the car over next week. Looking promising.

[Nelly13]

Excellent-hope it works out and my scepticism was unfounded!

[bobd351]

Sorry for delay but have been waiting for a result. Money cleared in the account about a week ago and he collected the car today. So eventually it has all worked out. Thanks for your comments.