Classic car scam ads
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Discussion

Pistom

Original Poster:

6,403 posts

188 months

Sunday 18th December 2011
quotequote all
I've noticed an increase in the number of ads offering desirable cars at about 2/3 market value using pictures stolen from other ads. They try to convince you that the payment method is secure, get you to part with your money which you will never see nor the car of course.

They usually have an excuse for why you can't talk to them or see the car before you pay your money over.

I can never understand how people fall for this but some may be tempted by the low price.

a8hex

5,832 posts

252 months

Sunday 18th December 2011
quotequote all
This has been going on on eBay for ages.
For a while I went through all the classic Jag ads on the site and you'd see the same pictures showing up again and again. Getting eBay to do anything about it was really disheartening.

RV8

1,570 posts

200 months

Sunday 18th December 2011
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Anyone who's ever dabbled with classics, especially rarer ones which don't turn up for sale very often, will know that if you see one at a good price you usually have to move fast to snap it up. This can mean travelling a fair distance quickly to view or you end up missing out. These con artists play on this, hoping that you'll wire the money to avoid disappointment.

Pistom

Original Poster:

6,403 posts

188 months

Monday 19th December 2011
quotequote all
The reason for my posting is that I'm amazed this is still going on. That suggests it still works. The recent one I was drawn to was very plausible and someone less experienced could fall for it.

I've bought and paid for cars without seeing them but only when I've been 100% satisfied that everything is legitimate. Even then it's down to my risk andi dont suggest anyone else does it.

exkay

656 posts

217 months

Monday 19th December 2011
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I`ve noticed this on the Classic cars for sale site, it seems since they`ve changed there site layout (which is not as good as it was berfore they did in my opinion) there seems to be lots of ridiculously cheap cars for sale on there, has anyone noticed ?

velocemitch

4,019 posts

249 months

Monday 19th December 2011
quotequote all
Yes there a cheap Alfa GTA rep, which has caught peoples attention. looks like one which has been for sale for months and months, but is now at a fraction of the asking price. Suspicious!!

With these feet

5,733 posts

244 months

Monday 19th December 2011
quotequote all
Shirley the way to stop this is for the advertiser to request some specific detail or number off the V5 to confirm they have title.

I remember when you had to get autotrader turn up with a camera to get pictures of your car for sale! At least then though the car existed but still didnt prove it was for sale by the owner.

Elderly

3,735 posts

267 months

Monday 19th December 2011
quotequote all
velocemitch said:
Yes there a cheap Alfa GTA rep, which has caught peoples attention. looks like one which has been for sale for months and months, but is now at a fraction of the asking price. Suspicious!!
But the asking price of the car (in the genuine ad?) is ridiculously high!
It may be a scam but a fraction of the original asking price is more in line with the market.

There's an E-Type on eBay at the moment, advertised for a fair BIN but now a second vendor is nalso offering it, at double that price.

velocemitch

4,019 posts

249 months

Monday 19th December 2011
quotequote all
Elderly said:
But the asking price of the car (in the genuine ad?) is ridiculously high!
It may be a scam but a fraction of the original asking price is more in line with the market.
True up to a point, it's still cheap for the specification and apparent quality of the Car. But it still doesn't explain why someone would constantly advertise a Car at 50k, then suddenly drop to 13k.

Mind you I do have a theory on this....... relating to narked wifes....

Elderly

3,735 posts

267 months

Monday 19th December 2011
quotequote all
velocemitch said:
Elderly said:
But the asking price of the car (in the genuine ad?) is ridiculously high!
It may be a scam but a fraction of the original asking price is more in line with the market.
True up to a point, it's still cheap for the specification and apparent quality of the Car. But it still doesn't explain why someone would constantly advertise a Car at 50k, then suddenly drop to 13k.
The long term asking price is actually £59,990. The 'scam' asking price is £13950.
Say it would really SELL for £25K - the scam asking price is much closer to it's real value.

velocemitch

4,019 posts

249 months

Monday 19th December 2011
quotequote all
Yes I'd agree with that. 60k was always silly for a rep . Which makes me think the guy didn't really want to sell it. If this is a genuine ad then who ever is selling really does want to sell. I also heard the phone number is a ladies this time. Draw your own conclusions...........

IO

3,286 posts

227 months

Monday 19th December 2011
quotequote all
exkay said:
I`ve noticed this on the Classic cars for sale site, it seems since they`ve changed there site layout (which is not as good as it was berfore they did in my opinion) there seems to be lots of ridiculously cheap cars for sale on there, has anyone noticed ?
Yeah, I have.
A Very cheap early 'vette and a big Healey to name just a couple.
I don't like the new layout either.

Pistom

Original Poster:

6,403 posts

188 months

Monday 19th December 2011
quotequote all
The last couple of cars I've seen have been on classiccarsforsale.

The main thing is just don't get caught out.