Avoiding scammers when selling privately deposit paid
Discussion
So I have had my £17k car advertised on a Facebook group dedicated to that model.
It hasn’t received any interest until a few days ago from a potential buyer that stated that he was going to look at a couple of examples in London but mine came up a better spec and year and he wants to buy it pending inspection. The price he offered is a few k short of the asking bit it’s a cat s and I’m willing to sell at the price he offered.
So he told me he has booked one way train tickets for him and his girlfriend and paid £750 deposit.
His social media checks out and my bank confirmed his deposit is fine and came from a verified account at the same bank as mine. I googled his name and his linked in profile comes up and looks fine.
He also asked for a walk around video before sending the deposit
All sound legit ?
Anything I should be aware of ?
I intend to meet them at a new house I just bought but I don’t yet live there.
Any test drive will be subject to valid driving license and insurance in his name - has to be insurance to drive my car fully comp not TPFT.
It’s keyless ignition so the key can remain in my pocket.
I will only accept bank transfer or cash deposit at my bank branch.
Any advice welcomed
It hasn’t received any interest until a few days ago from a potential buyer that stated that he was going to look at a couple of examples in London but mine came up a better spec and year and he wants to buy it pending inspection. The price he offered is a few k short of the asking bit it’s a cat s and I’m willing to sell at the price he offered.
So he told me he has booked one way train tickets for him and his girlfriend and paid £750 deposit.
His social media checks out and my bank confirmed his deposit is fine and came from a verified account at the same bank as mine. I googled his name and his linked in profile comes up and looks fine.
He also asked for a walk around video before sending the deposit
All sound legit ?
Anything I should be aware of ?
I intend to meet them at a new house I just bought but I don’t yet live there.
Any test drive will be subject to valid driving license and insurance in his name - has to be insurance to drive my car fully comp not TPFT.
It’s keyless ignition so the key can remain in my pocket.
I will only accept bank transfer or cash deposit at my bank branch.
Any advice welcomed
Pizzaman19 said:
Any test drive will be subject to valid driving license and insurance in his name - has to be insurance to drive my car fully comp not TPFT.
Veygo is great for this (owned by Admiral). Usually reasonably priced and quick to set up. I have used it frequently; also for when I want to loan my car to the kids when necessary. RedAndy said:
Pizzaman19 said:
I intend to meet them at a new house I just bought but I don’t yet live there.
...and YOU'RE worried HE'S the scammer... 
How far is he travelling to see / buy your car, as presumably some distance if they've booked train tickets?
Make sure you right out a receipt for the sale of it, AA has a good example.
As others have said, if I was him I would be nervous about the car not being registered to where you're intending to meet him.
Make sure you right out a receipt for the sale of it, AA has a good example.
As others have said, if I was him I would be nervous about the car not being registered to where you're intending to meet him.
Thanks all.
The only reason it’s not at my current home is that I live in a terrace and there is no parking. I also don’t want to risk scuffs from other cars when parked on a street where parking is very limited and tight. Simple as that. It’s only around the corner from where I live so if he wants to purchase we can go to my home to do the paperwork.
The only reason it’s not at my current home is that I live in a terrace and there is no parking. I also don’t want to risk scuffs from other cars when parked on a street where parking is very limited and tight. Simple as that. It’s only around the corner from where I live so if he wants to purchase we can go to my home to do the paperwork.
RedAndy said:
Pizzaman19 said:
I intend to meet them at a new house I just bought but I don’t yet live there.
...and YOU'RE worried HE'S the scammer... TX.
Pizzaman19 said:
So he told me he has booked one way train tickets for him and his girlfriend and paid £750 deposit.
^ Red flag there, i missed it earlier.Nobody books one-way train tickets in this situation, because it's only another 1% (ish) to add the return at the same time, as an insurance against not getting the car (for any reason) on the day.
M4cruiser said:
^ Red flag there, i missed it earlier.
Nobody books one-way train tickets in this situation, because it's only another 1% (ish) to add the return at the same time, as an insurance against not getting the car (for any reason) on the day.
Agreed. Red flag hence my original post.Nobody books one-way train tickets in this situation, because it's only another 1% (ish) to add the return at the same time, as an insurance against not getting the car (for any reason) on the day.
He said he was coming with his GF for company - my mechanic is going to be with me for company too.
That said he is going to get a 17k car for 3k below asking so maybe to him it’s a no brainer.
He just messaged me asking if Saturday was ok as funds had. It cleared yet. To me that’s a case of - it’s raining all day tomorrow so let’s change the date.
In this day and age funds clear instantly
He sent a screenshot of his booking and some text. I can see he is on LTE1 not seen that here before just 4G or 5 G
Am I overthinking this ?
M4cruiser said:
Pizzaman19 said:
So he told me he has booked one way train tickets for him and his girlfriend and paid £750 deposit.
^ Red flag there, i missed it earlier.Nobody books one-way train tickets in this situation, because it's only another 1% (ish) to add the return at the same time, as an insurance against not getting the car (for any reason) on the day.
M4cruiser said:
^ Red flag there, i missed it earlier.
Nobody books one-way train tickets in this situation, because it's only another 1% (ish) to add the return at the same time, as an insurance against not getting the car (for any reason) on the day.
I booked one way train tickets for a 5 hour train journey (three trains) to pick up an XKR I'd paid deposit on...Nobody books one-way train tickets in this situation, because it's only another 1% (ish) to add the return at the same time, as an insurance against not getting the car (for any reason) on the day.
Turned out to be a massively misdescribed dog... needless to say I bought train tickets home after viewing.
I'm not sure where you're getting 1% from - I've just checked and it's over double the price if I get a return?
Anyway, surely the only reason he won't buy the car is if you've mis-described it... he's clearly knows what he wants?
JungTheForeman said:
I booked one way train tickets for a 5 hour train journey (three trains) to pick up an XKR I'd paid deposit on...
Turned out to be a massively misdescribed dog... needless to say I bought train tickets home after viewing.
I'm not sure where you're getting 1% from - I've just checked and it's over double the price if I get a return?
I’ve read multiple stories on here of people travelling to buy cars and they all say bought one-way ticket.Turned out to be a massively misdescribed dog... needless to say I bought train tickets home after viewing.
I'm not sure where you're getting 1% from - I've just checked and it's over double the price if I get a return?
OP being at different address is a bit off - doesn’t buyer lose HPI protection if the deal is not done at V5’s address?
Pizzaman19 said:
M4cruiser said:
^ Red flag there, i missed it earlier.
Nobody books one-way train tickets in this situation, because it's only another 1% (ish) to add the return at the same time, as an insurance against not getting the car (for any reason) on the day.
Agreed. Red flag hence my original post.Nobody books one-way train tickets in this situation, because it's only another 1% (ish) to add the return at the same time, as an insurance against not getting the car (for any reason) on the day.
He said he was coming with his GF for company - my mechanic is going to be with me for company too.
That said he is going to get a 17k car for 3k below asking so maybe to him it’s a no brainer.
He just messaged me asking if Saturday was ok as funds had. It cleared yet. To me that’s a case of - it’s raining all day tomorrow so let’s change the date.
In this day and age funds clear instantly
He sent a screenshot of his booking and some text. I can see he is on LTE1 not seen that here before just 4G or 5 G
Am I overthinking this ?
The poor guy is just trying to buy a car!
JungTheForeman said:
M4cruiser said:
^ Red flag there, i missed it earlier.
Nobody books one-way train tickets in this situation, because it's only another 1% (ish) to add the return at the same time, as an insurance against not getting the car (for any reason) on the day.
I'm not sure where you're getting 1% from - I've just checked and it's over double the price if I get a return?Nobody books one-way train tickets in this situation, because it's only another 1% (ish) to add the return at the same time, as an insurance against not getting the car (for any reason) on the day.
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