Buying car interstate - payment options?

NAPARM · 22-09-2007, 09:58 AM

All going to plan i should be buying a car interstate in the next week and getting it transported to me.
What do you guys think is the best/safest method of payment for this type of thing?
Cheers.

b2tf · 22-09-2007, 10:30 AM

pay half, other half on arrival.

3vXT · 22-09-2007, 11:59 AM

A bank check.

EDIT: Make it out to the sellers name that way they are the only ones who can cash it. Its alot safer than a personal check (and the seller may not take a personal check anyway, i wouldn't) and it only costs you $10 or so depending on how much its for.

NAPARM · 22-09-2007, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken2903

A bank check.

EDIT: Make it out to the sellers name that way they are the only ones who can cash it. Its alot safer than a personal check (and the seller may not take a personal check anyway, i wouldn't) and it only costs you $10 or so depending on how much its for.

Thanks for the reply mate but how's a bank cheque going to help?
I mean i can still send that off to him and he can cash it and might not send me the car.

I'm thinking about maybe getting him to post the car on ebay and i'll buy it that way. At least it offers some protection.

3vXT · 22-09-2007, 01:04 PM

Sorry, i get what you mean now.
Ebay (or paypal anyway) will cover you up to $2000 i think.

JAJH · 22-09-2007, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NAPARM

Thanks for the reply mate but how's a bank cheque going to help?
I mean i can still send that off to him and he can cash it and might not send me the car.

It works both ways of course, he can send the car with half payment and you might not pay the balance! Personally, I would do one of 2 things (depending on the value of the car), if you know someone you trust who might live close to the car, get them to look at it and do the transaction or jump on a plane and do it yourself. I would not under any circumstance buy a car interstate without A) Checking the car out AND B)Making payment sight unseen.

soulfire · 22-09-2007, 01:59 PM

Couldn't agree more. If you buy the car sight unseen - and it gets damaged in transport it'll be a nightmare, as the transport company and the seller would just blame eachother.
I have a mate here that bought a car in New South, just flew up and drove back, worth the time and effort if you ask me, unless it's like a 3000km drive. Either way, I wouldn't buy it sight unseen, too risky.

NAPARM · 22-09-2007, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soulfire

Couldn't agree more. If you buy the car sight unseen - and it gets damaged in transport it'll be a nightmare, as the transport company and the seller would just blame eachother.
I have a mate here that bought a car in New South, just flew up and drove back, worth the time and effort if you ask me, unless it's like a 3000km drive. Either way, I wouldn't buy it sight unseen, too risky.

It is a 3000km drive mate! I'm getting an inspection (by qualified mechanic) done on the car today.
The transport companies write down all the damage/scratches/marks etc on the vehicle (while the customer is there) before they load it on the transport trucks. And the transport company is fully insured of course.

fmc351 · 22-09-2007, 03:05 PM

There are escrow services other than paypal. Many of them online too. Google escrow services.

XYLINC · 22-09-2007, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NAPARM

It is a 3000km drive mate! I'm getting an inspection (by qualified mechanic) done on the car today.
The transport companies write down all the damage/scratches/marks etc on the vehicle (while the customer is there) before they load it on the transport trucks. And the transport company is fully insured of course.

Hate to tell you but that isnt worth the paper its written on either. Bought a car recently from interstate, virtually straight out of a paint shop and had it shipped to me using probably the most well known "specialised car carrier" with an advertised "100% insurance cover", at three times the price of a conventional carrier. This "specialised car carrier" then subbied the car to a conventional carrier anyway, and without my knowledge, and the car got damaged in transport. When the car arrived I saw the damage and asked for the condition report of which NONE could be produced. The "specialised car carriers" Insurance wont cover it because they didnt carry it and the subby is saying its not his problem. The whole matter is currently with consumer affairs with the next step being small claims court. When the whole deal reaches a conclusion, and I'm not compensated for the damage, there will be a very detailed post appearing on this web site warning others so they dont fall into the same trap as I did.

NAPARM · 22-09-2007, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mltucker

Hate to tell you but that isnt worth the paper its written on either. Bought a car recently from interstate, virtually straight out of a paint shop and had it shipped to me using probably the most well known "specialised car carrier" with an advertised "100% insurance cover", at three times the price of a conventional carrier. This "specialised car carrier" then subbied the car to a conventional carrier anyway, and without my knowledge, and the car got damaged in transport. When the car arrived I saw the damage and asked for the condition report of which NONE could be produced. The "specialised car carriers" Insurance wont cover it because they didnt carry it and the subby is saying its not his problem. The whole matter is currently with consumer affairs with the next step being small claims court. When the whole deal reaches a conclusion, and I'm not compensated for the damage, there will be a very detailed post appearing on this web site warning others so they dont fall into the same trap as I did.

My inlaws had a car damaged in transport and the company fixed it properly for them, so i guess it all depends on the company.
ps. check your pm's.
Cheers.