First time auto buyer leary of wire transfers

[w8lif_59]

First time buying classic car on eBay. Seller is asking me to wire the money to him and I must admit it makes me nervous. Am I just being paranoid? Is there a way to make this payment safely as not to lose my money? 

[albertabrightalberta]

Did you actually find a listing for the car on ebay? 

Or did you find the car on another site (CL, FBM, etc.) and the seller told you that ebay handles the transfer? 

[kathiec]

@w8lif_59 

First off, is this a listing you found on eBay? I ask because there are countless scams where cars are sold on other sites, such as Marketplace, and buyers are told the transaction will be handled by eBay. EBay doesn't work that way.

But if this is a legitimate eBay listing you need to be fully aware of how eBay covers the purchase and how it doesn't. You find that in the Vehicle Protection Plan. There's nothing against eBay policy to require money be wired. I would think that's a common method of transferring a large amount of money, and certainly one that's safe for the seller. 

But if you read the VPP you'll see that eBay *strongly* recommends that you or your agent inspect the car before the purchase. Further, the VPP has limited protection for cars more than 10 years old.

The laws of every state classify used car sales as 'as is' in the absence of a written warranty. So honestly, if you're not inspecting the car before purchase the manner of payment is the least of your worries.

[eaux-de-vie]

There is no way I would wire money to anyone and I would not pay for a car sight unseen. 

[mudshark61369]

@w8lif_59,

If you found the car on ebay, do read the terms of the Vehicle Purchase Program in the link below.

https://pages.ebay.com/motors/buy/purchase-protection/

You might want to talk to a banker about putting the payment in escrow, until you or your designated agent has had a chance to inspect the car. You can do an online search to find a vehicle appraiser in the seller's area, if you cannot go to that location yourself.

[simba6]

No.   Do not wire money.    Auto sales are to be made in person after you inspect what your buying.  They do not have the same protection as other eBay sales.   Sounds real " fishy " to me.

It must be listed on eBay  to be an eBay sale.  There is no other way. eBay never assists in payments or sales of items on other sites.  A wire transfer is like mailing cash. No way to ever recover it.

[w8lif_59]

This is an ebay sale. I'm halfway across the country and the car is being shipped to my location. 

[w8lif_59]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/375863021212?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=Q4mCVkjGSA2&sss...

[w8lif_59]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/375863021212?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=Q4mCVkjGSA2&sss...

[kathiec]

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@w8lif_59 wrote:

This is an ebay sale. I'm halfway across the country and the car is being shipped to my location. 

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Ebay's VPP will protect you against non-delivery and certain title issues no matter how you pay. But you have zero coverage for anything else, again no matter how you pay. That's not just a function of eBay, that's a function of law.

The listing offers eBay Caramel checkout -- is that what you're referring to when you say he wants you to wire the money? Because that's a perfectly legitimate eBay product, one that was disclosed in the listing.

[w8lif_59]

No, he texted me his banking info so that I could make payment directly to his account. None of the payment transaction is taking place through ebay.

[fab_finds4u]

VPP says to be eligible for coverage you, the seller, the car, and the financial institutions making and receiving the payment  must be located in the US or Canada. A wire transfer is acceptable if all of the above are met.  If you're still nervous consider a payment using escrow.com

[lady_madonna]

@w8lif_59 

The ONLY way to safely purchase a vehicle is go inspect it in person and do not make payment until you decide to purchase the vehicle making sure it has a clean title.

[w8lif_59]

I did buy the car on ebay and paid directly to the broker. Thank you to everyone who participated in this thread. My bank was very cautious since I wasn't paying ebay directly. I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 

Sincerely

Scotty

[aeparts1]

Let us know if everything works out OK & if you are happy with the car.

I strongly disagree with the seller calling that car "solid" & stating "Has some rust here and there but nothing major". That thing is a rusted out junk pile.