Wire Transfer

[k***pets]

Won a bid on a car. Paid seller $500 deposit using PayPal. I told seller I want to pay the balance using PayPal. Seller came back with wire transfer as the payment method. Is this a legitimate deal? If I wire transfer funds, am I still protected by Ebay's Buyer Protection program for motor vehicles?

[fab_finds4u]

eBay says you must use buyer diligence and do pre purchase research and inspection.

 The seller, the vehicle and the financial institution making and receiving the payment have to be in the US.

I know for sure the down payment isn't protected because PayPal says motor vehicles are ineligible for protection.

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

What happens if the vehicle isn't as described? You can't return it.

Damage isn't covered if it's something you could have discovered before buying, thus you do an inspection or order an inspection before paying.

[lacemaker3]

@k***pets 

You never pay for a vehicle with PayPal, or with a credit card. There is no buyer protection this way at all; vehicles are not eligible. Car dealers never accept credit card payments, you always have to pay with a wire transfer or a certified check. It's the same with private sellers.

You should always expect to pay for a used car with either a wire transfer or a certified check. That's not a sign of a scam, it's the normal procedure.

Your deposit will be covered by the Vehicle Protection Program, unless the listing stated that the deposit was non-refundable. Your full payment will be covered by the VPP if you don't receive the vehicle, or you don't receive the title, or if the title is "salvage" or similar and that was not disclosed in the listing (no coverage if the salvage title was disclosed), or if the vehicle is less than 10 years old and has certain major undisclosed damage to the engine, transmission or frame.

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

The VPP is not a substitute for having the vehicle inspected and doing due diligence before the purchase.

You should never pay for a vehicle or have it shipped to you unless you have had it thoroughly inspected before paying for it. That's true no matter where or how you buy the vehicle.

[simba6]

No that is a SCAM. You are speaking with a liar and a thief that wants to steal your money.

That is not how eBay works.  The protection if very different and limited for autos.  Your supposed to inspect it in person and then pay if your happy with what you see.  Auto sales are non binding. Either party can just walk away.  You should do so.

There is NO protection for wire transfers of any kind. 

[stainlessenginecovers]

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@simba6 wrote:

No that is a SCAM. You are speaking with a liar and a thief that wants to steal your money.

That is not how eBay works.  The protection if very different and limited for autos.  Your supposed to inspect it in person and then pay if your happy with what you see.  Auto sales are non binding. Either party can just walk away.  You should do so.

There is NO protection for wire transfers of any kind. 

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This is NOT a Scam. 

All car dealers or even private parties will either except Wire Transfer or Cash In Person only. 

Yes, buyers should always use due diligence ie. inspect in person, use 3rd party inspection. Pictures and answers from the sellers should NEVER be used to decide on a purchase (unless you know you are buying a 'fixer' and also know that more could be wrong than shown/told)

[Anonymous]

As others have said, paying for a vehicle via wire transfer DOES NOT automatically indicate a scam. I suggest you read up on the vehicle purchase protection (VPP) and also pay through escrow.com if the seller offers it.

https://www.ebay.com/cdp/help/vehicle-protection-plan-details

[soh.maryl]

What's your plan for making sure this vehicle is as described?

[janet9988]

Wire transfer is an ebay motor approved payment method.

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/payment-policies/accepted-payments-policy?id=4269

[richargentil_56]

evening, 

I also won a bid on a car and seller wants a wire transfer.  Is this covered under the Ebay Purchase Protection?

Thanks

[ebooksdiva]

Old thread 2022 

Read message #8 above yours regarding wire transfer.

Vehicles are covered under Vehicle Purchase protection  

[kh-cathy]

Hi everyone,

Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.

Thank you for understanding.