Purchase truck through ebay???

[garlynni623]

I just found out a truck we're interested in purchasing is being handled strictly through e-bay.  Several questions before we consider pursuing thru this venue.  Seller states that e-bay mechanics have/will inspect truck to ensure it is working properly.  Where are mechanics from and are they certified?  Was informed we would have 5 days to test/inspect truck after delivery.  If we choose to purchase truck, how is pink slip/title handled?  If we choose not to purchase truck, how is return handled and who is responsible for return shipping?   What else should we be concerned about??   Thank you.

[alcoforever · Accepted solution]

That is a scam.   Ebay has no mechanics.   You found that listing on another site, not ebay.   Ebay has nothing to do with items found on other sites.

[buyselljack2016]

@garlynni623 

No worries about the return shipping, as the person that you are dealing with does not have the truck, and is in no way associated with the sale of the truck, nor is eBay.

SCAM.  Run forrest, run

The only pink that would be seen is the after effect of your embarrassment for being scammed with a purchase using eBay gift cards that are just like cash. Once you provide the #'s on the cards the seller scammer will be gone unless they think they have found an easy mark at which point they will ask for more "refundable" funds paid by untraceable gift cards to cover the insurance for the shipping.

[eburtonlab]

Beware scammers who advertise on other sites and tell you that the transaction will be handled through eBay.

That is not how eBay works. eBay does not rely on users finding ads on Facebook or other sites and sending contact information to a seller. Likely the seller will send a phony "invoice" that appears to be from eBay but is not, asking you to pay with gift cards to have the vehicle shipped to you for a free evaluation period.

eBay has no warehouse and does not ship vehicles. eBay does not handle such transactions or provide "vehicle protection orders". Scammers often promise those things, though. Any phone number you may receive on such an "invoice" does not connect to eBay, but to the scammer.

Anyone that asks you to purchase gift cards or to send card codes to them to complete a transaction is trying to take advantage of you. Anyone asking for a gift card is looking for a gift at your expense. Once anyone else knows the code, your money will be gone and you will have no recourse.

See here for some info about avoiding such scams (US links):

https://pages.motors.ebay.com/buy/security/index.html

https://www.fbi.gov/scams-and-safety/common-fraud-schemes/online-vehicle-sale-fraud

The only way to purchase a vehicle on eBay is to sign in to eBay, find the vehicle on eBay and complete the checkout process on eBay, so that the item appears in your Purchase History. Then you typically meet the seller to inspect the vehicle, pay the seller, and collect the keys, title and vehicle.

If you encountered an ad on another site, contact that site to have the ad removed. eBay is not involved with any ads listed on sites other than eBay itself.

[vanman1029]

There are no ebay mechanics, warehouse or garage, in fact, there is no truck at all! There is only a scammer in Nicaragua trying to separate you from your money. A well known scam!

[soh.maryl]

There is no truck and no connection to eBay.  Go back and read here older posts and you'll see lots of questions like yours, including some from people who, unfortunately, fell for this scam.  

[downunder-61]

When I see these posts and the OP does not come back..............

Really hope they have seen the replies even if they haven't responded.

[nobody*s_perfect]

OP apparently came back: He marked as "Solution" one of the posts that said it's a scam.

[downunder-61]

D'oh - missed that completely !

[little*blackdog]

You should be concerned about being taken for a ride before you even get to see a truck!  All those questions you have should alert you to the fact that someone isn't being straight with you.  This is a well-known scam that has been around for years and years. 

[stainlessenginecovers]

OP's on this type of 'thread' seldom come back. <headshake>