Safe payment method for car bought remote

rivarama

Member
Messages
1,102
Hello,
I have bought a 1971 series 2a a couple of weeks ago, which the vendor told me he would want me to come pick up until lock down was over (his wife works for the NHS). With the growing rumours of lockdown being extended beyond Feb half term, I am starting to look at alternatives ways of getting the car safely.
Once of them is to have the car transported. The only downside to that is the payment... Although the vendor seems very trustworthy ( I have gone many through thorough checks and FaceTime videos going around the car etc...) I still feel uncomfortable wiring the money, then hoping he puts the car on the back of the carrier of my choosing.
Are you guys familiar with specialist escrow services or other ways to offer as much security as possible to complete the transaction?
Thanks in advance
 

Gazcw

Member
Messages
7,696
Not really understanding his reasoning too much and before anyone shoots me down and yes it is not essential travel etc. but a bank transfer takes normally 30 minutes to an hour to show in his bank, the money cannot be clawed back even if it not showing as cleared. I have checked this with my bank before. There is no paperwork, he can transfer ownership immediately online. The keys and books etc can be left in the car. He has no need to come out of his house or have any contact at all. It can work exactly the same using a collection service.
 

Oneball

Member
Messages
11,069
Pay on the day of collection, the carrier can ring you when he’s there, you send electronically, all confirms money ok car ok, carrier leaves.
 

rivarama

Member
Messages
1,102
Pay on the day of collection, the carrier can ring you when he’s there, you send electronically, all confirms money ok car ok, carrier leaves.
Here is a naive question: what if the seller pretends he hasnt received the money and refuses to load the car on the trailer?
 
Messages
307
I am literally building out this service to remove all payment and fraud risk amongst others.. all within one service and all checked and validated between buyer and seller.... plus insurance backed...

.... but work has been 7 days a week for the past 11 months since lockdown and have not had the time to get from MVP to up and running...

I know it works and all came about me buying and selling and stressing that I would get legged over somehow as both the buyer and seller...

But can’t help at the moment...

Stu
 

Gazcw

Member
Messages
7,696
Here is a naive question: what if the seller pretends he hasnt received the money and refuses to load the car on the trailer?
You send the boys round.
Thats why I would go and show I had sent cash on phone.
 

spkennyuk

Member
Messages
5,930
Here is a naive question: what if the seller pretends he hasnt received the money and refuses to load the car on the trailer?

If the vendor is willing to allow the a man with a trailer / transporter to collect the vehicle then i dont see why he would not let you collect it.

As others have said it can all be done contactless.

Drive to vendors house. Vendor can stay inside. Leave you to check your happy with the exterior of the vehicle.

If you want it starting up to check for engine noises phone the vendor and ask them to do that while your sat in your car.

If all good then you can transfer the money. Vendor can check with their bank and if all good he can put the keys in an envelope / bag with log book slip, history etc and put them next to the car and retreat safely inside before you pick up envelope / bag and keys.

Depending on the value of the bank transfer its worth you speaking to your bank before hand. If its £1 to £10k mostly not an issue but it can get flagged up as potential fraud and they dont like transfers over 10k from one account.
 

safrane

Member
Messages
16,746
The guy who does the transportation for Auto Italia has a decent knowledge of vehicles and knows paint very well. As its work, there are no restrictions on him collecting the vehicle.

I recently bought a £40k car remotely and only paid when it arrived here and was as described.
 

Lozzingers

Member
Messages
192
I'm not able to add a better way than mentioned above, but if you do pick the car up yourself and then pay online from your phone/laptop, make sure you use your own 4g signal and not their wifi. Bank fraud will be alerted if you make a large transfer when using an unknown wifi. I've had that happen to me both ways, and causes a delay as you have to speak to fraud department etc! Just a point if you do go down the above route.
Good luck
 

rivarama

Member
Messages
1,102
Thanks guys - all very sensible. A lot of good suggestions for me to get back to the seller with a safe proposal.
As a typical LR enthusiast, I spent nearly 2h on the phone with him (I couldn’t find a way to make him stop talking how each parts was restored or replaced during the restoration:).
He did send me a couple of videos (20min worth in total) of him walking around and crawling under the car and numero texts and email. I really think the guy is serious and genuinely wants his car to land in a good family (as opposed to being flipped).

He’s only 75miles away, by the new forest - so prob a 2.5h drive back on B/C roads
 

rivarama

Member
Messages
1,102
Oh and yes - the value is less than 10k so should make for a quick and painless bank transfer