Your Thoughts on helping Buy and Deliver car for Europian Buyer?

[06Daytona]

There may be issues with shipping a car overseas if you're not the owner. When I shipped my 06 Charger from Jacksonville to Puerto Rico they wanted title along with lots of other info(can't remember exactly what they wanted) and I had to make arrangements to ship ahead of time. I do remember that one question they asked was if it was my car.
The owner might want to look into an auto broker/shipper. They would be familiar with what paperwork etc would be necessary. As for being the driver from point a to point b with a tour of wrecking yards in between, I would personally go for it as long as the car was covered by some sort of insurance

[Troy]

Having done this before (and helped a couple times) it's not really as complicated as all that. However, it can be a pain and time consuming. Realistically, if the car is destined to go overseas it may be better to do what was mentioned above - hire a broker. A truck will pick it up and haul it direct to the port. It will be where it needs to be at the time it needs to be and it will be insured all the way. The actual title has to ship with the car (as far as I know) which is risky if you ask me but that's the rules. I have no problem giving out my account numbers for wire transfer purposes. An escrow service would be added protection. If the buyer wants it checked out by a knowledgeable, trustworthy person *before* handing over the cash then that's where it gets tricky. In that case, follow all the above steps but let the buyer/seller handle the money transfer and shipping issues so you're never in possession of the vehicle. If it were someone I knew reasonably well I'd haul it but, as I said, that can be a pain so treat it as a favor and not a job.

Troy

[nvrbdn]

i wouldnt drive it anywhere without registration and insurance already in someones name. trailer that car and collect monies for miledge on top of expenses.

[GunMetal]

Dave,
   PM me, your'e full. I've got an offer for ya.

[RECHRGD]

Dave...All the previous posts make good points and you'd have to be real comfortable with everyone involved to proceed with this.  Additionally, I would be very leary of just throwing some gas in a $5,500.00 "original" mopar and driving hundreds of miles.  Too many mechanical unknowns.  Does the buyer have extra cash ready for a new tranny if it blows?  Or a major engine failure?  Do you have the free time to deal with these types of problems that can so easily arise with these old cars?  You just may be volunteering for more than you've bargained for.  Just my  Bob

[Brock Samson]

  Though I feel the deals pretty much on the level,.. I know there are always unknowns that crop up and IF I decide to do this I do want to be covered...
in closing -

I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL OF YOUR ADVICE SUGGESTIONS AND OFFERS TO HELP SO FAR!!!

 I knew taking this to the group would be the best next move after the buyer asked me to help him.
 
 THANKS Guys!!!  

[jeryst]

If you want to help the buyer by going to look at the car, and giving your opinion, thats fine, but I would not pay for, or take possession of it. Period.
Some people are really picky, and some people arent. Something that you think is fine, could be viewed as unacceptable by some anal prick.
What happens if the buyer decides to sue you because you did not discover something he thought you should have noticed?

That's what escrow services and brokers are all about. They collect a few bucks for the transaction, but thats their job. They know how to cover their butts, they know how to keep both parties happy, and they are insured. If you do this, you could be on the hook for anything that happens to the car. As mentioned, what about paperwork, registration, insurance, etc.

ALso, dont let anyone wire anything into your bank account, unless it is a special account that has nothing else in it, and nothing can be taken out unless by you in person.

If I were in the situation, here's what I would do...
1. Contact the buyer and tell him to wire me $1300 via Western Union, ($1000 down payment, $300 for your trouble), along with a signed sales contract.
   He's willing to risk sending the full amount to your bank account, so he should have no problem wiring you $1300. If he balks, something is fishy.
   Tell him the $300 is yours, no matter what. (Substitute whatever you think is fair for the $300 I used).
2. Set up a time when you can look at the car where both buyer and seller are committed to being available.
3. Go look at the car, take extensive pics. Email pics to buyer immediately. Have him call you to get your opinion of the vehicle, and to answer any questions he may have while you are right there.
4. If buyer agrees to buy, have seller sign sales contract. Fill in VIN number and down payment amount. Give seller $1k down payment. Provide copy of contract to both parties.
   (Seller should sign at a DMV, notary, wherever the document can be properly legalized. Buyer should have done the same thing before he sent the contract to you)
5. Buyer and seller can now take care of all further paperwork and transportation without you.

I think it is noble of you to want to help out, but you dont realize what kinds of hassles can occur at a large transportation/shipping hub. Backups, long delays, accidents, etc. Also, every bit of paperwork comes under intense scrutiny, and every "i" better be dotted and every "t" better be crossed. I am also very puzzled about the buyers cavalier attitude towards the paperwork. I had some Aussies come look at a car I had for sale, and they told me that if all of the paperwork is not correct, the vehicle could be impounded and crushed at their port of entry. I dont know how true that is, and how much it varies in different countries, but if I were buying a vehicle, I sure as He11 wouldnt want to take the chance.

Another thing you should be aware of, is that a vehicle that is uninsured for the road is also uninsured while being trailered/towed. I have a friend who found that out the hard way because he took his uninsured car out of storage and was trailering it to his garage when the trailer started to sway, then flipped over, demolishing his car. The insurance company flatly refused to pay him anything for it because it only had storage (comprehensive) insurance on it. He argued that his tow vehicle insurance should cover it, or that the comprehensive should have covered it because it was not being driven. They said "Sorry, that's not how it works. Collision means exactly that, regardless of whether it collides with another vehicle, a tree, or the ground.". I asked my insurance agent about that, and he said its true. In order for a vehicle to be covered in any type of collision, trailered or not, the car itself must have collision insurance on it. So anytime I need to trailer an uninsured car or project anywhere, I go into my agent and he puts a temporary collision policy on it for 1 day. Costs me under $5. And FYI, they cannot allow you to insure a vehicle that is not in your name.

I think the buyer is being cheap, and trying to save a few bucks at your expense. I would never ask another forum member to do more than just go look at a vehicle and give an opinion.

Your call.

[Brock Samson]

   Again Thanks!
 The buyer is contacting a Auto Shipping Co. in Redding that's where the Car is located... The distances involved/banking and paperwork were my main concern this shuttle being several hours of driving time and the vehicle uninsured is what gives/gave me pause... great to hear all sides and very helpful.
A few hour road trip to see and drive the car to the owner is one thing, but, inspecting/banking/towing/driving/following hours and hours with another member/friend here shareing some responsibility is quite another,.. kinda' gives one pause. Age and experiance shows that these things seldom go off without a hitch.
Though I'd love to help.  

[bobs66440]

Good call. You will be saving yourself much aggravation...and probably money in the long run. 

[nvrbdn]

awesome to want to help out, but wise choice to direct him to a shipping co.

[Brock Samson]

Yeah,.. Guys you've pretty much nailed it and validated my thoughts and feelings, I love the idea of a road trip to see cars and help a member out... I hate to think of the shitstorm that could result from such a complicated adventure...

[Dans 68]

Yeah,.. Guys you've pretty much nailed it and validated my thoughts and feelings, I love the idea of a road trip to see cars and help a member out... I hate to think of the shitstorm that could result from such a complicated adventure...

Whew! Glad to hear it. And to think I could have been involved....

Dan

[Neal_J]

Yea, shitstorms are bad.

[six-tee-nine]

I think You already helped the guy out pretty well.
However dont underestimate the overseas factor. Many people that sell a car are not the enthusiasts we are and dont feel the same about a "stupid old car". I had several sellers not responding anymore if they knew you were Eropean.(I always felt like I should tell so the seller knew some extra effort could be part of the deal).


What you could always do is offering the guy a place to stay if you have a spare bed. and help him out with the trip like you planned by looking at the bus rates and scedules, but let him do the job himself. I think every deticared European guy that likes old american cars knows that buying a car in the us might mean flying over there in order to get it home....