Selling my car, International buyer/possible scammer, I need advice!

[CB]

maybe it was better you never got into the intl. selling issue.
It is always a risci business and being afraid of getting screwed you should've said that your car won't go to a person outside the USA.
Saves you the headaches and besides that, the intl. buyer can find other deals.
Some on the board are firm: no selling to someone outside the country.


CB

[charger_mike75]

If the person has the money to buy the car and ship it overseas, maybe they need to just spend a few bucks more for a plane ticket and inspect and or buy in person. Then no one will be scammed.   

[Corellian Corvette]

I think most people have posted sane advice.

He could just as easily be testing you, as you are testing him. There is probably fear on both sides, and while his requests may send a flag, not giving out the info could send a flag the other way.

I do agree the buyer is taking the bigger risk. Ask me how I know.

However, if you are worried about IDENTITY THEFT, that's what I think is worrying you. In the case of your D/L, the important information is the acutal number which I would black out. But again, tell him you're blacking it out and why you are. Be honest about your concerns. Certainly your SSN# should never be shared. Having your address and VIN number isn't going to lead to any Identity Theft.

Also - I think the case of opening up a NEW bank account specifically for this transaction may be a VERY smart thing to do. Don't tie it to any of your credit cards or other accounts. That's a very safe way of not letting your finances get exposed.

And as others have said be honest and transparent and trust your gut. It sounds like your tendency is to trust this guy, and I do agree he's taking the bigger risk.

Good luck!

[royt440]

Separate account is a definite!!  Minimum deposit to open and then transfer the big bucks to your personal, PRIVATE, account.

My wife is customer service rep at a local bank.  Anyone with your account number can take money out as well as make a deposit.  Whenever you give your account number to a store/vendor, you are trusting that party to abide by the implied contract that they will only draft the amount you have agreed upon.  Some banks may have different rules but don't count on it.

Roy

[suntech]

My wife is customer service rep at a local bank.  Anyone with your account number can take money out as well as make a deposit.

Well, that is the only bank i have heard of that has that "service"
She must mean that someone ( like a known relative to the account holder) shows up in person in the bank, with a signed (and notarized in US) letter from the account holder, that allows what he /she wants to do.
I have been sending and receiving money from pretty much all over the world, and the ONLY thing you can do with a bank account# , assuming you are not the account holder, is to put money IN to the account.

[moparchris]

Just my two cents, but I have also sold a stateside mopar overseas and what is being asked is in this instance is also what I did.  I provided a COPY of the title, a Copy of my drivers license and of course the routing information for the wire transfer of funds.  The buyer needs your Name address etc... from your license, just black out your actual i.d. number on your license.  This shouldn't be your s.s.n. anyways.  If it is you have bigger worries than this.  he also needs the titile info to get his import paperwork started so he can do the deal.  You also need a copy of his license with all of his info also and make sure that the mailing address that you are sending the title to matches his license.  Also TALK to this guy and try to get a feel for him.  You have the car and it doesn't go anywhere until you'ver been paid.  I know exactly how you feel and it can get nerve racking, but this is probably a legit deal.

[69charger2002]

simple if the guy has $20k to blow on a charger, he can spend an extra $1000 and fly his ass over here to look at it, and buy it.. basically as said earlier
trav

[CB]

My wife is customer service rep at a local bank.  Anyone with your account number can take money out as well as make a deposit.

Well, that is the only bank i have heard of that has that "service"
She must mean that someone ( like a known relative to the account holder) shows up in person in the bank, with a signed (and notarized in US) letter from the account holder, that allows what he /she wants to do.
I have been sending and receiving money from pretty much all over the world, and the ONLY thing you can do with a bank account# , assuming you are not the account holder, is to put money IN to the account.

That's what my bank said also. Over the years, I bought 8 cars in the US, everytime with bank wire transfer. Never had troubles. CB

[suntech]

the mailing address that you are sending the title to

The original title goes together with the car in most cases, as the shipping company uses that and the bill of sale, as customs papers, meaning the seller is not giving away ANYTHING but his name, adress and bank details, before the car is payed for.
As for spending another 1000 bucks++ for a plane ticket, to go and check out the car in person, just because the seller won´t give out basic information............. well, i would consither that a waste of money, and taking time off work, rental car, etc it would add up to maybe 3 K, and that is a lot of money to spend/ waste, just because of stupid stuff like that.
I see threads here where members feel ripped off, because a vendor charged them 20 bucks more than another one for shipping, so nobody here wants to WASTE money
Rolf

[Ghoste]

This is why the whole "buying a car on the 'net" thing just leaves me stone cold.  No offense to our overseas friends because I very much understand your plight but for me, buying or selling a car is just something that needs to be done face to face.  If you can't buy or sell face to face, then you need to use a broker as a go-between.
It's only my opinion but it is what it is.

[suntech]

I understand that people are questioning many things, the way the world is, but i am a strong believer in that if you play with a open hand, and everything is transparent, there is not much to be to afraid about. If there is nothing to hide, no point in hiding it, right!!