Ebay and Escrow

[Sample00]

just out of curiosity..
has anybody ever bought a vehicle through ebay from the USA and had to use the Escrow service.
I am currently dealing on a vehicle and the agreement is that we use the Escrow service.
just wanted to get some background and see how it went.
I am a bit leary of doing this, but its something that I really want and I dont know anybody in the area to have a look or anything for me. The vehicle is in Miami Beach, florida.
Also, does anybody have any knowledge on bringing a used vehicle across the border. Knowledge with regards to duty and or taxes etc.
thanks

please advise

[BlackArcher101]

There are lot's of bogus escrow scams. What will happen is the seller sets up a fake escrow, you send payment, and you never get the car.

Make sure you choose the escrow. I think ebay recommends a few as well.

[Sample00]

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

There are lot's of bogus escrow scams. What will happen is the seller sets up a fake escrow, you send payment, and you never get the car.

Make sure you choose the escrow. I think ebay recommends a few as well.

yes, I am using the one from ebay called www.escrow.com

[arsenal]

Is that car an integra?

[Sample00]

Originally Posted by arsenal

Is that car an integra?

no its not...
the other thing that makes me a bit leary is the price that I am getting it for. Seems like a steal to me.
Its that ole adage, if something is too good to be true, kinda thing.
thats why I thought the escrow through ebay might be a good answer.

[ericschand]

http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=06/03/13/0528214

I know it's about real estate, but maybe it can apply to cars as well?

ers

[Sample00]

Originally Posted by ericschand

http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=06/03/13/0528214

I know it's about real estate, but maybe it can apply to cars as well?

ers

thanks for the info guys...

as it turns out, it was a scam!! and I got a hold of ebay security and stuff. they are investigating it.
good thing I didnt forward any monies or information.
guess that ole adage applies..if its too good to be true, it usually is.
I kept digging and digging and digging and finally stuff just wasnt coming together, so I contacted ebay live help online and they determined that it was a scam. Sooo...guess we will find out what happens soon enough.

thanks gain
Sample00

[Tron_fdc]

How did you figure out it was a scam? Just wondering so I know what to look out for....

[arsenal]

Yah, there are alot of those scams on eBay.
I remember reading about one on a car forum not to long ago, and the car in question was an Integra, that's why I asked what type of car it was.

eBay seems to have a 30 day policy, and the scammers will keep promising you stuff but not delivering until after 30 days (or ever), when eBay can't do anything about it.

[ken0042]

One important thing to keep in mind with eBay- they are a venue only so it isn't "them" that will do anything. It's like buying a defective item at the booths in the Roundup Centre during Stampede, and then trying to go after the Stampede Board because you got ripped off.

One thing with Paypal- you only have 30 days to file for a chargeback. That's where the 30 days comes in. The other way to protect yourself is to always use your Paypal so it draws the funds from your Visa card. That way if it goes past 30 days and you get ripped off, you can file a chargeback from Paypal; they will deny it, then you can file with your credit card company.

[Sample00]

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

How did you figure out it was a scam? Just wondering so I know what to look out for....

well actually there was a number of things...

1) the price seemed to good to be true plus it offered free shipping
2) right after the email process started, i noticed that the sellor was not a registered ebay user.
3) the first email I got from him was a generic email that was meant to sound personal. it just read really wierd, kinda hard to explain.
4) when I told him that I lived in Alberta Canada and asked if shipping was still free, he replied that yes it was as his brother owned a shipping company. well that alone made me leary, cause I have a bud taht has transported vehicle over the border and the paperwork, duty, taxes process is almost ridiculous. Anyways, this guy just made it sound too easy.
5) I got a hold of live ebay and had them look into it. I figured that if they said it was cool then I would go with it. but they said it was a scam so I backed right off and email the guy that I reported him to ebay security.

The part that I dont get, is that ebay hasnt shut the auction down yet. maybe they are still investigating.

I guess its buyer beware...

[Log]

Originally Posted by Sample00

well actually there was a number of things...

1) the price seemed to good to be true plus it offered free shipping
2) right after the email process started, i noticed that the sellor was not a registered ebay user.
3) the first email I got from him was a generic email that was meant to sound personal. it just read really wierd, kinda hard to explain.
4) when I told him that I lived in Alberta Canada and asked if shipping was still free, he replied that yes it was as his brother owned a shipping company. well that alone made me leary, cause I have a bud taht has transported vehicle over the border and the paperwork, duty, taxes process is almost ridiculous. Anyways, this guy just made it sound too easy.
5) I got a hold of live ebay and had them look into it. I figured that if they said it was cool then I would go with it. but they said it was a scam so I backed right off and email the guy that I reported him to ebay security.

The part that I dont get, is that ebay hasnt shut the auction down yet. maybe they are still investigating.

I guess its buyer beware...

Ebay link?

[Sample00]

Originally Posted by Log

Ebay link?

its gone, they pulled it.