Sold a car to the USA...now what?

[Sample00]

ok, here's the resident CP sleazy used car salesman needing advice on the sale of a vehicle to the USA.

So, I sold a car to the a guy from MO. He is going to be paying for the vehicle by way of certified bank draft from Bank of America. He is couriering the draft to me by Fed Ex. Is there a way I can confirm that its not a forgery?

He then wants the vehicle shipped to him. I have a name, address, telephone number...etc. etc.

Transport will take place with a confirmed reliable transport company that I chose.

What steps do I need to take to ensure this as a clean transaction?

[Playfair's Hairgel]

simply call the bank on which the draft is drawn upon and confirm the security features and the series of numbers that show up on the bank draft.

99% of the time they confirm provided you tell the reason for your call.

[CaptainCrunch]

?????

Profit

[Sample00]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

?????

Profit

HUH?

[DOK]

Who's paying for shipping???

[Sample00]

Originally Posted by DOK

Who's paying for shipping???

They are!.
I got a quote from a shipping company and advised the purchaser of the amount and he will include in the draft being sent.

[mykalberta]

Cash the money order/cheque/bank transfer and take a video of you rolling around in the cash yelling suckas and then post the vid on youtube.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Unless there is something unique about this car, like it is rare, or a crazy good price, or it's a van with a wicked mural of a bikini-clad chick holding a giant sword while battling a panther, I'd be warry of this being a scam.

If it's a 98 Corolla with 180000 km on it, why would someone buy it and have it shipped from Canada?

[Cliche]

5mph bumpers vs. 2-3mph bumpers rated on most US cars.


Although http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/27/w...per-standards/ indicates that bumper standards are now normalized for all newer vehicles, so stuff pre-2008 should still adhere to the stiffer standard.

Just a note on average cost to repair bumpers concerning small cars:
http://www.iihs.org/news/rss/pr090408.html

[fredr123]

Someone photoshop Axel's mug on Commodore.

[DOK]

My only thought is that he's willing to let you choose the transporter?? If it were me buying, I'd want the best company. If I were selling it I'd probably use a half ass company, maybe I don't know.

As long as you have the money in hand and it's cashed and cleared, I don't see how you could get burned on this. Not sure if you've done it, but talking to someone on the phone may help confidence as well. I'd just make some assurances about the condition of the car as of when you shipped it, to make sure he doesn't pin any transportation damages on you. Really, not technical advice at all, but I'd be more curious as to why someone would buy a car from Canada and pay for shipping without seeing unless it was a steal, and if it was a steal, are you getting good money for it?

[Sample00]

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

Unless there is something unique about this car, like it is rare, or a crazy good price, or it's a van with a wicked mural of a bikini-clad chick holding a giant sword while battling a panther, I'd be warry of this being a scam.

If it's a 98 Corolla with 180000 km on it, why would someone buy it and have it shipped from Canada?

Hi,
I guess some clarity would have probably helped this.
yes, its a unique vehicle. Its a late 60's muscle car in very good condition.

this is the car and the ad that he picked it up from.
http://www.amx-perience.com/classifi...p?product=1467

and yes, I spoke with him on the phone.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by Sample00

Hi,
I guess some clarity would have probably helped this.
yes, its a unique vehicle. Its a late 60's muscle car in very good condition.

this is the car and the ad that he picked it up from.
http://www.amx-perience.com/classifi...p?product=1467

and yes, I spoke with him on the phone.

Ahh, that makes some sense.

[DOK]

AH! I see! Sounds good then! Just wondering if there would be any extra charges at the boarder that might sneak up? I always hear of stuff crossing customs and them charging various amounts for the product, but never the same amount.

Let us know how this pans out!

[longsuffering]

Be very, very careful. There is a good chance the bank draft will be a fake. Even verifying it over the phone with the issuing bank won't guarantee that you're safe. I know of cases where the drafts are deposited, SEEMINGLY clear, and the seller ships, only to have his bank reverse the transaction a month or more down the road after someone in BoA figured out the draft was a forgery.

I'd advise you to call your buyer and tell him that you will only accept a wire transfer. Those cannot be reversed.

[missdpuck]

Don't know if this helps but our local car buy and sell rag advises private sellers to accept CASH or wire transfer only, not even cashier's checks. Both sellers I dealt with recently demanded cash.


If I win the lotto this weekend can you find me a SuperBee or Bird or some such Mopar contrapton?

I can dream.........

[Kjesse]

Originally Posted by DOK

My only thought is that he's willing to let you choose the transporter?? If it were me buying, I'd want the best company. If I were selling it I'd probably use a half ass company, maybe I don't know.

Remind me never to do business with you.

Sample, the best protection is to delay the shipping (with disclosure to the purchaser, let him know why) until your own bank has confirmed the draft has been honoured. Make that a term of the transaction. If he doesn't like it, insist on a wire transfer, which is instant. Bank drafts can be refused by the purported issuing bank after the fact, and you're on the hook from your own bank if that happens.

Even if you have the guy's real contact info, you'll need a lawyer in his home jurisdiction to sue him... and I'm sure you'd rather have the car safe and sound on your lot than no car and a lawsuit in a foreign jurisdiction with a lawyer's bill to boot.

Trust, but verify. The purchaser should understand your need for that.

Edit: You can't get better than L. Hansen's Forwarding for shipping cars IMHO. And also, make sure the contract specifies "FOB" (Free on Board) such that all expenses and risk for shipping pass to the purchaser upon it leaving your lot... and include he is responsible for all duties, taxes and brokerage fees. If he's concerned with that tell him to insure the vehicle (and give him the transfer documents) before you ship it to give him time to insure. Also, make sure the warranty as to the condition of the vehicle is very clear in the Bill of Sale.

Further Edit (from Wiki):

North America

The term FOB for "Freight On Board" is commonly used when shipping goods within the United States, to indicate who pays loading and transportation costs, and/or the point at which the responsibility of the goods transfers from shipper to buyer. This usage derives from the now obsolete US "Foreign Trade Definitions" of 1941[verification needed].
"FOB shipping point" or "FOB origin" indicates the buyer pays shipping cost, and takes responsibility for the goods when the goods leave the seller's premises. "FOB destination" designates the seller will pay shipping costs, and remain responsible for the goods until the buyer takes possession.[5] A related but separate term "CAP" ("customer arranged pickup") is used to denote that the buyer will arrange a carrier of their choice to pick the goods up at the seller's premises, and the liability for any damage or loss belongs to the buyer.


I should have said "FOB Origin". I used the British/Canadian term in my original post. In England and Canada its often "Free" instead of "Freight". In the USA its "Freight", and use his language to protect yourself from ambiguities.

[STeeLy]

Originally Posted by Delgar

Edit: You can't get better than L. Hansen's Forwarding for shipping cars IMHO.

+1. I haven't used any other company but my experience with LHF was great, I would highly recommend it to people, my car was returned to me in the condition I left it in minus a few dust spots here and there from the transport.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by missdpuck

If I win the lotto this weekend can you find me a SuperBee or Bird or some such Mopar contrapton?

I can dream.........

How about candy apple red?

[STeeLy]

I think missdpuck would want a convertible... with the top down... constantly... unless it's raining.