Tips for Avoiding Fraud when Purchasing on Classic Car Online

It is unfortunate that there are people out there who want to take advantage of the honest hard working folks. There are many online classic car ads for sale that scammers post in an attempt to steal a deposit from and innocent buyer. If you are in the market for a classic car and are wishing to purchase a vehicle online, here are some pointers on what to watch out for.

The too good to be true deal – If a seller is selling a vehicle for a very low price, like say a 1967 Shelby Mustang GT350 in Mint Condition for $5000.00 it is most likely a scam and the seller is trying to swindle your money from you in exchange of no vehicle.

No contact information – Mostly all scammers prefer to communicate with buyers through email only and will often provide little to no contact information. Make sure that you are able to speak with the seller over the phone or in person. Be cautious of ads with the wrong phone number or no phone number at all. If the seller won’t talk to you over the phone than you should not progress any further with a transaction.

The seller suddenly moved out of the country – Some scammers will often use the excuse that they are moving overseas and need to sell their vehicle because they cannot take it with them…that is why they are selling it so cheap.

Use of a phony escrow or eBay escrow company – Scammers can easily create websites that look legitimate but are really just a front to try and receive a deposit from you. Only use an escrow company that you know and trust. eBay does not have any type of escrow company nor do they handle any sort of payments. This is a sure sign that this person is a scammer.

Whenever you engage in any transaction, make sure that you use a payment method that can be easily traced and will be able to be refunded if you never receive the item. Be safe and cautious and happy shopping.

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Price Compare before you buy a Classic Car

Image via WikipediaIf you are a classic car enthusiast and are interested in purchasing a classic car, then some online price guides might become your best friend. Before you hit the market, you should arm yourself with the knowledge of what car prices are. It can be the difference between getting the car of your dreams or be taken for a ride (and I’m not talking about a joy ride either).

While the Kelly Blue Book has become a household name, few might not know that there are other resources that you can use for a reference in determining the value of a classic car or truck. Nada Guides, Manheim Gold and Collector Car Market all offer value guides of classic cars with suggested retail value for vehicles in varying conditions from poor to excellent.

But as we all know, one man’s perception of a cherry can be another’s sour grape. It can be difficult to determine what a fair price is for a particular make and model of a classic car. If you are truly concerned, it might be wise to hire an appraiser or inspection service to evaluate the vehicle before you make your purchase. Just make sure before you buy, you have all of your ducks in a row and you are getting a fair an accurate price.