The Newport has sold and is going to Germany

"cletus44 aka Clayton Seams" (cletus44)
04/26/2016 at 09:28 • Filed to: None

At least I hope it is. I’m very wary that this could be a scam and I need advice on how not to get screwed. What is the best way to transfer money internationally? I was thinking Paypal for the deposit, and then the remainder would be paid cash, in person when the shipper arrives to pick up the car. The buyer has provided contact information on the shipping company and they seem legit. I will contact them today.

Advice? Does this sound like a scam to anyone?

DISCUSSION (25)

Flavien Vidal > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
04/26/2016 at 09:32

Bank transfert. Period. I wouldn’t deal with Paypal for something that expensive as the buyer could still make a claim and manage to get refunded... Then it becomes a freaking mess with Paypal.

So bank transfert from his account ot your account is the one and only way. If he refuses tell him to then fly over and do it in person. Otherwise, no deal.

EDIT: Paypal deposit and the rest in cash is doable too. Small deposit though, like 200$ so he can’t make a claim for it after.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > Flavien Vidal
04/26/2016 at 09:33

Thanks for advice. Is that the same thing as an E-Transfer? Or do you mean a certified check?

BeaterGT > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
04/26/2016 at 09:36

I used Transferwise recently but the amount was for ~250. They’re fees and exchange rates are more favorable than Paypal. And if you’re going to do a bank wire transfer, make sure you see what fees you’re getting charged beforehand.

Flavien Vidal > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
04/26/2016 at 09:36

No a proper international bank wire transfert. It takes about a week. You give him you bank account infos (account number, routing number, bank reference number, phone number of the local branch and address) and he goes to his bank and sends the money.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > BeaterGT
04/26/2016 at 09:37

I’m actually willing to pay decent fees in exchange for total security. I want to make sure I’m getting my money before my car goes in a container to Germany.

BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
04/26/2016 at 09:40

Seems OK.

For some reason, older American cars are pretty popular in Germany and other parts of Europe right now. I know of two different people in my hometown who sold their classics, one to a German, the other was Swiss.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest.
04/26/2016 at 09:43

I mean, the shipping co. he linked me to is legit, his Facebook is a real profile and he seems pretty straightforward but I still want to be careful.

Flavien Vidal > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
04/26/2016 at 09:43

Best protection is no protection. He is the one who buys the car and doesn’t fly over to get it, therefore he is the one who has to trust you. Once the money is on your bank account (through an international wire transfert) he has no way to get it back. No possibilities of claim or anything like this. So as I said, for something like this, that would be bank transfert or nothing as far as I’m concerned.

If he refuses, I’d be suspicious and I’d tell him to just fly over and pay for the car in person. Round trip to the US from Germany are around 500$ right now and not much of a big deal if purchasing a car.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > Flavien Vidal
04/26/2016 at 09:44

Is it safe to give out my account # and stuff to someone I don’t know? Sorry for all the questions, I’m really curious how all this works. Thanks for the time.

Cé hé sin > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
04/26/2016 at 09:48

You’re asking the purchaser to put a lot in trust of course. He gives you his money and you could be gone with it.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > Cé hé sin
04/26/2016 at 09:51

True, but by the same token, if I load up my car and his check bounces, im without a car. Someone’s gotta make a jump.

Sam > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
04/26/2016 at 09:57

They can’t actually do anything other than start a deposit. It’s the same as if you had direct deposit through an employer.

If you do a wire transfer, there is no way for him to get the money back after it is in your account.

yitznewton > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
04/26/2016 at 10:02

Isn’t this a solved problem? Like, escrow or something? I’m more responding to the comments basically saying someone has to be YOLO

Flavien Vidal > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
04/26/2016 at 10:03

Yes, if they were going for YOUR specific bank account in the first place, they’d use other methods... It’s no problem, unlike a credit card or something. A bank account is of no use for someone unless he wants to make a deposit. Routing number and all the rest are freely available to him on internet.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
04/26/2016 at 10:06

Have you considered Western Union?

Flavien Vidal > yitznewton
04/26/2016 at 10:07

In between 2 countries good luck claiming anything. As far as he knowns buyer could actually be from some other eastern european countries too, only pickking up the car in germany or something. For this kind of stuff, I ONLY use direct bank transferts.

BeaterGT > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
04/26/2016 at 10:19

I received my money through Transferwise before I sent out the car part (to Austria) so I can tell you it was secure enough for me.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > Flavien Vidal
04/26/2016 at 10:19

Okay I called the shipper. They say the process is that the seller will send a bank draft to the shipper. The shipper will inspect my car and then hand me a bank draft for the sale amount. I’ll then deposit the draft and they’ll hold the car until it clears. Once it clears, they send out the car. Does that sound right?

Flavien Vidal > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
04/26/2016 at 10:22

As you say it, it does, but I have never used that method so I can’t really say... My guess is that if the shipping company is properly registered in your country, yes it is a good method.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > Flavien Vidal
04/26/2016 at 10:25

Thanks so much for helping me understand this. Yes, the shipping place ( http://aamcoshipping.com/ ) seems legit and the people there seemed to know what they’re talking about.

Flavien Vidal > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
04/26/2016 at 10:29

I think you’re good to go using this method, seems like a method that would protect you both but won’t allow you to suddenly “change your mind” after the transaction is gone

Jewish Stig > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
04/26/2016 at 10:38

SWIFT is very common and secure way to transfer funds .
Check your local bank branch.

kanadanmajava1 > BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest.
04/26/2016 at 11:24

Finland and Sweden are hoarding a lot of old American cars too. I think Sweden is ahead in the hoarding race but we are following quite close behind. Currently the exchange rate is quite bad for buying anything in USD but waiting for better rates seem to be only making things worse. You will see plenty of newly issued plates on American cars in local gatherings so import guys have again been busy.

Our countrymen operate couple of shipping companies in California, Florida and Texas so buying a car form the US is actually a lot easier than to travel by yourself to Germany and fetch one from there. The shipping company guys will act as the middleman and move the money to the seller and organize the shipping. Very easy and not even very expensive.

I have bought one Packard from California (found from enthusiasts’ forum) and one Charger from Kansas (eBay). I also used to own two 80's Electra wagons that had been imported from the US in 90's.

That's gonna leave a mark! > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
04/26/2016 at 16:43

Could you keep us updated on how this plays out?

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > That's gonna leave a mark!
04/26/2016 at 16:51

Sure! I’ve arranged with the shipper to drop off the car and get my money. Should be happening this week!