Using an escrow website to buy a car

[CaptainAtom]

Hi first post on the website so I apologise if this is the wrong section. So I'm in the process of finding and buying my dream car. I found one online that was being sold and I've spoken to the a couple of times but the catch is he lives in a completely different state so IveI been looking into using an escrow website to buy the car but I'm kinda sketchy on some parts of the process and I was wondering if anyone has used an escrow service to buy a car and if anyone could kinda walk me through the process? Any and all help is greatly appreciated!

 

[moparedtn]

The most common scam pulled on eBay Motors are supposed "escrow" services. Literally thousands of people have been separated from
their hard-earned money by scammers employing that old ruse.
Not saying that's what is up with you, don't know you and don't know your scene at all - but there it is.
Caveat Emptor.
Buyer Beware.
I have never bought a car in my life that I didn't lay hands on myself first. I'd suggest that's a good place to start for anyone.

 

[Bb70charger500]

Plane ticket s arnt alot of money good peace of mind!

 

[davek]

My buddy bought a car on ebay and was not happy when he got it home.Sold it on ebay 2 months later. You need to put eyes on the car if you ask me. I also had friends look at a car for me and they did miss alot of stuff. I cant blame them but I will never buy a car without looking at it myself.

 

[PatsPolara]

Wow I thought that said "escort website," lol.. THAT I definitely wouldn't recommend!

 

[NJRR]

I used these guys once to buy a car from Iowa, https://www.escrow.com/ I did hire a 3rd party inspection service that drove the car, put it on the lift and sent me over a 100 pictures before I made the deal. that cost me around $3-400. The report was very accurate and if anything rated the car in worse condition than I would have considered it so I was happy. The escrow site worked perfectly. I sent them the money, the seller shipped the car. When I got the car and approved it, the escrow company released the funds to the seller. I think they charged 1%. So, with the shipping, escrow and inspection fee, I shelled out about $1500. This was about 12 years ago, so I'm sure it costs more now. Overall, no complaints.

 

[steve from staten island]

If someone wants to buy a car for say 30 grand in another state and they fly out there to do the deal in person, how do they pay? What kind of check and how does the seller know its legit before he hands over the car?

 

[CaptainAtom]

Hey thank you to everyone who's dropped there two cents I really appreciate it. I completely understand that the prefereprway would be to see the car in person but unfortunately that's my last resort just on account of the time off work, the cost of the tickets, and I don't know much about cars. I do plan on having it inspected by a third party before I hand over any money so I can be sure of what I'm getting. Unfortunately I can't find a car in my state that's as in good condition as the one I found online that's in my price range. Any more advice or comments are welcome, thanks again.

 

[multimopes]

By the way, welcome aboard! May your Mopar dream come true soon!

 

[biomedtechguy]

Any more advice or comments are welcome, thanks again.

1: If it seems too good to be true, it usually is
2: YOU must choose the 3rd party to inspect the car, NOT the seller
3: NO transfer of funds in any manner until clear title is verified!
Good luck!

 

[NJRR]

1: If it seems too good to be true, it usually is
2: YOU must choose the 3rd party to inspect the car, NOT the seller -Absoutely !!!
3: NO transfer of funds in any manner until clear title is verified!- Should be part of the inspection.
Good luck!

 

[1967coronet440]

Where Is the car, post up a thread offering a few bucks to someone in the area to inspect the car for you. Most of the guys here will do a better inspection than a third party.

 

[moparedtn]

I used these guys once to buy a car from Iowa, https://www.escrow.com/ I did hire a 3rd party inspection service that drove the car, put it on the lift and sent me over a 100 pictures before I made the deal. that cost me around $3-400. The report was very accurate and if anything rated the car in worse condition than I would have considered it so I was happy. The escrow site worked perfectly. I sent them the money, the seller shipped the car. When I got the car and approved it, the escrow company released the funds to the seller. I think they charged 1%. So, with the shipping, escrow and inspection fee, I shelled out about $1500. This was about 12 years ago, so I'm sure it costs more now. Overall, no complaints.

Next best thing to you inspecting the car yourself, yep. There are reputable inspection services out there. Perhaps folks like NJRR can recommend inspection services here?

Where Is the car, post up a thread offering a few bucks to someone in the area to inspect the car for you. Most of the guys here will do a better inspection than a third party.

This is also a viable possibility. There are tons of damn near experts on this site and one may be near the car and would be willing.
If the car is near me, I'd be glad to have a look for you.

 

[Paul Boucher]

I have never used an escrow service to buy a car, but you better believe I would do a TON or research on the company and the process before I pushed forward.

I have seen some good comments on here about independent car inspectors and their work. They will go over a car top to bottom and send a bunch of photos and provide feed back on damage, repairs, quality, etc. I don't know any off hand, but maybe some of the guys will chip in. If your escrow company does not offer this or work with a company that does this, then I would say for sure to find another company to work with.

If there is ANYTHING sketchy what so ever, or doesn't make you feel 100% positive, then back away. Don't rush into it because you think you will loose your dream car. Believe me, there are more than one, and another one will pop up. Decisions made in haste will often come back to bite you.

I agree with moparedtn, you might want to consider seeing if someone on here would be willing to go look at the car for you. There are many stand up guys, that know a boat ton more than I do about cars, that would be willing to help out, for a small fee, and some even for free. Just something to ponder.

 

[BeeFast]

I wouldn't bother with an escrow service. Are they required to be bonded etc. Any laws governing their operation? I would have a lawyer to hold the money in escrow. To be released when both parties are satisfied. I flew to Washington state to buy my Cuda once I was satisfied the seller was honest to finish the deal. Lots of pictures and communication was the key. It was a private sale. The seller should give you more info about the car than you need or asked about. History of the car is always very helpful. If it's your Dream Car you should go see it yourself. Find a couple of good restaurants and enjoy your visit. I hate to see your dream shattered.

 

[CaptainAtom]

Thanks that's much appreciated I will see if someone on here will be willing to check the car out as a second opinion, and I'll be sure to look into the escrow companies that are available as well. I really appreciate all the advice as part of the reason I'm on here is that I'm looking to do more than just "due" diligence on making sure that I'm getting what I want and I want to leave as little room to be scammed or just disappointed or in over my head as possible. So again thank you all!

 

[gts1]

I have also used escrow.com I was selling a car & the long distance buyer wanted to use it. He paid all the fees & the transaction went fine.

 

[steve from staten island]

Personally i would not ask any member to go over a perspective car i wanted to buy
Thats a lot to ask and even if you were to offer money to compensate them its still a lot of responsibility
Spend a little more, try and find a reputable inspection company and use there services
A case in point, i was asked to look at a car by a member of another car forum i was on. I agreed. After several phone calls i finally got in touch with the seller who turned out to be a very nice young man. The car needed a lot of work, would not start, had flat tires and i couldn't look under it. I told the seller i was not negotiating price but would tell the prospective buyer what i saw

Then the questions, which ranged from can i drive it home 2,000 miles away, to do the stop lights work.
All in all i put a few hours of my time into this and it was a time when i was working seven days a week.
The person who was interested never offered me a dime which was ok as i wouldn't take any money because then i felt obliged. but in the end i was putting myself out for a guy who was a user.
Never again

 

[PeteBell68]

Not sure if I would use a service to look at a possible purchase . Even the trained reviewer can miss something you don't like . If I can't see it I won't buy it . As people have mentioned there are lots of dream cars for sale if you miss that one another will come along - sometimes even better .
I would also have a hard time sending money for something I don't have ownership for right away you hear too many people getting taken today .
People might not agree with my answer but that's the nice thing about personnel preference .

 

[biomedtechguy]

Where Is the car

I will see if someone on here will be willing to check the car out as a second opinion

How can anyone here do that for you if you don't let us know where the car is?
Tuscon AZ is a long way from Louisiana, what state or county for that matter is the car in that you are looking at? Manufacturer? Year? Model? Engine? Transmission?
There are quite a few things we could discuss if we knew something, anything about the car.