[frozendevl]

So the other day I ran into a great deal (raised first flag) for this
car. When I called the number provided i got no answer and what seemed to be a fax dial tone at the end.
The last thing that raised the flag was this

Car is located in Arlington, VA where we're living, currently we're working out of state . After a bad experience that we had 2 weeks ago we decided to use an escrow company involved into our sale . Buyer will pay the escrow company and the escrow company will held the buyer's funds until buyer will confirm that he picked up the purchased vehicle and the title was transferred under his name the escrow company will forward the funds to the seller. XXX can help with shipping also if you need. Let us know if this kind of deal will be fine for you, if so , please include your number and my husband will call you to discuss more and better about the deal.

Now to me it sounded believable until they mentioned an escrow service. I've never bought a car from a private party, let alone from out of state, but this sounds fishy and pretty much like a scam to me. So I would like some input fellow members here

[JDLM]

I had a friend use an escrow service and he said he sounded shady and it all worked out in the end

[fisherbln]

Seems like a scam to me. If you think it may not be, you can always demand to use the escrow company of your choice and see if they are still interested in a deal. If it is a scam, they will insist on using the one they've found.

[Bcube]

Escrow companies are used all the time in the transfer of sale in the exotic car world.

[blacknbean]

email them and tell them you have a friend in the area that is willing to help you check it out. if they back out of that then you know its fake

[Saigon]

Originally Posted by Bcube

Escrow companies are used all the time in the transfer of sale in the exotic car world.

why is that? i'm curious

[cb1111]

Originally Posted by frozendevl

So the other day I ran into a great deal (raised first flag) for this car. When I called the number provided i got no answer and what seemed to be a fax dial tone at the end.
The last thing that raised the flag was this

Now to me it sounded believable until they mentioned an escrow service. I've never bought a car from a private party, let alone from out of state, but this sounds fishy and pretty much like a scam to me. So I would like some input fellow members here

The ad does not sound private party, nor does the "Let us know if this kind of deal will be fine for you, if so , please include your number and my husband will call you to discuss more and better about the deal" match the language used in the ad.

The "escrow service" will turn out to be a scam and your money will be gone. Tell them that you'll ask a friend to look at the car and arrange a time - I'll be glad to do it if you like - but I can guarantee you that the car doesn't exist.

[cb1111]

Originally Posted by Saigon

why is that? i'm curious

Legitimate escrow companies are used all the time when dealing with high value items. The problem is that the "escrow companies" that scammers use are scams themselves and are fronts for the scammers. The often have serious sounding names that sound nearly like a real company - but aren't.

[frozendevl]

I went with blacknbean and cb1111's idea of asking the seller when a friend can come by to check the car out. Will keep you guys posted when I receive a response.

[slowSwede]

Usually they don't put Escrow in the ad anymore.
That's what they tell you once you contact them...it could be legit but beware!!!
Didn't look at the ad but check everything up very carefully if you go ahead with this.

Before internet there weren't a lot of scammers, now it's a PITA to sell a car with all new found friends who will buy the car unseen.
Buying a car with a really good price usually makes me think scam or something dodgy.

[frozendevl]

Originally Posted by slowSwede

Usually they don't put Escrow in the ad anymore.
That's what they tell you once you contact them...it could be legit but beware!!!
Didn't look at the ad but check everything up very carefully if you go ahead with this.

Before internet there weren't a lot of scammers, now it's a PITA to sell a car with all new found friends who will buy the car unseen.
Buying a car with a really good price usually makes me think scam or something dodgy.

I would be flying out there to check the car before buying (assuming it exists and this isn't a scam.) I couldn't justify such a purchase without actually seeing the car and being reassured that it works and comes as advertised.

[Rustler]

Originally Posted by fisherbln

Seems like a scam to me. If you think it may not be, you can always demand to use the escrow company of your choice and see if they are still interested in a deal. If it is a scam, they will insist on using the one they've found.

This is pretty good advice. I've used escrow.com before on other big purchases. If your buddy checks the car out and the goods are there, insist on naming the escrow service. Cars are sold through escrow all the time.

[persian54]

Originally Posted by blacknbean

email them and tell them you have a friend in the area that is willing to help you check it out. if they back out of that then you know its fake

Originally Posted by fisherbln

Seems like a scam to me. If you think it may not be, you can always demand to use the escrow company of your choice and see if they are still interested in a deal. If it is a scam, they will insist on using the one they've found.

That.

[frozendevl]

Just recieved this, deep down inside I knew it was a scam, but it was so tempting

We're working out of state, we're in Phoenix, AZ . Until the third party will confirm that they received the funds XXXX can not be back in Arlington. I hope you understand or please include your number and XXXX will call you to discuss better Thanks

Well thanks for quick responses, done wasting my time with this one, let the search continue

[positiveions]

well, I always say, if it doesn't feel right, then don't do it. If it is too good to be true, skip it.

[cb1111]

Originally Posted by frozendevl

Just recieved this, deep down inside I knew it was a scam, but it was so tempting

Well thanks for quick responses, done wasting my time with this one, let the search continue

Please report this to cars.com. You might save someone lots of money.

[frozendevl]

Originally Posted by cb1111

Please report this to cars.com. You might save someone lots of money.

Thanks, I did.

[Chriztofor]

I purchased my 1st new BMW (2000 323i) at cars.com. I noticed a computer glitch in their pricing and bought it at INVOICE. They fedexed a package with a t-shirt and contract. I executed same and returned it to them. They called me a week later and said if I noticed the mistake (they tried to trap me). I said "What mistake". He said never mind but it will take 3 months to build it. I said NO PROBLEM. I tracked it from Germany and I was on the lot to pick it up the moment it arrived at the dealership; some people didn't even know my car was on the lot. They got a check from Cars.com and I gave them my check and drove off. I was not charged ANYTHING by cars.com. Woo Hoo.

By the way, I thought cars.com went bankrupt?

[JuppiOne]

I saw that on the news not too long ago, there is a guy in federal prison here in MO selling $21 millions worth of cars that does not exist... beside the fact that this a hole get caught and in jail now, but looks how easy it can be to scam people looking for a good deal. not sure how he did it, but I can guess that its pretty similar to the ad we are talking about here

[Insider]

Originally Posted by Chriztofor

I purchased my 1st new BMW (2000 323i) at cars.com. I noticed a computer glitch in their pricing and bought it at INVOICE. They fedexed a package with a t-shirt and contract. I executed same and returned it to them. They called me a week later and said if I noticed the mistake (they tried to trap me). I said "What mistake". He said never mind but it will take 3 months to build it. I said NO PROBLEM. I tracked it from Germany and I was on the lot to pick it up the moment it arrived at the dealership; some people didn't even know my car was on the lot. They got a check from Cars.com and I gave them my check and drove off. I was not charged ANYTHING by cars.com. Woo Hoo.

By the way, I thought cars.com went bankrupt?

I think you're thinking of carsdirect.com