buying a car long distance sight unseen - how do you handle the details?

I found the car that I want. Unfortunately, it's in Washington state and I'm in FL. I've hired transporters in the past, but I've always seen the car and done the transaction in person and then made the shipping arrangements. In this case there is enough documentation and based on my schedule I'm willing to gamble. This is $10k not $100k so it is real money but not life or death.

Does anyone have some experience to share? How do we do the payment, title transfer, bill of sale, etc.?

I'm thinking that I send a deposit and a sale contract that says that ownership transfers upon receipt of final funds?

I've done a sales contract as a seller. The concern on that side is that you have full funds before it goes away on a truck. Looking at a distance deal now as a buyer, the other side of the coin is whether the car matches it's description (and perhaps some level of recourse if it doesn't). Fed-exing was how the paper moved around. Still more comfortable with a fly/drive where I can lay eyes on what I'm buying or even having a GRMer put some eyes on it.

Done it plenty of times, both as a seller and a buyer. No matter how much planning you do, there's going to have to be some element of trust involved. Make sure you feel totally comfortable with the seller. Draw up a bill of sale, sign it. Best bet would be to scan it/e-mail it and have him do the same so there's a "paper trail".

Yes, typically my bill of sale is like you outlined. Send a deposit, then the contract will say you become the full legal owner upon final payment and he will release the vehicle to you or your representative, etc...

I live in upstate New York and recently bought a sailplane by photos only. Talk to the seller, most times you can spot a flake or a rip off.

Go with your gut, if it doesn't feel right ....

I thought about flying out and towing the glider back in its trailer, but unknown wheel bearings, dry tires, time, etc. I hired a trucker to strap it to his trailer and hike it here. It cost $1900, but it would have cost me that in gas, tolls, food and hotels (44 hours of driving)

Dan

heh. Where in Washington,. Maybe you can help me look at a motorhome that's in Florida...

I bought my MCoupe sight unseen. The car was in Colorado and I was in MS. I tried to fly out to inspect/buy/drive back, but it was during the flight delays last winter and the flights were not easy/cheap.

I asked for assistance in checking it out on the local bimmer forum and a fellow enthusiast responded. He recommended a local shop that I did a pre-purchase inspeciton on his MCoupe.. etc. Once all checked out, we agreed on a price and I wired the funds. A few days later, the car was put in a transport and arrived here. It was the easiest transaction I've done with a vehicle. Without local eyes, and an inspection, I wouldn't have sent almost 15K to a seller..

Use the resources out there.. People are willing to help..

Good Luck!

I've had bad luck buying cars sight unseen. Even with PPI's and local people looking at them I've gotten nasty surprises when the car has finally shown up.

Now I go look at them in person or wait for one to pop up locally. It's $10k, a flight is less than $500...

Not sure about the paperwork details, I would recommend protecting your interests as much as possible though...

I was DEFINITELY have somebody go look at it for you. My buddy has bought two cars sight unseen and both looked good in pics. But the beautiful, old vette had more spider veins than octomom and the international pick-up had a IFS from a 3rd gen camaro HORRIBLY jimmy rigged onto it!

If its in the Vancouver area I would be willing to take a look, as would other people I am sure. I am right across the river in Portland.

Is there an escrow site or something? I bought my last '95 M3 unseen from a dealer in TX (I live in VA), and had a pretty good transaction by wiring money and sending the shipping truck his way.

CLNSC3 tried to send you message on GRM and the email bounced back. Please message me a good email. Car is in Vancouver/Portland.

When i sold my 944 two different prospective buyers higherd a "expert" to come and look at it...I asked he got $150 to drive 80miles and look at the car. Yup same guy came twice and was paid both times. He really liked the car and was very well versed in 944's in fact when the crack head next door shot out the small rear window i called him for a replacement. I did sell the car but not off his reports, he gave me his reports as well before he left each time so i would know what the buyers were told.
If i were to buy from far away I'd have someone here or find a web site for that car and ask on it if their are people in the area etc.

I had a friend sell a 65 Mustang off of Ebay to a buyer in Sweden. The buyer made all the arrangements with the shipper and it all went like clock work. The funds were wired to the States and after they cleared a transport arrived at his street, all the paper work went into a folder and went with the shipper. Done and done. This story probably doesn't help you in the least but I was surprised how easy this transaction was.

glueguy wrote: CLNSC3 tried to send you message on GRM and the email bounced back. Please message me a good email. Car is in Vancouver/Portland.

I always have problems with PMs/Emails on this site.... I just send you a message with my e-mail and I e-mailed you as well!

-Josh

Ask for zillions of pictures and a video of the car running/driving. Ask a zillion questions and turn on your BS meter.

I just sold my truck long-distance tonight, and one of the things that really solidified the deal was that he asked a zillion questions and I gave him honest answers - warts and all. He wired me the money and we just met in the middle tonight to deliver it. He had no qualms about forking over the dough sight unseen, and he was amazed at how accurate his expectations were.

I can't stand those CL or ebay ads that say "03 chevy pickup for sale, call this number for details." I want a ton of details so that I only have half a zillion questions. and I want my questions answered with details and flaws. I don't want to hear, "yeah, its pretty good."

I think its the responsibility of the buyer to ask the proper questions, the seller's responsibility to answer frankly, and then the buyer's task to decipher whether or not its BS. THEN you take your risk