Careful if you're buying a car on eBay

[Hanz]

You have a point there ... Perhaps when I'm next travelling up to Wales (Sunday I think but in something other than the Merc) I may just break down before the Severn Bridge... Gives me a rest from driving too..

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

The AA can tow the car home but they are not much more use than that. I believe with one of their inspections they send out someone who knows a bit more about cars than just being a tow-truck driver. I think they also guarantee anything that they inspect and pass.

I do know someone who bought a 944 and the AA said it had a broken starter moter so they had it changed (v expensive) only to find out that it was actually a flat battery causing the problem. After much complaining the AA refunded the cost of the stater motor and the battery.

 

[Hanz]

Hmmm... Doesn't say much does it? The AA should be able to realise that the battery is flat Many a time I have called out the AA to restart my battery as I left my lights on while driving in the day. I'm sure my car should make some sort of sound when I open the door but it doesn't.

At least they did the refund anyway.

 

[SLinKyjoe]

Hmmm... Doesn't say much does it? The AA should be able to realise that the battery is flat Many a time I have called out the AA to restart my battery as I left my lights on while driving in the day. I'm sure my car should make some sort of sound when I open the door but it doesn't.

.

now that made me chuckle. Many a time eh? its a switch you know. on and off.

the AA started a car of mind, when even the car dealer couldnt! it was oiled up spark plugs! i was impressed.

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

Always found the RAC very good. Got this Mobilo Life thing now.

 

[Hanz]

Anyone heard of that new one, Green Flag is it?

 

[Hanz]

now that made me chuckle. Many a time eh? its a switch you know. on and off.

Yes But I blame the car for not telling me or warning me when I have left them on! You don't notice so much in the daylight though...

 

[SLinKyjoe]

Anyone heard of that new one, Green Flag is it?

i think it used to be national breakdown, and i may well be wrong but direct line i think, own them now.

or the Royal Bank of Scotland as it should be known.

http://www.greenflag.co.uk/

head office is hereabouts somewhere!

 

[Hanz]

Ahhh I had never seen them.

My AA patrol last night was actually from the old advert (with the wedding car/babies/nudists). One claim to fame eh? lol.

 

[davidsl500]

I do like the way we drift off subject so easily...

Getting back to the original point....how naive were these people?

Firstly, as I read the article, they tried to bypass the Ebay bid system by putting in a direct offer to the seller in search of a bargain.

Having done the deal the the seller arranges to meet them somewhere and then changes the location when the purchaser rings to find out when he hasnt shown - errr hello, brain cells Why aren't you meeting the seller where he lives and verifying the address on the log book? - much better to drive round the streets of East London with £5.5K in cash. They park up and there is no sign of the car but there are a couple of youths taking an interest in them ! For pity's sake !!! Should they be wearing black and white striped vests and have a swag bag over their shoulders before the penny drops.....

Unfortunately the days of trusting people have gone, now we all have to lookout for the angle - just exactly how are you trying to scam me this time? - what a sad world we live in.

 

[Bobthebuilder58]

davidsl500]I do like the way we drift off subject so easily...

Getting back to the original point....how naive were these people?

Firstly, as I read the article, they tried to bypass the Ebay bid system by putting in a direct offer to the seller in search of a bargain.

Having done the deal the the seller arranges to meet them somewhere and then changes the location when the purchaser rings to find out when he hasnt shown - errr hello, brain cells Why aren't you meeting the seller where he lives and verifying the address on the log book? - much better to drive round the streets of East London with £5.5K in cash. They park up and there is no sign of the car but there are a couple of youths taking an interest in them ! For pity's sake !!! Should they be wearing black and white striped vests and have a swag bag over their shoulders before the penny drops.....

Unfortunately the days of trusting people have gone, now we all have to lookout for the angle - just exactly how are you trying to scam me this time? - what a sad world we live in.

[/QUOTE]
You can do an instant HPI check on e-bay for £6.99.It checks out all the legal stuff,it's then up to you to use your common sense to check out the seller!!
Bob.

 

[davidsl500]

You can do an instant HPI check on e-bay for £6.99.It checks out all the legal stuff,it's then up to you to use your common sense to check out the seller!!
Bob.

The point is that there wasn't a car in the first place !!! This was a scam from day one I reckon. A HPI Check is great for checking out the vehicle status but it doesnt tell you anything about the owner - which is the bit you need to know. The scammer can do a HPI as well of course !!

So Pick a car parked on the road, take a picture, do a HPI check so you know about the vehicle status in case the buyer asks questions and shove it on ebay preferably using a "phished" account. Someone makes a cash offer looking for a deal, arrange to meet Mr Naive somewhere quiet and then rob him of the cash....

Of course, all you need is the car reg number, the photo doesnt need to be of that car - just the same colour and model will do and blank the plate out on the ebay advert.

Problem with Data Protection is that you cant find enough detail about the car and the owner to check thoroughly - and even then, anything you can find out - the scammer can find out too to make the sale seem plausible!