Who Owned this?

[Alpine]

I suppose this is the problem with buying on ebay. If your bid is accepted I guess you are meant to pay up front. I personally wouldn't buy a car on ebay, I've seen cars on e-bay and then contacted the seller to view and do the deal direct. I think you need to see it before parting with cash, it is an old porsche you are buying after all, not a year old Fiesta, which could be a money pit if you buy wrong. You need to check that the guy selling is genuine, plus if it has lived all its life by the sea (Portsmouth) then it is more likely to have rust with all that salt air. The ad reads like he's trader to me, not a genuine enthusiast who has pampered it for the last 5 years.

 

[chrisjcoe]

Luck of the draw with ebay, I've bought and sold cars on it and I've never had any problems, but there is always a first. I should be able to get there Wednesday or possibly Thursday. If I am happy with it, such as genuine mileage, not covered in rust, etc, then I'll part with my money. In my opinion, if I'm paying on collection, then cash/paypal/bank transfer is all the same to me. Cash is better really, nothing more instant than slapping notes in someone's hand.

If it's not all as it seems, why would someone want a bank transfer? His excuse of not wanting to negotiate an agreed value seems plausible to me, but I always have niggling doubts.

 

[944 man]

Why would he take PP for something being collected? If theres nothing underhanded going on then he isnt as clever as he thinks. Hopefully all will be well.


Simon

 

[chrisjcoe]

Why would he take PP for something being collected? If theres nothing underhanded going on then he isnt as clever as he thinks. Hopefully all will be well.

I agree with that. If I haven't paid in advance, then just because the payment method is electronic, it doesn't mean I can't negotiate! Although, I have no intention of doing so, if the car isn't as described I'll just turn around and go home. It does seem as if he wants it in advance, which won't happen!

 

[944 man]

Yes and you could also start a PayPal claim, over which PP would side you you, as he wont be able to prove delivery, hence my 'not as clever' comment...

 

[chrisjcoe]

I've spoken to him, he seems like a nice and genuine guy. He's in the armed forces, hence the difficulty in arranging a time to exchange. He will take cash now, so that makes me a bit happier. No paypal collection, but also no faffing about with the payment. Also, being a habitual old car buyer, I'm used to turning up with cash in my pocket and walking away if the car is a dog!

Further delays though, he's not about for a week so wants me to deal with his friend, and also mentioned that he's having his private plates transferred off the car, meaning he has no VC5. Reading the DVLA website also says the MOT should be sent off, and I think possibly the tax disc too. If I turn up to buy a car with no VC5, MOT, tax and the owner not present, I'd be running back to my car.

I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt though, partly because I really want the car, but I am going to wait until he has the documents back and he is around. Have you guys ever had experience about transferring reg numbers? Does it take a long long time?

 

[Mike_Pollock]

Yes Tax and Mot have to be sent off. Can be a couple of weeks, can be a LOT longer, especially if you transfer a no from 1 Alpine White Porsche 944 to another Alpine White Porsche 944 ask me how I know.....

 

[chrisjcoe]

I've text him to ask to delay the purchase until all the documents are back, hopefully he doesn't mind the wait. Annoying though, I'm supposed to be going on holiday in 4 weeks time so just hope it's all done and dusted by then. Knowing my luck it will be the day before I go, so I have no time to enjoy the car before flying off!

 

[chrisjcoe]

He's away for 2 weeks and cannot wait that long to sell it, but won't get the V5 until he's back. So, if he can't wait I've advised him to relist it. Big shame because the HPI check was clear (showing the plate change to back him up), and it seems a genuine low mileage car. However, I can't imagine many people will rush to buy a car with no V5. So, my hunt probably goes on, which may not be a bad thing as I might have a bit more to spend in a month or 2. Feeling rather disappointed though as I fancied the 2.5 hour drive home!

 

[Diver944]

Very wise Chris []

No matter how decent the guy sounds, he's a total stranger to you and I'd personally never buy a car without the correct documentation

 

[chrisjcoe]

He's at sea now for 2 weeks. Says he will wait for documents to arrive to sell it, so I might have it after all.

 

[944 man]

Nowt to lose, and if you do a mutual cancellation through eBay then theres a sweetrner for both parties too, as you can split the difference.

 

[zcacogp]

Sounds like he is being a bit silly; declining a transaction with a known-good buyer due to time constraints in favour of re-listing, which will delay any sale still further.

In terms of selling without documents, I bought my 944 with a private numberplate and stipulated at the time of sale that the seller would transfer the numberplate to another car, at his expense (and had this written in the sale document as well). After the new V5 had come through in my name I posted it back to the seller, along with the MOT, and he did the necessary to transfer the plate back to him. In retrospect I was probably very naive and a little over-trusting but the seller seemed trustworthy and my judgment wasn't wrong. He was true to his word, and even had some nice plates made up for the car with the new registration number on them (and bought me a bottle of wine to apologise for the hassle!)


Oli.

 

[Hairyarse]

ORIGINAL: zcacogp

Sounds like he is being a bit silly; declining a transaction with a known-good buyer due to time constraints in favour of re-listing, which will delay any sale still further.

In terms of selling without documents, I bought my 944 with a private numberplate and stipulated at the time of sale that the seller would transfer the numberplate to another car, at his expense (and had this written in the sale document as well). After the new V5 had come through in my name I posted it back to the seller, along with the MOT, and he did the necessary to transfer the plate back to him. In retrospect I was probably very naive and a little over-trusting but the seller seemed trustworthy and my judgment wasn't wrong. He was true to his word, and even had some nice plates made up for the car with the new registration number on them (and bought me a bottle of wine to apologise for the hassle!)


Oli.

Just goes to show there's still some decent people in the world Oli, just a shame you only know which ones they are after the event!

 

[zcacogp]

ORIGINAL: Hairyarse
Just goes to show there's still some decent people in the world Oli, just a shame you only know which ones they are after the event!

Indeed. Having said that, in my experience the vast majority of people are decent, and if you treat them decently they usually return the favour.

Sadly it only takes a very small minority to sour things for the vast majority. And there are enough tales of things going wrong for this to be painfully clear ...


Oli.

 

[chrisjcoe]

Just goes to show there's still some decent people in the world Oli, just a shame you only know which ones they are after the event!

Yes, the luck I've had in the past has made me very careful though.

Sounds like he is being a bit silly; declining a transaction with a known-good buyer due to time constraints in favour of re-listing, which will delay any sale still further.

That's what I thought. By the time he returned from sea and picked up his documents, he still probably wouldn't have sold it. Also, no V5/MOT/Tax would be used as a bargaining chip to reduce the price. I just thought he was trying to put a bit of friendly pressure on, perhaps worried that if we waited I would pull out of the deal. I am a guy who keeps his word and obligations though, so would only pull out if the car proved to be a dud. Having lost out in the past to hasty buys, and my girlfriend losing £5k due to trusting someone who should have been trustworthy over a motorbike, we just won't risk it. I'll wait until he's back and has the V5 and will hand over the money then, so you'll have to wait for the Porsche photos!