Long-distance used car buying. How can I make it as secure as possible? (Car Buying)

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Question Details Asked:Mar 05, 2009 - 07:09 PMStatus:Closed

frizzymuffin	Long-distance used car buying. How can I make it as secure as possible? Hello. I would like to buy a used car, so this morning I searched on Craigslist. One car immediately caught my eye--it is a 2007 Camry, very pretty and in good condition according to the pictures. The surprising part was the price--it was being sold for only $4000. Upon e-mailing the seller, I found out that he was an Air Force Lieutenant stationed in Alaska, and he needed to sell it fast because he would soon ship out to Iraq. The car is in Alaska with him, and his $4000 price includes the cost of shipping to Maryland, where I am located. I immediately wanted to respond that I wanted to buy the car, but at this point the deal is looking too good to be true. Is it fishy that he is selling an almost-new Camry (54K miles) for under $4000? If so, is there any way that I can verify the owner's identity or the condition of the car? Also, how can I make sure the payment and other arrangements are legitimate/secure? Long distance car buying is scary--please help!
	In Buying & Selling > Car Buying 2 answers - 1166 days ago
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Voted Best Answer

steve_ 03/05/09 10:19 pm PST

It's almost certainly a scam - deals with prices that are too good to be true usually are.

The Internet Crime Complaint Center sent out a warning just today (3/5/09) about buying cars from servicemen and women who need to sell fast and cheap because they are shipping out. The FBI is investigating.

Now, if you want, you could sent the $4,000 to me and I'll take good care of your dough. :-)

Answers

steve_ 03/05/09 10:19 pm PST

It's almost certainly a scam - deals with prices that are too good to be true usually are.

The Internet Crime Complaint Center sent out a warning just today (3/5/09) about buying cars from servicemen and women who need to sell fast and cheap because they are shipping out. The FBI is investigating.

Now, if you want, you could sent the $4,000 to me and I'll take good care of your dough. :-)

tjc78 03/06/09 4:41 pm PST

Run away from this deal.... On Craigslist pages it even warns that "Offers to ship cars are 100% fradulent"

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