35 replies to this topic

[chudson]

One of our members has sent three "I'll take it - tell me how to proceed / close this deal" emails in response to this ad and still no reply. I believe it's BS and will be REAL surprised if someone proves me wrong. Think about it - it's just north of salvage value. Asking price goes from 20K to under 7K overnight??? THAT'S what I call a price reduction.

As a dealer I base every car ad I see on the following:

If the owner can drive the car to ANY dealer in their town and instantly get paid their asking price or more, why is it being offered to the nation??? Answer - 99 44/100s percent of the time it's either BS or a scam.

[chudson]

Smshirks comment was not posted when I added my first comment. Textbook response for a scammer. If anyone sends this person money, you'll loose it. Remember, "If it sounds too good to be true......."

I once had a scammer try and sell me my own car. He copied my company ad and sent me an personal email asking me if I wanted a bottom dollar steal. The car was sitting in my own lot!!

[rhudeboye]

I contacted the seller about seeing the car. Below is the response:

Hi, The car is in perfect running condition, interior is clean and
maintained without any scratches or stains. Engine is in top condition
and transmission shifts as is should. Very well maintained. Never been
in an accident.

I am a stewardess and I don't have very much time for communications. I
have tones of emails so if you are interested please reply asap so we
can organize the deal.

I want to move to Japan and this is the main reason for selling the car.
My name is Vanessa Garner so when you reply please give me your details
as well so I can send you the car for inspection(on my expense).

Please contact me on the email from the attach (I've sent you a picture).

Thanks

Lets take a look at 3 principal rules of "scam 101"

A. They rarely answer questions directly. Ask the guy what color is the car and you'll get that same response.

B. While posing to be an American, they are never actually in the US. Always a student away at school or on a business trip.

C. They are always willing to send you the item at their expense. C'mon now this is a freakin car.

[flash]

were it not for the fact that we know the car, i would immediately jump to the same conclusion

easy way to deal with this - pick up the phone and stop emailing

[chudson]

If I can find a phone number I will. Am I missing it?

[Ceenit]

Unfortunately no phone number in the 'low-price' add, only an email address and a comment on that being the best way to communicate. But for those local who are interested.....If you can see it, touch it, and the owner can produce a title, it 'could' be a deal/steal. But I agree, no way I'd send money without first putting my hands on the car and title.

When I bought my current 968 from Florida, the buyer had recently moved back to the UK. He didn't clarify it in the ad, but he did say it in our email correspondence. He had just moved and wan't going to be back in the states regularly enough to keep the car. And yes, that really made me think it was a scam. BUT... It was a real car, showed as advertised, and he had it in a sealed storage facility. I worked through his buddy (who happened to also be his real estate agent) to see, inspect, and drive the car. I really though it was a scam, but I took the risk and it was the one time in my life that it paid off. I did not however send any money in advance, I just flew down there (happened to be in going that way for a business trip) and scheduled the visit and inspection. I had the check in my pocket, and the owners buddy turned out to be a great guy who drove me around to get the title transferred and temporary tags, and then gave me a tour of the town, and local highlights. Great guy and unexpectedly pleasant car buying experience.

Moral of the story is....There are scams, but there are some hidden jewels of deals. It never hurts to check them out as long as you have the time and are careful.

[Ceenit]

I received an email back from the on-line listing service this morning. Their note indicated that the listing is a confirmed fraud. Se la vi!

[ebarone968]

Yup a scam, car is packed ready to ship, I will send it to you at my cost, i'm in Japan looking for an apartment, send money through ebay blah, blah, blah, and I was born yesterday. So sick of these #!#*##!!!

[rhudeboye]

I've seen so many of them I could write a book. You get the same lines when you're selling your car as well.

[anthonymaher]

I believe the car with the pink or purple leather interior is up for auction on the 'bay. Lambo doors and all.

[flash]

not surprised - that car is constantly coming up for sale - obviously there is something about it that is unsatisfying or unpleasant, since nobody wants to keep it - i have to check, but i think that car has changed hands more than any other 968 i know of

[Cloud9...68]

Wasn't Biotechie looking for a car in a unique color? Oh wait, that was an M3...

[jeff968]

I believe the car with the pink or purple leather interior is up for auction on the 'bay. Lambo doors and all.

The exterior color is called Amethyst. The interior and top color are called Magenta. I've seen the car in person when it was being showed by the builder here on the east coast a few years ago. It is unique and very interesting but just like any custom car, when you go to sell it you have to find someone else that appreciates all your custom work. Don't even hope to get your money back though. BTW, the car is 1 of 4 produced in that color combo.

Jeff

[hot968]

The response to smshirk is a scam. I have received this same response to ads I have inquired about they may vary some but it is the same contents. I am still looking for a pink 968 or any unique color if any one sees one

[968TDG]

I was looking for a Land Rover Discovery II on Craigslist (want to do a diesel engine swap) and one of the low ball adds turned out to be a scam when they emailed back.  I responded with:

"Thanks for the reply.  If you want your scam to work, I'd suggest upping the price a bit and lowering the specs on the car.  The deal is much too good to be believable.  You have way too many details in the email as well.  Also the "Military" story is very over used, an immediate sign of a scam."

I'm not sure why I did this, I normally send some pissed off email or don't even bother, but the funniest thing is that they emailed me back with "Thank you"

Phil

[ds968]

the military story is only genuine if they are on duty overseas to protect a member of the Nigerian royal family whose car they are trying to facilitate selling