Sold your car overseas? What payment method?

[750hp]

OK, so it seems the Nigerian scammers have everyone spooked at the moment, and that's fair enough. Nobody wants to be scammed out of what is rightfully theirs.

That being said, I am actively looking to buy a car from the States (I'm in Australia), and I see cars for sale on Ebay and similar where a couple of thousand dollars is required as deposit within 24hrs, and the balance due within a few days.

With the Paypal scams, wire transfer scams and international bank draft scams, who type of payments did you accept, and how long did it take for the deal to be done?

I want to be able to reassure a seller that I'm legit, while also setting some realistic timeframes around how quickly they'll receive my money...

Thanks for any advice - from good or bad experiences.

[trularin]

I sold an engine to a man in Germany.

He used Western Union to send the money to me.

Establishing yourself as a credible seller may be a challenge.

Personally, if I had purchased a car from you and it was overseas, I would come and get it. But then again, I consider this to be a lot of money.

Perhaps someone who has sold something across the pond of more value than an engine could add something?

[750hp]

Thanks for that - and a point of clarification that I've now corrected in my opening post...
I said I wanted to be a legitimate seller. I meant buyer!!! (Apologies, it's 2.20am and I just woke up to check emails to see if I won a car on Ebay US. I was outbid by seconds. Yes, I know about the software to ensure you can't be outbid. Maybe I should have used it...)

To clarify, I'm in Australia, and I'm looking to buy from the US. Sorry trularin, everything you said still makes perfect sense from both the buyer and seller perspective.

[Tony Ripepi]

750HP,

I sold CSX4264 to a buyer in Switzerland. SWIFT electronic funds tranfer worked safely, quickly and without any drama. The buyer did a 50% down payment and had a shipper prearranged and paid for. I recieved the other 50% when I released the car to the shipper, six weeks later the car is in Switzerland and both parties are happy.

The transfer of funds from Switzerland to my account in NorCal took less than 8 hours.

Tony R.

[xlr8or]

I sold my Kirkham to a fellow in Italy. He wired a deposit of 30% followed by the balance a couple weeks later. Money cleared, car picked up.

FYI International wire transfer can take up to 48 hours to clear.

[mrmustang]

Bank wire transfer only:

Open a stand alone account:
Forward wiring instructions to buyer:
Await funds to clear:

After funds have cleared:
Transfer funds out of account:
Close freestanding account:


Send product/paperwork at that time:
Do not release car or paperwork until you have removed the funds and closed the account down.


Bill S.

[Power Surge]

CSX4241 went to Austria. Buyer paid me in full via wire transfer to my bank. Took about 4 days to show up.

You have to give them your bank, routing, and account numbers, as well as your full name and address. I was weary about doing it, but my bank assured me that no person other than myself (with ID) could withdraw money with my info.

And of course, the buyer is going on faith from you for sending the money with the car sight unseen.

Definitely requires some strong trust from both parties. I had no issues at all and the experience was pleasureable with the buyer of my car.

[thudmaster]

mrmustang has the correct procedure. I have used this method numerous times. They can not get back that which is no longer there.

[750hp]

Thanks guys - wiring the funds is definitely the best option then. Now to find a car that I won't allow myself to get outbid on in the dying seconds of an auction...