Scam or Legit (Car For Sale)?

[Mike4AU]

I came across a 2004 325i BMW fully loaded coupe with 90K miles. Ad indicated the car was in Bham. Price seemed to be too good to be true, but I figured I would check it out. Tried to call the listed telephone number, but I got the noise on the line that indicates it was a fax number. I emailed seller. Here is what I got.

Seller:

Hi ,

Thanks for being interested in buying my 2004 BMW 325Ci. The car is still for sale at the price of $6000(final sale price), it is in mint condition, never been involved in kind of accidents, ready to be sold. It has an 6 Cylinder engine ,90,000 miles, a perfect car . The only thing because I am selling it, because I divorced and after the divorce I own this car, now as a woman I don`t need it (I don't have driver's license)...

I can provide VIN# to check on your own. Also, I can send you the pictures and more details too. Just let me know if you are still interested.

Thank you

Me:

Please do send me the pics and more details. Give me your address and a working phone number and I will come see the car tomorrow.

Seller:

oh..I want to let you know that I have some problems with the phone, for some reasons when I receive and try to make a call,
the fax machine is connecting in the same time and I can’t do anything. I've talked with the Phone Company and they will send
someone to fix the problem. I already have your number , I will do everything possible to call you these days .
Here is the VIN# wbabv13494jt21157 . The car is located in Burbank,CA (I just moved here with my new job), we will use eBay Vehicle Purchase Protection, so we can both be protected and insured. I just need your full name and full address so eBay can send you the invoice in which you'll see how to make this transaction. I supposed to ship the car to another buyer, then he told me that he found another vehicle so is no longer interested. He already paid the shipping charges, the shipping is paid I will send the car with all the papers ( vehicle registration, warranty papers,transfer papers etc ) I am just waiting your full name and address to complete the shipping papers and start the delivery process.

Thanks
====================================
Note that the car is not listed on eBay (my comment).

I think this is a scam. What do you think?

[Mike4AU]

Addendum:

The car is now listed on eBay with a starting bid of $10K. But she is willing to sell it to me for $6K with free shipping from CA. Total scam.

[Hugh]

Ask for her name and address then I'll check it out for you.

[Mike4AU]

Hugh, that is most kind of you. I am completely turned off by this and will stay away from the deal. I think this is a complete scam. But thanks a bunch for the offer.

Mike

[Sandbagger]

Ask for her name and address then I'll check it out for you.

That sounds like a real good idea, I wonder if any other forum members have done that before :whistle:

Hugh was kind enough to look at my M3 years ago so he kind of knows what he is looking at when it comes to BMW's

I would ask for a PICTURE of the VIN and also the TITLE.

since the car is a good deal, why not take a mini vacation do the deal in person use the car for a few days out there and then ship it home?

[Hugh]

Mike,

It's only 1 hour away so if you change your mind, I'll be more than glad to. :)

Hugh, that is most kind of you. I am completely turned off by this and will stay away from the deal. I think this is a complete scam. But thanks a bunch for the offer.

Mike

[Hugh]

Sandman,

You read my mind. ;) :)

That sounds like a real good idea, I wonder if any other forum members have done that before :whistle:

Hugh was kind enough to look at my M3 years ago so he kind of knows what he is looking at when it comes to BMW's

I would ask for a PICTURE of the VIN and also the TITLE.

since the car is a good deal, why not take a mini vacation do the deal in person use the car for a few days out there and then ship it home?

[Jed M]

Sounds like a total scam to me. The whole free shipping stuff just stinks of something fishy. That being said, I once went through a real nail biting car buying experience from some guy in Minnesota for a great price and although it took about 2 weeks and really bad communication and me finally having to drive up to Minnesota to get it myself, it actually was a great car at a great price. I would have sworn I was swindled right up until the moment I showed up at his place and there the car was just like he said. I mean I was seriously sick to my stomach lying in bed thinking about what a fool I was, but it just turned out that this guy just was lazy and didn't want to get around to shipping the car once he got his money. Not a great guy to do business with, but better than a swindler. Would I do it again for the deal I got, yeah, but would I want to? NO!

[django1]

I'd be really nervous. Most times if it looks too good to be true it is. On the other hand, maybe she is dumb...:) Send Hugh...

[arthurs]

What was the outcome on this?

[Hugh]

My guess is it's a no go. :)

Morning SA.

[Mike4AU]

Sorry for the late response. I am on the road. After further analysis this is a mirror image of actual scams that have occurred. I have had no further contact with seller. Caveat emptor.