MGB-GT Got an offer for my 70 MGBGT

[RickB]

I received an offer through my ad on Kiiji.
The guy has said all the right things, seems to be a genuine MG enthusiast, has sent me pictures of his other MG's that he has restored and has great MG stories. He has a web site that lists his address and phone numbers. He lives in Pennsylvania and would be shipping the car.

Normally I would be worried about selling to someone so far away, so I just wanted to float this by you people to see if it all passes the sniff test.
Here's his request to me this morning:

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]can you fax over the title to me, once I see the title I can either mail out a bank certified money order OR wire the $1600 out to you.. whatever you want is fine with me either way.[/QUOTE]

Is this kosher? Can he do anything with a faxed title that I should be worried about? Should I cover any part of the title to blank it out for safety?
Has anyone here done this kind of deal before?

 

[RickB]

Ok, he also wants my bank account number to wire me the money.
I could give him an account that always has less than $100 in it, seems like a pretty good idea.

 

[aeronca65t]

I'd say certified check (and he has to agree to wait until it's cleared) or send the funds to your Paypal account (easy to set up if you don't have one).
Or send it to you via Western Union.

I wouldn't give a random stranger my bank account number.

 

[budk1953]

If he wants the title to prove your ownership I'd make a copy of the front of it only and write VOID on it and fax it to him.
As far as money goes see if he has a paypal account.

Bud

 

[swift6]

Good advice on the title faxing already. With the bank thing, ask your bank. They may be able to provide you with a different account number that they can sweep it from one to the other. Sort of a one use account type of thing.

 

[RickB]

I have actually an account they provided that only has $1 in it just for such things. I could use that.

Here are pictures of the cars he says he has restored, changed the C from auto to manual and did the V8 himself:

 

[WA1KWA]

Not to sound like The Eternal Cynic, but:

When I see the words "Wire the money" a little red flag goes up in my head. What exactly does he mean? Wire it where? If he wants to send more than you are asking, run. Be careful, I'm not saying this is not legit, just be real careful.

Talk to your bank, ask them the best way to do this.

As far as FAXing a copy of the title, that was a good idea to write "Void" or "Copy" on it.

Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it is.

Colin

 

[WA1KWA]

Old, but this is a classic. From The SAAB Net:

https://www.saabnet.com/tsn/class/scam/

Colin

 

[RickB]

No, he offered a bit less than I was asking.
He sure talks the talk with MG's - and I've been an owner of different MG's for nearly 30 years.

For instance:
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]I had an AUTOMATIC 1969 MGC GT that I switched over to a manual (with overdrive)... and had to fix some floor board rust.. sold her about 12 years ago. Wished I would've kept it.. it drove beautifully. I had 2 GTs.. one was a 2 liter, the other and my last GT I had.. a 4.2liter Rover V8 with a 5 speed AND air conditioning. I.. LOVE it. Had to sell it due to finances.. here's a picture of it:
so.. you know your '70 will be in very good hands... although I'm probably going to go the rebuilt 4 cylinder route. This car was a LOT of work. :frown: It was definitely worth it though.[/QUOTE]

 

[tony barnhill]

Not in this world would I send him a title of any persobnal information...have him send you his bank account info so you can check his ability to pay!

 

[Bruce74B]

If I may be of any assistance in the transaction, please email me. Is he anywhere near Harrisburg? The faxed title will not enable anyform of transfer here in PA. They are pretty tough about that, unless there is a bill of sale with original signatures.

Bruce

 

[tony barnhill]

Man, I wouldn't send him anything - title/bank transfer info or anything until he sends you a certified check - & then I'd make sure the check was good!

Do you know that if you give him your bank transfer info so he can deposit money in your account, that he can also withdrawe from your account?

 

[RickB]

He could try, but the account I would use is set up for internet transactions only and carries no balance.

 

[RickB]

If I may be of any assistance in the transaction, please email me. Is he anywhere near Harrisburg? The faxed title will not enable anyform of transfer here in PA. They are pretty tough about that, unless there is a bill of sale with original signatures.

Bruce

PM sent - thanks Bruce.

 

[Bob_Hill]

I have sold several cars and motorcycles over eBay and have done exactly what you are being asked to do. I made a copy of the FRONT of the title and wrote COPY across the front and faxed it to the buyer. I then have an account that has $1 in it that I use for wire tranfers. The bank verified that in no way could anyone withdraw money from the account by just knowing the account number. I have the buyer inform me of when he will wire the money and I check with the bank several times the day it is suppose to arrive. As soon as it arrives I transfer the money to another account and leave the account with $1 in it. I feel MUCH safer using wire transfer than I do certified check as it can easily forged and the car will be long gone before I find out.

On the flip side, I would never wire money to a guy until I know for sure he actually has a title for the car, etc. so if he is going to wire money to you, he is taking a chance as well since he doesn't know you.

Personally I am not concerned with the way he is handling this but of course in no way does that guarantee he is legit. I just know I would not have a problem personally with his proposal.

BOB

 

[DrEntropy]

A fine scheme and proper, too!


...and by th' way: WELCOME ABOARD, BOB!!!

an' here I thought there was only a Fayetteville up in th' Carolinas. :smirk:

 

[RickB]

I said this in another thread - but I wanted to update those who don't stray out of the MGB forum...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]Just an update, he says the money has been sent and his bank said that I should see the money by tomorrow.

It turns out his girlfriends dad is in the shipping business, so he's looking for a truck that's deadheading back from the west coast to pick it up. Or something like that.
At any rate, it makes a bit more sense if you don't have to pay the high shipping fees.[/QUOTE]

 

[tony barnhill]

Great! Hope everything works out!

 

[RickB]

I also had a chat with my bank, just to make sure I have no misunderstanding about the account I'm using. They reassured me this is just the kind of thing I want to do with this particular account.

The buyer and I are discussing packing and such, this should be interesting at the very least. I'll FedEx the title to him after the funds have cleared.

 

[RickB]

Got it, swept it.
Now I just have to sign & send the title. :wink: