I am looking at a Excursion that I found online from a private party, not a dealer. Price is right, even with shipping, and I trust he is giving me the straight story. BUT my concern is sending someone 10k and just hoping they will ship the car to me. I typically don't have trust issues but that is alot of money to risk.

Any way to protect the transaction? Flying out and doing it in person then having it shipped across country is not really a option. Makes the deal not worth it.

 

Ill throw in my 2 cents here. If your dealing with an online store, such as eBay, then Id be all for it! Ebay offers buyer protection, so if you buy a vehicle and it was incorrectly described or you do not obtain it, then you get your money back. And if your sending your money via PayPal, you can always cancel the money sending.

I bought an Airstream and sent the money through PayPal. PayPal did NOT send the money until I got the camper home and gave them the ok (I believe they do this with any amount over $2-3000). "Essentially", you give PayPal the money, then when you obtain the vehicle from the shipper, you give PayPal the ok to send the money to the seller. This way, if you do not obtain the vehicle, then your out nothing.

Im not much of a super trusty person. If he wants you to just shoot him a check for the money and shipping tab, Id look elsewhere for an X. Like parents always say, if its too good to be true, it probably is!

 

good to know that ebay gives that protection. I will have to try there since my area seems to be a little dried up in the diesels for sale.

 

I've participated on legal websites since 2001 and have over 48,000 posts to my credit. I can't tell you how many thousands of tales of woe start with the phrase "I trusted." Especially from people who buy vehicles long distance without going to inspect them. It's a recipe for disaster.

Yes.

Go personally inspect the vehicle before you hand over the money.

Then give it a pass.

You live in Apache Junction.

There are probably thousands of Excursions available in the Phoenix metropolitan area within an hour of where you live and 2 to 3 hours if you include Flagstaff and Tucson.

If you are contemplating buying long distance because the price is lower than what you can find locally, then the deal smells from the getgo.