Hi everyone, I was wondering if anyone has had experience of buying a second hand car over the internet and the various methods used by the different sites in paying for them?
In particular a site called pago3 OnlineAuto S.A.
They request like a 50% deposit off the buyer, deliver the car to you for a 3 day trial max 500km and then you can eiother pay outstanding balance or return the car for full deposit back?
The money method is something called Moneygram which I have never heard of? but is apparently all above board.
I was wondering if I went down the route of following up a purchase what rights do I have if things went pearshaped etc.
Any view\opinions\experiences would assist us.
many thanks in anticipation
Superpot

Moneygram I know of and have used. No problems there. I used it to employ a freelance cartoonist and they held the money back until both sides were satisfied the job had been done. Worked well. As for the other stuff, I don't know

well look up the rules on few motor site like autotrader and e bay motors
alwas do a hp CHQ on the car if you can as there many be few Euros outsanding aswell

Sounds very much like a scam I nearly fell for. The catch is that you pay 50% up front "into the ether". The scam works because you pay 50% or even less, the one I saw was 25%, and you never see the car and never see your deposit either. If you offer to travel and see the car with cash in hand, I would bet you dont get very far down that road. I found exactly the same car for sale on mainland Spain, in the Canaries and in Mexico all advertised with the same photos and promising the same "deal".

Google "escrow scam" for a whole loist of things to think about before parting with any money.

Saludos

Hi Superpot,
Nice to know you are still around. All ok?

I don't know anything of the company you mention. I'm wondering if they offer what seems a good/low price but not too low to raise suspicion?

DON'T part with a penny till you've seen it and all the correct paperwork.
Even then I'd get it authenticated.
I think there are some motor dealers on this site, I hope they can be more helpful.
Cheers.

I'm as you may be aware a car dealer and that sounds very very fishy to me.

I would run for the hills so to speak, why would they let you put 500kms on the car and risk you not liking it and backing it? It only takes 2 people to do that to reduce the cars value and thus their profit margin..

All sounds highly fishy..

For example when we dealt with the public (we only sell to trade or by referral now) the client would take the vehicle out for a test drive and then put a securing deposit down while they got finance/loan.

If we had to source them a car that we wouldn't normally stock then we would take a 25% deposit which was contracted upt o the hilt in favour of the purchaser to say if anything happened or the vehicle was not as described they would get the 25% back by way of bank transfer or bankers draft/order.

That's how most people work and to ask for 50% by moneygram is a COMPLETE no-no.... if you're paying for a car even 50% of it you pay by cheque, bankers draft or bank transfer and that's it.. no exceptions as then there is a DECENT paper trail.

Please do not go ahead with this deal it simply isn't worth the risk, if they said you could pay directly into their bank account and it was in the company name then MAYBE think about it..

Thank you all for your much valued input on this subject.
It appears to have all gone quiet on the emailing scene since I asked specifically for a phone number to discuss the sale on a more personal basis and to organise a more secure method of payment!
Following advice from various sources we have done more homework and are awaiting further responses from sellers.
Will keep everyone updated with the progress.

cheers,

Superpot

Rgds

Rotor

Youd be absolutly nuts to part with a penny, sounds very dodgy,I guess youve never even visited their offices? do they exist? you should never leave more than a 500 euro deposit on any car and only pay the balance when you collect it, if a dealer wants more I`d walk, theres plenty more cars around, if the dealer is genuine he knows you arent going to give him 500 euro for fun and if you change your mind he`s gained 500 euro for the inconvieniece, its the same with property, 10 % is not nessesary ,Ive only ever offerd 1000 euro deposit and its always been accepted ,again whos going to give away a grand for fun?

Hi everyone,
just to follow up I had a mate email the same advert asking for details etc. The same email was sent to him about parting with money and exactly same procedure to follow.
It seemed strange to me that the Spanish guy "Antonio Marquez" gave an English address in Norfolk but managed to give a Stockport postcode which coincidentally was close by to the Manchester address and postcode of the agent going to receive the money from moneygram!
I asked questions about the discrepancies and guess what? Yes , NO ANSWER since!
thanks to you all out there and please warn anyone you can about this particularly nasty scam.
The photos of the car were clearly taken in England from the background but in my opinipon were doctored on paintshop or similar program.
Anyone wants more details please pm me,
regards,

Superpot