69RunnerMike
Well-Known Member
I found a 1969 Road Runner for sale on Automotive Classifieds. The car looks sweet and I am very interested in it. The ad says the car is located in Washington D.C. and I am about 50 miles away, so no problem there. When I contacted the seller, he replied back that he is a Marine currently deployed in Kuwait and is using a shipping company to handle the sale of the vehicle for him. He tells me that the car is in Wisconsin even though it is advertised as being in D.C.. He goes on to say that if I want to buy it I would pay the shipping company and the money would go into an escrow account. The shipping company would then ship the car to me and I would have up to 7 days to decide whether I want to keep it or not. If I decide that I don't want the car, the shipping company would come out and pick it up from my home and return my money. This seems to be an obvious scam to me. Has anyone on this forum been in the military or currently in the military? Is this a commen way that soldiers deployed outside of the U.S. sell their vehicles? I've never heard of this practice and am highly suspicious. The link to the ad is below along with the email response I received from the seller. I want to believe this is legit because I love the car. Has anyone purchased a car this way before?
Response from seller:
Hi,
I bought the car 3 years ago and I am selling it because I signed new contract. I will be deployed most of the time so I won't have time to enjoy it.
Fully Restored '69. Freshly sprayed in blue, it's hard to keep your eyes off of it. Inside, the new black interior aims to please with no rips or tears. Powered by a 440ci v8 with a 4bbl and 727 torqueflight automatic transmission, performance nor reliability will be of any concern. Features include but are not limited to a high rise intake, ceramic coated headers, R/T console, solid motor mounts, Good glass, good tires and wheels as well as Decent chrome. This is a very solid car that runs strong and drives good.
The vehicle is located in Superior, WI at the shipping company, who will intermediate the transaction for us. This is the safest and fastest way for both of us. It is a very intuitive and well-known method for selling vehicles:
Step 1) The payment is deposited in an escrow account, belonging to the company.
Step2) You receive the vehicle, title, 2 keys and all the service history records. You will have 7 days to check and inspect the vehicle and its documents.
Step 3) After the 7 days you have to make a decision:
- You keep the vehicle and the money is released from the Escrow to me.
- You decline the vehicle, the transaction gets canceled. The vehicle is being picked up from your door and returned to the warehouse. All your money is refunded back to you.
Because I know this vehicle is in pristine condition, I will pay entirely for delivery and for return, in case you decline to purchase it. So there are no headaches for you. It is like buying a vehicle locally, the only difference is that you get the chance to drive it for 7 days before final buy.
Please let me know what you decide!
Thank you.
HM3 (FMF) Bobbie, Powell
Senior Medical Representative Bravo Company SWBM
1st Battalion, 5th Marines
1st Marine Division
Response from seller:
Hi,
I bought the car 3 years ago and I am selling it because I signed new contract. I will be deployed most of the time so I won't have time to enjoy it.
Fully Restored '69. Freshly sprayed in blue, it's hard to keep your eyes off of it. Inside, the new black interior aims to please with no rips or tears. Powered by a 440ci v8 with a 4bbl and 727 torqueflight automatic transmission, performance nor reliability will be of any concern. Features include but are not limited to a high rise intake, ceramic coated headers, R/T console, solid motor mounts, Good glass, good tires and wheels as well as Decent chrome. This is a very solid car that runs strong and drives good.
The vehicle is located in Superior, WI at the shipping company, who will intermediate the transaction for us. This is the safest and fastest way for both of us. It is a very intuitive and well-known method for selling vehicles:
Step 1) The payment is deposited in an escrow account, belonging to the company.
Step2) You receive the vehicle, title, 2 keys and all the service history records. You will have 7 days to check and inspect the vehicle and its documents.
Step 3) After the 7 days you have to make a decision:
- You keep the vehicle and the money is released from the Escrow to me.
- You decline the vehicle, the transaction gets canceled. The vehicle is being picked up from your door and returned to the warehouse. All your money is refunded back to you.
Because I know this vehicle is in pristine condition, I will pay entirely for delivery and for return, in case you decline to purchase it. So there are no headaches for you. It is like buying a vehicle locally, the only difference is that you get the chance to drive it for 7 days before final buy.
Please let me know what you decide!
Thank you.
HM3 (FMF) Bobbie, Powell
Senior Medical Representative Bravo Company SWBM
1st Battalion, 5th Marines
1st Marine Division