Unlike someone who has just sent me over £8k from abroad,
he's a very trusting chap & I would guess bound to get burnt by someone less
scrupulous than myself! 
Im thinking of buying a car from NI without seeing it due to covid restrictions. Ive seen loads of photos and videos of it. What is the safest way to
pay for it? It will be picked up and delivered by a transport firm but wanted opinions on how to pay
N1
Interesting question and not one I have an instant answer to.
Obviously you want the payment method giving you the best protection in case any gotes wrong. At the same time you don't (I'm sure) want to
be paying an extra sum of money for that protection.
If you're buying from a trader you ought to be able to pay by credit card. If so you do need to check the terms of both the credit card and the
trader to make sure there's nothing to catch you out.
You could use the "ESCROW" method (I think that's the name for it) where the money's held by a 3rd party (e.g. a bank or
solicitor) until you receive the vehicle and approve release of funds. This method is subject to charges though.
Do you know anyone if NI who could look at the vehicle before you purchase? I appreciate the times we're in, but if you know someone local to
the vehicles location it may be an option.
Could you negotiate a split payment arrangement with the seller. xx% deposit payment up front and xx% completion payment on receipt?
I'll follow this thread with interest to see what solutions put forward.
I would arrange for the transport co. to go & collect, perhaps having paid a small deposit by way of Paypal (protected, NOT sent as a gift). When
the transport guy gets there, he can see the vehicle started up, send you pics of the vehicle as it is now & if necessary short video of anything
you want looked at in detail, check all documents are to your satisfaction & assuming you're then happy, you make payment by instant bank
transfer.
Buyer has his funds & his only cost is 3.4% to Paypal on the deposit monies only - your risk is the cost of the transport co. going & finding
it's a HoS & you're out of pocket for that, but your deposit is recoverable.
Any seller not prepared to do this I would not consider safe to deal with
russbost seem to have a handle on this. He's also been a trader for some time so is probably more familiar with this type of thing.
I have bought cars & bikes just this way, I don't believe in parting with any significant amount of money until I'm as near 100% sure of
the outcome as possible.
Unlike someone who has just sent me over £8k from abroad, he's a very trusting chap & I would guess bound to get burnt by someone less
scrupulous than myself!
Not sure if it's still the case, but payments or deposits for cars didn't used to be covered by the paypal buyer protection so you may as
well send as a gift if you're going to do it.
Why does it have to be that specific car? Is it one of a kind?
There isn't a way I can see that I would be comfortable with. If it's too much money to walk away from if it goes tits up or is a scam,
don't do it or find a way to go in person.
Cheers for the replies chaps.
What ive found out so far is...... Any reputable car transport firm will need the car to be paid for in full before they will collect it.
I think the only way will be to pay the full amount via the safest way possible and hope for the best. Ive seen loads of photos and videos of the car
and will speak via video call to the seller and ask for a walk and talk of the car. Ive checked a forum he is on and it seems like he is genuine
Why is nothing ever local lol!! Ideally id get a ferry over there and do things the old fashioned way.
Any reputable transport firm will accept payment for the job, then attend the car & report back to you, I don't know where you are based, but you want a small operation, like Wayne Blackwell (Essex). They will be happy to do the sort of thing I've suggested, as long as paid for the job up front, from their point of view, if it doesn't get picked up, they've been paid & have saved the loading time & diversion to your place to drop car off, your potential losses are vastly smaller than paying for the car & then finding it doesn't exist or is a HoS!
Russ, ive googled him and think ive found him on Facebook. Is he the owner of Blackwell sports cars? If so, ill drop him a message and get a quote.
Will it be a case of pay him, he goes to the seller, checks the car over with me on the phone, then if its as described i pay the seller and he brings
the car to me?
Edit...he just replied and doesnt do overseas but will collect from a port.
[Edited on 26/2/21 by number-1]
quote:
Originally posted by number-1
Why is nothing ever local lol!! Ideally id get a ferry over there and do things the old fashioned way.
Hmmm, the shipping thing is a problem & a significant extra cost with a transporter both ways - would he agree to get the car to a UK port with a deposit & then arrange transport from there?
It may just be me, but if i was to part company with a lot of money, say 1k or more, i wouldnt even consider buying something, that i hadnt even seen,
or had some one reputable look at it first
it will only end up in tears, and possible law suits
As said, its just MHO