‘Mr.Shark’ coming to view my vehicle for sale. Advice?

[0500hours]

My husband died in April leaving some business debts. I have to sell his work truck.

’Mr Shark’ is driving from an hour away to view at half 3 today - does anyone have advice that’s done this before?

It’s parked outside my house. Like 99% of others who enquired he wants it for Ukraine he said.

Its taxed/MOT’d/insured/alarmed etc but how does he test drive it? Does he bring his driving licence and paperwork from his own insurer to prove he’s insured? He’s just come over from Ukraine he said and wants to drive it back there for the war. What if he damages it on driving?

Should I drive it instead with him as passenger?

I’m still waiting for the DVLA new owner papers to come back so it can’t be sold today anyway, he’s just viewing it.

He wants to leave a small deposit to secure it, but then how can I be sure he’d pay the balance?

Any advice welcome. There’s nobody I can call today to help me when he views.

Thankyou so much
posted on chat for traffic

Your update makes this man sound even worse. No ligit buyer stalks the seller in this way. He is DODGY. Even if you don't let him test drive it, I would not be surprised if you discover it stolen within a few days.

Op please leave the house with the vehicle.

You say you have no choice as he is on his way. This is how scammers choose victims - ones who won’t say no out of fear of being rude.

He stalked you to find you. He’s a wrong un. Too many scammers in the U.K. now. 15 /20 years ago you could sell privately but I wouldn’t now.

The 'for Ukraine' thing is surely just to make you feel like you should accept whatever offer because it's for a cause.

Yrs Ukraine is the sob story. I had someone collect toys I was selling a few years ago (never again) and it was disabled children she was collecting for.

I have a heart of stone luckily and still asked for the full amount of cash.

The fact that he stalked you to find you should tell you everything you need to know. Do not meet this man op.

Echoing all the others, move your vehicle and don’t answer the door.

Motorway gave us a much better price than We buy any car, a couple of thousand more. Dealer arrived, quickly checked car over, money in account. So easy.

Hope it all goes ok, probably too late now, but can you knock on a neighbours door and tell them you need some support. I (or dh) would do this for a neighbour in these circumstances.

Many years ago I advertised a car for sale. The guy bombarded me with questions then wanted me to turn the key in the ignition. He flung the car into reverse and screeched off. It was found three months later after being used in an armed robbery. Please don’t risk this.

You need to get it moved NOW away from your property.
It is possible they will return and just steal it. Store it,somewhere else.

Recently I had to sell some high value heavy machinery. Two items went via word of mouth. I was advised by a dealer (who didn’t want it) NOT to put it on ebay, gave me the details of another trusted middleman who put me in touch with someone who was looking for some of what I was selling. He wasn’t given the address until the evening before. One paid cash and the other by bank transfer the day before.
Heart in mouth, as anyone could come and break in and steal the items if they knew they were there. (All went well).

He Google stalked you to find your address - that's horrific!

If your husbands obituary is online he likely knows you are a widow as well.

Please take your safety seriously - this is a very determined man who is a scammer at best and a stalky thief at not best

Call the police

Can you grab any of your male neighbours, or can your son come over to be there when this guy arrives/is there? please be safe OP

He may well be on his way but you do t have to engage with him. Either don’t open the door or tell him it’s already sold.

I would do this too. Private sale is a nightmare.

I really, really hope that OP has one or more people with her right now besides this conman.

Thats more than an interest, theres serious stalking involved.

Agree, drive to a shopping centre and go for a long trip.

@0500hours

Just because he's on his way doesn't mean you have to open the door to him.

Text that you are 'not available today', then don't answer the door.

@0500hours I was coming to say exactly this.
Don't open the door.
You've told him that you're not avaiable.
I'm very concerned about this man. Facebook Marketplace is a shitshow of a place.

He could have a friend in the other vehicle,or waiting round the corner to drive it off as soon as the test drive starts.

It might not be his vehicle.

I dont care how easy it is - that last update would be enough for me to call the police.

I hope you are ok OP

If you havent got a burley man to do tge test drjve with him then don't do it.

This is happening everywhere, one way they scam you is to insist they need a certificate that the car hasn't been written off etc. They'll send you a link to get the certificate and as it's only £40 or something loads of people fall for it.

The fact that he stalked you on social media instead of waiting for you to give an address speaks volumes about him. Honest people don’t do this.

Glad you have been warned to be cautious, hope you managed OK today be only offering minimal sight of vehicle or going out.

WTAF he found you on google earth? Hell no