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AIBU?

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Original poster

Car

124 replies

Anon253 · 17/02/2022 11:49

I found a car I want to buy on gumtree from a seller. The seller lives in Manchester which is 3/4 hours away from me so he has offered to use a delivery service. He’s told me ‘PayPal/Hermes is offering the escrow payment/delivery service and uShip will handle the transport’. However I will need to pay via bank transfer or PayPal to delivery company rather than actual seller and they will hold money until I receive, inspect and agree to keep vehicle. I will also have a 5 day refund policy so if I want to return for any reason then the transport company will transfer money back in to my account. Can anyone tell me if this seems legitimate? Thank you

OP posts:
ChargingBuck · 17/02/2022 16:04

@Anon253

I didn’t once say I would be purchasing it. I said I found it iffy
It's iffy. It's a £10k car. being sold at £5k.

Even if it weren't on offer at such a ... disturbingly low price, how would you assess if it is "iffy" or not? Assuming that you are not in fact a car mechanic yourself, as you've ignored the question?

Original poster
Anon253 · 17/02/2022 16:05

I have replied saying I will travel to get the car and will not make payment before hand. If he doesn’t respond then we have the answer we need

OP posts:
marqueses · 17/02/2022 16:06

I've looked up that reg no, there is no way that car would be advertised at £5k, that's far too low. Have you been researching the market for 2nd hand cars?

ANameChangeAgain · 17/02/2022 16:07

I thought it would be a scam but because he offered to use PayPal they are really good at refunding money they really aren't. We lost £500 through a PayPal / Ebay scam by way of deposit. Dont buy a car unless you've been to see it.

ChargingBuck · 17/02/2022 16:07

You already have the answer you need.
This desperate/fraudulent seller is offering - let me say this one last time - a £10k car for £5k.

I can't be arsed to comment any further. Kiss goodbye to your money OP.

Original poster
Anon253 · 17/02/2022 16:07

No I’m not a mechanic hence why I posted this? I’m 19 years old and wanted to upgrade my car. I don’t know a great deal of cars but I know when something is not right. I’m not silly enough to give my money to a random stranger without actually seeing the car for myself

OP posts:
Fatgalslim · 17/02/2022 16:07

@Anon253

I have replied saying I will travel to get the car and will not make payment before hand. If he doesn’t respond then we have the answer we need
You already have the answer, many times, you are just refusing to acknowledge it.

IT'S A BIG FUCKING FAT SCAM!

Original poster
Anon253 · 17/02/2022 16:08

Yes I’m trying to find some second hand reasonable prices for an Audi A1

OP posts:
dworky · 17/02/2022 16:08

Definite scam.

newbiename · 17/02/2022 16:08

@ohhooh

Everyone : It's a scam

OP: But PayPal

Everyone : it's a scam

OP : passport!

OP ITS A SCAM

Please please don't be fooled by PayPal / passport photos. If it's 45 minutes then I'm sure there is transport for you to be able to go and view / collect the car!

3-4 hours not 3/4 hour
marqueses · 17/02/2022 16:09

@Anon253

No I’m not a mechanic hence why I posted this? I’m 19 years old and wanted to upgrade my car. I don’t know a great deal of cars but I know when something is not right. I’m not silly enough to give my money to a random stranger without actually seeing the car for myself
I respectfully suggest that you go no further with your car buying without someone with a degree of knowledge to help you. Do you have someone like that?

Link up the ad so we can all see who the fool is who is trying to scam people

Original poster
Anon253 · 17/02/2022 16:09

I now know it’s a scam I had a gut feeling from the start anyway and wanted to confirm it. I really don’t understand why you are so angry

OP posts:
Clymene · 17/02/2022 16:09

Go to your local second hand garage. Buy a car with a warranty.

marqueses · 17/02/2022 16:11

@newbiename it says 3/4 hour in the OP so 45 minutes, not far at all in car buying terms

BarbaraofSeville · 17/02/2022 16:11

Well done for spotting the scam OP. You need to regularly exercise your scam radar because there's so many out there.

Often you can 'just tell' and know that something isn't right and this car is one of them. The car doesn't exist at that price and if you ask to go see it, they'll either ignore you or become abusive.

Best thing to do is report the ad to Gumtree and Trading Standards so hopefully it is removed before someone falls for it and sends £5k to a scammer who'll never send them a car.

newbiename · 17/02/2022 16:11

@Anon253

He has also sent me his passport. He’s seems legit. Im not sure
It's quite a well known scam. That could be anyone's passport. Just try and find a car more locally. You need to look at it , drive it. You'll have more protection if you buy from a garage. If the price seems too good to be true it is. A 2012 for £5000 Audi means nothing to us. Model ? Mileage ? Have you looked on auto trader and compared prices ?
goldfluffyclouds · 17/02/2022 16:12

Don't pay by paypal - i'm sure I came across something that they will not allow it to be used for motor vehicle sales.
If its such a good deal - ask yourself why... no one sells cheap out of the goodness of their heart
When buying cars if you don't want the cost or expense of a known garage with their guarantees then you should stick with buying locally.
That way if there are any issues they can be sorted far more easily than if you have bought from so far away.
Equally do checks on your seller - are you buying from legitimate premises or their home address.

godmum56 · 17/02/2022 16:12

@Anon253

I now know it’s a scam I had a gut feeling from the start anyway and wanted to confirm it. I really don’t understand why you are so angry
because you are not listening and still appear to want to buy the car. Crack on OP, i will get the told you so banner ready
BarbaraofSeville · 17/02/2022 16:13

@Anon253

Yes I’m trying to find some second hand reasonable prices for an Audi A1
At the risk of pissing you off for another reason, are you sure you want to spend so much on a car at your age?

Do you have this money or are you borrowing it?

Those of us here who are older than you will probably remember doing silly things like buying expensive cars and regretting spending so much money when it could have been better spent elsewhere like travel, house deposit etc.

Georgeskitchen · 17/02/2022 16:14

No no no don't touch with a 10 foot bargepole!!

Original poster
Anon253 · 17/02/2022 16:15

You seem really angry for something that does not bother you at all. I have repeated many times I am not purchasing vehicle i now know it is not real so why on earth are you so aggressive towards a teenager. You need to get a life

OP posts:
Original poster
Anon253 · 17/02/2022 16:16

I’ve had my first car for over 2 years now and wanted to upgrade. I’ve been saving up for a while so I would like to treat myself to a new car

OP posts:
newbiename · 17/02/2022 16:18

@Anon253

I now know it’s a scam I had a gut feeling from the start anyway and wanted to confirm it. I really don’t understand why you are so angry
No one is angry. People are just trying to warm you. You asked for advice.
Original poster
Anon253 · 17/02/2022 16:21

Yes I asked for advice which I am glad I’ve received but not abuse? I’ve seen people swearing and calling me stupid. For asking a question? There’s no need

OP posts:
ChargingBuck · 17/02/2022 16:30

@Anon253

You seem really angry for something that does not bother you at all. I have repeated many times I am not purchasing vehicle i now know it is not real so why on earth are you so aggressive towards a teenager. You need to get a life
& you need to get some fucking manners young lady.

All PP have done is try & save you from being ripped off.

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