You may be in the market to buy a used automobile and wonder if it is worth your time to search Craigslist. Craigslist scammers may have been the source of horror stories you’ve heard. This is undoubtedly true. However, there are some ways to avoid the pitfalls. Learn more?
Several scams are easy to identify. Included in this list are:
The seller will ship the car to you upon receipt of payment.
The seller is asking for payment through money gram or Western union.
The seller wants to wire the payment into another country.
The seller is claiming to be a member of the military and stationed in another country.
The price of the automobile is way below its book value.
No phone number is listed in the posting, or if one is given it indicates that the person is an intermediary or a pickup agent.
Craigslist has its own disadvantages. The first is that there are no remedies against the seller in case of a dispute over the sale. The seller will not be able to assist you with financing.
Craigslist can be a good place to buy a car. There are often good deals to be found. Craigslist’s local nature makes it easy to find the seller, and to inspect the vehicle. Many online sites don’t have a local presence. You can view a variety of used cars easily without having drive anywhere. You do not need to purchase an auto online like you would with other sites. Craigslist will not be involved in your transaction. The seller is free to negotiate and you can pay directly.
There are a number of ways you can make your Craigslist purchase of a used vehicle gratifying and safe. First, you should have the phone number of the seller and not only their email. Next, arrange to inspect the vehicle at a public location during the daylight. In the daylight you can inspect the car better and notice any defects. The seller may have service records for the vehicle. You should also check these. When you visit the car, do not carry cash as you may be walking right into a planned theft.
It is important to check the title of any used car. If you cannot see a title from the seller, then walk away. If the seller cannot show you a car title, no matter what they say, you can’t legally register or drive your vehicle. Make sure to check the original lien release. It should also be under the seller’s title. It is possible that the seller is an unscrupulous or unlicensed dealer who is jumping titles. In many states, title-jumping is prohibited. It’s usually an indication that the vehicle has been in some serious accident, flooded or other issue.
Doing two important things is essential, even if your title appears to be fine. The first thing you should do is get either an AutoCheck or CarFax on the old car. These reports show if cars were flooded, reclaimed, junked in major accidents, airbags had been deployed, multiple owners had owned the vehicle, or if they had been labeled as lemons. Also, they will give you the most recent recorded mileage. Many sellers are willing to provide you with the report. If you do not have one, you can get one for under $35. The information provided is well-worth the price.
A mechanic should inspect the vehicle before you purchase it. The mechanic may be able to tell you about any current problems with the vehicle that even the seller was not aware of. You should make sure that you receive a receipt as soon as you have agreed to the price of the car. Also, ensure you hold the title.