[lotus888]

Hi everyone,

I found a decent elise in CA and I live in NM. The seller is currently in Canada and the car is with an attorney friend of his in CA. I know this is sounding fishy but hold on.

The guy wants to sell me the car using an online escrow service, has anyone used an online escrow before? This particular one is vip-escrow.com. I could not find any reviews on it so I am somewhat skeptical. Their phone number doesn't ring but their live chat did and they were very helpful.

The seller said I will have 2 days to inspect the car before the escrow service gives the money to him. Any thoughts anybody?

 

[lotus90]

Sounds like a scam

 

[Steven Fehr]

AJ:

I don't see any reason to involve a third party. I live in St. Louis and bought my Exige from a guy in Tampa. I wired him a deposit and flew down a week later to inspect the car. After looking at the car I called my bank and initiated a wire transfer for the balance. We waited 30 minutes and then he checked with his bank to confirm the transfer of funds. Done.

Just my $.02

Steve

 

[LostPawn]

I wouldn’t have an issue using an escrow company that I could confirm. If you cannot find any reviews of them or any record with the local BBB I would suggest using a different escrow company. I’m not sure why a small deposit couldn’t hold the car until you can see it in person or have someone else look it over for you. Just two days to inspect after funding the escrow?

 

[rwbronco]

I'd say scam as well...

if that's the case then chances are he doesn't even have an Elise - ask him if he can send you a photo of the car with him holding a piece of paper with the current date written on it (say "weird but my wife asked me if you could do this dunno why...")

 

[Steven Fehr]

..- ask him if he can send you a photo of the car with him holding a piece of paper with the current date written on it (say "weird but my wife asked me if you could do this dunno why...")

Is there any chance your wife has kidnapped someone?

Steve

 

[sturgeongeneral]

I used a bank as an escrow service when. I bought mine 3000 miles away.

 

[sturgeongeneral]

Where in California? There are many of us who can check the car before any money is passed. If he won't allow inspection before hand, you know to look elsewhere.

 

[jet37ski]

Where in California? There are many of us who can check the car before any money is passed. If he won't allow inspection before hand, you know to look elsewhere.

Yup, CA probably has the best statewide coverage of owners. Chances are someone on here is already familiar with the car, if it's a real car.

 

[Nessal]

Yup we got your back. Have it arranged so that someone local can inspect it to make sure it "exists". Don't get caught up in the rush to buy.

 

[sprocket3]

That sounds like a classic nigerian scam. They are always out of town on business.

Talk to them on the phone, not just email.. Use google to search phone numbers, names, and emails.

 

[Patrick]

ATTORNEY IN CALIFORNIA

You can see if the attorney is legitimate by searching Attorneys. This site also lists any disciplinary proceedings--but not complaints.

 

[lotus888]

Thanks so much everyone. I think it's a sophisticated scam. They are getting good. Thank you everybody

 

[TedR]

Can you post the ad or the car so no one gets sucked into the scam?