buying car for son

samina

samina

Well-Known Member
i'm looking for a bit of feedback, here... my son found a beautiful used jetta on sale through craigslist. the scenario thru which he'd purchase it is unusual, tho... and the listing has even just been flagged by craigslist for removal.

here's what the guy emailed my son about the car:

"Hello,

You have to know that the car I am selling is 100% working and great
looking, no flaws or dents, no scratches or any kind of damage. The title is
clear. It has only 76,900 miles. The VIN# is 3VWSC29M9XM060784

I have the pictures of the car hosted at the following address:
http://usera.imagecave.com/MyWhiteJetta/

The only problem is my current situation. I am an US Air Force Sergeant and
I was called to serve in Serbia for peace maintenance, after that I bought
some land here and I have planned to build and work here; so my wife and two
kids joined me one month ago and brought the car with her, but we decided to
sell it back in the United States, because we can't drive it here; it has US
specs on it and registering it here in Europe will take for ever.
My final price on this is $ 2,990. If you will take it for this price, I am
willing to handle the shipping.
Also this car will arrive with all the documentation's required for
registration and the keys. I will send you all the papers and documents
(clear title, bills of sale, car's manual) to prove the ownership and to be
able to register it with no problem. The clear title and the bill of sale
will be both signed so you can become owner of the car on the spot.

So if you decide on buying the car, I want the deal closed only through
eBay's Vehicle Purchase program. You will make the payment to eBay and they
will hold the money until you receive the car. ONLY AFTER you receive the
car and you inspect it, eBay will release the payment to me, in this way we
are both protected. If you are an honest buyer, I believe you will have no
objection to this.
I considered that it is honest for me to tell you my situation, so that you
know what the transaction will involve.
If you agree with the above terms please get back to me and include in your
e-mail your full name and address where you want it shipped so I can start
the deal with eBay.

With Regards,
<and he gives his first & last name>"

the photos of the vehicle look they're taken in an american neighborhood, not serbian...

does this sound legit? i mean, it could be... but i'm not savvy about buying cars... what do you think?
 
Personally, I wouldn't go for it.

#1, it's a Volkswagon. Don't like them...bad experience with them...friends have had similar bad experiences. But lots of people like them, so it's just my bias.

#2, while it could be legit, it's also a huge risk. Can you find out why it's been flagged by Craigslist? Can you get the name of the guy's commanding officers, so you can check it out? Can you get the information needed to do a background check? Ask for details about how it'd be shipped. Ask eBay exactly what your options are if things go south. Talk to a lawyer about a safe way to handle this (could be the vehicle purchase program works just fine...I don't know anything about it). I'd want it so that title was transferred to a holding organization of some sort, and when they verify that they've taken title, then wire the money.

Possibly a great thing...but too much risk for my tastes.
 
i agree on both accounts. told my son last night that jetta's don't have the best rep -- not high up on my list of desirable vehicles.

it seems to me like a lot of hassle just to verify it's legit. one thing i didn't like about the email is the "if you are an honest buyer..." a manipulative statement.
 
Yeah, after one vw mistake, it's back to Toyotas for me. I've been convinced. I think Jettas are super-cute, love the Cabrios, love the Beetle...but won't ever again buy one.

Someone could end up very happy and laughing at what a great car they got for such a low price, with a bit of extra leg-work. I'm not saying he's not on the up-and-up. But I'm a very risk-averse kind of person, and there are just too many potential red flags for my taste. *shrug*
 
lol, even back in the stone age when I was young I can remember that the car that always broke down on us was our VW bus...and it was hell to repair as well
 
Don't necessarily agree that VWs are bad cars. I know several people who are quite happy with theirs.

But, yeah, that sentence is a little worrisome, Sam.

After reading your suspicions about where the photos are taken (not that that matters - maybe he did take the pictures in the states), but look at this one in particular. Is that a headstone in someone's front yard? More likely to be Serbia than here.

http://usera.imagecave.com/system/showpicture.asp?u=MyWhiteJetta&p=4.jpg&a=

but maybe it's just my eyes, which seem to get worse by the day.

I would probably steer clear of this purchase, too. Maybe ebay's "escrow" program is good, but I wouldn't buy something I couldn't test drive first.
 
mamboqueen said:
Is that a headstone in someone's front yard? More likely to be Serbia than here.
Click to expand...
Lol. Or it could have been out where I live. There have been a bunch of houses put up bordering a cemetery.

Yeah, plenty of people love vw's. I don't want to malign all of them--even I liked certain things about mine.
 
And fyi, there are websites (and I can find out which ones) that if you type in the VIN, you can get the history of the car. My dh is anal retentive about car purchases, so we don't buy anything unless he has given it the AR seal of approval.

Also - I have to say that I hold military folks in the highest regard. I am really hoping he's on the up and up because I hate to have my bubble burst in that regard.
 
As do I.

The problem comes not so much from the military guys, but a non-military guy passing himself off as one.
 
Yeah. With a military guy, they can get in huge trouble with the military if they do something wrong...above and beyond the usual legal system. But with the current state of affairs, playing the military or veteran card is a good way to go if someone is less than legit. Hate to say it, but it's true.

(My parents went through something with a guy who claimed to be military--and maybe he was--and the loopholes and hassles and hurdles and everything was just too much. Maybe I'm cynical, but I'm wary.)
 
VIN 3VWSC29M9XM060784
Year/Make/Model: 1999 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLS
Body Style: SEDAN 4 DR
Engine Type: 2.0L L4 FI
Manufactured In: MEXICO


From carfax.com --> you have to pay for more info.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Dance Ads

Advertise on Dance Forums Reach dancers, teachers, studios, event organizers, and dance-friendly brands. View ad options
Back
Top