How to send money to a stranger for buying a car in this situation? (vehicle, best)

[tripod]

I'm thinking about buying a parts car for $325 and having the guy drive or tow it 100 mi to my house sight unseen except for pictures and descriptions. Now how should we agree on payment since we don't know each other? I have no idea if he'll get here and he has no idea if he brings it that I won't change my mind or if someone's playing games with him, right?

[trlhiker]

Personally, I would require you to either drive to see it and then pay. No way would I haul a vehicle that far without payment in hand. You both have to trust each other to do it the way you want.

[getmeoutofhere]

Online escrow service.

[jtur88]

Originally Posted by getmeoutofhere

Online escrow service.

As far as I can tell, online escrow services do nothing except verify that something was delivered, which they have no power to do if one party is not acting in good faith. It depends on the honor of the recipient of the goods to carry out the confirmation process. There is nothing I can see in the descriptions of the services that an arbitrator is available to verify that the the delivered goods are as described.

I could put my money into escrow, and then refuse to acknowledge that the goods arrived. What does escrow service do then? If they actually do not arrive, how do I get my money back? If they do arrive and I refuse to acknowledge it, how does the seller get his money?

Sounds like just another online money-maker, to me. The escrow service gets the fee, but it's still up to the buyer and seller to resolve any issues that arise. Particularly in the case described by the OP, in which the seller is to personally deliver the goods.

The whole idea of escrow is that the two parties trust an intermediary arbitrator, who must exercise personal, hands-on judgment that the transaction has been completed according to agreed upon terms. I seriously doubt that either party is protected in that way by an online escrow service.

Eschew Escrow!

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Now, to the OP. If you want to buy the car, drive the 100 miles and look at it, pay the owner for it, get the signed title, and make an arrangement to have it towed.

[LookinForMayberry]

I don't know how far he's driving it, but if it's very far, he'd be better off giving it to you!

I'd have the cash ready, since it's a small amount. If it isn't what you hoped, you can then offer less. He's obviously motivated, if he's driving it to you.

Make sure you get a bill of sale, and the title is signed over. If you can, I would call in the VIN number and make sure the car is really his to sell.

[tripod]

Ok thanks guys. I'm probably not going to get the car afterall but if I do decide to go get it I'd must likely rent a U-haul pick-up truck + tow it back myself and pay in cash on the spot.

[PDD]

Originally Posted by tripod

Ok thanks guys. I'm probably not going to get the car afterall but if I do decide to go get it I'd must likely rent a U-haul pick-up truck + tow it back myself and pay in cash on the spot.

That's the best bet.