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Technical Need help/insight on selling a car to someone in the uk

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by wrong generation, Jul 7, 2020.

  1. wrong generation
    Joined: Jul 30, 2007
    Posts: 244

    wrong generation
    Member
    from new jersey

    Ok so i found a buyer for my 37 Buick. A guy in the uk wants it.

    He asked if I'd bring the car to the port but i honestly don't have the time for that. So i said I'd help load it onto whatever trasport service came to my house.

    He also asked if he could have parts for a 36 buick he currently has shipped to my house and placed in the 37. So he could save on shipping.

    When asked how he was to pay me. He said thru PayPal.

    So i need thoughts and insight from those who have sold/shipped a car out of the country.
     
  2. Gman0046
    Joined: Jul 24, 2005
    Posts: 6,256

    Gman0046
    Member

    NO Pay Pal as transaction fees are too high and the buyer can file a complaint or dispute with Pay Pal saying the car didn't meet his expectations or was misrepresented and can demand a refund. You don't need that hassle.

    The only way I accept payment on cars I sell oversea's is with cash or a Wire Transfer directly into my US bank account. Once that happens your home free. No shipping until the payment shows up and is safely deposited in your bank account.

    Even caash can be a problem. The last car I sold overseas was for $48,500. Thats 485, 100 dollar bills. How do you know they are all good? Besides I don't like the idea of having a large bag of money around.

    No problem helping with getting the car readied for pick up. Let the buyer make all the shipping arrangements. Its his concern not yours.

    I never ran into the shipping of spare parts issue. Only cars.

    In this day and age I trust no one.

    Make sure the buyer is not from Nigeria, too many scams.
     
    Last edited: Jul 7, 2020
  3. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 33,861

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    There are a number of guys on here who have sold and shipped cars to the UK on a regular basis.
    You probably aren't that far mile wise from a port where it would ship but unless you have a tow rig and a trailer to haul it or are able to drive it to the port getting it there could be a hassle and might be a hassle. A roll back can probably pick it up and deliver it without a hassle though. Either cost is on him.
    I've never sold anything that I got the money though Paypal that I misrepresented and had a complaint but I guess some do and that part is up to your conscience and how you represented the car.
    Bank transfer?, talk to your banker at the bank you deal with, a good banker can set up a safe for all transfer of funds,
    I don't see an issue with loading pieces he had shipped to you in the car to go along with the car.
     
  4. I have sold a car to Sweden and one to Germany and both were cash deals and they got them to a port themselves. Putting the 36 parts in the car to save on shipping is pretty common considering it doesn’t add anything to what it costs to ship the car and shipping on just the parts is crazy. I agree that cash or wire transfer would be a safer bet sending a car across the world.
     

  5. 51504bat
    Joined: May 22, 2010
    Posts: 4,755

    51504bat
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I don't know about shipping to Europe but when a buddy moved to Hawaii and shipped his daily drivers he couldn't put anything in them.
     
  6. Helge71
    Joined: Nov 30, 2012
    Posts: 127

    Helge71
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I successfully bought a few cars (and also parts) from the US (also via the HAMB classifieds) sigth unseen and had them shipped to Europe over the last years. I would agree that Paypal is not the best way to go for payment of a whole car. It is good for a quick downpayment but the fees they charge and especially their bad exchange rate really make it expensive also for the buyer...Direct bank transfer is a little bit slower but safe and the best option cost-wise.
    You can put spare parts and other stuff in the car (and I was always very happy when the seller agreed to it, since it can save a lot of crazy shipping costs, especially for larger parts), however, all parts in the car have to be clearly declared to the shipper for custom reasons and import dues on the receiving end.
    It is nice and helpful if the seller can deliver the car directly to the warehouse of the shipper, but it is also no problem for the buyer to arrange a pickup of the car at the seller with his shipper (it just costs some additional money...).

    In general most of the risk in this kind of transactions is with the buyer since he pays a lot of money for a car (or parts) often unseen and has to trust the seller that his description is accurate and then the shipper that he transports the car undamaged to its destination. Once the money has been sent to the seller's account there is not much that the buyer overseas can easily do if the car is much worse than described...and trying to get money from a shipper for a car damaged during transport is an adventure I could write a book about...unfortunately without happy ending.
     
  7. Baumi
    Joined: Jan 28, 2003
    Posts: 3,043

    Baumi
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    What Helge said pretty much sums it up. My experience ,too.
     
    AHotRod likes this.
  8. chrisp
    Joined: Jan 27, 2007
    Posts: 1,048

    chrisp
    Member

    Given that I restore cars for a living, I usually see the guy on the wrong side of the deal : cars that are literally breaking in half, cars stripped of the most valuable parts before shipping, even a different car than the one on the picture or no car at all...
    But for large sums the best is bank transfers : no loose ends.
    This kind of deal is scary for all parties involved.
    Large sums of cash to me is out of question, too risky getting robbed, loose it or simply falling victim of civil forfeiture by some over zealous cop.
     
    Last edited: Jul 8, 2020
  9. Did the buyer find your car here on the H.A.M.B. or elsewhere ? Guess if it was here you have his H.A.M.B. profile to start with. He says he,s in the U.K. so his Email grammar should be perfect. So not, make a phone call. Sure is a big old beast. All the windows on both sides gone ?
    BUICK.jpeg
     
  10. I had some parts sent to the shipping agent's address, and after a couple of phone calls to them, they put them in the trunk, and all went smoothly. My agent organized a tow from the seller's house to their yard. Paid a deposit only with paypal (as a "gift", not for merchandise), the balance went through as a bank transfer.
     
  11. GeeRam
    Joined: Jun 9, 2007
    Posts: 557

    GeeRam
    Member

    Yes, that's a big no to PayPal.
    I'm surprised someone from the UK would even suggest it tbh......given how easy it is to arrange an international payment with UK banks?
    The parts in the car isn't an issue, and its down to the buyer to sort and arrange the transportation to the shipping agent, not you!
     
  12. Hnstray
    Joined: Aug 23, 2009
    Posts: 12,355

    Hnstray
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Quincy, IL

    @wrong generation

    I sold a car to a buyer in France. Bank wire transfer of funds, just as others have recommended. Buyer arranged shipping including pickup by transport truck at my location. Went very well for all parties.

    Ray
     
    Bill's Auto Works and Baumi like this.
  13. My last "bank transfer", for $400 worth of brass shift knob inserts from India, cost me $50. In my case, I was the buyer but that was a big pill to swallow. I can see why the English buyer likes PayPal. The seller's PP fee could be about $1000 on a $40,000 transaction.
    I don't have experience for larger amounts so I'm not sure if the bank transfer fee is also $50 for $40,000, for example.
     
  14. Gman0046
    Joined: Jul 24, 2005
    Posts: 6,256

    Gman0046
    Member

    My bank charges in the $25-$35 range for a wire transfer.. Its so insignificant I'm not sure of the exact figure. Its a set fee not graduated to the total amount of the transfer. Regarding this 37 Buick transaction the buyer requesting Pay Pal for the payment does make much sense and not the normal way to conduct business. I'd only agree to Pay Pay for an initial deposit not for the entire transaction.
     
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  15. Baumi
    Joined: Jan 28, 2003
    Posts: 3,043

    Baumi
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    That´s about what I paid. Around 30 Euros to wire about 20k$ from here to the US. It took about 4 work days until the seller recieved his money, but that is as safe and cost effective as possible . Shippers will pick up the car at the seller´s location after an appointment was made. But I feel like it is always a good thing to call first and talk a little. A lot of people seem to be very cautious nowadays, but I guess that is for a reason.
     
    Hnstray likes this.
  16. Sold cars to a guys in Sweden, Tokyo and the UK, the safest way for all parties concerned is a bank wire transfer, your local back can walk you through the process, it's very easy. HRP
     
    Baumi likes this.
  17. Any time I have sold a car off shore I have required a wire transfer. It has been a while but when we shipped an effie to Japan all we had to do was load it onto a car hauler and send it to a shipper in Florida.

    I would have no problem at all putting his spare parts into the car by the way.
     
  18. I missed the part about spare parts, the car I sent to Tokyo I sent a extra glass for the cracked passenger side window and a T5 transmission wrapped in heavy plastic sitting in the back floor board. HRP
     
  19. I have transported dozens of cars to the ports all over the country (actually most go to off-site container companies) including 5 or 6 that went to the UK. I don't have a TWIC, so if I want to go into the port, I have to pay an escort service (insert joke here) to get me into & out of the actual port.

    I also recommend a wire transfer (bank to bank) over Paypal. Since you are probably pretty close to the port, the buyer should have no trouble finding someone to transport it. When it gets there, most inspect it & inventory the extra parts. Then give the transporter a copy of the paperwork. Usually pretty easy.

    God Bless
    Bill
    https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...ar-transport-hauling-open-or-enclosed.614419/
     
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  20. wrong generation
    Joined: Jul 30, 2007
    Posts: 244

    wrong generation
    Member
    from new jersey

    Lol trust me. Car wouldn't leave my garage until payment was in my bank account and declared valid.

    I'm not that far from a port maybe 2 hour drive one way. But i don't own a truck or trailer. So it would end up being an all day event that I'd rather not do.

    The buyer in question contacted me via my Facebook ad.

    Messaged the guy last night while i was at work and told him payment would have to be bank transfer. Considering i don't even have a PayPal acount.

    I honestly hate the idea of shipping the car to another country as id rather it stay here. But if thats where the money is.
     
    Bill's Auto Works likes this.
  21. wrong generation
    Joined: Jul 30, 2007
    Posts: 244

    wrong generation
    Member
    from new jersey


    I have all the windows. Door glass is just rolled down. And the others are in a box for some unknown reason. But all are there.
     
  22. Gman0046
    Joined: Jul 24, 2005
    Posts: 6,256

    Gman0046
    Member

    I'm thinking you may not hear from your buyer again since you squashed Pay Pal.
     
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  23. 49ratfink
    Joined: Feb 8, 2004
    Posts: 18,828

    49ratfink
    Member
    from California

    paypal payments are not made "valid" by a bank. the general rule is never take more from paypal than you are willing to lose
     
  24. 49ratfink
    Joined: Feb 8, 2004
    Posts: 18,828

    49ratfink
    Member
    from California

    I sold a Sunbeam Alpine to a guy in the UK where they are built. he says they are all rusty out there.
    he had a guy come by and give me cash and took the car away. as a bonus, he also bought the 1952 Chevy truck I was selling.

    give me cash and take it away. doesn't matter if you live around the block or around the world.
     
  25. gimpyshotrods
    Joined: May 20, 2009
    Posts: 23,263

    gimpyshotrods
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I have sent cars to Germany, The UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.

    In every single case where the buyer did not come to me with cash, the transaction was done by wire transfer, and 100% of the transport arrangements were up to the buyer.

    I have a separate account into which only wire transfers go in or out. I do not release a vehicle until I have removed the money from that account.

    Then, I wait for the roll-back to come to me.
     
    Baumi likes this.
  26. mgtstumpy
    Joined: Jul 20, 2006
    Posts: 9,214

    mgtstumpy
    Member

    I've used a TT or direct debit. ESCROW is another service
     
  27. mrquickwhip
    Joined: Oct 15, 2009
    Posts: 597

    mrquickwhip
    Member

    I've bought a few cars from sellers on hamb and I've organised collection and shipping. I always paid via bank transfer. Cfr rinkens have an office in New Jersey and they can organise transport and even pay for the car on buyers behalf as long as you transfer all the funds to them. Obviously they charge for this but if their transporter shows up at sellers address and there's no car the buyer minimises his risk.
    I found all my transactions easy peasy but then I bought from fellow hambers
     
  28. wrong generation
    Joined: Jul 30, 2007
    Posts: 244

    wrong generation
    Member
    from new jersey

    So i told him about cfr and he said he put in a request for a quote with them. And that if that doesn't work he would do a bank transfer.

    I'd kinda rather a 3rd party just hand over cash and take the car and have him ship the 36 parts to them. But if bank transfer then. I'll have my neighbor set me up an account at the bank she works at. So it doesn't effect my regular account.
     
  29. lonejacklarry
    Joined: Sep 11, 2013
    Posts: 1,498

    lonejacklarry
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Very good advice and I would only add one thing: Start taking a bunch of pictures just as soon as the pick up driver begins to load your car. After it is loaded, take more pictures of the car sitting. All angles including the interior, trunk and engine compartment. In the event of a damage claim you are way ahead with doing anything more.
     
  30. wrong generation
    Joined: Jul 30, 2007
    Posts: 244

    wrong generation
    Member
    from new jersey

    @mrquickwhip Side note but. Thanks now I've got "sam the skull" stuck in my head. Lol
     

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