OT: selling '57 belair for folks? How to not get scammed?

Dave from MN · May 21, 2011

My folks have a 1957 Chevy Belair 4dr, completely resotred and absolutely beautiful inside and out that they have decided to sell and have asked me to advertise it on the internet some where. I do not want to see them get scammed some how so was wondering what some of you good people can recommend for precautions and also best place for some thing like this to place an ad. I know one thing would be to not take any personal checks, and as far as bank checks would have to be from a local bank. Any advice is appreciated.

big jt · May 21, 2011

The times I have run into scams it was pretty easy to detect if your radar is up.

They ask questions that are clearly answered in the ad. Speak of having the ability to pay for the item. Will have their carrier come and pick up. Of course the hook is they will give you a bank check for more than the amount of item and then you pay the carrier or send them money back. At some point (usually months later) the check they gave you will come back as no good and you are out the item you sold and the money you returned. Emails will be broken english also.

Best way to deal with this if you get one of these is to tell them the conditions and you will not release the vehicle till the check clears the bank and by no means will you return any overage.

The scammers are not after what you are selling they are after the return of the overage.

One thing that may also help is to call the bank that the check was written on.

jt

Billy Shafer · May 21, 2011

Try Hemmings Old car magazine. They have been around for years.

Patsdeere · May 21, 2011

Cash in hand before property leaves the property. I hate to sound nasty, but burn me once shame on you burn me twice, shame on me.

Wild Bill · May 21, 2011

Only accept cash, and only let the car leave when paid in full. Some people will bi#$ch about having to pay with cash, tell them to keep walking.

And get yourself a counterfeit money marker at wally mart to check for fake bills too.

Geo-TH,In · May 21, 2011

Cash in hand and after you sign the title over, have them sign and date the title too. Then photo copy the title. That advice was given to me from my insurance agent.

Ray · May 21, 2011

Put it on ebay,you can set a price and don't have to sell it.Locally people will just want to steal it and half will be tire kickers with no money.

Gun guru · May 21, 2011

Put it on Ebay motors and autotrader.com

Only Take CA$H for payment.
I have no idea what a 57 Belair is worth, so I dont know if cash would work if it is over $10,000.

A guy I work with put his FIL's Diesel Expedition on autotrader and it sold in 2 weeks. $18,000. I dont know how payment was made, bank check or cash.

GordoSD · May 21, 2011

If you get any strange emails, reply and tell them to call you on the phone. Scammers will never call.

GordoSD · May 21, 2011

Also put it on craig's list with telephone contact only.

Mark - IN. · May 21, 2011

My personal opinion is that if you advertise it on the internet, you open it up to the world of scammers. I would first start with a firewall, and advertise it locally where chances are better at tracking down someone, if even through their family if they are scammers. If the firewall is too locked down, open it up little by little. Starting wide open on the internet opens you, them up to viruses...scammers.

I just got passed yesterday near the dunes in Warren, MI by a mint '56 that was very midly rodded, driven by a couple of youngsters. My thought? Lucky kids, probably going to meet a couple of girls, out or nearly out of school for at least summer, GOOD for them. To be young again wouldn't be a bad thing.

Good luck.

Mark

Spook · May 21, 2011

I'd put a ad in Hemmings. The guys who want that stuff and have the money read that mag.

bobs old iron · May 21, 2011

any which way you advertise it will be a risk, today with scammer wanting to send bogus money orders, postal check, bank drafts etc from long distance. that not to scare you, just be careful, once car is gone and transactions are phony, what can you do...as others have stated if you list in c-list-use "reply below", so scammer won"t get your e-mail. they won"t call phone numbers, and spell out some of your phone number, six- three, screws up bots scanners. start local if there is a big car market in your area. can always expand to e-bay, others, etc.

JMS/.MN · May 21, 2011

Wasn"t there a museum in Rogers, MN, called Ellingson"s, or did they disperse? They would buy, sell, advertise, etc. I think there are a lot safer avenues (pun intended) than fleabay or internet, for moving something like that. Check with the Warp Museum, Minden, NE.

730 virgil · May 21, 2011

better yet have them meet you at your local bank

barnE · May 21, 2011

Sold vehicle to out of state dealer. Bank told me best way(surprise)is wire transfer. Once money is in your account, then release the vehicle and make transfer at state dept. office. Keep copy of transaction for one year. Dave

Goose · May 21, 2011

Or Chevyland by Elk Creek, Nebraska. It's near Kearney. They might not be in the market for a '57, though.

Last time I was out there, their centerpiece was a georgeous '57 convertible, turquoise with factory continental kit, factory fuel injection, factory chrome fender skirts, etc.

RandyB(MI) · May 21, 2011

www.carsonline.com is one of the best. Clean site with no junk. Class act all the way. I've sold on there as have many freinds with "high end" classics. Has good rep so GOOD buyers know the site and you get good money. Very reasonable too , ad and 3-4 pics for $30 or so . Runs 'til it sells.

Anonymous-0 · May 21, 2011

The only safe way is cash and check that.

JOCCO · May 22, 2011

You are selling an exspencive item so exspect some tire kickers time wasters. I would be very leary of anyone who does not come in person. You will get alot of send me photos by mail or internet. That will drive you bonkers too. Just set your own terms or parameters it will seperate the wheat from the chaff.

Mike (WA) · May 22, 2011

But if you suspect someone is a scammer, the last thing you want is a wire transfer- because you have to give him your bank account number when setting up the transfer.

Most banks will deal directly with a transferee- so when buyer asks for your info so he can wire transfer, you ask him for name and number of his bank, and you'll give the info directly to them. He'll either hang up, or give you phony bank name and phony number.

Mike (WA) · May 22, 2011

You probably already know this, but there is a world of difference in value of those cars between body styles. 4 door sedan is at the bottom of the pile.

Just noting this, because I have seen many 4 doors that were priced like 2 door hardtops, and when I point it out, seller says, "What's the difference? They're both 19xx Whatevers." Well, actually, there's quite a difference. Its supply and demand, and the fact that guys in the age group who lusted after those cars grew up not wanting to be caught dead in Grandma's 4 door.

Brian Jasper co. Ia · May 22, 2011

I agree with Mike. A 4 door 57 Chevy is not worth anywhere close to a 2 door. There is a place in Cedar Rapids Ia called Duffy's. They buy and sell classic cars. Have been doing it for many years. They also do restorations.

OT: selling '57 belair for folks? How to not get scammed?

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