Is this a used car Scam?

Question

I was looking through the classifieds on Cragislist.com for a car and found one I was interested in and emailed the seller. The sellers reply sounded very strange and I wondered if this was some type of scam. His response is below, tell me what you think.

Hello,

You made the right choice! My ''2003 Toyota Corolla'' is in great shape,no engine problems,damages or hidden defects.It was always garaged and never kept outside.i'm selling the car because my son suffers of a terrible virus and he needs an operation and I don't have that money .The mileage is 52622 miles and the price is 4.200$.We will use eBay`s protection program for our safety.I just need your full name and address so i can open a case.(with no further obligation or fees).Have a nice day!

Answer 1

Don't even waste your time checking on this and checking on that, this is a scam. Move on to the next. If it looks to good to be true, it probably isn't. This car would fetch $6,000. to $9,000. in most cases.

Answer 2

Yes, it's a scam. Never buy a car sight unseen and you should never use a 3rd party. A good rule of thumb is; if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Answer 3

Sounds like a car salesman.  Doesn't sound like a guy who's son needs a surgery.

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But as long as you get the title and make sure the car is inspected, I don't see how he can s***w you.  Just don't pay up front.  And pay with a bank check so that it can be traced - just in case.

Here's some rules you should consider when buying a used car

(1) don't get sold on the paint job = meaning cars having good exterior, fancy CD radio, etc.

(2) look for car with sound ENGINE + TRANNY + SUSPENSION.

(3) test every button, k**b, switch, slider, etc.. Ex: even in the summer test out the heater & even in the winter test out the AC (if you can).  Slide the AC/heater to fan1, fan2, fan3, etc.  then slid the vent to defrost, front, bottom, etc.  Test the high beam, low beam, etc.  Test (flip) the visor.  Test the alarm.  Test all 4 doors.  Test the rear defogger.

  *****   TEST EVERYTHING.

(4) BEFORE the first start, open the engine bay and see if the engine is already warmed up.  Many engines starts well when already warmed up, but may have problems when cold (or cold start).

(5) test drive with the sound system off and window down. Listen for weird sound coming from the wheels & suspension.

(6) Look inside the engine bay to see if you can see see leaks, etc.  It is normal to see some oil and grease.  But too much means that the car is leaking oil somewhere. Too clean (really clean) means they just wash the engine bay - possibly hiding some oil leaks.

(7) check the engine oil dip stick. If the oil is BRAND NEW CLEAN, the seller MIGHT be hiding something.  If the oil is jet black and /or smells like gasoline (or burnt), you might have engine problem).

(8) once you are satisfied with the above - you can NOW take it to the mechanic for the engine + tranny + suspension inspection.  He won't find everything, but he will find the obvious.  Take it to a mechanic EVEN if you are buying from a used car dealer.  They cars are NO better than cars you buy from ebay and craigslist.com.  Just more expensive.

good Luck...

Good Luck...

Answer 4

Yes, it's a scam, but let me focus on the eBay protection program.  It sounds nice, doesn't it? eBay is going to protect you.  But what exactly it their protection program when you are looking at $4,200?

eBay has had a buyer protection program since 1999. The eBay Standard Purchase Protection Program provides buyers coverage of up to $200, less $25 to cover processing costs, in cases of non-shipment or significant misrepresentation. eBay is eliminating the program as of January 17.

eBay is keeping the PayPal Buyer Protection program, but doubling its coverage from $1,000 to $2,000. However, the program covers only transactions with qualified sellers who maintain a 98 percent positive feedback rating and have at least 50 feedback points.

For all other qualified transactions on eBay.com that are not covered by PayPal Buyer Protection, PayPal will provide up to $200 of coverage with no processing fee, no minimum purchase price and no seller requirements - as long as the buyer pays for the item with PayPal.

Answer 5

Hello,

Yes it is a scam.

I was looking at adds on kijiji and saw a car that I wanted too and I got almost the same reply word for word except mine was from a woman who said she had gotten divorced and wanted to sell her car. The rest of the text was the same word for word. So stay away from that one!!

Answer 6

You may also want to do an internet search for the name of the seller, as well as terms used in the reply. You could also contact your local better business bureau and see what they have to say about it since they are usually familiar with these types of scams.

Answer 7

scam.