Large cash transaction

[f1seb]

Ok so here's the deal. I'm looking to buy wheels for my car from a person who is on the other side of the country, in San Diego. The deal is pretty good so I do not want to pass it up. This transaction will be over $2k but I don't want to get screwed. I noticed that a lot of people doing these large cash transactions through PayPal have gotten screwed one way or another, Is there some way to get extra security with this kind of stuff, where if the seller doesn't deliver I'm not SOL and out of a large sum of money.

[RCA]

I have amazing advice, but I will only give it to you once you fix your avatar.

[dusred]

Is the transaction through eBay?

[f1seb]

Is the transaction through eBay?

It is not, it's a forum transaction.

[GrilledCheese33]

Paypal and use your credit card, talk to the seller on the phone.

[dusred]

PayPal is usually fairly secure but it's always uncertain when dealing with amounts more than $1000. I've seen cases where PayPal is "unable to recover funds" and only gives a partial settlement.

I say hire a 3'rd party to actually drive to the house/business and pick up the wheels, inspect them, and ship them to you.

[Alfador]

A viable option is a US postal service money order (they still do those, right?) It's basically cash and if they rip you off they are guilty of federal mail fraud.

You could also try escrow but for amounts < $10,000 it's actually not that great, and the seller probably won't want to deal with a headache like that.

[dusred]

A viable option is a US postal service money order (they still do those, right?) It's basically cash and if they rip you off they are guilty of federal mail fraud.

Yup. And as soon as you track their a** down you 'might' get your $2 grand back. But good luck.

[HashiriyaS14]

Make sure you get a scanned driver's license, an address, and a phone number. Look up that the phone number you're calling works for that address, call that phone number and talk to the person, etc. Cross-reference your materials, etc.

Then use paypal, via a credit card.

[fiznowler]

Maybe there is a trusted nico member that would take a look at them and ship them for a small fee? There is no way I would dish out 2k over the internet to someone unless I felt I half way knew them from online. You see way to many "I got scammed" threads. Search the hell out of his user name as well see if he is legit or other people complain about him. Does he have a decent post count and people that vouch for him?

[wingFeather]

To ease your mind, you could meet at a wheel shop & get the wheels on a balancing machine to make sure they're straight. That is what I'd do if buying used wheels over 500. If they check out, hand the guy your cash & enjoy! Works especially well if the place has security cameras to record his face, in case he stalks your car when you leave.

[Alfador]

Fair enough, though personally I don't trust paypal very much. I've almost been screwed over by them twice, once as a seller, once as a buyer.

[fiznowler]

To ease your mind, you could meet at a wheel shop & get the wheels on a balancing machine to make sure they're straight. That is what I'd do if buying used wheels over 500. If they check out, hand the guy your cash & enjoy! Works especially well if the place has security cameras to record his face, in case he stalks your car when you leave.

So you are saying he should fly across the country to put the wheels on a balancing machine? Did you read the original post?

[Alfador]

After some more thought, I think really the best thing to do is cover as many things as you can up front. Make it so he can't rip you off. If you do that, the protection from paypal or whatever else you use is ancillary. Find some way to make sure things are as they say. Since going there isn't viable, I'd agree that finding someone you can trust to check up on it for you is a good idea. When my uncle bought a car out of state, he paid a mechanic to come by and inspect it. He chose the mechanic himself using online yellow pages or something. It's not foolproof, and it may not be viable for you (I don't know how much the mech. charged) but you could probably find some nico contact or online friend who would be willing to do it for a pittance.

[nissangirl74]

Maybe there is a trusted nico member that would take a look at them and ship them for a small fee?

This. Post up in the CA regional forum. See if someone near San Diego would be willing to make a house visit, just to make sure you are getting what you pay for. If the seller balks at this idea, back out of the deal.

[tm1218]

here is what I do...

let them know very clearly that if they screw you over you will hunt them down and get your money back... along with the interest they owe.

[PoorManQ45]

People didn't seem to specify the process for paypal. So I will.

Never, I repeat, NEVER, send money as a personal transfer through paypal. This gives you NO protection at all.

Send the money as "Purchase" with "Goods" as the type of purchase.

In the message field put as much information about the product that you are purchasing as possible. If there's a listing take a snapshot of it and save it.

If there is a dispute this will help you win. be warned though that Paypal has no authorization per the law to actually recover the money. If it has been withdrawn from their paypal account you won't get anything.

The BEST way to purchase things is through Ebay. Have the person setup a private sale. The purchase method needs to be paypal, but NOT instant payment required. This method will put the money in their paypal account in "pending" status until either you leave feedback or 21 days, whichever is first. This means that the seller can NOT transfer the funds out of their paypal account until you are satisfied or 21 days has passed without a dispute on the transaction.

[wingFeather]

So you are saying he should fly across the country to put the wheels on a balancing machine? Did you read the original post?

To each his own. $250 airline ticket = cheap insurance considering the wheels are over $2,000. This is the only way to be 100% assured. Relying on PayPal or eBay is not a sure thing, as they have gone downhill lately (especially eBay - tons of my long time seller friends are jumping ship).

[fiznowler]

To ease your mind, you could meet at a wheel shop & get the wheels on a balancing machine to make sure they're straight. That is what I'd do if buying used wheels over 500. If they check out, hand the guy your cash & enjoy! Works especially well if the place has security cameras to record his face, in case he stalks your car when you leave.

So you are saying spend 250 on a ticket then drive your car there? I am confused.

[wingFeather]

So you are saying spend 250 on a ticket then drive your car there? I am confused.

People are known to rent cars when they travel.

I don't see why you're making such a big deal about my posts. Are you a member of my fan club? I do cherish stalkers

[DrifterXRPS13]

for a small price i would pick them up for you and deliver them to you...i'm starting a new service for nico members.

[PoorManQ45]

for a small price i would pick them up for you and deliver them to you...i'm starting a new service for nico members.

Throw in some herpes and you've got a deal!

[DrifterXRPS13]

why would i do that?...you've got enough for all of us.

[Dattebayo]

Why would you charge to do that for a member? A favor owed is better, especially when meets come around.

[DrifterXRPS13]

are you talking about the delivery or the herpes?

[AppleBonker]

are you talking about the delivery or the herpes?

[Dattebayo]

I was actually seriously talking about the delivery. lol

[DrifterXRPS13]

well if it was a nearby member i would do it free of charge....but if i have to drive to san diego and then go back to the eastcoast wherever f1 is at, i'm not doing that for free, lol...i figure 2k on wheels would get pretty pricey for shipping...i could do it for half the shipping cost, i'm sure that would be cheaper just buying gas and food, sleep in the car...or other nico members homes.

[fiznowler]

are you talking about the delivery or the herpes?

That is great!

[USsil80]

COD???????