Is this a scam ??

Dave2000GT

Active Member
Oct 3, 2005
229
26
39
Seattle
Ok, so I am looking for an older used truck to buy, and I find one online for private sale at a very good price.

Me and a buddy go there to look, and it seems alright. So I talk with the owner and agree on a price. He has some stuff to take out of the back at a dump, so he goes to do that but first asks for a deposit, I say no.

He gets back 20 minutes later,invites us inside, where he writes up a bill of sale, complete with my name and address on it, then signs it and gets me to sign. Then he asks for the money, but of course I'm not going to give him any without the vehicle title. So he goes 'looking' for it, and some 10 minutes later cannot find the box where he stores his title. Anyway, me and my buddy go to leave, and he asks me to put down a deposit, and of course I say no, then we leave. Five minutes after we leave he calls and says he just found the title. I have serious doubt if this is legit.

My question... can I be subjected to any sort of scam when he has only my name, address, and signature on a piece of paper ?

Or could it have been legit and the guy really just couldn't find it at the time (wouldn't most people get the title ready when someone is coming to look ) ??
 
hicalibrbulit said:
My question is, what kinda of truck you looking for? I got an old Toyota SR5 Xcab for sale. Needs some work but strong 3.0L motor and tranny.

I was just looking for an older truck with a good sized box something cheap I was only going to drop just over a thousand for this one until he couldn't get me a title. It was an 89 F150.
 
Well it could be a scam? I bought a 93 talon from my old landlord after he got it back from a theft. I was at the track one night and the neighbor calls and says someone is stealing the talon! So long story short the guy that stole it the first time tried it again cause he had a key and somehow had conections with the DMV and got a title to the car also! Not quite the same situation as yours but i'd go by gut feeling on it, if he seems shady then prob is? But i would be like you and no title no cash!!!! Oh yeah and i'd match the vins! peace




john:p
 
Some people just dont have there crap together, which he seems like one of those, Its kind of weird he keeps asking for a deposit though...What if some one else comes along and offers him more, Is he going to honor your deposit, Will he be able to find it when you return?? I would look somewhere else.. jmo
 
If you are still interested in the truck, here are a couple of simple precautions to take. Match the name on title to the person selling you the truck. Ask for a piece of id. Next, match the vin and license from the title to the truck itself. and lastly, do a carfax report. Now you've got the right person, the right truck and you know if its been stolen or wrecked. And never give anyone a penny :-)