How to: Truly long distance car buying

So I found a car I want to buy that happens to be 3,001 miles away. The seller seems to be an upstanding guy and I'm scheduling a PPI for this week. From all the pictures and discussion, the car seems to be great.

I reviewed this thread on the subject (Motomoron buying his e39 wagon)) but, in his case, the car was only 250 miles away.

So, I'm trying to figure out how to pay for a car that is literally across the country and will be shipped to me. Folks seem to do this all the time, but I'm not sure how to do so where both parties feel comfortable with the transaction (he gets his funds, I get my car and title).

I did a 3000+ mile deal last May (Vancouver, WA to Palm Harbor, FL) buying a car off of a forum. Lots of email, pictures, and a few phone calls. I also asked for references and pm'd his local friends who vouched for his integrity and the car. In this case there was still a lein so it was easy. I talked to his credit union, arranged to wire funds to them, they accepted, sent the title to me, and the remainder of the cash to him. I arranged transport and he got the car loaded.

As the buyer, you will be at a disadvantage, because at some point he will have the car and the cash. We did a very detailed sales agreement. It was done by two non-legal folk, but we did the generic "I agree to buy car x VIN 12345 for $500 from him as-is." We then spelled out all of the steps that would be involved (banks, acct numbers, etc) including when ownership changed hands (for insurance and theft purposes) and emailed each other when something transpired so that there were good records. But yes, it is a leap of faith.

I got a good feeling from the discussions that he was a trustworthy chap, and in the end he acted just as I would have if the roles had been reversed.

Maybe a GRM'er in the area would act as proxy for a small fee?

I've bought cars that were 1000+ miles away many times. Yes, to some degree it can be a leap of faith. I do my research on the seller...do what you can to make sure they're legit. Have the car inspected, as you're doing. Draw up paperwork, such as a bill of sale. However, if you're doing a cash deal, at some point you have to have a bit of trust involved. A few other options, that I've done before as the buyer (done similar as a seller).

Paid 1/2 the money to the seller up front. He then released my car to the shipper, but held the title. Once I confirmed my shipper had the car and was in transport, I sent the rest of the money. Seller then sent the title once he had the money.

Used a service called www.escrow.com There's a fee of course, but it provides security for all involved. You give the money to escrow.com. They tell the seller that they have the money and it's good (i.e. no fake checks). Seller then releases the car. Buyer then gets the car and has to confirm they received the car and it's as advertised. Escrow.com then releases money to the seller. If the car isn't as advertised, buyer has to return it to seller at their cost and they get their money back. If buyer just takes car and walks away without giving consent to release the money, in 10 days Escrow automatically releases it to seller. Took a bit of time, but worked very well.

In reply to Klayfish:

That's probably the more sane way of doing it. I'm in the middle of this process right now buying a '64 Mini from California. I had a PPI done at a Mini shop near the seller and was able to get a feel for the seller through them as well. Wired the money yesterday and the seller is over-nighting the title and BoS today. I admit I'll be a lot less nervous when I have the title in hand tomorrow. He'll be taking the car back to the shop for a few repairs and the plan is they'll put it on a truck for me. If I hadn't been able to find a decent shop to work with, I'd be a LOT more nervous.

I picked up my MSM almost 3,000 miles away. No money exchanged hands ahead of time. I got some pictures, called the seller a time or two, got a cashier's check, bought a plane ticket, arrived, looked over the car, gave the seller the check, i got the title, and i drove home.

In reply to Swank Force One:

If it wasn't the middle of Winter, I would have considered that. 2700 miles over 4-5 days in a '64 Mini would have been an adventure for sure.

Shoot, most GRM'ers will do it for free. Where's the car?

Chose your shipper carefully. I've sold a bunch of cars over long distances and most have gone very well. Recently I sold a car and the buyer paid in full immediately. He went through a shipping broker who searched for a trucker who would do it for the lowest price. The original driver wouldn't answer his phone or return calls for a week. Finally, he said that his "trailer was broken" and backed out. A month later, I still have the car. The broker has finally found someone else.

The shipping quote was cheap, but you get what you pay for.

Thanks guys. I've done the "send the money, cross the fingers" trick once before, having felt good about the seller. I may end up doing the same this time too, as the seller has gone so far as to give me his employer information as a reference. He's not a regular on any car forum as he isn't what we would classify as a "car guy". Still very nice though.

@Javelin - The car is in Seattle. Not exactly sure where he lives in the city though.

Woody - Any suggestions on a shipper? I used DAS last time and it worked well, but open to other suggestions too.

Sorry, can't help you with that. The buyers have always made the arrangements. When I buy something, I always hook up the trailer and hit the road myself.

Thanks. I need to start shopping shippers. Don't have the time to fly out and drive it home. Not to mention it would be cheaper to ship, once accounting for airfare, fuel, and wear and tear.

I happen to know a recently unemployed GRM'er who lives about 100 miles south of Seattle and can drive a car cross-country.

dyintorace wrote: Woody - Any suggestions on a shipper? I used DAS last time and it worked well, but open to other suggestions too.

Honestly, in all the cars I've shipped, I liked U-Ship the best. I used DAS, they were alright, but the drop off depot was a bit scary...and door to door was too expensive. I used other big carriers too. But I like that U-Ship is an Ebay style. So shippers will bid on your job, and you can get some sweet deals that way. Plus, you can see feedback left by previous customers. I used this to ship our Honda Fit from GA to PA. The guy's price was dirt cheap, he brought it in an enclosed trailer and was super easy to deal with.

Interesting. I'll give it a shot.

In reply to Klayfish:

Can you clarify "dirt cheap"? Based on other things I've read, I'm expecting to pay about $900 to ship the Mini.

And I do agree it sometimes feels like a leap of faith, but the seller gave me good vibes as well as the PPI shop. One of his other cars is a Caterham Seven.

Ian F wrote: One of his other cars is a Caterham Seven.

And you say he is not a car guy?

spitfirebill wrote: And you say he is not a car guy?

Driving-wise, yes. Mechanically - apparently not as much. When the PPI shop was going over some of the stuff they found on the Mini with him, he didn't seem phased.

Javelin wrote: I happen to know a recently unemployed GRM'er who lives about 100 miles south of Seattle and can drive a car cross-country.

Forgot to respond to this one. It wouldn't be any cheaper to have you drive it here and then have to fly you home. It woul save me time, but that's it. Still cheaper to ship. :D

Shipping companies usually have payment/ escrow systems.

They also have good insurance (unlike most GRMers).

I had a car shipped across the country once. Very good experience, except for the fact that the trucking company showed up at 2:00 AM to unload. Sorry, don't recall their name.

dyintorace wrote: Forgot to respond to this one. It wouldn't be any cheaper to have you drive it here and then have to fly you home. It would save me time, but that's it. Still cheaper to ship. :D

I requested a shipping quote from Reliable to get a Mini from CA to PA. $2270. Gulp. Hopefully I can find a more realistic option...

Ian F wrote: In reply to Klayfish: Can you clarify "dirt cheap"? Based on other things I've read, I'm expecting to pay about $900 to ship the Mini. And I do agree it sometimes feels like a leap of faith, but the seller gave me good vibes as well as the PPI shop. One of his other cars is a Caterham Seven.

This is going back about 3 years, but I think I paid something like $525 to ship from GA to PA in an enclosed trailer. Could have gotten an open trailer for $475. Farthest I've shipped cars here were from Utah and Arizona. That was 7-8 years ago, but I do recall it was under $1000.

Ian F wrote:

dyintorace wrote: Forgot to respond to this one. It wouldn't be any cheaper to have you drive it here and then have to fly you home. It would save me time, but that's it. Still cheaper to ship. :D

I requested a shipping quote from Reliable to get a Mini from CA to PA. $2270. Gulp. Hopefully I can find a more realistic option...

Have you tried uShip yet? I started an auction there, based on recommendations here. Down real close to $1k for open transport, residence to residence so far.

As for the money exchange, I talked again with the seller last night. Happy to say I'm 99% comfortable with doing this. PPI is scheduled for this Tuesday.

dyintorace wrote: Have you tried uShip yet? I started an auction there, based on recommendations here. Down real close to $1k for open transport, residence to residence so far.

Have you gone through with this yet?

I started a uship auction as well... good grief, how in the world do you sift through the mountains of B.S. emails and phone calls?

Right now, I'm getting quotes in the $1300-$1500 range for enclosed transport.