skeggyrik Posted November 20, 2009 Posted November 20, 2009 I've 3 offers of interest to my pistonheads advert since it went live last night, all from abroad. I'd read that the French were buying a lot of them due to the strength of the euro but I've had a French chap, a Belgian and a German interested. My first reaction is be wary of anything like this. Has anyone had experience with this? Are there any "Euro" scams I should be aware of? If I had someone asking me to ship the car to them etc, I wouldn't entertain it for second but these chaps are intent on flying in and seeing the car and taking it home.
Steve G Posted November 20, 2009 Posted November 20, 2009 Sold mine to a chap that came all the way from Sweden to collect it. I must admit I was wary at first, but did my research to make myself feel happier. There were numerous phone calls, during which he'd mentioned that he'd had a lot of dealings with Paul Matty in the past. I phoned them to independently verify this bloke credentials, which put my mind at rest. He'd also mentioned he was the president of one of their owners clubs and ran a Lotus garage too, so I managed to do even more background checking on the net. I insisted on a deposit to be sent via bank transfer which would clear before his arrival date. (He even sent more than I'd asked for!) The balance was then paid in cash on collection, with me checking each and every note (with one of those forgery pens) before going to dig out the keys from where I'd hidden them. Couldn't have gone smoother in all honesty, and the chap was a pleasure to deal with. Still even keeps in touch occasionally. With regards to the DVLA, I enquired as to the process... you basically give the new owner who is about to export the car the whole V5 document. (I kept a photocopy). You then write a letter to the DVLA saying that you had sold the car to someone (giving their details) whose intention it was to export the car immediately. The DVLA then wrote back confirming everything was in order. This was in 2007, so I'd check the process again yourself to ensure nothing has changed. I know there are lots of scare stories out there about scams, but I just thought it would be nice to say that not all foreign transactions are scams... Hope it goes well.
Laura Posted November 20, 2009 Posted November 20, 2009 When my car was for sale I was told there could be the possibilty of someone buying it from abroad because of the Euro at the minute, so as long as its someone genuine you should be fine. Mine never went abroad in the end - just to Milton Keynes lol.
kimbo Posted November 20, 2009 Posted November 20, 2009 Get paid in cash (Euro) - I'll 'launder' it for you at a favourable rate
maxj0 Posted November 20, 2009 Posted November 20, 2009 I recently went through the process of looking at private sale / trade in and eventually went down the trade in route. However, in the process what seemed to be a common comment from talking to folks was that the number of buyers from Europe was not only due to the strong Euro, but the fact that their import tax is a factor of "initial new car price divided by age" so an old S1 looks like a real bargain for them.
ConMcL Posted November 20, 2009 Posted November 20, 2009 Bear in mind that 18 months the Euro was 1.34 and has been as low as 1.02/1.03. That means that our lotus's have become 24% cheaper for our European friends hence the number of cars going abroad. Its like anything really, take care, be sensible and welcome them. But remember things have got cheaper for them so price it well and negotiate hard and don't give it away. So if you do it right it can be a "win-win" On the other hand working for a car company and bringing cars in that are built in Eurpose has got bloody painful
Matt C Posted November 20, 2009 Posted November 20, 2009 Its tempting to advertise at a higher price deliberately to capture European market! That way values are also kept up - again, win win.
skeggyrik Posted November 22, 2009 Author Posted November 22, 2009 Thanks for the advice, all valid and helpful. I have a German buyer coming on Wednesday to take the car hopefully. He has taken several cars across to Germany before, he even sent me pictures of the past trips. He's just sent me his flight conformation, so I'll just have to check the money is all ok and other than that i should be ok. Will be sad to see it go. I'm sure I'll be back but with more power next time
Laura Posted November 24, 2009 Posted November 24, 2009 Will be sad to see it go. I'm sure I'll be back but with more power next time It wont take long Good luck with the sale, hope it all goes smoothly.
Mark A Posted November 25, 2009 Posted November 25, 2009 On the other hand working for a car company and bringing cars in that are built in Eurpose has got bloody painful They should have kept the Ryton plant, UK is the best place in Europe to build cars at the moment.
skeggyrik Posted November 25, 2009 Author Posted November 25, 2009 2 chaps from Germany collected the car, paid cash. Didn't haggle. Money is in bank and they are off on their way back Germany. He's even sending the tax disc back once he's home. All good.
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