internet truck buying.. eeee

[jocko]

Good evening truckers.
Looking at a nice 65 short wide, but it's across the country, private seller, on the internet. Twice now I've purchased a truck that had questionable title issues (jumped title - guy bought it and never re-titled to himself, tried to sell from previous owner's name). Anyway, let's just say I'm a little gunshy now buying over the internet.

Can someone tell me the best process for buying a truck over the internet that protects both the seller and buyer?

Pending a few more pics of some of the rust areas, I may buy without looking in person, but not positive. That's what my question is about - if I decide to buy it from across the country without going in person - what's the best way to do it to protect the money i send and that will keep the buyer comfortable with the transaction?

Thanks for your help - I assume many of you have done this already, so wanted to ask.

jocko

[Slow Build]

Where is the truck. You might be able to talk a board member into checking it out for you if it is close by. At least that would give you an unbiased opinion of the truck.

I know what you mean about buying things unseen. I've been burned twice on ebay stuff. Just happens to have been the two most expensive things I've bought through there.

[jocko]

Hmm. Was hoping someone would tell me my experience was an anomaly... But what is it they say, caveat emptor and all that. The truck is in Mansfield, TX - about 25 min south of DFW (kind of in between the 2 towns). I live in MD, so it's a haul. In the military so can't just take off for 4 or 5 days to fly down and drive it back. I suppose i could fly down, pay if I like it and get the title and stuff - then arrange to get it shipped. Could do that over the weekend. I want to see some closer up pics of the door bottoms before i blow airline tickets though - they look a little wavey and he even said there was some rust - but the paint looks fresh. (fresh as in it could be painted over the rust). Owner sounds like a reasonable fellow and the truck is in good shape for the price he's asking. (it's a 65 short wide big window).
Anyway, thanks for the help.
jocko

[GMCMG]

Jocko,
I have bought a few vehicles via internet and/or phone calls, and seem to have always lucked out. With the exception of one, I have picked them up myself. Is that an option for you, or are you having it shipped?
A couple of them were bought via epay (Ebay), and so there is some protection there. I have made a few Craig's list purchases, and once again picked them up in person and did cash on delivery, so I had the option to back out.
My most expensive vehicle purchase online to date was also the only one I did not do in person AND had shipped. It was definitely unnerving (almost $9k), but I had more protection than from an individual: 1) it was being sold almost in an auction like format (I was the only bidder, so I stole it, which made room money-wise for any unknown problems) 2) it was being sold by an entity more like a dealership, and I was able to do some research online to verify credibility/honesty/customer satisfaction 3) I was able to pay via credit card, which offered me protection in an 'it wasn't as described/refuse to pay' kind of way.
When it comes to individuals, I like to think most people are honest, good for their word kind of sellers. But I also keep in mind that there are a lot of no good worthless scammers out there. Without knowing specifics of your pending transaction, the simplest options imho are: 1) if it's super cheap and worth the gamble, go for it and don't look back. 2) find a way to do the deal in person (costly with travel). 3) walk away 4) find an intermediate entity to deal through - someone that will 'insure' the transaction/title/conditions of sale (also costly). You can ask for picture of the VIN/picture or scanned image of the title for your own eyes, but any document can be faked if someone is out to rip you off.
Guess I wasn't near as much help as I was windy, huh?
As a further offering, I also recently purchased a truck with a 'jumped' title. Since I paid next to nothing for the truck, and will be using it for parts, I will probably not go to the cost to fix the issue, but there is an avenue. With the jumped title, and a bill of sale, a new owner can hire an attorney and go to the local court for a declaration of ownership. The court can find that the vehicle is now legally yours, and supply paperwork to get the transfer done in your name through your state's dor. VERIFY this first with your dor/local courthouse - I do not know if this is the case/what is involved in other states. I didn't want to spend the extra money with a CO title, KS bill of sale, and MO owner, on a $250 parts truck, but the right price on the right truck might make it worth it!

[GMCMG]

Oops, sorry I stepped on the replys between Slow build and you, but my winded reply took too long and I didn't realize another conversation had happened before I posted! Guess next time I write a novel, I'll check the current post for questions/answers before I ask/comment...

[jocko]

Thanks - yep, this deal is about $10k and it's private seller. I drove to TN 2 weeks ago to look at one and came back empty handed - not too keen on TX and back (and don't have the time) so would have to ship it. I think the best route might be fly out, buy it if I like it and bring the title back with me and then have a shipper pick it up and deliver - I know a few good ones. But gotta think about it - I move so much, it's hard to drag around a bunch of 2-ton toys. but worth it. And this is a truck I've been looking for for some time now, a reasonably priced, pretty much untouched 64-66 short wide with a big window. So i can't be too picky. It's funny - I look back at my first car - a 57 bel air, and i thought it was old when I bought it (it was THEN only 25 years old) - but nowadays, the years of cars and trucks the I (and apparently all on this site) like are 40-50 years old now. Holy cow, maybe I better snatch it up, it might be the last one left!
thanks,
jocko

[63 & 64 Bowties]

We've got a BUNCH of TX members here. Try posting over on the TX forum:
http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...play.php?f=132
Maybe someone will go by and take a look at it for you.

[jocko]

good idea - thanks! might give me an idea if the owner is a trustworthy soul too...

[K-TEN]

"Jumping" may not be as big a deal as you think. It's really dependent on which State the vehicle is in. In my state of NH for example, a title is not needed if the vehicle is over a certain age. All that is necessary for transfer is a Bill of Sale and a paper filled out by a state certified mechanic which verifies the vin or serial number of the vehicle. Each state is unique and obviously this would be a problem in a state like California. But in some places, jumping happens everyday, legally.

[jocko]

you make a great point about depending on which state one is in. I'm in MD and DMV laughed at me when they saw my title situation... they won't work around a jumped title. it's ok, i was able to get my money back since it was purchased from a dealer who sold it for a guy under consignment - they actually had a jumped title (which, like you said is sometimes ok) but then they forged the bill of sale to match the previous owner (from many years ago) whose name was still on the title. Oops.. Glad i caught that.

[63 & 64 Bowties]

Originally Posted by K-TEN

"Jumping" may not be as big a deal as you think. It's really dependent on which State the vehicle is in. In my state of NH for example, a title is not needed if the vehicle is over a certain age. All that is necessary for transfer is a Bill of Sale and a paper filled out by a state certified mechanic which verifies the vin or serial number of the vehicle. Each state is unique and obviously this would be a problem in a state like California. But in some places, jumping happens everyday, legally.

I'm not a lawyer, and I sure don't know every state's laws. But, I have a hard time believing that jumping is legal anywhere where sales tax is collected for private vehicle transfers. Reason being; the state loses out on the revenue from the "jumper guy." Basically, you've broken the law by not reporting a taxable transaction.

[protrash64]

Here in AZ nothing should be touched without a notorized title. Too much stuff gets stolen and disappears. I have better stuff to do with my time and I'm not a detective.

[hb32]

Funny thing I was also emailing the seller about the same truck and waiting for pictures!! I bought my 65 short step from Oregon thru pictures and it was nicer then it looked on the screen. Seller was great and had to wait almost a month for the title. The bonus on mine was the build sheets and protecto-o-plate which the seller knew nothing about :-). I questioned the owner in Tx about rust, originality, documentation etc but vague replies...good luck with it.

[jocko]

The blue and white on Autotrader? Seems like a decen tprice, assuming it's as good in person as it is in the pics. Glad yours worked out, I can't seem to find much out here on the east coast. But, moving back to the mojave desert in about a year - they're out there all over the place, so maybe I'll just wait til i get there.

[hb32]

Same one jocko. I was sort of looking for the same truck, short fleet, big back window, 283 auto, custom, etc... think I will just stay with the one I have as I know what I have.

[jocko]

to be honest, i probably will just keep looking/wait til i get to california - the seller hasn't exactly been responsive, it took a week for him to reply the first time - then it's been about 4-5 days since then and i haven't heard back from him. that's not a problem, i know folks are busy - but if he were very interested in selling it, he'd probably send the pics he said he was going to send. too bad - am pretty interested in the truck, but sometimes a lack of response like that is enough for me to think maybe it's not worth the trouble. not to mention the $1000+ I would blow flying down to see it and then to get it shipped. Would really like to get one in slightly less nice shape (locally), like to tinker with bodywork and all that, and i hate to pay up front for someone else's already nice paint job when I'm probably gonna change it in the future anyway. But it is a nice truck and a good price for its condition! Nice stepside you've got also. take care.
jocko

[72lb4x4]

Titles not in the current owner's name is very common here. I'd ask for pics of the title, insurance cars and windshield stickers to at least get some idea.

$10k is a lot for "pretty much untouched 64-66 short wide with a big window" truck around here.

[hb32]

There is definitely something to say about buying someone else`s restore and I have seen lots of them. My experience has been that the price of the trucks in Ca and Tx seem to be high and not rust free as people claim. Mine came out of south east Oregon and from what I can see there and Washington are the places to look.

[likaroc13]

what are the rust issues specifically? i went & found the Autotrader ad just to see what you're looking at...it does look like a pretty clean truck...saying that, i know what i gave for my short, fleet BBW last July (327/Powerglide)...i also got an extra set of '64 heads, Quadrajet, & high performance starter thrown in...seeing the price tag on that one, i believe i could easily throw another $6k into mine & have a nicer truck...maybe my truck is more valuable than i thought, haha

if you're planning a move back west, i think i'd hold off as well...there seem to be lots of these trucks out that way going for good prices

[grancuda]

I don't understand why you would have a hard time finding a clean SWB. Around here you can't go more than about 5 miles without seeing a 60-66 or a 67-72 sitting behind a house or beside a barn. These trucks are by no means rare. Get out and find one locally and you can go to some local cruise-ins or car shows and talk with some guys and you will stumble across something.

I can see buying a A12 Super Bee or Challenger R/T or somthing that has low production numbers you may have to buy online but a common truck you can find local and apply the money for transport to the amount your paying.

[K-TEN]

"I'm not a lawyer, and I sure don't know every state's laws. But, I have a hard time believing that jumping is legal anywhere where sales tax is collected for private vehicle transfers. Reason being; the state loses out on the revenue from the "jumper guy." Basically, you've broken the law by not reporting a taxable transaction."

Sales Tax, what's that? The State still gets it's pound of flesh from the reg and plate fees. I pulled this from the State DMV.
* How can I sell a vehicle 15 years of age or older that does not require a title? Exception Heavy trucks)

o If you have a title, transfer ownership to the buyer on the reverse side.
o Provide a bill of sale (TDMV22A adobe acrobat reader symbol) and a properly filled out Verification of Vehicle Identification (TDMV19a) adobe acrobat reader symbol.
o Provide a bill of sale (TDMV22A adobe acrobat reader symbol) and a copy of the previous registration or title.

back to top

[63 & 64 Bowties]

Originally Posted by K-TEN

Sales Tax, what's that?

You're lucky. I've lived in 4 states, but never one that doesn't collect sales tax on vehicle transfers.

[hb32]

Try bringing one across the border into Canada. Depending on province it varies tax wise. Here in British Columbia it is 12% sales tax of the selling price plus if it has a/c they get you for another $100, then you have to get it inspected at another $115.