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MG MGA - Something to be worried about?

Here is the situation - I saw a car advertised, it looked good so I rang up. No answer but a week or so later the chap selling it rang back and said he'd been away. The car is a long way away but sounded very good so I told him that I'd think about it and be in touch. I tried to ring back but the phone was always unavailable and didn't give me a chance to leave a message. Eventually I got through and said I'd like to come and see the car the following week (as we were travelling up to a car show that was on the way) and take it away the same day as I didn't want to do the journey twice. He said that it wouldn't be ready as the reg number was being changed as his private plate was on it. However he didn't mind delivering it for me. He told me to ring the same number on Sunday to confirm the visit. When I said that he never seems to answer the phone he said don't worry, he will leave it on that evening. When I asked for another number he said that he didn't know what it was but he'd phone it through. He didn't. I went to see the car, it was excellent. He asked for £100 deposit but he still made excuses about giving me another phone number. I gave him my details and he said he would contact me with the delivery date. I still can't get hold of him to ask him some questions I've thought of since. I have a niggling feeling that something's not quite right but what sort of scam is there where the deposit is only £100?
Phil
P Parmenter

Phil,

That would be the 100 quid-a-time scam.

Seriously though, you have his address I assume, as you went to see the car. If you are really worried go back and see him.

Neil
Neil McGurk

Phil,

My advice is don't ever bother to leave a deposit with anyone except a bonified business. Even in the latter case, if they are not incurring an expense on your account, resist the request for a deposit. From my experience a deposit with an unknown individual guarantees nothing. If the item is legitimate and the owner receives a good or better offer, chances are very good they will sell the item regardless if they had already taken a deposit from someone else. (What have they to lose? They give the deposit back and say they're sorry, but a better offer came along. What can you do? Go to court?) If they are honest, they would simply let you know when the car was available for purchase and then give you the opportunity to make an offer. Certainly don't provide any more money - especially without seeing a title for the car and getting a receipt. (Perhaps also a photograph of the individual standing next to the car.)

Steve
Steve K

It is well known for people to sell cars from an address where they don't actually live - ( the owners are on holiday) - the car is hired from a classic car company or on a test drive -or just borrowed from a friend with false plates attached. Pay your money and they then disappear. the scam was on TV last year sometime. - cheers Cam
Cam Cunningham

Phil,

With this initial bad feeling why would you even consider the car further?
There are plenty of other cars available. The last thing you need is to pay the full price and then find a repo company collects the car advising you a previous owner used the car as collateral. Move on and find an even better one.

David.
DJ Lake

There are people out there quite happy to set a mackerel to catch a spratt.
J H Cole

This thread was discussed between 16/03/2008 and 17/03/2008

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