Italian connections (not prancing donkeys)

East Coast Dave · Post by **East Coast Dave** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 6:47 pm

Hi all

Anyone on here familiar with Italian 'ways'.

I've pretty much sold my car to a guy from Italy, and he's very keen. My only reservation is he's less 'careful' than I would be.

Basically he's about to send me £Xk having not seen the car or me in the flesh, and not yet had a full address from me. We've exchanged several emails, and he's had loads of photos of the car and seems genuine, but I want to make sure, so wondered if anyone here has any knowledge or experience.

His email address ends stafftheclub.com. I've been on that site and it looks like a kind of Italian facebook thing. Any help or comments gratefully accepted.

PhilGarner · Post by **PhilGarner** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 7:02 pm

I'd say you should approach this with great care. How is he sending the money? Does it make sense that he'd want to come and buy the car from Italy?

nickT · Post by **nickT** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 8:53 pm

I'd be asking myself : would i pay for a car i havn't seen or buy from a guy i hadn't met ?

Have you got a phone number or address for him ?

I have sold a couple of 356's into Germany but we met and had viewings, even then it was a bit nerve wracking with international bank transfers and all that.

Hope it goes OK , Nick.

sjm · Post by **sjm** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 8:58 pm

I agree - approach with caution. But on the flip side, a guy I know sold his Lancia Fulvia via ebay toa guy in Singapore. He never saw the car in the flesh - just a couple of phone calls, waited til he had cleared funds then took it off to the docks for the guy. Went smooth as anything.

Who knows?

Lightweight_911 · Post by **Lightweight_911** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 9:37 pm

I've bought half a dozen or so 911's in the US without ever seeing the cars or their owners 'in the flesh'.

In each case I've wired the money direct to the seller's bank account before arranging for the car to be picked up by the shipper - never had any problems.

johndglynn · Post by **johndglynn** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 12:17 am

Lightweight_911 wrote:I've bought half a dozen or so 911's in the US without ever seeing the cars or their owners 'in the flesh'.

In each case I've wired the money direct to the seller's bank account before arranging for the car to be picked up by the shipper - never had any problems.

Yep, me too, though two in Europe and one in the US. Will take me a while to catch up with Lightweight, but is hopefully doable!

East Coast Dave · Post by **East Coast Dave** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 8:13 pm

The car was apparently sold into Italy when new (according to the guy I bought it from), so that's potentially why he's so keen on it.

He wants me to remove the hot VW engine and sell the car with it's (busted) original engine in situ. I've asked for the funds before I start swapping them out.

Today he's emailed saying the funds are en route - so we'll see.

Does anyone know what sort of comeback he might have on me if he gets here & changes his mind, but he's already paid? The removal of the engine will be quite time consuming and effectively devalues the car (depending on your view point I suppose

).

If he pays and I move the money on to another account (let's be realistic - settle some credit card debt

) can he request a return of funds from his bank?

Trying to cover all bases here.

Thanks for any further help / opinions...

vipergreen · Post by **vipergreen** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 8:35 pm

If the money arrives, I think that the probabilities of a request of money back are scarce.

The internet site is a very local youngsters-type site of a city in tuscany, maybe he's getting the help of his son for emails (often happens with older people over here).
He's selling a 66 polo red 912 on an italian site.

Regards,
Andrea

East Coast Dave · Post by **East Coast Dave** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 8:44 pm

Andrea

That's very good information - thanks very much.

I'll keep watching my bank balance. The sum involved shouldn't be difficult to notice

I'll keep you all up to date with developments - 'cos I know you're enjoying this as much as I am.

defianty · Post by **defianty** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 8:57 pm

Good luck Dave, hope all works out fine.