Purchasing vehicle but seller unable to attend

Jev88

Jev88

Joined
Apr 6, 2019
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Location
Eye, Peterborough, UK
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59,702
MH
RV
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FourWinds Windsport 6.8L V10
Hi. Advice on scenario.....

Buying a used MH.
V5 and other important docs (recent bills, old bills, even a copy of driving licence and Adrian Flux insurance agreement) seen with vendors name and address in UK. Tiny amount sent by bank transfer as deposit and checked name, sort code, account number and banking app confirms name and codes match. Vehicle Smart report all clean too.
BUT vendor now lives in Portugal where he has bought a house. Hence, can't physically be there for actual purchase?

Advice please on doing this safely?
 
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Minxy Girl said:
One thing I would want is to be able to see the owner in the flesh but as that's not possible it could be a live online chat, or a photo taken that day showing that day's newspaper, you could then check it against any photos with the MH, a copy of his passport, driving licence photo etc to confirm that he is the owner.
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Easily done. Just need wassap or viber or similar & make a video call.Long as he has driving licence ,passport & the photo's are the same as him .jobs a good un.
 
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IF you do buy it, insist on an extended receipt for your payment stating there is no outstanding finance, that title is passed to you without hinderance, that the current owner has clear title and it is signed by the seller, with name and address and his agent, again with full name and address
 
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Oh and transfer the money when all keys and documentation is in your presence ready to take immediate ownership

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How can you be certain the person you spoke with in Portugal ithat purports to be the owner is the genuine person?

Without original identification documents to verify, the whole lot could be fraudulent. The person living at the address could concoct the entire story.

Unless you've seen an ORIGINAL passport (or similar) verifying you are dealing with the true owner then you are at risk. Just ask yourself why banks won't accept copies when opening an account...
 
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TheBig1 said:
Oh and transfer the money when all keys and documentation is in your presence ready to take immediate ownership
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Already agreed that I will be sat in the RV with all paperwork, keys and documents to hand when sale takes place. We have proposed a Bill of sale (downloadable from AA etc...) that can be pre-signed by the vendor and also expressly nominates his contact that showed us the RV to sign himself with me present. This is not one of those "sending cash and collect it next week or even sending cash for something you haven't even seen" scams that we hear about from time to time. And not one of those "it is held in a compound, pay the money to the "holding/shipping company" and view properly, if you don't want it you can have a full refund" scams either.
 
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I wi
Lucky said:
How can you be certain the person you spoke with in Portugal ithat purports to be the owner is the genuine person?

Without original identification documents to verify, the whole lot could be fraudulent. The person living at the address could concoct the entire story.

Unless you've seen an ORIGINAL passport (or similar) verifying you are dealing with the true owner then you are at risk. Just ask yourself why banks won't accept copies when opening an account...
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l will be asking to see his passport as proof of ID.
 
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You have received plenty of funster advice.Look back through all replies.If you still have any doubt then walk.
The only other thing you could do is ask the local businesses around or neighbours if they are aware of the vehicle if its been there for a while etc.
Good luck.🍻
 
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Quick Question Jev88 but who are ALS Northampton and, have they been storing this vehicle at their premises since completing the work carried out in October last?
You mentioned that the owner who now has a house in Portugal also still has his UK address, possibly a flat or maisonette?.
If so, and the vehicle is large, where has it been parked as I would not think a Flat or similar would have sufficient parking space, unless it’s in a private gated residential type complex.
Just a few random thoughts and not wanting to take any enjoyment out of your excitement, but also not wanting to see anyone fall foul of any potentially dubious transaction.
😊👍
 
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Could you get some sort of escrow service where as you pay the money to them and when both parties are happy and you have the MH the money is transferred. I believe there are companies out there who for a small fee do this sort of thing ?
 
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He's gone quiet, he brought it up so must have had his own doubt, but now seems to want to carry on anyway, he hasn't said if it was very cheap which would have aroused suspicion, but otherwise it seems possible it could be above board.
 
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Stag man said:
Sorry if I’m teaching you to suck eggs, but have you checked that the name and/or addresses on the various documents are the same.
Scammers can use different names for documents/accounts which are used once then shut down.
Some banks have fraud teams who might check your info through for you and offer advice
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No offence taken - Happy to hear advice otherwise i wouldn't post here.
I have seen with my own eyes -
1) V5 book for current owner (and remnants of the one other owner before is still in the booklet - changed online in 2018)
2) Bills for MOT and service work in 2020 (Well known RV service agent that I have rung and spoken to about the work they did in 2020)
3) Bill / Invoice and code for new alarm system and immobiliser fob
4) Tyre check sheet from garage/supplier of 6 new tyres in 2020
5) Vehicle viewed at same address as all paperwork (I think some people commenting think I am buying unviewed on ebay. I will be sat in te vehicle before any funds are transferred)

Being positive just for a moment - If you had moved overseas and were selling off assets in the UK how would you (not directed at YOU specifically) conduct the sale? The detailed knowledge the seller has of the vehicle id undeniable.
 
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Two on Tour said:
I would be interested to see what odds Ladbrokes would be giving for a good outcome on this.
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Do you fancy a trip over to collect it next week sometime, got to get my arse over to Wales from Peterborough - I will pay for fuel :giggle:(y)

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chaser said:
One question, is it cheaper than similar vans?
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Good question - no, I dont think it is significantly cheaper than market (I know the kind of vans you mean - saw plenty advertised 3 years ago when I bought my current van). Imported 2000 and plated in UK and numberplate remained the same. It's a 2000 plate Four Winds model with LPG conversion from import date. From my browsing I expected the price to be £15 to £25K depending on model, condition, history. It's in the lower end of that bracket and had to negotiate a second time to include a hydra-lift(??) motorbike carrier that is already mounted that was originally being sold separately.
 
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It will be hpi clear at the minute because if it is a scam it hasn't been stolen yet but the minute you part with the cash and drive it away thats when it may possibly be reported stolen im sorry if I'm putting a downer on it and I really do hope its genuine because it sounds like you have your heart set on it and im probably a very cynical git who trusts no one
Just make sure you let us know the outcome

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Jev88 said:
HPI clear. :)
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HPI specifically do NOT check so called "log book loans" aka a chattel mortgage. hence my suggestion about insisting in a signed declaration of clear title. Many years back I heard a tale of woe, where a chap I knew bought a sportscar. Turned out the wife owned it and the husband was just starting divorce proceedings, so sold it without knowledge or permission. A recovery company and bailiffs turned up to collect the car from the buyers house and a court case ensued
 
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