by Mike –
Yesterday I posted about this for sale ad for a real bargain Ferrari 246 GT.
I could not resist contacting the seller, Susie Taylors, by email and I asked where I could inspect the car. I received this response.
Hi,
Thanks for being interested in buying my 1972 Ferrari Dino 246GT. It is in a good condition, no scratches, no damages, never been implicated in any accidents, no problems at the engine, runs very well. It has an 6 Cylinder 2.4L engine, 31,403 miles,4-speed Manual, clear title, a perfect car. The price is not negotiable , $11,455.00 . The only thing because I am selling it, because I divorced with my husband and after the divorce I own this car, now as a woman I don`t need it…
I can provide vin # to check on your own.Just let me know if you are still interested.
Thank you!! Susie Taylors
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
I then asked the seller again where I could inspect the car and received this response.
Hi,
Here is the VIN :03656. I would like to call you,i am at sea at the moment as i am a marine engineer and due to the nature of my work, phone calls are restricted.Because of my job I can’t meet anyone to show the car. I had pre-arranged the deal with Google Checkout so my presence is not necessary , the car is in their possession ready to be delivered. Google Checkout will handle this transaction for me. The car is insured in case of damage and it takes 7 days to be delivered at your door. It will come with all the necessary paperwork (clear title, bill of sale, user’s manual,insurance etc). You will receive all the original documents and keys with the car. I signed all the paperwork and the clear title is ready to be transferred to the new owner.
Please get back to me with your full name, full address so i can forward your details to Google Checkout in order for you to receive the invoice regarding the terms and conditions of this transaction.
Thank you!!
Fascinating I did not know about Google Checkout and that Google handled car transfers!
The ad is now gone – so this Ferrari 246 GT must have sold before I could even inspect it.
Don’t you feel sorry for those marine engineers who can’t make phone calls or meet people to show them their car for sale?
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A complete scam from start to finish! I don’t know how certain people sleep at night! Glenn in the Bronx, NY
But the big question for me is why do it? Someone must send them money.
And here I thought that all marine engineers, that can’t be reached by phone and/or email, were responding to my ads on Criagslist.
I would be careful with marine engineers answering your Craig’s List ad!
Mike, you’d think making money as a marine engineer you could afford a fancy smartphone. All the right things were said as to why no conversion could be had. Seems a crafty alternative to sending money to Africa.
I found this same technique used a few years ago on a great car for sale on the US eBay. Instead of a marine engineer on a ship the “seller” and the car were in Germany and the car was in a shipping container with all paper work including the title.
So, not only could the car not be inspected but the “seller” could not send me a copy of the title.
Mike, seems all PT Barnum stuff- ‘there’s a sucker born every minute’, or if one prefers- W.C. Fields- ‘Never give a sucker an even break’.
Hey, I almost guessed it when I said it may be sold by a wife getting back at her husband. :-))