Help! I need input on a situation with Thesamba!
 

Hey everyone. You may remember that I've been trying to sell my 1973
standard Beetle. I used ebay with no success, and now it's on the
samba again. I was recently contacted by "Mike." who wanted to
knowextra details and my final negotiating price. Rather than attempt
to explain the whole thing, I will post out converstaions that we had
via email. Sorry for the long read, but I do need help on this one,
and would appreciate any input you may have: BTW, I edited out his
email address for security purposes)

(HIS FIRST EMAIL)
A visitor to TheSamba.com has replied to your ad at:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifie....php?id=157731
and sent the following message:
************************************************** *************

From: Mike )
Ad : 1973 Std. drives nice! Needs cosmetic

Hello,
How are you?please i'm really interested in your bug.Its really
cool..please let me know your final bargaining price and any other
information you might have on it.
Thanks a lot.
Mike
-------------------------------------------------------------------

(MY REPLY)
--- Anthony G > wrote:
> Hey Mike, thanks for your interest. Yes, the bug is
> cool! I loved it dearly while I was driving it, but
> I got a Miata and now I have something else to
> obsess over. I wanted to get the bug painted while
> I had it, but never really got around to it in the
> years I owned it. Well, since you weren't very
> specific about what other information you want on
> the bug, I'll try to list everything I can think of
> that's not already in the samba ad. Like I said,
> the reason I'm selling it is because I got another
> car, and I can't afford the insurance on both, and
> don't have the time to maintain both to my
> standards. It's one or the other, but not both, ya
> know? Anyway, it drives very nicely -- it has a
> tight feel, but it's still a Beetle, so it has the
> usual quirkyness. Tranny shifts smooth through all
> gears in all directions when it's warm. When it's
> cold, 3rd to 2nd downshift must be a slow shift or
> it may grind -- all other shifts are fine all the
> time. The tires are Kumho 795 all season
> touring. 90 percent of the tread is left. Front
> allignment was done to my specs, and I had the front
> wheels set at 0 camber instead of the stock +1 deg
> so the car could take advantage of the wider than
> stock rubber. The sway bars are both 3/4" and make
> the car handle surprisingly well. I have caught
> many sedans off gaurd because of this....nobody is
> expecting the bug to take a corner like that! It
> stays FLAT and grips the road like glue. However,
> the ride is fairly compliant because of the
> oil-filled shocks. I consider it a very nice
> tradeoff. The ride IS stiffer than stock, but you
> won't need a chiropracter every week. I put a
> carpeted shelf in the front trunk which also
> protects and covers the wiring harness. There is no
> stereo in the car. The previous owner before me had
> something in there, becuase there are some speakers
> and wires hanging around that I never removed.
> Ummmm I can't think of anything else that's not
> already in the ad. Don't know where you are
> located,
> but right now, the car is Sandia Park, which is
> about 25 minutes from downtown Albuquerque if you
> hop on I-40 eastbound. If you are local, feel free
> to contact me if you want to see the car in person.
> This has been a great car for me, I'll be sad to see
> it go.
>
> I'm asking $2000 for the car right now, as is. This
> includes a myriad of old/spare parts including the
> entire front brake assembly (drums) since I replaced
> them with disc brakes. It also includes all four
> original wheels (shod with worn out rubber), 16
> lugbolts and 4 caps. I'll also throw in both of my
> versions of John Muir's "How to keep your aircooled
> VW alive" and my Bentely VW shop manual.
>
> I will go as low as $1800 for just the car, not
> including any of the above parts.
>
> Again, thanks for your interest, I hope to hear from
> you soon!
>
> ~Anthony
-------------------------------------------------------------------
(HIS NEXT REPLY)
Hi Tony,
thank you for your swift reply and all the
explanation.I must say it's an awesome deal Tony,I'm
very much satisfied with everything the way it is.
I will pay $2000 for it as stated in the AD.I really
loved it.
Actually,right now I'm presently not in the country
cos i'm working on an oil rig off the coast of Europe.
I could wire the money to your bank account straight
away once we settle everything.I would need your
account details for the wire transfer, the only thing
is that I hope you have a Bank of America account cos
that's the only way i can transfer the money to you.If
you agree to this,my shipper will give you a call and
will arrange pick up at your convenient date and time.
Hopefully sometime next week or the upper week
depending on how fast we finish the deal.I also hope
that all the paperwork is in order.
Please confirm this to me ASAP.
Thanks a lot.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Mike

--------------------------------------------------------

That email made me nervous....so here is the response I WANT to send,
but wanted to check with you guys first! I have it saved as a draft,
so feel free to give me any input on how to edit, or if I should
continue with this deal at all.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Sorry to say it Mike but your out of country request makes me
understandably nervous. 99 percent of the scams that go on for deals
like this one involve a shipper and a customer out of the country.

Also, I don't have a Bank Of America account, :-/ I bank with Bank of
the West.

Those things being said, if you are legitimate, I would love to get the
car to you. I know how popular the "German look" style VW bug is in
Europe. If there is any way you could get the money to my account and
once I've completely verified that the money IS in my account, we could
work on the details. I have the vehicle's title in hand, and it is
clear, you would just need to sign it upon receipt of the vehicle so
you could transfer it to your name. I am willing to work with you on
this, but I wish there were a way I could know if you were legitimate
or not.

Questions I need answered;
Where do you want it shipped?
When are you returning to the States (are you returning)?
What shipping company are you using, how is it getting shipped
overseas?
Who gets the title? Do I mail it to you? I would be very
unconfortable leaving it with the shipper or in the vehicle, as it's
basically a free ticket to own the car.

Also, given the circumstances, there are certain things I cannot do. I
will not pay for the shipping. I will not accept a monetary ammount in
excess to cover the shipping. I can not take ANY action until I've
verified the money is in my acount.

If you want, I can contact my bank and see if there is any way a
customer in Europe could securely send me money. I suggest you speak
with your bank in europe and/or call your local(?) bank and see if they
can transfer money to a Bank of the West account.

I hope you understand my aprehensiveness, but there are scams
everywhere out there and I'm only trying to protect myself and my
investment.

Please, if you are still interested, I AM willing to work with you, but
like I said I can't take action until I know the money is in my
account. Thanks...

~Anthony
------------------------------------------------------------------

So he never mentioned anything about sending me a money order in excess
to cover shipping. There is a possiblity this could be the real deal.


Thanks for any help you have, and thanks for reading.

~Anthony

> ~Anthony
> ------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> So he never mentioned anything about sending me a money order in excess
> to cover shipping. There is a possiblity this could be the real deal.
>
>
> Thanks for any help you have, and thanks for reading.
>
> ~Anthony
>

Man, that scares me just reading it and it is not even dealing with my bank
account.

If he is legit, the deal will wait till reasonable transactions can be
made. Do not give your account info without talking to your bank and see
what they can offer as a secure method.

Otherwise I would say NO DEAL!!

--
Terry B
AKA VDUBBS
Buggin in Bama
http://vdubbs64.tripod.com

Anthony wrote:
> Hey everyone. You may remember that I've been trying to sell my 1973
> standard Beetle. I used ebay with no success, and now it's on the
> samba again. I was recently contacted by "Mike." who wanted to
> knowextra details and my final negotiating price. Rather than attempt
> to explain the whole thing, I will post out converstaions that we had
> via email. Sorry for the long read, but I do need help on this one,
> and would appreciate any input you may have: BTW, I edited out his
> email address for security purposes)
>
---------------------------------------------------
> (HIS NEXT REPLY)

> Actually,right now I'm presently not in the country
> cos i'm working on an oil rig off the coast of Europe.
> I could wire the money to your bank account straight
> away once we settle everything.I would need your
> account details for the wire transfer, the only thing
> is that I hope you have a Bank of America account cos
> that's the only way i can transfer the money to you.If
> you agree to this,my shipper will give you a call and
> will arrange pick up at your convenient date and time.

DO NOT DO IT. It's a textbook scam. Walk away.

-tom

Total scam. I have known personaly of three such scams involving
animals and one that was on the level. Don't take the chance.

href="http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=4025706&a=30209382&vt=vp">Den's
1977 Puma</a>

Two legitimate banks can wire money between them. Just be sure your bank
spells out the liablity. It may be entirely your problem if he's a fake.

In any event, if the bank guarantees the money, then deliver the car AFTER
you have his money in hand/bank, guaranteed.

Tell him that and if he balks, killfile him.

On 14 Mar 2005 08:02:46 -0800, "Anthony" > scribbled
this interesting note:

>Hey everyone. You may remember that I've been trying to sell my 1973
>standard Beetle. I used ebay with no success, and now it's on the
>samba again. I was recently contacted by "Mike." who wanted to
>knowextra details and my final negotiating price. Rather than attempt
>to explain the whole thing, I will post out converstaions that we had
>via email. Sorry for the long read, but I do need help on this one,
>and would appreciate any input you may have: BTW, I edited out his
>email address for security purposes)

Scam. Accept cash only. US dollars. South African gold coinage in a
pinch.

If the fellow can't pay with cash, then he can't have the car. Forget
all the extra hoops and details. Keep it simple. It is a scam and the
reason he wants your bank info is so he can raid your account and
steal your car. Forget it.


--
John Willis
(Remove the Primes before e-mailing me)

Well I sent him an email much shorter than the one I posted ealier that
I was considering sending him. Basically it said unless I get the
money in my account, and it's verified to be in my account by my bank,
no car.

~Anthony


John Willis wrote:
> On 14 Mar 2005 08:02:46 -0800, "Anthony" >
scribbled
> this interesting note:
>
> >Hey everyone. You may remember that I've been trying to sell my
1973
> >standard Beetle. I used ebay with no success, and now it's on the
> >samba again. I was recently contacted by "Mike." who wanted to
> >knowextra details and my final negotiating price. Rather than
attempt
> >to explain the whole thing, I will post out converstaions that we
had
> >via email. Sorry for the long read, but I do need help on this one,
> >and would appreciate any input you may have: BTW, I edited out his
> >email address for security purposes)
>
> Scam. Accept cash only. US dollars. South African gold coinage in a
> pinch.
>
> If the fellow can't pay with cash, then he can't have the car. Forget
> all the extra hoops and details. Keep it simple. It is a scam and the
> reason he wants your bank info is so he can raid your account and
> steal your car. Forget it.
>
>
> --
> John Willis
> (Remove the Primes before e-mailing me)

On 14 Mar 2005 12:24:33 -0800, "Anthony" > scribbled
this interesting note:

>Well I sent him an email much shorter than the one I posted ealier that
>I was considering sending him. Basically it said unless I get the
>money in my account, and it's verified to be in my account by my bank,
>no car.
>
>~Anthony
>

Don't, under any circumstances, accept a money order of any kind. If
you are going to have the money wired, set up another account with the
minimum account opening balance into which the money may be
transferred. This way you protect yourself. Don't allow him any
relevant information at all such as driver's license number, social
security number, etc. Only give him what your bank says is needed to
transfer money into your account and no more at all. Do not allow the
car to leave your possession until all assurances have been given from
your bank that the money is yours free and clear. Be paranoid. You
don't know this fellow at all. He is willing to try to buy a car sight
unseen using third parties to handle the money and the shipping. Don't
trust him, at all. It would be best to wait for a simpler transaction
from someone else, a transaction that involves actual hard currency
and no silly bank transfers. This deal is not required. It is a scam.
It has all the classic earmarks. You would be best advised to ignore
him (unless you merely feel like stringing him along to waste his time
and you need a hobby!:~)

Really. It is a scam. I just posted the beginning of your conversation
with this fellow a few days ago. The email I received even had very
similar wording (last offer, etc.) and the trademarked "out of the
country" and must hurry, etc. These are all signposts that you cannot
afford to ignore if you want to keep your car and your money. It is no
longer a case of simple "Buyer Beware." Nowadays it is also very much
the case that the seller needs to beware too. If you aren't your car
will leave your possession as well as a significant amount of money
from your bank account. Can you afford to be without both? The choice
is yours.

Your best advise is to forget this deal. Don't give him anything. I've
received lots of email very similar and I routinely ignore them all.
One of these days I may toy with one just for fun, but even that is
just a waste of my time.

Good luck. If you proceed you will need it. Very much.


--
John Willis
(Remove the Primes before e-mailing me)

"Anthony" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> Well I sent him an email much shorter than the one I posted ealier that
> I was considering sending him. Basically it said unless I get the
> money in my account, and it's verified to be in my account by my bank,
> no car.

Not good enough. Your bank would have to guarantee payment. Just forget it,
be patient as Winter passes and thaws the Yankees so they can consider
buying it.

> ------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> So he never mentioned anything about sending me a money order in
excess
> to cover shipping. There is a possiblity this could be the real
deal.
>
Most likely it's a scam.
Besides, why does he need your response ASAP if he's on an oil rig?????