Bring a body guard

[pschlosser]

I recently read a for-sale listing for a challenger someone was selling. They're asking 20K cash. They live out in a rural area. It got me thinking, how the heck do you safely close a deal on a car, when the guy wants to meet out in the woods, somewhere, and expects you to bring cash? Do you bring a body guard... with weapons?

Is cash still king? In this age of debit cards and electronic transfers, months can go by with the same $5 bill in my wallet. Why, oh why, are people so adamant about using "PayPal Friends and Family" or "Money Order this" or "Cash-only that" for big ticket items. By big ticket, I mean above $500.

I've experienced sellers, even on this forum, who refused to go "Paypal Good and Services" even when I offered to pay the fees. I just don't get it. It's gotten to where anyone selling a part for "money order" or "PayPal F&F" puts me off.

Back in November, I read a story about a retired couple responding to a Craigslist ad for a 1960s Ford Mustang they wanted to restore. It was "their dream car". They were killed by the seller, presumably, for the cash they carried. Their truck was found in a nearby lake.

What gives? Anyone got some insight?

 

[6PKRTSE]

Our local musclecar dealership closed for this very reason. The owner and his Son went to look at a car in a rural area. Other people were hiding in woods with baseball bats and pipes. Beat them both almost to death and took what money they had on them. Luckily, most of the money for the car was left in their vehicle.
He closed the dealership down after that. His family was more important. After almost dieing he felt these cars aren't worth it anymore. His and his Son's life were not losing just for a car.

 

[sixpactogo]

Yeah......There is no shortage of losers trying every trick in the book to rob and steal their way through life rather than paying their dues and earning their way.
The biggest problem is they get bolder every day. There is no way to be too careful.

 

[Mopars & Missiles]

The "crooks" and "losers" also rob you with Paypal and Money Orders as well. It isn't just "Baseball bats and Pipes in the woods" that steal your money dishonestly.

 

[pschlosser]

Yes, the number of scammers is on the rise. But just because someone asks for cash, doesn't mean they're a scammer. I'm left wondering what the better policy should be, when making a large $$$ purchase. Is cash really warranted? Can I not pay the seller (electronically) using PayPal F&F once he's ready to sign over the title? Or using PayPal Goods & Services, and pay the fee(s), myself? Is that any safer than bringing a wad of cash?

 

[Xcudame]

There are whackos in the woods and on the subway in big cities. Actually, I find and get along with people in the rural areas than people from big cities. Yes there are physcos in the woods, but much more often then not, these rural people would feed you if your hungry and give you the shirt off your back. City people act like you don't exist or you're in their way! Here in Arizona, you don't know who's packing and who's not! And since there are no state gun laws (yet!), it's legal to conceal carry. So when in doubt, having a body guard for a potential high dollar cash transaction is not a bad thing!

 

[Challenger RTA]

1 Anonymity. They no not who I am and I no not them. I do check them out!
2 If I agree to look at it I never say I'll come and buy it. I never agree to buy it on site. They say I have 10 people wanting it. I say sell it!
3 If it comes close to what I'm looking for. I agree on a price. I'll give a check for them to hold and decide. If they cash the check I consider it a contract. One that is wrote at that time.
4 The transaction will take elsewhere. Then the cash comes out and the check comes back if need be.
5 If all the above don't fall in place it's a bad deal to good to be true. Greed gets the better of oneself.
6 Last but not the least. Don't look and act like you have money.
Then there is the biggie. Act crazy then they are. Your mind is the best defense. Like use a lighter to see how much gas is in the tank.
Trust no one! Believe only in lies! Expect the Unexpected!

 

[Cuda Hunter]

With the amount of Taxes that the gobment is stealing from all of us you will continue to see cash deals go on forever. Especially since Paypal is now reporting to the IRS. People are sick and tired of the taxes.
Regardless of having money in the pocket, I always have a secondary person that stays comfortably back from the looking and transactions of deals. He is ready with a piece.
When I do not have a back up with me I am very very careful with my own piece. It is often visible and known.
I would rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6.

Just have to be careful no matter where you are.
I do find that city deals are always more sketch than rural deals. City people could care less if you are face down in the gutter. (typical) not talking to you guys that are the exception.

 

[Katfish]

I agree with above, I am one that will only accept F&F payments.
No way am I paying 25% in taxes for the pleasure of selling stuff that I have already lost money on (used parts).

 

[don selleck]

that usually kills the deal for me when I buy parts online, no protection from the scammers, taxes are out of control. I guess I'll never sell my stash parts.

 

[pschlosser]

I agree with above, I am one that will only accept F&F payments.
No way am I paying 25% in taxes for the pleasure of selling stuff that I have already lost money on (used parts).

Man, we need to find another way to transfer funds with buyer protection. I, too, am not a lover of government, regulation, taxes, or even death (though, nothing is certain, but...) But buyer protection really simplifies transactions with another outside of ebay, or other escrow service.

 

[Mopars & Missiles]

Man, we need to find another way to transfer funds with buyer protection. I, too, am not a lover of government, regulation, taxes, or even death (though, nothing is certain, but...) But buyer protection really simplifies transactions with another outside of ebay, or other escrow service.

What about some "seller protection"? All these sites Paypal, Ebay, etc., all highly favor the buyer. Buyer says "oh, I didn't get what I ordered" and immediately the seller gets screwed as his money is refunded to the scamming "buyer".

This is why sellers want CASH only.

 

[Xcudame]

Be patient things will be much better in six to twelve months form now! USA golden age is coming!

 

[pschlosser]

What about some "seller protection"? All these sites Paypal, Ebay, etc., all highly favor the buyer. Buyer says "oh, I didn't get what I ordered" and immediately the seller gets screwed as his money is refunded to the scamming "buyer".

This is why sellers want CASH only.

I've protected myself from several unscrupulous buyers, by documenting (taking pictures) of what I shipped, by what tracking number and shipping weight, and evaded several dishonest transactions.

We may have to work more, to protect our interests. This seems a sign of the times. And since we cannot meet face-to-face, as often as we could by the historical 1900s hand-shake transaction, or modern-day swap meet, we gotta do what we gotta do.

Gaining protections for one-side only, is not the solution, today.

We need BOTH buyer and seller protection. To advocate one over the other is imbalanced, and fraught with uncertainty.

 

[pschlosser]

Be patient things will be much better in six to twelve months form now! USA golden age is coming!

Yea, the next president is sure to stand up for the underdog, the poorly represented and under-protected little guy.

That said, I've got a bridge in Brooklyn I want to sell for cheap. PM me for details.

 

[don selleck]

we will see how the D.O.G.E. does, hopefully they will turn off the faucet for some of these frivolous programs and tighten up the spending. and shrink the government a bit it's definitely out of control. thus turning off some of these taxes that are killing the working and retired people.