How to safely submit a deposit on a used car?

[TripleAAA]

I'm in the process of relocating to another state. There is a vehicle that I want to purchase, but A) i don't have the complete funds yet and B) i'm afraid of losing it to another buyer so I want to put a deposit down to hold the vehicle.

Is there a service or way to send this seller a check, money order, etc to where I could be assured that he wouldn't take the money and run with it? Trying to figure out a way to do this...

 

[mugs]

Escrow service

 

[TripleAAA]

Originally posted by: mugs
Escrow service

How does that work and does anyone know of a reputable one?

 

[LordMorpheus]

I didn't have a deposit when I bought my car, butI told the salesman I'd have a casier's check for the full amount in 3 days if he'd hold it for me.

I got the car, but he probably would have sold it out from under me if another buyer had come up.

 

[TripleAAA]

That escrow service seems like it deals with higher end purchases. We're talkin like $500 deposit probably to hold the vehicle for me.

 

[krunchykrome]

Bill Heard dealerships FTW

 

[DeviousTrap]

Check + bill of sale stating that you'll pick up the car and pay the rest at a specified time.

 

[TripleAAA]

Originally posted by: DeviousTrap
Check + bill of sale stating that you'll pick up the car and pay the rest at a specified time.

What if the vehicle turns out to be a lemon or something? Ideally, I'd just like to give him a small deposit which would buy me some more time. Then once I test drive/view the vehicle I would feel more comfortable.

So a cashier's check or money order doesn't really protect me in any way in this type of situation?

 

[Reel]

Why would you pay a deposit if you never saw it or test drove it? Find something local.

 

[TripleAAA]

Originally posted by: Reel
Why would you pay a deposit if you never saw it or test drove it? Find something local.

It is local...local to where I will be moving to in a few days. This vehicle isn't extremely easy to find and it's exactly what I'm looking for. Just trying to figure out a way for him to hold the vehicle for me.

 

[funboy6942]

Overnight several Postal Moneyorders to him. If he screws you over you can press federal charges against him
1 sent by mail
2 sent a fedral note to him
3 the PO will gladly go after them for taking you through mail fraud and using the post office (a federal office) to do it.
Why I ONLY send postal MO's

 

[TripleAAA]

Originally posted by: funboy42
Overnight several Postal Moneyorders to him. If he screws you over you can press federal charges against him
1 sent by mail
2 sent a fedral note to him
3 the PO will gladly go after them for taking you through mail fraud and using the post office (a federal office) to do it.
Why I ONLY send postal MO's

Elaborate please?

 

[funboy6942]

Originally posted by: TripleAAA

Originally posted by: funboy42
Overnight several Postal Moneyorders to him. If he screws you over you can press federal charges against him
1 sent by mail
2 sent a fedral note to him
3 the PO will gladly go after them for taking you through mail fraud and using the post office (a federal office) to do it.
Why I ONLY send postal MO's

Elaborate please?

Well if you mail him the MO's through the USPS and he skipps out on you with the car and cash all you have to do is take the stubbs to the Post office and explain to them with what has happened. Unlike any other mo USPS mo's are easily traceable and delivered by the same person 99% of the time that can conferm he delivered the mail to the individual.

If on the bad side your taken he took you through mail fraud and stole money that really belonged to the post office which is fedderally owned and all is a felony if taken to court which the PO would be happy to press for you on your behalf if you like.

This goes for trades as well. If your doing a straight up trade for trade and you think the other party is going to screw you over. Send them a $1 money order and if they take you and cash the MO a money value exchanged hands and you can press charges. If you dont the PO doesnt see trade for trade without any money at all passing back and forth and will not press charges.

But in your case $500 is the max per MO so if you plan on sending more then $500 your going to need to send more then one. Next day with sig

 

[intogamer]

Originally posted by: funboy42

Originally posted by: TripleAAA

Originally posted by: funboy42
Overnight several Postal Moneyorders to him. If he screws you over you can press federal charges against him
1 sent by mail
2 sent a fedral note to him
3 the PO will gladly go after them for taking you through mail fraud and using the post office (a federal office) to do it.
Why I ONLY send postal MO's

Elaborate please?

Well if you mail him the MO's through the USPS and he skipps out on you with the car and cash all you have to do is take the stubbs to the Post office and explain to them with what has happened. Unlike any other mo USPS mo's are easily traceable and delivered by the same person 99% of the time that can conferm he delivered the mail to the individual.

If on the bad side your taken he took you through mail fraud and stole money that really belonged to the post office which is fedderally owned and all is a felony if taken to court which the PO would be happy to press for you on your behalf if you like.

This goes for trades as well. If your doing a straight up trade for trade and you think the other party is going to screw you over. Send them a $1 money order and if they take you and cash the MO a money value exchanged hands and you can press charges. If you dont the PO doesnt see trade for trade without any money at all passing back and forth and will not press charges.

But in your case $500 is the max per MO so if you plan on sending more then $500 your going to need to send more then one. Next day with sig

I thought max was $1000?

 

[tyler811]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
Bill Heard dealerships FTW

your soooooooooo bad