Hi Craig,

R U NUTS???

LOL, Just kidding.

Option 1. Ask someone knowledgeable on the wetwesties list
(Washington/Oregon vanagon list) to have a look at the vehicle for you
before you book a plane ticket. IF the van passes their inspection then
put a deposit on it to hold it for a few days and then pay the full
amount in cash after it passes your inspection.

Option 2. RUN AWAY.  Dude sounds like a bad risk. TheSamba history
suggests he'd take that deposit and when you show up the van has had
parts removed or is no longer in his possession, etc.

As my grandma used to say: "What's for you won't go by you." I'd
recommend door #2.

Greg

On 7/6/2010 9:40 AM, craig cowan wrote:
> I'm working on closing a deal today on a sunroof syncro that's in Oregon (I
> am in PA). Anyway....
> The buyer has asked that I just transfer money via a wire transfer in full
> to his bank account which i normally wouldn't be overly hesitant about but
> realize this would not afford me any type of fraud prevention should
> anything happen. I asked him a few days ago what assurance he can give me
> that this is going to be a fullproof transaction and his response was that
> should it go sour for any reason, just bash him on thesamba.com. Since he
> runs a VW restoration business almost entirely through thesamba, it seemed
> like a just response. Well..... I went and checked him out on the samba, and
> he's already been bashed enough. He's been banned close to 10 times (under
> different names), there are pending fraudulant claims and arguments occuring
> between he and buyers. Luckily, there are also great reviews of his service
> being above and beyond the call of duty. So this has me at least slightly
> concerned, any suggestions?
> Paypal may be an option, does that award a great deal more security?
>
> Furthermore, I don't recieve a bill of sale via the mail for at least a week
> after I give the guy all my money..... indicating that I don't actually own
> the car, but have given aside all my money. I asked that he send me an email
> with his full name, address, the VIN of the car, and which contains
> agreement terms....should I need to press charges later. Does this sound
> like a reasonable thing to want? Am I fair in wanting something like this
> BEFORE I pay? He seems to indicate (and I can see this point as well) that
> no actual change of ownership agreements ever occur untill after purchase.
> Sadly he's been pretty tricky with emails, so I have my concerns (Though
> he's easiliy reached via the phone and a wonderful person to talk too. He
> seems to be really interested in helping me out).
>
> Thoughts?
> I'm very excited about this purchase, but very concerned now.
>
> -Craig
> '85GL turned WESTY
> BOSTIG in the back
>

--
Happy Trails,

Greg Potts
Toronto, Ontario Canada
197x Westfakia "Bob the Tomato"
1987 Wolfsburg Weekender Hardtop
www.pottsfamily.ca

BUSES OF THE CORN - AUGUST 13-15th, 2010
www.busesofthecorn.ca