I'd offer a REFUNDABLE deposit to hold the van, then

Talk to the seller for a while and get a sence of 'what they are
about',  build trust.

have the local VW DEALER (not his/her favorite mechanic) check it out
and fax the results to you directly, (tranny, compression, coolant)

Have the owner fax all maintaince records and work done, check it
by phone with whoever did the work.

ask for a list memeber in the area to check it out

get photos of it - close ups of the exterior and interior if they
have a digital camera that works great other wise they can fedex the
film to you.

prayer! and budget some bucks for repairs

just be happy  --- that yo have a Westfallia  :-)

my 2 cents worth.    Malcolm S

> Listmembers,
>
> My wife and I would like to purchase a VW Westfalia Camper. I have found
> though that pickings in the Midwest are slim or of rotten fruit (tr.
> rusty). I have checked many of the resources (used car classifieds on the
> web) and found a plethora of veedubs on the west coast. Do any listmembers
> have experience purchasing long distance. What do you do to protect
> yourself against frauds and lemons?
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> -----------------------------
> Chris R. Rowland
> mailto:crowland@earthlink.net
>