Jay S.

Well, it looks like I finally found my 928. It will be undergoing an inspection which I'm confident will turn out OK. My question is- the car is over 2000 miles away, what resources are there to exchange the money for the title and car? The seller seems very upfront and we've had lengthy phone conversations and seems nothing but trustworthy, but I'm a little nervous about the whole deal. Is there some kind of escrow type service? I've read a lot of stories about fraud in escrow services. Can anyone recommend a safe way to do this?
And since I'm on the subject, anyone know of a good and inexpensive car shipping service?
Thanks and I can't wait to be a part of the group! I've waited a long time for this!
Jay in Az

Dozman

If there is a Lien on the shark. Send the money to the bank or credit union.

Jay S.

No liens on this one.

Chucker

Jay, I used Way Transportation in Charlevoix Michigan and they move things all over the U.S. I bought mine in Kansas and had it moved to Michigan, 1999 price was $500.00 I had a letter from my bank sent to the person selling the car that stated that sufficient funds were on hand. When she received that letter she sent the title and I sent the money to her account in Kansas. Make sure that you know what type of title you are buying. If it is not a clean title then search the archive and read what I posted about Salvage titles. Because it is interesting! Good luck. I did not research an escrow service because I was comfortable with the seller. You might want to us the escrow service.

John Struthers

People First.com
<a href="http://peoplefirst.com" target="_blank">http://peoplefirst.com</a>
Did mine in less than 30 minutes by PC and phone.
Real competetive on used car rates.
Then fly your butt out there and drive YOUR sHARk home.
Have a little faith Jay, you trust an out of state PPI from someone who might be a friend of the owner. I'd rather spend the money on the one way airline ticket which is cheaper than freighting the car. Which means you save money. Personally, get to eyeball the car before closing the deal.
And have a little while to bond with your new sHARk buddie.
Not to condemn the 928 community at large...
TRUST NO ONE!!!
BTDT
Well after you get the 928 home, after what you would consider a close inspection with your own eyeballs things are going to glare at you.
How did I miss that?

Brent 89-GT

I have been burned a couple of times on long distance, sight unseen, purchases. The one I backed out of after seeing it. The other I dealt with.

I now show up with a cashiers check for most of the purchase price and a fist full of negotiating dollars. If something is arwy you can start down at the amount of the check, not the full amount. Everybodys idea of perfect or acceptable is different. 99% of the time the sellers "perfect" rises to a lower standard than the buyers expectation. Do yourself a huge favor and see and drive the car BEFORE you hand over the money.

I am also a big fan of driving home your new prize. Shippers in my experience have been a major PIA. Don't expect to see the car for at least six weeks after you place the order to have it shipped. Then you are at their mercy as to its condition prior to getting on the truck. Damage claims are hard to prove. Besides, a couple of days driving in your new shark is wonderful therapy.

I have now driven home four purchases, two from So Cal to MN, one from Miami to MN and the shark from KY to MN last fall. I highly reccomend this method.

Good Luck with the car

Cameron

Jay is talking about my '90 S4. Just like him, I have never done an out of state transaction like this before and appreciate the advice. We talked about him coming and driving it back (my preference given some of the shipping stories I have read) but I understand his time issue.

The last guy to see the car told me it was the best one he has seen, and he has been casually looking for over a year but he has not been able to talk his wife out of the convertible. He was a brit so his words were 'the best prepared example that I have seen for sale'.

My biggest concern is that if Jay ships it, it arrives in the same condition as when it left. I have sent alot of digital pics, but in case of a dispute with the shipper how do we prove the date on the pics. Do I get a third party or do I take the pics and have them notorized?

Anyway, your advice is appreciated. I am a Rennlist member if that matters some how in term of services available to us.

.....Cameron
'91 Euro GT
'90 S4 soon to be Jay's

Brent 89-GT

With a little more info, I would be inclined to send Cameron a cashiers check. When he recieves it, the title would be sent to Jay. This can all be done in just a couple of days with Fed Ex. Make sure everything including dates are correct on the title. The DMV can be a real PIA when it comes to silly details.

I think that if you have pictures before shipping, and you walk around the car with the driver before loading the car, you should be fine. Both parties will get a copy of the before and after inspection sheet the shipper uses. Still, if you have to make a claim, it is not going to be a pleasant experience.

I still say, fly out, three days home in an S4???? Sounds like a dream weekend to me But I am a sucker for a good road trip <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

Zandramus

I bought my shark in Texas, Flew down test drove and handled the transaction in person. I feel it is too easy to be ripped off long distance. Invest in a one way airline ticket and either drive it home or rent a u-haul truck and car transport and tow it home yourself. I would select the drive it home route if I were sure of the T-Belt, tow it home if not and have the t-belt done when you get home. 2,000 miles in a shark is a very nice drive at a nice get aquainted 100 mph average

Ron_H

Zandramus:
YES!

SteveG

Jay: There are good shippers and bad. Get a first-hand reference, check BBB and/or Atty Gen. for complaints, take the insurance option. A covered carrier is better, but now the salt option is minimal. Be there when it is delivered and don't sign til you inspect all 6 sides. If at all possible, I would drive home.

tdelarm

I had my car shipped and it arrived on time as promised with no damage and alot of care put into the handling of the car while in shipment... BUT...they were not cheap...from Indiana to Los Angeles it was $1500 fun chips...

I would recommend them but again...not cheap.

<a href="http://www.concourstransport.com/" target="_blank">Concours Transports</a>

For that much money, you could really have a nice trip...my problem was getting ANY time off from work and keeping the job..not looking at the car before handing over the final payment was a BIG BIG mistake in my situation but yours may be a bit different with Cameron's association within the Rennlist group although I personally don't know him.

Good luck <img border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" title="" src="graemlins/bigok.gif" />

PS...Post sum pic's guys of the car.

Cameron

Jay,

Is it ok with you if I post a link with some pics?

.....Cameron

LarryM

Jay,
It's hard to replace that first glimpse of your new car. Bring a camera and take that picture that we all here remember soooo well. You'll forget about the miles cause your driving what you've been reading about. I've flown in and picked up all 3 of my past 928's. Call it bonding time. Birmingham then San Francisco then Atlanta

I know the airport baggage checker was stumped with my carry on. Air gauge, V-one radar detector, air filter, wipers, CD's and a towel. If your going the north route I'm in Jackson, Ms, let me know.

4MIDLIF

OK, my two pennies - From Phoenix you should be able to get a cheap ROUND TRIP ticket to FLA. Fly there, inspect the car, handle the transaction, eat lunch, fly home, have it shipped.

Everybody is happy.