How safe is it to send someone a deposit for an auto

[Jeremyford07]

I am interested in buying am automobile that a guy has who is 9.5 hours away from me...Seller agrees to deliver the car to me with a $400 deposit to pay for his expenses so he doesn't make a wasted trip and lose money if I decide not to follow through. How safe

[Whac-A-Mole]

if you sent money via Paypal,it would have to be goods and services to get buyer protection,he is taking a chance,what if you file dispute saying you get nothing,how can he prove he has delivereed whatever with online viewable tracking.

[DPCreations]

Most likely a scam.

PayPal provides no seller protection of automobilies.

PayPal provides no seller protection for local pickup.

Best option is to send a message back to the propective buyer that you will only accept cash payment, NO PAYPAL.

This will end the discussion.

Buyers know they can quickly get all PayPal money back as soon as they drive off with the car.

[sharpiemarker]

The OP is a buyer.  You guys telling the buyer how to scam the seller. lol

[sharpiemarker]

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@Jeremyford07 wrote:
I am interested in buying am automobile that a guy has who is 9.5 hours away from me...Seller agrees to deliver the car to me with a $400 deposit to pay for his expenses so he doesn't make a wasted trip and lose money if I decide not to follow through. How safe

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If the reason you are paying for the expenses of the seller to drive it over to you to and you decide you do not want it at that juncture, that deposit should be forfeited.  Now if you change your mind before the guy drives it over, then that makes more sense for you to get your money back, possibly through a dispute.  Then again, it is up to the parties to come to an agreement/contract before any money switch hands.  And honor the terms if money has switched hands.

You can read purchase protection terms to see what is eligible or not:

https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/ua/useragreement-full#purchase-protection

[DPCreations]

Looks like was still asleep this morning when I comments.  I still suspect that is is somehow a scam, maybe just for $400, though.

[Whac-A-Mole]

But OP is protected if he sent $400 under goods and services.

But if this turns out to be an honest deal,the seller drives for miles to delivere the car and buyer does not wan it and then file dispute with paypal,then the seller worked for nothing.

how about OP arrange for someone to go and examine the car and bring it over to him? 

[DPCreations]

My guess is that the OP would be convinced by the seller to use friends/family for the "deposit" and would then loose the money when there is no delivery.  

This just seems to fishy to make sense.

On the other hand, it could be truthful, but it should be supported by signed printed contracts.  There could be issues with title transfers.

It could make sense that the $400 would be for travel expenses.  Fuel for the trip and car rental for the driver to return home after the car is delivered.   Also, one night hotel stay.   It also seems like a huge expense for a real buyer to add on top of a car price, especially for a vehicle never seen.

[Whac-A-Mole]

Ideally,buyer finds a local shop which will examine the car and arrange  to transport the car to him,then the seller does not have to deliver this car himself,or he should go there himself and then drive back the car.

It must be a good deal,else why not buy from local used car lot?    

[kernowlass]

@Whac-A-Mole

OP is NOT protected as there is no BUYER PROTECTION for motor vehicles either.

So if he sends a payment and the seller does not turn up with the car he may well have lost his money.