what is it with Auto Trader Classics and the scams? - Lateral-g Forums

**camcojb** · #1 10-13-2009, 02:56 PM

I know scamming is big now, and Craigslist and Ebay have the problem also, but I've never seen so much of it on Auto Trader Classics. Been looking at prices for several different types of cars that I would consider as a partial trade on the Chevelle when I sell it. From 69 Camaros, to second gens and early fastback Mustangs, all of them have several scam listings at stupid low pricing. I've used that site for years, and it just seems it's out of control on there now.

Jody

70rs · #2 10-13-2009, 03:23 PM

I have never used any of those for buying a car and honestly hardly ever look at them either. What is the scam? I mean, what are people doing that is a scam. I need to know what to look for if I ever get to the point of needing another project. Thanks for the heads up.

**camcojb** · #3 10-13-2009, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70rs

I have never used any of those for buying a car and honestly hardly ever look at them either. What is the scam? I mean, what are people doing that is a scam. I need to know what to look for if I ever get to the point of needing another project. Thanks for the heads up.

by scam I mean a $40K car for $5995. Fully restored 69 Z28 for $8200, and so on.

Jody

70rs · #4 10-25-2009, 02:22 PM

Thanks for the info. I had seen those types of ads. If it seems too good to be true it probably is huh?

pokey64 · #5 10-25-2009, 03:28 PM

It's annoying. We've been looking for a Camaro for a while now. I signed up for Autotrader's saved searches. I get an email every morning with the new ads that fit the criteria. Scammers seem to like the $8,000 to $18,000 range. There's maybe 1 real ad each day out of 5.

Here are a couple sreen shots of one.

**Stuart Adams** · #6 10-25-2009, 03:50 PM

Hand the scammers. Noticing the same thing Jody, been looking for a 70 El Camino and it's rampant.

**GregWeld** · #7 10-25-2009, 03:54 PM

About a month ago -- I'm on eBay -- looking at the 37 Fords... and notice a car that I recognize. It's a "local" car - and was for sale by a dealer sometime this summer - They wanted 70K for it... so I look at the pictures and it's the same exact pictures - and the dealers "background" which I recognize... BUT the seller is in GEORGIA (Russia maybe) and they have a "buy it now" for like $34,000 or something... so I'm IMMEDIATELY suspicious. Why would the guy that must have bought it this summer - USE the same pictures the dealer did - and be offering it for so much less...

So I google the dealer -- and damn if he doesn't still have it for sale -- and for the 70K ish price.. So I emailed him that "his car" was on ebay -- and then went to ebay and sent the seller/lister an email and said "you're busted"!

Then I spent about half an hour trying to figure out how to tell eBay about it. THEY don't make that easy I can tell you!!

70rs · #8 10-25-2009, 04:01 PM

Did you get any reply from the false seller yet? Is there any kind of legal action the real seller can take in cases like these?

**GregWeld** · #9 10-25-2009, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70rs

Did you get any reply from the false seller yet? Is there any kind of legal action the real seller can take in cases like these?

No response - but the listing was pulled within an hour...

Doubtful the seller would pursue any legal action - they're not "harmed" - and it's really a "prosecutors" problem rather than the real dealers problem. And our legal system is too bogged down for the police and the courts to go after these assholes... which is why the problem is so rampant.

It's the "law of large numbers" -- these jerks hide behind the internet - post a zillion of these types of listings - and hope that they catch one or two suckers a month... You wire a deposit - and the account gets cleaned out and closed. They move on to the next sucker.

I've bought several cars off eBAY == but NEVER has a dime left my account before I see - feel - touch - drive the car - and I show up with my trailer... Go to the bank with the seller - and have the title signed and in my hands as the teller gives the seller the cashiers check.

I will bid on a car - that looks like it's legitimate - and then once I've bid - I will make contact with the seller - and ask some questions -- depending on how they respond - I will either forget it - or move forward. I will tell the seller - "I WILL NOT BUY VIA EBAY - BUT IF YOU REALLY WANT TO SELL THE CAR -- I CAN BE "THERE" IN A DAY OR TWO MAX" -- I will bid enough to show that I'm serious. If the car sells more than my max bid - fine - If not - then I re-establish contact with the seller and set up a time to see the car etc. If I leave Seattle Monday morning - I'm in LA Tuesday afternoon. If he's a real guy and we establish that I'm coming down or over or wherever... it all works out.

SO..... One morning I find a TRIPLE BLACK 69 Camaro 396 Automatic - Convertible with Factory A/C and DELUXE interior. "FULLY RESTORED" -- can't remember the asking price - but it's expensive... BUT not many triple black BB drop top AC cars around - and the pixs look KILLER.... So I make contact with the seller - agree that I'll buy the car - and that I'll be in LA on MONDAY... ROAD TRIP is my middle name.... I LOVE A GOOD ROAD TRIP -- so off I go... happy as a clam -- and going to get a killer car!!

Well when this moron shows up at our chosen spot -- with this absolutely POS Camaro - I just about died. The car was not FACTORY triple black - it was a hugger orange car -- and the interior was a pit - the upholstery was "sun burned" and faded - the paint was elcheapo - the AC was MISSING - the motor was filthy and the wiring was a rats nest. I finally - after I gathered my wits about me asked the guy "SO! What part of this car did you restore exactly"? Because this is the biggest POS I've seen in a very long time! And I just drove 1500 miles and I'm PISSED! And you better just get in this POS and drive off... and don't look back -- and you need to be gone before I can get into my truck... and I start moving for the truck -- and this dude starts moving for his door - and he's peeling out of there like his hair is on fire... and he ain't looking back!

TRUST ME -- I was steaming mad - and he knew it. I'm little... but I'm a really pissed off little guy...

70rs · #10 10-25-2009, 04:34 PM

Sounds like a nightmare. But thanks for posting. And to everyone who has posted info on this thread. I have never bought a car that way but would like to someday. This will help me know what to look for. And I hope it helps others too.