Purchasing Fiero over internet (Page 1/3)
Cajun FEB 27, 09:44 PM
I need some help from the Fiero community!

I am attempting to purchase a 88 Fiero over the internet thru a brokerage/shipping firm by the name of " Apex Freight Division " out of Colorado.

Has anyone heard of this establishment?

[This message has been edited by Cajun (edited 02-27-2021).]

skywurz FEB 27, 11:36 PM
You have purchased a fiero site unseen and are using the Apex company to pick it up and ship it?
Cajun FEB 28, 08:37 AM
Yep, that's the story! I do have over 30 photos of the vehicle. The car looks too good to be true?

Oh, if I reject the car no money changes hand. I have 10 days to reject the car.
CoolBlue87GT FEB 28, 09:40 AM
You might want to do a few things to help you with this sale.

1. Post photos
2. Have someone in Colorado check out the car in person.

I've had a few forum members check out a car & truck that I ended up buying & I've done it for a forum member also.

The Fiero I checked out, turned out having a few problems that were not disclosed. I test drove it, while on the drive I contacted the the potential buyer, told him what I'd found. We decided it was not worth the offer price.
fieroguru FEB 28, 10:00 AM
Definitely have someone look at the car in person.
It wouldn't be the first time someone used pictures that where years old to hide the current condition of the car from an out of state seller to maximize the price, then disappear into the wind once they have the $$$.

If nothing else, find a local repair shop and pay them to review the car and send you pictures of the current condition.
fierosound FEB 28, 10:54 AM

quote
Originally posted by fieroguru:

Definitely have someone look at the car in person.
It wouldn't be the first time someone used pictures that where years old to hide the current condition of the car from an out of state seller to maximize the price,



Agreed. Not saying the seller is an outright crook, but it's easy NOT to take pictures of the problem areas.

Cajun - you have a PM.


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[This message has been edited by fierosound (edited 02-28-2021).]

sledcaddie FEB 28, 11:16 AM
Do a Carfax on the VIN. I also agree with the above idea of having a local person or mechanic look at it in person. Even if they charge a fee, it would be well worth it.
David Hambleton FEB 28, 01:10 PM

quote
Originally posted by Cajun:

Yep, that's the story! I do have over 30 photos of the vehicle. The car looks too good to be true?

Oh, if I reject the car no money changes hand. I have 10 days to reject the car.



A seller will ship a legal car to you, you have 10 days to decide if you want to keep it and if not it will be shipped back to the seller all at no cost to you? Hmmm... I don't think any seller will do that.

Years ago just for fun, I emailed a "seller" about an antique car offered in a similar manner to arrange for a friend to see the car. The email trail went really cold really fast.

[This message has been edited by David Hambleton (edited 02-28-2021).]

Fiero Vice FEB 28, 02:50 PM

quote
Originally posted by fieroguru:
Definitely have someone look at the car in person.
It wouldn't be the first time someone used pictures that where years old to hide the current condition of the car from an out of state seller to maximize the price, then disappear into the wind once they have the $$$.

If nothing else, find a local repair shop and pay them to review the car and send you pictures of the current condition.



Being two states away, I didn't know anyone so I had a classic shop, 10 minutes away from the seller, to review the car I was about to purchase.

Guess what they did?

They tried to buy the car behind my back. I was pretty pissed. They said they are allowed. I disagree b/c I was using their service, which is a conflict of interests. Jeez!

But they did a good job with the review & showed me a lot of pics for $50. My offer had to be $500 more than theirs.

Bottom line is don't trust anyone when it comes to a rare gem.

[This message has been edited by Fiero Vice (edited 02-28-2021).]

Patrick FEB 28, 04:33 PM

quote
Originally posted by Cajun:

Oh, if I reject the car no money changes hand. I have 10 days to reject the car.



Are you saying that you aren't paying anything prior to the car being shipped to your door? That's highly doubtful.

If you do indeed need to pay anything prior to the car supposedly being shipped, don't expect to ever see your money again... and no car will be delivered to anyone.

I'm sorry, but this whole scenario is so bogus. This sounds just like a scam that I had heard about years ago.


quote

Escrow scams

Many consumers are rightfully wary of sending large amounts of money to someone they’ve never met. Scammer frequently recommend the use of fake “escrow” services that will hold funds involved in the transaction until both parties are satisfied that the transaction has been completed.

In a typical scam, a legitimate buyer will be approached by a scammer selling a car (again, often an exotic or classic car, but usually priced well below market value). The scam seller will offer to ship the car and that there is no risk of fraud due to the “escrow” service (purportedly eBay, PayPal, or another service). Once the money is transferred, contact is broken (or sometimes additional funds are requested to cover “unforeseen” events).

In any case, the legitimate buyer never receives a car and loses their money.





quote
Originally posted by Cajun:

I do have over 30 photos of the vehicle. The car looks too good to be true?



It is too good to be true. I certainly hope you haven't sent any money.


quote
Originally posted by David Hambleton:

A seller will ship a legal car to you, you have 10 days to decide if you want to keep it and if not it will be shipped back to the seller all at no cost to you? Hmmm... I don't think any seller will do that.

Years ago just for fun, I emailed a "seller" about an antique car offered in a similar manner to arrange for a friend to see the car. The email trail went really cold really fast.



David, it's amazing that anyone would actually fall for this nonsense.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 02-28-2021).]