I think he did and screened the potential buyers, but the person lied - they WERE a reseller after all. Yeah, it's annoying to be lied to, that I can see... hopefully the check will clear OK.

The real lesson here seems to be more "be careful how you get paid" rather than "you may be lied to". Sure, people lie when buying or selling used cars, but if Octane gets screwed out of his money THEN it becomes a crime. Seeing as how he's posting ads in NAM though, I'm reasonably certain that he won't do something squirrellylike scrwew you out of your money (I hope).

 

Thank you dansmini.

Yes, I listed it at $13,500 for NAM members and $15,500 on Craigslist...but after the last failed transaction, I just knocked it off $2,500 to see if that would make much of a difference...and I guess it did.

Richard

 

CASH CASH CASH

Never, ever take a check when selling a car. Not a cashier's check, money order, NADA.

Anyone who has the money in the bank for a cashiers check, can just as easily pull that money out in cash.

 

Yeah I hear ya. I also got to stop being so trusting of MINI owners, or people who claim to be. Anyways.... I called the issuing bank and they said that it's certified and I shouldn't be worried about it....so I guess this is all for not. I'll update things at the end of the week.

Richard

 

If you get your money, let it go. Things could've been worse, and you have an awesome new MINI to focus on!

On the flip side, I think you were actually excited to sell your baby to another enthusiast, given that you were going to provide free detailing, etc. Had that happened, it would've been great! You would've enjoyed sharing your passion, and we'd have another MINIac in SoCal! I'm sorry it didn't go that way. Fortunately you have have many, many MINI friends (real and virtual) who appreciate you and your talents, so forget about the stupid dealer. It's too bad a NAMmer didn't scoop up your great deal, but life (and motoring, and detailing, and auto-crossing...) go on.

'Tis the season for forgiveness, so let go of bad MINI feelings and embrace the good ones. Come down to SD and join WCM on 12/16 for the toy drive. We'd all love to see your gorgeous new ride! Let's motor!

 

I understand your point but few people want to carry around $13,000 in cash......

 

That is why I sold my 05 MCSa on eBay. 12,000 miles, 9 months of usage. "Flame MINI", Chili Red with an Orange roof.

Listed it on NAM, not a bite. Not even an Email.

Listed it on eBay, with 80 photographs. Took pictures of every part of the car. Sold it for $400 more than I paid for it new.

Sold it to a buyer in Kiev, Ukraine who sent me a cashiers check for the full amount in advance. Drove it to NYC and dropped it off with the shipper.

If he keeps it, or if he sells it, it will go to a person who loves MINI's. If they didn't, they would buy a Toyota.

I miss it, it was my favorite MINI so far. The money that I got for it is now in GP0019, and someday it will be gone also, to the one who pays the most for it.

If you want your MINI to go to a private party for the most money, market it, even if it does take work. NAM is a great place to buy, and a convenient place to sell.

 

True, but hey, if someone demended I produce cash on the barrelhead for a sale of a car, I'd do it. Just the price of doing "binnis".

 

Richard,

I would have opened a checking account at WM and had them put the money in it then wrote myself a check to my account (althought I use WM).

I found years ago that the only difference in a "Cashiers Check" and a personal check is who writes the check. It can still bounce have payment stopped etc.

Earl

PS: The good news is if the guy is a dealer he won't bounce it on you. You have the location of the car, it's on Craig's List, and the police could find it easily.

 

Hey Earl,

Yeah this experience has brought a whole new understanding to what a cashiers check is. I don't care for WM's new counter system--when I left the bank with that check, I thought for sure I was being followed by someone--so I quickly ducked into my car just to be sure.

Thanks

 

That branch must have the stupid "no counter" system of a bunch of pillers around the room. I have been in one like that and don't like it either. All it does is keep the robber from having to jump the counter to get at the money.

Earl

 

Make it the buyer's problem: I have sold cars for cash before, always concluding the transaction in my bank. If the buyer didn't bank at the same bank (allowing the bank to immediately credit good funds), I told them to meet me inside my bank with the cash.

 

So sorry to hear about all the drama Richard, I hope Lil' Octane eventually ends up with a good owner.

 

The cashier's check thing sounds strange. A cashier's check (as long as it's valid, not bogus) is as good as cash. The bank won't write one until they have the money from the drafter.
According to these guys,
A cashier's check can't 'bounce' or have a stop payment put on it, AFAIK. I'll confirm with my banker today.
I can understand the hold only because the bank doesn't want to be without all the money for the processing period - though these days, with Check 21 (a picture of the check is considered legal tender) that period is significantly reduced.


Sorry to hear about the troubles, Richard. It may be more emotional than rational, but doesn't that describe most of us when discussing our cars?

 

Ugh, Richard! Your kindheartedness was used against you! I agree with Earl...the reseller can be tracked down fairly easily. Let us know when the big check clears. I hope you are enjoying your MCS.

 

no worries richard buddy if he cheats u ill fly back from iraq and handle your lightwork for ya!

Rog

 

Roger!!!!!!!!!!! LOL.

 

Well at least if the check is cancelled or doesn't clear, respond to his ad on your car and have the LAPD accompany you to arrest him for fraud.

 

Octane ...

There are two things going on here.

As to the cashier check, if you cashed it ... see http://www.ckfraud.org/problems.html

Once you deposited it, he cannot claim it was lost.

This is a lesson in checks. Cashier checks and Money Orders can be stopped. I've stopped a MO because the seller backed out ... saved the receipt, got the money back.

These kind of checks are drawn on the Bank's account, not a personal account. Once presented for payment, the receiving bank cannot hold $5K of it and hence your immediate payment. I think the bank is covering itself in case the payer puts in a claim the check is "lost". Since its clearly not lost, I seriously doubt he can get the money back. Check out that bank check fraud website.

The second part is you feel deceived, rightfully so and felt you baby didn't get a good home. You have every right to be

 

It is also a concern for a buyer to be carrying around a large amount of cash also, especially out of town. I recently purchased a car in Miami. I wired funds PUPID to the sellers bank in Miami in my name. That term makes me laugh. It stands for Pay Upon Proper ID. It allowed me to fly to Miami and make the transaction safely at the bank, showing proper ID, after inspecting the car. It also allowed them to be certain of the funds going to them before letting me drive away in the car. If I had decided against the car after viewing, the funds would have been transferred back to my bank. I think cashier's checks, like other things these days, are not what they used to be.

I hope you enjoy your new MINI, Richard and sorry for how the buyers lied to you. That has to be the most frustrating thing after concerns for payment. When it comes to our car babies sometimes you gotta let 'em go. Can't keep 'em all even if we wish we could.

 

Hmmm, did anyone realize that this is FRAUD on his part. Lying about where the car came from is ILLEGAL!

Damn, someone out there have this guy investigated. File a complaint.

 

Please cite your sources for the claim that this is illegal.
Be VERY careful when throwing around the "F" word.

Richard, OK, so he lied to you. Lies are not illegal. Even cops get to do it. You sold your car, and hopefully by now have the money*, so let it go. Enjoy your new MINI!

* this concept of putting funds on hold is so 80's. In the age of internet transfers, anything should clear in 60 seconds or less. The fact that banks still do this, is more a function of collecting fractional interest, than protecting themselves. /end rant.

 

Thanks for posting this for us to be aware. And I hope you have your funds secured and confirmed soon.

 

He CANNOT lie about the history of the car. He claimed that it was a trade in, even the little indiscression such as that can be fraud

 

Richard - sorry to hear about your selling woes. It would be nice if you could just sell a car (esp. a MINI) to someone who wants it for themselves. I sold my other car (Mitsubishi) earlier this year and got a bank check (don't remember if it was certified or cashier's) after specifically saying I wanted cash. My mistake, but fortunately the check cleared. I was worried the whole time until it cleared.

One other thing if you have problems... did you give him the title? If not, you could withhold it. If you did, then you might be able to cause problems with the DMV. I remember when I sold my car in Berkeley, I had to send in a slip to the DMV that said I was selling it, etc. Perhaps if you have a problem you can go the DMV route, although I don't wish that fate on anyone.

Hope it all works out without you having to do anything else.