Need advice on out of town equipment purchase to be shipped

[slash007]

I am interested in buying some equipment from someone that is in a different state. It is too far of a drive, so it will have to be shipped. It is for around 12k, and the only payment he will accept is to prepay with a wire transfer. I have had bad experiences with other purchases sending money and then getting burned. What is common procedure for something like this? I'm sure many of you guys have bought equipment from individuals before, so any insight/advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Washmee]

I would recommend using PayPal instead of wire transfer . That way if something goes wrong with the transaction you have some protection . As far as shipping the item I have had great success usiing Uship . Way cheaper than going through a traditional motor carrier.

 

[rph9168]

I agree with Jon. Make sure the seller knows that you will be using PayPal to protect against any problems. If they object it probably is not worth dealing with them.

 

[slash007]

If I use paypal, I would have to use a credit card for actual protection, correct? If I use instant transfer, I don't see how PayPal could really protect me. Or is there something they could do?

 

[MEP001]

If you use PayPal for a purchase, you can dispute it through their system regardless of whether it's set up on a credit card or direct transfer from your bank account. If you use it simply to transfer funds, it wouldn't be that much different from a wire transfer.

 

[2Biz]

Paypal has limits per transaction. I remember having this issue when buying my pop machines and having them shipped in. Copied from Paypals Website:

"If your account is Verified, there’s no limit on the total amount of money you can send from your account. You can send up to $10,000 in a single transaction. (This amount can vary, though, depending on your currency.)"

 

[BBE]

I believe the amount that they protect is limited. The seller also might not be willing to eat the fee that paypal is going to take off the top of that 12k.

 

[Earl Weiss]

For a few hungred bucks you may be able to find an attorney local him to act as escrowee and perhaps he would split that cpost.

 

[slash007]

I don't mind paying PayPal or escrow fees for peace of mind. He said that he buys these on consignment and needs to pay off the person he is selling them for before shipping them out. With Paypal, if the money is sent using a bank account, I don't see what they can really do once he has withdrawn the money. It's not like he's a Power eBay seller and needs the PayPal account.

 

[rph9168]

Unless you have some way of recovering your money should there be a problem I would hesitate to make the deal. There are numerous problems that could occur and if you have no recourse you are out of luck. Seems like you would be assuming all the risk. I would think that using a lawyer to set up an escrow account should be acceptable to the seller. They will get their money if everything goes as planned.

 

[bighead]

Spend $400, fly over there, shake his hand, look at his equipment, watch it load onto the trailer, hand him a cashiers check (or go to his bank and wire it over)... fly home. Consider the $400 and a day of your time insurance, and if all of that is not worth your time, then you aren't getting a good enough deal on the equipment.

 

[slash007]

Spend $400, fly over there, shake his hand, look at his equipment, watch it load onto the trailer, hand him a cashiers check (or go to his bank and wire it over)... fly home. Consider the $400 and a day of your time insurance, and if all of that is not worth your time, then you aren't getting a good enough deal on the equipment.

I actually considered that, and am still considering it. I'll discuss it and see how it goes. Thanks.

 

[rph9168]

Are there any guarantees that the equipment is in working condition? No way to tell just by looking at it.

 

[APW]

I'm in Georgia and I bought a complete wash 4/1 from a guy in Maryland. Flew up there, checked equipment out, wired him the money, loaded the whole wash onto the largest u haul I could rent. Ended up costing $1200.00 labor to load and make everything fit. Used the company that took it out to load it for me. Couldn't have done it without a fork lift. I left Maryland with the Uhaul sitting on the frame thinking what have I got myself into. Still can't believe I made it back to Georgia. Might be worth it to hire it out.

 

[Robert2181]

I'm would be careful with PAY PAL!!!!

I have been doing e bay for 12 years.

You may only have some protection. Call them. Their policy goes off the listing. If it states (as is) or used, needs work,parts, worked when it can out of service,it will not be covered.

Example: If you buy a car and it says runs fine, but when you get it the motor is bad, they might cover it.

Everybody thinks Pay pal protection plan covers all. It covers very little. (even e bay motors)

Call them

 

[MEP001]

No, PayPal doesn't cover everything, but as I said if you use it with a purchase you can dispute payment if you don't get what you pay for. With a wire transfer, you have nothing but litigation if something goes bad, and that would be difficult with an out-of-state issue.

 

[MudMoney]

I agree with the posts on flying out and looking at the equipment,I've been burned by a distributor and a now closed carwash manufacture on new & used equipment.I don't buy with out looking at it when it's big bucks,just my experience.

 

[pgrzes]

Go and get it!! I borrowed a 24' trailer took a guy with me and stripped a 7 bay ss in Ga. We left Pa. at 7 pm on a Sun. stripped place down to the wiring, Got there and worked first day in pouring rain but got the job done in 2 days. We were home Wed. morn. around 10 Am. Like Alamo said, the truck and trailer was dragging the ground the whole way home, but it was worth it. Was a great experience, for my helper and myself, got to learn a lot about the equipment and how it goes back together. And pick and choose what you dont want out.

 

[mac]

Slash, heed these words of caution. There are a LOT of ways this can go wrong. And if it does, forget the courts, as all you'll do there is help an attorney with his house payment. I suggest you find someone local who can see the equipment. I like the local attorney acting as an escrow agent. If the seller just says you have to take his word, walk away. There's a lot of good used stuff on ebay.

 

[slash007]

Someone suggested to use escrow.com

I have never used them before, but seems like a good solution. Would save a trip down there, and if the equipment is as it should be, then the money is released. If not, I should be protected. Anyone used them before?