Some advice on buying.

[grannyknot]

No FJ content!
Just about to buy a 73 Alfa Romeo from a guy in the States (I'm in Canada) won't bore you with the details unless you want to hear them, but I want to get the money to him quickly so no one else can scoop it before me.
I'm pretty sure it's not a scam but who knows these days, so I want to protect myself and have some kind of record of the transaction but don't want to appear to be a scammer with the all the demands they make and have him drop me cause it looks too complicated.
What's the best way these days, bank transfer, wire the money, Paypal? I hate to do Paypal cause with the amount of the asking price they are going to want my bank account info and I really don't want to give out that kind of info unless I really have too.
Thanks,
Chris

[FJmonkey]

No FJ content!
Just about to buy a 73 Alfa Romeo from a guy in the States (I'm in Canada) won't bore you with the details unless you want to hear them, but I want to get the money to him quickly so no one else can scoop it before me.
I'm pretty sure it's not a scam but who knows these days, so I want to protect myself and have some kind of record of the transaction but don't want to appear to be a scammer with the all the demands they make and have him drop me cause it looks too complicated.
What's the best way these days, bank transfer, wire the money, Paypal? I hate to do Paypal cause with the amount of the asking price they are going to want my bank account info and I really don't want to give out that kind of info unless I really have too.
Thanks,
Chris

Sounds like you need a friend in the states that can take delivery and hold it for you. Then the money transfer thing is less complicated. I don't have any other ideas so I will let others chime in if they do.

[ribbert]

No FJ content!
Just about to buy a 73 Alfa Romeo from a guy in the States (I'm in Canada) won't bore you with the details unless you want to hear them, but I want to get the money to him quickly so no one else can scoop it before me.
I'm pretty sure it's not a scam but who knows these days, so I want to protect myself and have some kind of record of the transaction but don't want to appear to be a scammer with the all the demands they make and have him drop me cause it looks too complicated.
What's the best way these days, bank transfer, wire the money, Paypal? I hate to do Paypal cause with the amount of the asking price they are going to want my bank account info and I really don't want to give out that kind of info unless I really have too.
Thanks,
Chris

Whoa........, buying a car sight unseen?, (an old Alfa of all things), too good a deal to miss out on?, only PRETTY sure it's not a scam?, worried he'll drop you if "it looks to complicated" ie. you having some comeback and protection?, has another buyer waiting?, prepared to send money to someone you don't know, for a car you've never seen, in another country? and you're worried he'll think YOUR a scammer! Even if this isn't a scam it would be extremely unwise and classic Alfas aren't so rare that you'd take that chance.  Remember, when it comes to the vehicle description, he is selling it. A record of the transfer is worthless if you've already sent him the money and the guy's a crook. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is, and why would it it still be for sale?
Given you've put this up here for advice, here's mine - DON'T

[grannyknot]

Noel, those are wise words... thinking.
I found this site,https://www.escrow.com/index.asp   looks legit

[ribbert]

Noel, those are wise words... thinking.
I found this site,https://www.escrow.com/index.asp   looks legit

Even if you have the fraud angle covered it still worries me buying an old Alfa sight unseen. I spent many years in European only workshops and while I like Alfas, they share first place with old Jags for being money pits if you end up with a dog. I don't know your level of car knowledge but would suggest a '73 Alfa needs more than a cursory look. As you probably know, it generally costs much much more to bring a rough one up to scratch than it does to buy a good one.
Noel

[axiom-r]

Chris- why not send a reasonable deposit via Paypal to secure the deal?  This protects the bulk of your money and if its a scam Paypal will refund you.  Seller gets the fees so unless they make it a problem don't even bring it up....  Then have someone closer look at the car.

$500 bucks deposit?  I have sold some cars into Canada (vintage VW's) and I always did it this way.  Once the VW dealer did the inspect and another time it was just some guy- a mechanic the guy hired....

Good Luck!

tim

[grannyknot]

[quote  As you probably know, it generally costs much much more to bring a rough one up to scratch than it does to buy a good one.
Noel
[/quote]
But that's the fun part! Generally, once it's finished I lose interest.

[neo297]

Just wondering if you ever got that alfa? and what model I have an '87 quad it is a blast and working on it is half the fun. If you have not been before go to Alfabb.com you can get answers to any Alfa questions there.

[grannyknot]

No I never did buy it, just too far away. I am looking at a 1970 Datsun 240z at the moment that is just a few miles away. A small block 302 would fit nicely in that engine bay.

[Harvy]

No I never did buy it, just too far away. I am looking at a 1970 Datsun 240z at the moment that is just a few miles away. A small block 302 would fit nicely in that engine bay.

AS does an RB25 turbo - with a lot more horses than a 302.

Harvy

[CanDman]

Chris- why not send a reasonable deposit via Paypal to secure the deal?  This protects the bulk of your money and if its a scam Paypal will refund you.  Seller gets the fees so unless they make it a problem don't even bring it up....  Then have someone closer look at the car.

$500 bucks deposit?  I have sold some cars into Canada (vintage VW's) and I always did it this way.  Once the VW dealer did the inspect and another time it was just some guy- a mechanic the guy hired....

Good Luck!

tim

Hey Chris....I agree with Tim.....Paypal is your safest bet!! The seller has to send an invoice to your account and then you pay the invoice.....if anything goes south with the deal, paypal will give you your money back. I have had a paypal account for a few years and I have never been burnt....and when someone tried to....I was quickly reinbursed. Do not use western union or bank transfers........you can get it up the chute....big time.Kev 

[Flynt]

a 1970 Datsun 240z  - with a lot more horses...

Finally a topic I know something about!

Either go for a '75 or '76 280z for this conversion (either 302 or RB) or plan on a $3,500 V8 frame kit to make the car capable of controlling that much torque.  I have a TWM injected 3 liter in my '72 and the chassis winds up with my puny torque, so the even more frail '70 is no match for that kind of power...  makes them downright scary to drive.  You will need a couple grand in clutch/tranny/differential work to handle this power, so put that money aside.  

The "good" 280z model ('75/'76) are much improved in stiffness and benefit from a little more weight, esp in the rear for a conversion to big power.  They also have nice AC built in and are much quieter, depending on where you want to end up.  Do a clean V8 in one of these cheaply and you'll be delighted with the results.   

Frank

PS - polished my mad posting skills a bit...

[grannyknot]

Harvey, the RB25T is a great engine from what I've heard but I know Fords inside out (a painful and expensive education).

Frank, those are good tips and I have a very loose plan in mind to do just what you suggest.
The /70 I'm looking at is a very early production car and with a bit of work could be brought back to pristine , then sell it and finance the "Z8" I'd like to build using a 75-76 280 body.
I have previously built a 74 Triumph TR6 with full mustang driveline and it was a blast to drive. But I had to rebuild the frame to deal with the twist. I'll see if I can post a pic of of my inspiration.