sk187

Hi, im from the c5 forum but might be buying a 05 c6.

I just need some help because the seller is very fishy and selling way to cheap.

I was on ebay a few days ago browsing the c6's and came across a 05 for somthing like 14,500$. I assumed it was damaged or the guy put the wrong price on it. So I emailed him and asked if he ment 41,500 not 14,500. I told him if its 14,500$ I would take it right now.

He emailed me this back.

Hello,

Thank you for your interest in my vehicle. I want you to know that I have
closed my auction earlier because someone has offered me the buy it now
price, but didn't have all the money available and I cannot accept financing
because time is a real issue for me. The price I want to obtain for it is
$14,500 US (this price includes shipment and insurance charges).

My wife was recently promoted so we had to move in Greece. We brought the
car with us, wanting to register it here, but I couldn't because it is a US
vehicle and to get it registered here it will need serious engine
modifications in order to comply with the EU emission standards. So that is
why I prefer to sell it quick now and get rid of it while I still can,
because time is running and I can't keep it like that, there is a deadline
term when I must pay the import tax, so I can't afford to lose time and I
prefer to make some money while I still can.

The car is like new, completely working, 2341 miles, 2005 model, with 4
years EXTENDED, INTERNATIONAL and TRANSFERABLE warranty, which will be
honored at any dealer from there. It is US model with US specs and passed
the US test emissions. It is insured in case of damage and you will receive
it in 6-7 working days by Direct Auto Shippers at your home address. The
title is clear and you will register it in your state without problems. I
will send the car having written on it 'gift' so you won't have to pay any
additional taxes. It will come with all the papers (warranty, insurance etc.
...).

I am requesting a $7,250 refundable deposit prior shipping and the balance
to be paid after delivery and inspection. If you are not 100% content with
the car, you will ship it back on my expense to get your deposit back. I am
sure this will not happen, because it is a state of the art vehicle and you
will have no reason not to be content with it.

This is a large purchase and I would like to use a third party for this
transaction as I want a smooth and safe transaction. We will use Secure
Trade, I have completed a lot of successful deals using them. I have a
purchase protection account of $20,000 with them. If this is your first time
using Secure Trade here are their terms: if you will not receive the car
exactly as advertised or you won't receive it in 15 days since you made the
deposit, Secure Trade will refund you from my Secure Trade account.

If you agree with these terms, please send me your full name, home and
shipping address so I can register the transaction with Secure Trade asap

Regards,
Harry


---

WOW, this guy sounds legit, he wants to even use a third party for the deal! Well the problem in that is, what is "secure trade"?. I looked it up on google and it returns no results revelant to a 3rd party trading company. I have heard of "square trade" but never "secure trade" and again 14,500$ for a 05 c6 , come on.

I emailed him back and asked for him to fax me a copy of the title or get me the VIN and he seemed shocked I would even ask for that. He eventually emailed me back this VIN 1G1YY34U355126026. When I check it on carfax it shows

We found 0 record(s) for this vehicle
VIN: 1G1YY34U355126026
Year: 2005
Make: Chevrolet
Model: Corvette
Style/Body: 2 Door Convertible
Engine: 6.0L V8 SFI OHV
Country of Assembly: United States

Since there are no available history records for this vehicle, we recommend that you do not purchase the report. Please check back at a later date when information may be available.

----

Im not sure exactly what that carfax means , perhaps the car is just to new to have a record or maybe he just grabbed a VIN off a new car and that is why there is no record yet, because it had never been registered.

Im pretty sure this is a scam because of the price, the odd VIN, and the strage story about Europe but never the less I must investigate this incase for some reason he is legit.

He also sent me some pictures of the car attached below.

--

Im 90% sure this guy is a scam artist but I thought I would come here and get some opinions or maybe someone knows how to find out more with that VIN then I do. Oh, he also says the car has 2,373 miles.

Here are the pics

http://www.btnhboard.com/sk187/vette/1.jpg
http://www.btnhboard.com/sk187/vette/2.jpg
http://www.btnhboard.com/sk187/vette/3.jpg
http://www.btnhboard.com/sk187/vette/4.jpg
http://www.btnhboard.com/sk187/vette/5.jpg
http://www.btnhboard.com/sk187/vette/6.jpg

sk187

Im kinda hoping that some one says "wait thats my vette, he stole the pictures I posted" so that I know this is a complete scam and just leave it alone.

shopdog

Sounds like a varient of the Nigerian scam to me. They get your deposit, you get no car. Remember the old adage, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

famous1

It is a scam; I have seen this before, with motorcycles. They only want the deposit, after that you will never see your money or the corvette.

famous1

Another good reason to be on this forum. Where else can you get that kind of intell?

burtonbl103

farkin scammers
Call the fed s

sk187

Yeah there was no way I was going to just send him a deposite. I just didnt know if the VIN helps in anyway. Shouldnt the VIN show somthing since the car was registered and has 2,373 miles.


I should just ask the guy to take a picture standing in front of it.

*89x2*

Yep -

There are FEW deals out there on these cars and you will not be buying a legit car for 1/3rd the value - it is a scam!

Maybe if he had said 38k and a depost, it wouldn't raise such an eyebrow

$14,500, LOL!

*89x2*

Do what the guy did in off topic (to the scammer)


When you ask for the picture - get him to hold a glass of milk, cheese, and put a fish on his head

sk187

I was thinking that to , why would you sell the car at such a low price even if you were scamming. He could go 30,000-40000 and it would look like a good deal but not outragious.


Also he says he is in Europe I believe and those pictures look like america to me.

sk187

Ha, I saw those perhaps I will have to try it.

*89x2*

(southern) bull pines and the Chevy Avalanche are the dead giveaways

...wait - That's MY house!

warthog34

total scam, why would the guy sell it for $14,500 when he could sell it for $24,500 or $34,500 just as quick since all those prices are waaaaaaaaaay below anything that car should sell for.

6speedC6

I'll take Two!!!!!!!!!

Jay13

A definite and known scam. I hope this doesn't violate the Users Agreement, but here is the best story ever about someone who turned the tables on some Nigerian scammers. Its long, but very satisfying to read. Wendy Wilcox

ProfMoriarty

What, the guy doesn't know ANYONE in the States who can sell the car for him at a decent price and send him the loot?

StanNH

The actual scam is this:

I am requesting a $7,250 refundable deposit prior shipping and the balance to be paid after delivery and inspection.

Those funds will typically be requested via Western Union, which is as good as sending cash. The asking price of the car is irrelevant since no car will be delivered, therefore the full amount will never be paid. Your deposit is what he's after. You will never hear from this guy again once your deposit is in his hands.

Caveat Emptor.

sjreeh

I've seen this same ad twice in the last two weeks. I reported it to Ebay and they took care of it. Someone is hacking into legit ebay accounts with high & positive feedback, and then using the account to scam people. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

benspruce

SCAM, SCAM, SCAM. There was something similar on ebay for a 60 vette. I contacted ebay and they said "Do not send any money". Almost immediately the item disappeared. Anything in a foreign country should raise about a million red flags.

jkonkle

My vin is 25854 and this guy's is 26026 - that's shortly after mine was built. Which would have been in Late May/June. His should have been built after that - ask him when he took delivery of it!

It also has a powertop - something that was on constraint for quite a while.

Hope that helps!!

JK