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Pre-Scam or is this for real? 2004 Prius under $5K

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by newbipri, Jul 30, 2007.

  1. newbipri

    newbipri New Member

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    Hi all: i put the meat of this note in another forum, but it might be too buried to get attention, so I'm putting it up in the middle of the forums.

    I'm a newbi and don't want to be completely scammed, if that is the case...so i thought I'd reach out to this community to 'weigh in.'

    I've driven a prius alot, as I've used a friends who goes out of town often. I've made several over-2 hour trips, and love the car.

    I live in NYC, don't really need a car, and can rent (yay zip car), but will need one in the near future. As such, I have been surfing around and found a used 2004 Prius online for, hold onto your hats, less than $5K. I suspect it will last me at least a few more years, and so it might be worth it to NOT get a new one right now.

    I've viewed the Carfax info that they supplied: no problem.

    The seller wants to sell via ebay Safe Pay Insurer, which apparantly means, that once bought," eBay Safe Pay Insurer is responsible to insure that both parties comply to transaction requirements, both parties must submit proof of payment/delivery presented in a legal form (payment/delivery receipt) by the registered payment/delivery service used. You will have to arrange the payment to a verified agent from eBay. Ebay holds the founds untill you receive the car and also test it. As soon as you complete the payment (whereby ebay holds onto the funds) ,the shipping will start using DAS Auto Shippers." she then wrote that DAS will take no more then 3 days to arrive at your home address.(She'll pay the shipping). The selleer then offers 10 days for inspection,during this time,if the vehicle isn't like i decribed...I can return and she'll handle the return shipping."

    Have any of you heard anything like this before? Am I running the risk of being scammed?
    I've put more info below in case you think not, but I'm ready to buy this if it seems like the 'real McCoy."

    THANKS!

    NEWBiPri

    The info is as follows. (though this might be less important.

    INTERIOR
    4-way adjustable cloth front bucket seats w/adjustable headrests
    Cloth 60/40 split fold-down rear bench seat w/fold-down center armrest & adjustable headrests for all seating positions
    Center console armrest w/storage area & dual front/rear cup holders
    Tilt steering wheel w/audio/climate controls
    Central instrument display-inc: digital speedometer, fuel gauge, shift-lever indicator, odometer w/twin tripmeters, warning lights
    Multi-information liquid crystal display panel w/energy monitoring, exterior temp, fuel consumption, climate control & audio status modes
    Pwr windows w/driver side auto up/down, jam protection & retained pwr feature
    Pwr door locks w/anti-lockout feature
    Electronic rear hatch locking system
    Remote keyless entry system w/2-stage unlocking, panic function, remote illuminated entry
    Cruise control
    Remote hood/fuel-filler door releases
    Anti-theft system w/engine immobilizer
    Electronic air conditioning w/auto climate control/humidity sensor/filtration
    HD electric rear window defroster w/timer
    AM/FM stereo radio w/CD player-inc: (6) speakers
    Digital quartz clock
    Dual compartment glove box
    Cloth-trimmed door panels w/storage pockets & front bottle holders
    Overhead console w/maplights
    Dual sun visors w/driver & passenger illuminated vanity mirrors
    Retractable front & rear passenger assist grips
    Front & rear dome lights
    Front seatback pockets
    Cargo area side panel & under floor storage


    MECHANICAL
    1.5L DOHC MPFI VVT-i 16-valve 4-cyl engine w/integrated permanent magnet synchronous electric motor
    Push button start
    Continuously variable transmission
    Traction control
    Front wheel drive
    Sport-tuned suspension
    Independent MacPherson strut front suspension w/stabilizer bar
    Torsion beam rear suspension w/stabilizer bar
    (4) P185/65R15 all-season tires
    Temporary spare tire
    (4) 15 x 6" aluminum alloy wheels
    Electronically assisted pwr steering
    Pwr ventilated front disc/rear drum brakes w/integrated regenerative brake system
    4-wheel anti-lock braking system
    11.9 gallon fuel tank


    SAFETY
    4-wheel anti-lock braking system
    Front driver/passenger airbags
    3-point seatbelts w/front pretensioners & force limiters
    Adjustable front seatbelt shoulder anchors
    Rear seat Child Restraint System/lower anchor points & top tether anchors
    Child protector rear door locks
    Traction control
    Side-impact door beams
    Front/rear energy absorbing crumple zones
    Internal trunk release handle

    MILES: 62,000
     
  2. Presto

    Presto Has his homepage set to PC

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    It would help to see an actual link of the auction. Is $5k the starting price or BUY IT NOW? At that price has the reserve already been met? If it's $5k BUY IT NOW (which I doubt), then it's probably too good to be true. If it's just started at $5k with reserve not met, then the final price will be higher than $5k.
     
  3. IsrAmeriPrius

    IsrAmeriPrius Progressive Member

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    If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. I smell a scam.
     
  4. duanelaugh

    duanelaugh New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(newbipri @ Jul 30 2007, 07:22 PM) [snapback]487673[/snapback]</div>


    Just looked and saw nothing like that on ebay!!
     
  5. newbipri

    newbipri New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Presto @ Jul 30 2007, 06:26 PM) [snapback]487674[/snapback]</div>

    There is NO auction. Just a 'buy it now' kind of thing on a car-buying site.
     
  6. Boo

    Boo Boola Boola Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(newbipri @ Jul 30 2007, 07:47 PM) [snapback]487685[/snapback]</div>
    This sounds too good to be true (although I don't know what the seller is representing as to the condition and history of the car). I'm betting that this is a SCAM --- under $5,000 for a car that should be worth around $10,000 more? FYI, the Kelley Blue Book value - private sale, for a 2004 Prius in NYC is $13,035 if it's in "fair" condition, $14,425 if it's in "Good" condition, and $15,460 if it's in "Excellent" condition.
     
  7. newbipri

    newbipri New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Boo @ Jul 30 2007, 07:14 PM) [snapback]487700[/snapback]</div>

    These are the pics:

    [attachmentid=10269] [attachmentid=10268] [attachmentid=10270] [attachmentid=10271]
     
  8. Barcelona Red Lass

    Barcelona Red Lass Sips gas like fine wine!

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    I take it the safe-pay is through Paypal, Ebay's payment service? Where is the seller and the car in relation to you, and is it close enough for you to go view it yourself?

    If it was Ebay and using their systems I'd say probably its ok, as long as the sellers feedback is good. But on another site, with no references/feedback, I'm more leery.
     
  9. IsrAmeriPrius

    IsrAmeriPrius Progressive Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(newbipri @ Jul 30 2007, 04:47 PM) [snapback]487685[/snapback]</div>
    Somehow, I highly doubt that eBay Safe Pay Insurer will guarantee a non eBay transaction.

    How far is the car from where you are? For such substantial savings it may be worth a trip to inspect it before you turn over any amount of money to a third party.
     
  10. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    If it's not some kinda scam it's a salvage. Run far, far away.
     
  11. Boo

    Boo Boola Boola Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(newbipri @ Jul 30 2007, 08:38 PM) [snapback]487717[/snapback]</div>
    Looks nice. But it still doesn't pass the smell test --- why else would someone sell a car for $5,000 if its ostensible value is $15,000? And wouldn't you think that if this was on the up and up that there would be literally hundreds of people locally (wherever the car is located) willing to have grabbed it by now? Personally, I wouldn't even put $10 at risk on this one, let alone $5,000.
     
  12. devprius

    devprius /dev/geek

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    This is most certainly a SCAM. There is no eBay SafePay Insurer that I have been able to find on the web. I have, however, found lots of horror stories related to someone buying something on eBay and using "SafePay" to pay for it and finding out they were scammed.

    Run, don't walk, away from this deal. Where is the car supposedly located?
     
  13. Neicy

    Neicy Member

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    One question I have is why does your profile have you owning a 2007 Pkg #9? I wasn't aware that New York had those!

    And if it's too good to be true IT ISN'T.
     
  14. Presto

    Presto Has his homepage set to PC

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    Shouldn't the upholstery color be the same for the seats and the carpet? Katrina Kar?

    Ebay Safepay Insurer aka Scam
     
  15. Boo

    Boo Boola Boola Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(richard schumacher @ Jul 30 2007, 08:55 PM) [snapback]487730[/snapback]</div>
    That's right. If it's salvage (a car that was flooded, underwatered, etc.), it's still a scam if the seller represents that it's not salvage. And even if the seller admitted that it's salvage, $5,000 is still too much. Run far, far away, and don't look back!
     
  16. newbipri

    newbipri New Member

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    You guys rock. Ok. I"ll run. I did ask the seller a couple of questions.
    i don't know why it says I'm an #7: i put down 2004 prius.

    I'll also call ebay and ask them about it.

    thanks.

    Maybe I'll flag it.

    The car is in TX or NV, and when i checked the shipping days it said it would take 14, not three.
    oh well.
    I'm going to be out in CO, but not in TX to check it out.

    Thanks.
     
  17. hampdenwireless

    hampdenwireless Active Member

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    Its not a salvage car, even a salvage car that looks like that and turns on and hits 65mph would be worth more then $5k even though I would not want it.

    The car does not exist or is someone elses. Its a scam, you send the $ and get nothing. The key is the paysafe is not even a real company. Ebay's company is paypal and they are not entirely safe but at least they are real.
     
  18. Boo

    Boo Boola Boola Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(newbipri @ Jul 30 2007, 09:25 PM) [snapback]487747[/snapback]</div>
    If you didn't previously click on Presto's "Ebay Safepay Insurer aka Scam" link that he posted above, you should.
     
  19. devprius

    devprius /dev/geek

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    BTW, SafePay Solutions is a real company in TX, but has a horrible reputation. They are not an escrow service company, however. Their FAQ states that they don't do third party transactions. They are more akin to Western Union. Once you send the money to them, you can pretty much count on kissing it good bye and not getting anything in return.

    How did you find out about this car for sale? Saw it on e-bay? Got a direct e-mail about it? Craigslist? Ad in the paper? If you have a web link for it, can you post it?
     
  20. Godiva

    Godiva AmeriKan Citizen

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    No way for under $5,000.

    Too good to be true.

    Either scam or salvage or both.

    I'd say avoid it.

    Ah, Romania. I just read this in yahoo news:

    "Romanian programmers, such as Pohontu's team, are among the most sought-after in the world as large international IT companies turn to the east European country to take advantage of strong computing and language skills coupled with cheap labor.

    Its computer literacy is not without its dark side -- the country has an unenviable reputation as a hotbed for computer fraud and a large community of hackers.

    But legitimate IT is one of Romania's fastest growing export sectors with turnover of about 1 billion euros ($1.38 billion).

    Roughly 90 percent of some 1,000 IT companies in Romania are foreign-owned and the government hopes exports will reach 1 billion euros in the next couple of years."

    "FBI data show Romania may be the biggest single source of online auction fraud in the world, a multi-million dollar industry that scams people using Web sites like eBay.

    "It's highly organized. They create fake accounts to trick people into thinking they are insured," said Gary Dickson, FBI representative in Romania."

    Romanians lighten up Harry Potter