Tips on buying car on eBay - I just won bid.

[JYO]

I just bought a CLK55 cab on ebay and haven't finalized the whole transaction. What is the best way to complete the sale financially? Is sending a cashier's check dumb? Seller has good feedback in selling other cars. I need advice soon. Thanks. p.s. The car has wood trim. Is this typical of a CLK55 - I thought I had read somewhere that it should have aluminum trim.

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[ZEEK]

i assume you bought a car out of state? If i did that, i would first call the dealer and get the name that they want the deposit check made to, and i wouldnt send a cashiers check, i would do a personal check, because most dealers dont have a problem with a personal check, and you can also chargeback a personal check i think. Cashiers check is like cash...

Btw, what is the link to your listing? i am looking for a clk55 too, how much did you pay for it? Good luck and take every step carefully, you dont wanna be disappointed later.

[Stiggs]

Originally Posted by JYO

I just bought a CLK55 cab on ebay and haven't finalized the whole transaction. What is the best way to complete the sale financially?

Is sending a cashier's check dumb? Seller has good feedback in selling other cars. I need advice soon. Thanks.

p.s. The car has wood trim. Is this typical of a CLK55 - I thought I had read somewhere that it should have aluminum trim.

I've seen them with wood. Mine has aluminum. Not sure if you had to special order the wood or not.

[jmf003]

I bought my car out of state. I flew to check out the car and brought the cashiers check with me. I personally wouldn't pay for a car sight unseen.

[IngenereAMG]

I have bought a number of cars off Ebay, as well as at a distance.

Obviously, the best thing you can do is go to the car. But if you can't, here are some tips.

Before I purchase a car, sight unseen, I have a PPI performed by an authorized dealer for the brand that I am purchasing. If the seller resists, there is probably a reason.

I have the owner fax me a copy of the title, or if a bank hold it, get the contact information for the bank, as I need to find out the pay off on the car, because I am going to pay off the car and pay the balance to the seller and make sure that the title is released to me.

If the car passes PPI, and I am satisfied as to who holds the title, I complete the transaction. If anything seems fishy, I walk.

I then arrange transportation, for either the car... or me. I love a long drive!

There is a start. If you follow a few precautions, buying a car at a distance can be fun... or it can be a disaster. PM me if you need any help.

[BENZITCH]

Originally Posted by IngenereAMG

I have bought a number of cars off Ebay, as well as at a distance.

Obviously, the best thing you can do is go to the car. But if you can't, here are some tips.

Before I purchase a car, sight unseen, I have a PPI performed by an authorized dealer for the brand that I am purchasing. If the seller resists, there is probably a reason.

I have the owner fax me a copy of the title, or if a bank hold it, get the contact information for the bank, as I need to find out the pay off on the car, because I am going to pay off the car and pay the balance to the seller and make sure that the title is released to me.

If the car passes PPI, and I am satisfied as to who holds the title, I complete the transaction. If anything seems fishy, I walk.

I then arrange transportation, for either the car... or me. I love a long drive!

There is a start. If you follow a few precautions, buying a car at a distance can be fun... or it can be a disaster. PM me if you need any help.

I've bought a few long distance buys.

Go and get the car make the payment in person. Pictures as well as people can be deciving.
GET THE PPI before any money exchanges hands and as well before the sale as a negotiating stick to either lower the price and or get out of the deal.

Always provide the back door for any car purchase, cause once someone has your money than ITS HARD TO GET IT BACK.

[JYO]

I wish I had asked this question beforehand. You've all given good advice. I guess a completed eBay auction is supposed to be binding and my inspection should have been done before auction end which I couldn't arrange.
I am in Dallas and car is in Cleveland. I wasn't planning to go to Cleveland.

That said I will probably just carry on with the financial end of things and follow the advice of getting title faxed to me, etc.

[Blk04cobra1]

I can check the original monroney label for if you want to send me the last 7 of the VIN. I cannot tell you anything else, but would be glad to give you the list of options it came with from the factory.

[BENZITCH]

Originally Posted by JYO

I wish I had asked this question beforehand. You've all given good advice. I guess a completed eBay auction is supposed to be binding and my inspection should have been done before auction end which I couldn't arrange.
I am in Dallas and car is in Cleveland. I wasn't planning to go to Cleveland.

That said I will probably just carry on with the financial end of things and follow the advice of getting title faxed to me, etc.

So thats like 2-3 days between getting there checking it out paying for it making sure the oil is changed calling ins company and driving it home?

I never get temp tags, just the plate on the car or one from my garage. Most cops understand when u show them the paper work.

[JYO]

ZEEK, here's the car if you want to see it. I talked to seller today and he will fax copy of clear title. Unfortunately I won't be able to do PPI.

On the surface everything seems OK with seller and car but we'll see once I get the car.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...K%3AMEWNX%3AIT

[Stiggs]

Car looks good. I hope everything works out for you.

[JYO]

Thanks - I'm hoping so too. As much as I like smooth V6s I'm really looking forward to hearing an AMG growl as I hit the pedal.

[JYO]

Seller asked for my SS# for titling paperwork along with my name and address of course. Is SS# really necessary?

[V12Godspeed]

Originally Posted by jmf003

I bought my car out of state. I flew to check out the car and brought the cashiers check with me. I personally wouldn't pay for a car sight unseen.

+1

[V12Godspeed]

Originally Posted by JYO

Seller asked for my SS# for titling paperwork along with my name and address of course. Is SS# really necessary?

Hells no. DO NOT GIVE YOUR SS#. There is no need for this.

[JYO]

Thx....I got by without giving SS#.

I made wire transfer just now for the balance and am crossing fingers. Car to be picked up by Magic Carpet Auto Transport Friday or SAturday and arrive in Dallas by the 18th or so.

[Chappy]

Enjoy the new ride!

[Stiggs]

Keep us updated!

[JYO]

will do.... still kind of nervous about the whole deal. almost seemed too good and why couldn't he sell it locally? it was listed 3 times on ebay before I bit.
anyway, i should get title by overnight mail on saturday and car to arrive next week.
BTW, how many AMGs did MB make of the W209s. I saw Chappy mention there were about 3300 of the W208s worldwide.
I'm guessing after MB totally bought out AMG the production numbers went up.

[fourml8r]

Originally Posted by JYO

will do.... still kind of nervous about the whole deal. almost seemed too good and why couldn't he sell it locally? it was listed 3 times on ebay before I bit.
anyway, i should get title by overnight mail on saturday and car to arrive next week.
BTW, how many AMGs did MB make of the W209s. I saw Chappy mention there were about 3300 of the W208s worldwide.
I'm guessing after MB totally bought out AMG the production numbers went up.

its on the AMG website:

CLK 55 AMG Coupe
2001 1343
2002 1467
2003 761
2004 509
2005 247
2006 None produced

CLK 55 AMG Cabriolet
2002 1340
2004 782
2005 662
2006 180

[agtman]

Bought mine through an e-bay listing also. Had to wire funds to the seller, receive title via fedex and car was freighted within a week. 04' CLK55 cab black/black with the alum trim & 48K miles. Brabus Wheels & new tires. Pd $23K for mine & shipping was $500.

[JYO]

Dave, the driver calls me this morning and says he will be in Dallas by 11am (he's a half day ahead of schedule!). I'm wrapping up an out of town cabin trip with the wife and kids so we high-tail it to get to town and meet him near my house where he's dropping off another car. My car is on the top rack and he lets me inspect the bottom. My untrained eye says it looks good and was glad to not see any oily areas like I have on bottom of my E.

he unloads the car carefully and we're all smiles. As I put the car in reverse I accidentally hit the keyless go and turn off engine. I can't turn it back on and am mildly panicked. I ask Dave how to turn it back on. His instructions don't work and we realize he still has my key! I'm now now glad I accidentally turned it off or he was going to be heading to Houston with my only key.

Kids (ages 9 and 7) insist on riding back home with me. Booster seat doesn't quite fit well but we manage. I get going and realize I've forgotten what the difference between upshift and downshift means as I hit the wrong paddle shifter button....engine goes Vrroooom and kids say "wow, did you hear that? Daddy go faster" I finally get my bearings after panicking again that the car's tranny doesn't know what it's doing. I figure out the shifting and as I do a quick lane change my son says "Man, it's just like a go kart!" Indeed.

We get home and pull into garage. I go back out a few minutes later to re-park the car so it won't accidentally gets scraped up when kids leave later. I park it better and before entering the house turn back to look at the car. When I enter the house my son asks me "Why do you have such a big smile?"


.........will continue

[Chappy]

Originally Posted by JYO

Dave, the driver calls me this morning and says he will be in Dallas by 11am (he's a half day ahead of schedule!). I'm wrapping up an out of town cabin trip with the wife and kids so we high-tail it to get to town and meet him near my house where he's dropping off another car. My car is on the top rack and he lets me inspect the bottom. My untrained eye says it looks good and was glad to not see any oily areas like I have on bottom of my E.

he unloads the car carefully and we're all smiles. As I put the car in reverse I accidentally hit the keyless go and turn off engine. I can't turn it back on and am mildly panicked. I ask Dave how to turn it back on. His instructions don't work and we realize he still has my key! I'm now now glad I accidentally turned it off or he was going to be heading to Houston with my only key.

Kids (ages 9 and 7) insist on riding back home with me. Booster seat doesn't quite fit well but we manage. I get going and realize I've forgotten what the difference between upshift and downshift means as I hit the wrong paddle shifter button....engine goes Vrroooom and kids say "wow, did you hear that? Daddy go faster" I finally get my bearings after panicking again that the car's tranny doesn't know what it's doing. I figure out the shifting and as I do a quick lane change my son says "Man, it's just like a go kart!" Indeed.

We get home and pull into garage. I go back out a few minutes later to re-park the car so it won't accidentally gets scraped up when kids leave later. I park it better and before entering the house turn back to look at the car. When I enter the house my son asks me "Why do you have such a big smile?"


.........will continue

Enjoy it!!

[Chappy]

Originally Posted by fourml8r

its on the AMG website:

CLK 55 AMG Coupe
2001 1343
2002 1467
2003 761
2004 509
2005 247
2006 None produced

CLK 55 AMG Cabriolet
2002 1340
2004 782
2005 662
2006 180

IIRC, the stats listed on the AMG Private Lounge are for vehicles sold in the U.S. only.

[iblaho]

Originally Posted by Blk04cobra1

I can check the original monroney label for if you want to send me the last 7 of the VIN. I cannot tell you anything else, but would be glad to give you the list of options it came with from the factory.

WDBRF52H07F874456
How about options for this VIN for a 2007 C230 Sport? Does it have Bi-Xenons? Thanks.