[nickr519]

Hi, my names nick and I'm new to the forum (although I have been browsing it for quite a while haha). I live in the Phoenix, AZ area and I have been in the market for an 6mt e46 m3 coupe for a little while. I have been scoping out the phoenix craigslist and have test driven a few m3's I have found (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QB-Y1KpBFmU). Recently, I have made a shocking discovery on craigslist, one that I am ALMOST certain is too good to be true.

Someone was offering a quote unquote Clean 2003 M3 convertible... for 7500 dollars. Yes, $7500. Naturally, I sent him a shocked email, asking if it was really true. This is our conversation from that point on:

Him:

Hello there and thanks for your interest,
The car is in perfect working condition.It has no scratches on and hasn't been involved in an accident, no rust.
The motor runs very well.The car was always garaged and never been smoked in.The interior is very clean.Also I want you to know that the car is fully paid off, it's not under leasing or bank liabilities.I am sorry to sell the car for $7,500 but my wife has serious health problems and I need the money to save her life.My wife is very sick and I want to tell you that I am not selling this car for profit.I sell the car to help my wife.I hope to find a buyer as soon as possible.I attached some pics for you.If you have any further question please do not hesitate to ask in order to make this a successful deal.
Best Regards
2003 BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE
Mileage: 34,351
Exterior Color: White
Interior Color: Grey
Transmission: 6 SPD MANUAL
Engine: 6 Cylinders
2003 BMW M3 Convertible, Soft Top, 6 Cylinder, Manual 6 Speed, Power Windows, Locks, Seats, Roof, Mirrors, A/C, Cruise Control, Anti-Lock brakes,
CD Player, Harmon-Kardon Sound System W/ Sub woofer, Keyless Entry, Alarm System, Fog Lights, Memory Seats, Bucket Seats, Driver/Passenger Air Bags,
2WD, 2 Doors, Rear Window Defroster, Wiper, Tinted Glass, 19" Alloy Wheels, Aluminum "M" Pedal Set, Rear Spoiler, Car Cover, Non-smoker. Mint condition!
All Original Manuals, Never Raced, Very Pampered, Rain Sensor, Xenon Lights,Navigation, 2 Sets of Tv's in the back
(This was followed by the pictures I have attached)

Me:

This car looks amazing! I showed my dad everything and he barely believes his eyes, similar to my reaction, and he wants me to follow up with you immediately. (I happen to be the car expert between the two of us). Is there any way you could take a picture of the placard located inside the door which contains the VIN number? My dad wanted to run a carfax like he has with all the other m3’s we’ve looked at together. By the way, my cell phone number is xxx-xxxx – feel free to contact me (Nick) if it is easier for you than using email. Also, where in the area are you located?

Him:

Hello there and thank you for comming back,
First off all I want to tell you the car is located in North Bergen, NJ.The sale price is $7,500.00 with shipping/handling included.
The car will be delivered to your address in no more than 5-6 working days.You will be given a 5 days inspection period from the day you receive the car at home.
I´ll like to use an eBay service, so we'll be both protected. No money first to me, i will receive money after you will receive the car.The transaction will be made under
eBay's buyer protection plan. Since this deal will be made using a THIRD PARTY to help us closing this deal, I prefer honnest buyers.
Please let me know if you have the funds available and wish to explain you the payment and shipping process.
Thank you
To view the CARFAX Vehicle History Report, please click the link below:
2003 BMW M3 (WBSBR93423PK03705)

Okay, so nearly everything he has said has pointed me in the scam direction for this. But i figured I would consult the fanatics for a little bit of help. Thanks in advance guys, ill keep it updated.

 

[prashil]

ask him why he is selling it so low? Just cause you need the money for something doesn't mean you will sell it for A LOT less than what it worth. I can see if he is selling it 10% under Blue book value, but that is insane. If it's too good to be true, It usually is.

 

[///BMW5]

ask him why he is selling it so low? Just cause you need the money for something doesn't mean you will sell it for A LOT less than what it worth. I can see if he is selling it 10% under Blue book value, but that is insane. If it's too good to be true, It usually is.

+1 walk away...just walk away

 

[nickr519]

ask him why he is selling it so low? Just cause you need the money for something doesn't mean you will sell it for A LOT less than what it worth. I can see if he is selling it 10% under Blue book value, but that is insane. If it's too good to be true, It usually is.

Thats exactly what I was thinking, I almost just ignored the ad. But, then I just felt like i needed to follow up because of the ridiculousness. And I sort of did, thats when he said that his wife was ill and he needed the money to save her life. That part rubbed me the wrong way, although that is unfortunate if it's true.

 

[nickr519]

+1 walk away...just walk away

Yeah don't worry, that's my 99% for sure my decision. At this point, I just want to figure this mystery out.

 

[sogood]

did you even have to make this thread? its obviously a scam. But im not too far from north bergen tell him you have a relative in the area who will come pick it up for you

 

[prashil]

IF there is a scam, it is somewhere in the ebay service...that's for sure. If you really must get to the bottom of it, I suggest you go through how that service works with a FINE tooth comb. I guarantee the scam has something to do with ebay.

 

[nasrudin]

smells like a scam. Not sure if you get any legit assurances by going though ebay, you should ask him for more details on how intends to do the transaction.

 

[prashil]

my gut feeling on this is that the car is stolen, yet not reported to the police. Say for example, he knows the owners are on vacation, so it must be sold before they get back. He sells it quick through phony documents, owner reports it stolen, seller takes off with the money, buyer gets screwed.

 

[nickr519]

did you even have to make this thread? its obviously a scam. But im not too far from north bergen tell him you have a relative in the area who will come pick it up for you

Sorry man , like I said I've been in the market for a while, I know bmws very well, and I know a scam when I see one. I just figured I'd post since I'm new and it would be better than "Hey i'm nick i like bmws and im awesome etc etc."

In any case, I'll tell him that I have a relative who will come look at the car and get back to you with what he says.

 

[GermanMuscle]

somebody in nj close to this gay should contact him and see if hed let them come check it out, drive it etc.

 

[GermanMuscle]

guy*

 

[nickr519]

IF there is a scam, it is somewhere in the ebay service...that's for sure. If you really must get to the bottom of it, I suggest you go through how that service works with a FINE tooth comb. I guarantee the scam has something to do with ebay.

yeah it wouldn't surprise me at all, nor would it be the first time someone tried to scam me through ebay.

smells like a scam. Not sure if you get any legit assurances by going though ebay, you should ask him for more details on how intends to do the transaction.

Yeah I just asked, will post.

my gut feeling on this is that the car is stolen, yet not reported to the police. Say for example, he knows the owners are on vacation, so it must be sold before they get back. He sells it quick through phony documents, owner reports it stolen, seller takes off with the money, buyer gets screwed.

I thought about that too.. God what a horrible thing to be caught up in.

 

[Safar]

And the tragedy of it all could be that: he is legit, and figured he could get rid of the car quick by selling it at a ridiculous price. But because everyone thinks it's a scam because of that, nobody buys it and he can't get the money to help his wife

 

[eas]

Totally a scam. Don't even waste your time with it.

Anthony @ eas

 

[Poofyo101]

^^so obvious
move on

 

[gav981]

If you actually want this car and by some chance this crazy price is real, then **** shipping it, drive it back.

Insist on speaking with him on the phone, say that you've got cash in hand, then say you'll fly over and make the deal in person.

You've got nothing to lose by doing this, I just bought a car out of Phoenix actually and drove it all the way back to Spokane, WA.

I got a fantastic deal and to be honest was slightly skeptical because of that, but when I told him I wanted to fly down, make the deal in person, and drive it back, he was fine with it. This would scare off any scammer, and at the same time excite someone who actually wants to get the car sold.

Do this, it's the only way to know for sure what the story is here, and damn...if that price is real then you've got money to blow on a sweet roadtrip that's gonna be a load of fun.

 

[haplo_84]

I would definately have someone look at the car in the area to see if its real first, if it is then you could just get a really good freaking deal. But honestly it sounds kinda fishy.

 

[invictus]

this is a scam

 

[theprizefight]

haha, so so so obvious this is a scam.

references to ebay + shipping/handling = automatic scam. always. no exceptions.