buying a car long distance

[William Parker <parkerw@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

     Send the seller a paper you have written, which
essentially states something like the following, and have
him sign it and return it before sending your dough, any
more than a small down payment as good faith:

        "I ____________ am the legal owner of one 19__ Imperial,
VIN_____________, which I offered for auction on eBay. 
_______________ is the winning bidder and purchaser at
$_____.__.  I represent that I have a legal and transferable
title for this vehicle, and that upon receipt of the total
purchase price I will transfer both title and physical
custody of the vehicle to _______________.  Signed and
dated___________________"

  I'm not a lawyer, and of course the seller could refuse to
complete it, or refuse to honor it later, but I think having
something like this would help prod the seller into getting
it done, or maybe help later if you go to court.

   Our police department does take on investigations
involving ebay, where it appears that criminal fraud has
taken place by the seller; for example, the seller offered
something for sale that didn't exist, or we can otherwise
show that there was never intent to complete the
transaction.  We can't get involved however where it is
simply a disagreement as to condition, etc.


Bill Parker, South Central Indiana
'62 Plymouth Max Wedge; '64 Dart Convertible (Kathi's car);
'65 Imperial; '65 Barracuda \6 (Kathi's other car); '68 Hemi
Roadrunner; '68 Barracuda Fastback 340-S; '69 Barracuda
Fastback now 360 (20 y.o. son's car); '72 Cuda 340