Am I being canvased?

--ki-- · 21 Feb 2006 at 10:49

Hi, I recently put my car up for sale on Autotrader for £6495 ono, now I have received a call today from supposedly a fiance company who are saying they are calling on behalf of a client who wants to buy my car and that as soon as the client has agreed to a sale will give me payment via cheque or bankers draft. Now heres where it seemed slightly iffy to me, they said I need to pay them a refundable £99.50 and that it would be payable back upon sale. My question is, is it normal to get a finance company to call you about offering their client finance to buy your car with you having no prior contact from the client, and then to charge you a suposedly refundable amount for this??

What makes it seem even more suspect is they are paying the asking price even thought I stated 'ono' surely people try to haggle a little.

merlin · 21 Feb 2006 at 10:51

It's a con.

Scottland · 21 Feb 2006 at 10:51

That sounds like BS to me. Don't do anything until you speak to the buyer at least.

--ki-- · 21 Feb 2006 at 10:53

oki cheers for the insight, seemed a lil too good to be true.

Firestar_3x · 21 Feb 2006 at 10:54

Sounds like a great deal to me.

I say take the money, they will also take away you wife and kids for a non refundable £5.99 down payment and £39.99 x 24month.

vanandjuanunited · 21 Feb 2006 at 10:55

How to lose £99.50 in 1 easy step. :eek:

Phantom · 21 Feb 2006 at 10:57

had this too - they claim to advertise and sell the car for you by making it available to a greater audience.. essentially theyre an extra middleman. id say give them a firm "no" - bleedin' money grabbers!

Rilot · 21 Feb 2006 at 11:34

I got about 2 of these per day when I was selling my bike. They are all a complete con.

merlin · 21 Feb 2006 at 11:40

The best thing about these people is the abuse you can give them. It makes the day worth living toying them along.

Next time they call - have some fun - tell them you dont have any keys, or a log book, the ignition barrel is smashed and so is the drivers window. Then swap the phone from one ear to the other complaining your knuckles hurt - I bet you they still say their client wants it.

Firestar_3x · 21 Feb 2006 at 11:49

Tell him the car has already been sold to another equally dodgy nigerian man........