Red flag, right off the bat, however, I had to see what this was all about. I contacted the seller asking (among other things) if the car was 50-state compliant (I'm in CA, the car is in NJ). After some back-and-forth. I asked that he forward me a photo of the emissions sticker. This was his response: "That's impossible because as I told you the car is at the shipping company sealed and ready to be shipped anywhere and I'm not in the States as you already know. I'm 90% sure it's a 50 state emissions certified, try to call DMV maybe then can help you and let me know what your intentions are because I have another guy interested in purchasing and I told him I will have to contact you first as you said you are interested. Hope to hear from you soon." I told him that I couldn't consider the car unless I knew for sure that it was 50-state compliant. If this isn't a scam, then I guess I missed out on an incredible deal. Here's a link to the Craigslist post: http://bakersfield.craigslist.org/cto/3109794121.html A Google search of the VIN shows the car for sale here for $159,000: http://www.globalautosports.com/car/2007-Ferrari-F430Berlinetta-Coupe-37772.html
It's shocking how many people are trying to scam car buyers over the internet. It's also shocking how many of these involve Ferrari cars. Do they think we have this much money to spend on a car because we're dumb? As you already know, run and run fast. But, by all means, congratulate the seller on finding a buyer willing to move forward. Kill 'em with kindness man.
My criteria for bridge salesmen is as follows: 1) If a craigslist ad, do they provide a phone? If no, then I assume it's a fraud 2) If the email is to a gmail acct., yahoo acct, or excite, then I'm suspicious. 3) If the phone number for the bridge starts with "1-900", I don't call 4) If hte phone number is anything other than the NY Transit comissioner for bridges, I assume a scam I don't think you missed out on too much. Smells fishy to me..
There are sadly usually more than a few scam ads for ferrari's here and there on the internet. Oddly the "way too good to be true" priced ads are usually with female names to call. This is the first one I've heard with a male to call to get fleeced.
What I find strange is that the seller doesn't think that someone willing to spend $86k on a vehicle isn't willing to travel to NJ to do a face-to-face transaction. Do it all through Google Checkout?... I don't think so. It seems to me that most people would prefer (and could afford travel) to conduct the transaction in person.
Never saw the car before I wired 175 K to the dealer. I'm sure these transactions happen all the time.
