Going to Chicago to pick up a car, need info on meeting places | FerrariChat

Going to Chicago to pick up a car, need info on meeting places

Discussion in 'Chicago' started by Ike, Oct 4, 2004.

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  1. Ike

    Ike F1 Rookie

    Nov 4, 2003
    3,543
    I will be flying into midway airport on Thurday.
    I am buying a used Jaguar that I found on e-bay.

    The seller was going to pick me up at the airport but now he is telling me he won't be able to and is suggesting we meet at a restaurant or something. He lives in Aurora.

    I am trying to find some good, safe locations that I can suggest to meet. I am a bit concerned about areas that I do not know.


    Thanks for any info
     
  2. caps8419

    caps8419 Karting

    Aug 20, 2004
    176
    Thousand Oaks, CA
    Full Name:
    michael
    um aurora is a western suburb of chicago. nothing really happens there compared to the city itself. um if your really concerned meet at a mall or something.
    mike
     
  3. Tod328gts

    Tod328gts Formula Junior

    Jul 23, 2003
    626
    River Forest, IL
    Full Name:
    Tod Whitmore
    Oakbrook or Lombard is about half way from Midway and Aurora. There are plenty of resraunts and places to meet. Safe location too....

    It's between I-294 and I-355 on I-88.....

    From Midway, take I-55 south to I-294 North to I-88 west....
     
  4. spike308

    spike308 F1 Rookie
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Nov 8, 2003
    4,714
    Austin TX!
    Full Name:
    Mike Z
    Oakbrook shopping center would be good... it is huge, hard to miss, lots of restaurants, plus he/she will have to drive it to Oakbrook, ensuring that it actually runs!
    Its pretty close to O'Hare, kind of a drive from Aurora...
     
  5. Erik330

    Erik330 Formula Junior

    May 8, 2004
    711
    Ohio
    Hmm, why are alarm bells ringing gently? Are you arriving with the money to pay for the car?

    I'd insist that the guy either pick you up or give you directions to his house and you take a cab there.

    Just me, but this seems funny.
     
  6. yasir

    yasir Formula Junior

    Nov 5, 2003
    352
    Take a cab and meet him at his place or the deal is off,sounds fishy any way.
     
  7. LetsJet

    LetsJet F1 Veteran
    Owner

    May 24, 2004
    9,334
    DC/LA/Paris/Haleiwa
    Full Name:
    Mr.
    I would not do this "meeting place" either.

    I suggest a bank. His or yours if your bank has banking in his state............
     
  8. Ike

    Ike F1 Rookie

    Nov 4, 2003
    3,543
    I am waiting for him to call me to try and make plans.

    I have a reservation at Hotel Monaco in Chicago. I was planning on having him meet me there. He is not going to be available until 10:00 pm and will not be able to come into the city. He is asking me to take a cab out to Aurora.

    I will suggest the Oakbrook area or his home in Aurora.

    I will have about 3 hours to kill before trying to meet him. I am wanting to go eat at Italian Village in Chicago. If anyone wants to grab some food with me let me know.

    Could someone suggest a cab service.

    Thanks again for the adivce
     
  9. FerrariFrank1

    FerrariFrank1 F1 Rookie

    Aug 15, 2003
    3,887
    Chicago-Phoenix-L.A.
    Full Name:
    Frank
    I would Not meet anyone at 10:00PM to see a car. I would want to see it in the Light,for one thing. Let alone in a City where I was totally unfamiliar.

    No,I wouldn't go out there,or anywhere,really,at 10:00PM to see a car,thats for sure. This sounds way too fishy to me...."Meet a guy out in Aurora at 10:00PM" Especially,if you are coming in from Out of Town. Where did you see this car adverstised For Sale? E-Bay? Do you know anything about the Car? The "Seller"? Does E-bay? Meeting someone at a Parking Lot at 10:00PM...I really don't think that it's a good idea. And,believe me,I'm not one that gets spooked very easily....But,this just doesn't seem to jibe,IMO....Good Luck.

    I'd tell him that you'd prefer to meet somewhere in the day,so that you can really check out the Car in the Light. And,as was already mentioned. Somewhere like his bank would be a good idea,(Not on Sunday,though...Closed)
     
  10. Ike

    Ike F1 Rookie

    Nov 4, 2003
    3,543
    Yeah. I just cancelled my reservation at the hotel.

    He had wanted me to pay him through his attorney so he didn't have to pay taxes on the amount.

    I did some checking and the name he gave me as his attroney is his next door neighbor and from what I can tell the guy is a civil engineer and not a lawyer.

    I found the car on e-bay. item number:
    2491010175

    I tried to send him the $2500.00 deposit and then he said to just send him $800 and i would pay the balance through his "attorney"

    Now he wants all cash. And cannot meet during the day.

    I jumped on this car b/c it is the color combo i want and the price was pretty good. I'm starting to regret getting into this.
     
  11. Ike

    Ike F1 Rookie

    Nov 4, 2003
    3,543
    Well. I just talked to the guy. He will be able to meet me tomorrow evening in Naperville and will take a cashier's check.

    I will be staying in Naperville overnight. I am still going to try and make it to that restaurant in Chicago if anyone wants to head over there for dinner you are welcome to join me.
     
  12. Darolls

    Darolls F1 Veteran
    BANNED

    Jul 2, 2003
    7,782
    Full Name:
    Sparky
    Ike-

    I hope all goes well, the whole thing just sounds fishy.
     
  13. Ike

    Ike F1 Rookie

    Nov 4, 2003
    3,543
    After talking to the guy for a while I feel better about it but still have some concerns. I've got a lot of info on this guy and his friend that I passed along to a few people in case I don't make it back. Since I am giving him a cashier's check from my bank there will be a paper trail. From what I can tell he has a lot to lose, I don't think he will try to scam me out of eight grand.

    I was hoping to be able to hang out in Chicago on Thursday but it looks like I'll have to head back down here pretty early.

    Thanks again for all the advice offered.
     
  14. tfazio

    tfazio Formula 3
    Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 20, 2004
    1,983
    Michigan
    You already caught the seller in a lie when he told he wanted his lawyer to handle the transaction which was really just his friend. You should walk away from the deal ASAP. If the guy does show up tonight and actually has the car I bet he will tell you he forgot the title. You can find good used XJ's at dealers for around the same $ amount and I bet they will even let you see the car in the daylight. My point is that this deal isn't worth the risk. This guy really doesn't want you to see the car in the day time for some reason. Have you run a carfax on the car? Not always the most reliable reports but running one wouldn't hurt.
     
  15. spike308

    spike308 F1 Rookie
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Nov 8, 2003
    4,714
    Austin TX!
    Full Name:
    Mike Z
    I hope you Carfaxed the VIN.
    Is the title good? Names match up?
    I bought my 308 sight unseen... it was PPI'd at F of Denver... they still missed some very specific things I asked about. Check her out in daylight!
     
  16. Erik330

    Erik330 Formula Junior

    May 8, 2004
    711
    Ohio
    I can't wait to hear the ending to this story. Only hope that no one gets hurt.
     
  17. tfazio

    tfazio Formula 3
    Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 20, 2004
    1,983
    Michigan
    Where's Ike? We haven't heard from him in a couple of days. I hope he is OK.
     
  18. LetsJet

    LetsJet F1 Veteran
    Owner

    May 24, 2004
    9,334
    DC/LA/Paris/Haleiwa
    Full Name:
    Mr.
    Probably driving?
     
  19. Ike

    Ike F1 Rookie

    Nov 4, 2003
    3,543
    Just got back. I rushed out of the house and forgot my laptop.

    He picked me up at my hotel and we went to a nearby restaurant where he had a table waiting. The car was there. We went over the car and records he had for the car. We signed copies of the Title. He was supposed to FedEx me the Title yesterday morning after he cashed the check. I got home today and there was no FedEx envelope waiting. I'm going to send him an e-mail and see whats going on with that.

    The car is great I drove it at triple-digit speeds almost the entire way with no problems. The car has a few minor things wrong with it that I will have taken care of soon. For a large car it handles pretty well. Feels like a much smaller car.

    I was hoping to get into the city for a little while but needed to get back soon.

    You guys have tons of toll booths.
     
  20. tfazio

    tfazio Formula 3
    Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 20, 2004
    1,983
    Michigan
    Ike,

    I am glad you got back safely and you like the car. I got to drive a few XJ6's when the first came out in 95 and I really enjoyed them too. I hope you get the title. I feel better that you saw title but he should have given it to you if you gave him a Cashiers check. Let us know if you do not get the title. In the meantime enjoy your car.
     

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