I think I dodged a bullet...

DJO · 5th May 2024, 20:36

Well today gave me a strange experience on the way to owning a ZT again...

Was watching one on eBay, and had been talking with the owner and all seemed good. Until today when in an idle moment I browsed Facebook marketplace. There I see the same car, same advert words same reg number being advertised by someone else.

Obviously a scam right? How come this Facebook advert had a completely different set of photos to the eBay ad?

Something fishy going there! I think I am gonna stop looking, too many scammers about.

macafee2 · 5th May 2024, 21:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJO

Well today gave me a strange experience on the way to owning a ZT again...

Was watching one on eBay, and had been talking with the owner and all seemed good. Until today when in an idle moment I browsed Facebook marketplace. There I see the same car, same advert words same reg number being advertised by someone else.

Obviously a scam right? How come this Facebook advert had a completely different set of photos to the eBay ad?

Something fishy going there! I think I am gonna stop looking, too many scammers about.

can you report the adverts?

macafee2

FLYING BANANA · 5th May 2024, 21:07

It’s easy to photoshop photos these days. You had a lucky escape it seems.

DJO · 5th May 2024, 21:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by macafee2

can you report the adverts?

macafee2

I did, the eBay one was probably too close to the end and funnily enough, the Facebook one is now also claiming the car is sold.

Maybe they were genuine, but the car cannot be in two different counties at the same time!

maninthestreet · 5th May 2024, 21:40

I've recently been through the process of purchasing a Rover 75. The golden rule is never, ever buy any car without seeing it in person so you can press the metal. Any scammer will refuse a request to inspect the car in person, making up excuses as to why you can't visit to see it.

Rich in Vancouver · 5th May 2024, 23:37

I have bought more than one MG from overseas.
The secret is getting a personal recommendation from
someone who knows the seller.
I have bought two cars sight unseen other than photos from MG club executive members and both went flawlessly. Both were very helpful co-ordinating with the shipping companies.

mgzrjake · 6th May 2024, 07:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJO

Well today gave me a strange experience on the way to owning a ZT again...

Was watching one on eBay, and had been talking with the owner and all seemed good. Until today when in an idle moment I browsed Facebook marketplace. There I see the same car, same advert words same reg number being advertised by someone else.

Obviously a scam right? How come this Facebook advert had a completely different set of photos to the eBay ad?

Something fishy going there! I think I am gonna stop looking, too many scammers about.

Can you provide the information for said vehicle so others don’t fall into the trap you avoided 👍

Jt

Matt_75 · 6th May 2024, 07:25

There are a lot of scammers about unfortunately. In this example, it could be a situation where the eBay seller (trying to make a fast buck) bought it from the Facebook seller who's not yet taken their advert down. You could use the government's website to see when a V5 (logbook) was last issued: https://vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk/

This isn't a fool proof method though. If the eBay seller is registered as a trader, a new logbook won't have been issued.

DJO · 6th May 2024, 09:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgzrjake

Can you provide the information for said vehicle so others don’t fall into the trap you avoided ��

Jt

The car is still advertised on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1040...5377661790708/

It sold for £1220 on eBay. The eBay seller did invite me over to view the car as he lives closer to me than the Facebook ad says the car is located.

This is the eBay link: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/204768985...mis&media=COPY

What I don't get is that the Facebook advert has more detailed pictures than the eBay advert, such as the engine. Words are the same.

Costa Fortuna · 6th May 2024, 13:05

Ebayer invited you to their home address - from that you can look at the V5 and any other paperwork relevant, drive the thing and inspect it. Ask seller for proof of address (rates bill, water ditto) if he's kosher he won't mind. Ask him how he got the car and how long he's had it and why he's selling it.

If he wanted to meet up at Hilton Park M6 northbound at 03.30 hrs - now THAT would be fishy.

Shame, it's looks at initial pics and description a nice car.

I don't do Facecloth so I don't know if one is invited for a drive or not - it could be a relly or mate has listed it there for the seller for exposure.

5th May 2024, 20:36	#1
DJO Avid contributor Vauxhall Zafira Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Haywards Heath, West Sussex Posts: 241 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I think I dodged a bullet... Well today gave me a strange experience on the way to owning a ZT again... Was watching one on eBay, and had been talking with the owner and all seemed good. Until today when in an idle moment I browsed Facebook marketplace. There I see the same car, same advert words same reg number being advertised by someone else. Obviously a scam right? How come this Facebook advert had a completely different set of photos to the eBay ad? Something fishy going there! I think I am gonna stop looking, too many scammers about.

5th May 2024, 21:07	#3
FLYING BANANA Moderator/Club Shop MG ZT 1.8t+. No.3 of 4 in Sunspot Yellow & Ford Fiesta in Black. Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Rattler Farm Posts: 22,608 Thanks: 9,270 Thanked 15,645 Times in 6,806 Posts	It’s easy to photoshop photos these days. You had a lucky escape it seems. __________________ 233,650. onen hag oll

5th May 2024, 21:40	#5
maninthestreet Newbie Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Mar 2024 Location: Reading Posts: 12 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I've recently been through the process of purchasing a Rover 75. The golden rule is never, ever buy any car without seeing it in person so you can press the metal. Any scammer will refuse a request to inspect the car in person, making up excuses as to why you can't visit to see it. __________________ 2001 Rover 75 1.8 Club SE, Moonstone Green, with Ash Grey/Light Smokestone Interior

5th May 2024, 23:37	#6
Rich in Vancouver Gets stuck in MG ZT-T Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: White Rock, BC on Canada's Pacific Coast Posts: 860 Thanks: 338 Thanked 367 Times in 210 Posts	I have bought more than one MG from overseas. The secret is getting a personal recommendation from someone who knows the seller. I have bought two cars sight unseen other than photos from MG club executive members and both went flawlessly. Both were very helpful co-ordinating with the shipping companies. __________________ ZT-T190, Anthracite, LHD, Left the Line on June 24, 2002, Sold new in Switzerland, spent time in Germany, Imported to Canada in September 2021

6th May 2024, 07:25	#8
Matt_75 Gets stuck in 75 Saloon Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: North Somerset Posts: 573 Thanks: 13 Thanked 20 Times in 8 Posts	There are a lot of scammers about unfortunately. In this example, it could be a situation where the eBay seller (trying to make a fast buck) bought it from the Facebook seller who's not yet taken their advert down. You could use the government's website to see when a V5 (logbook) was last issued: https://vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk/ This isn't a fool proof method though. If the eBay seller is registered as a trader, a new logbook won't have been issued. __________________ Matt 2001 Rover 75 Connoisseur SE 2.5 (BRG) 1999 Rover 75 Club 2.5 (Dorchester Red) 1973 Triumph Dolomite (Honeysuckle) Last edited by Matt_75; 6th May 2024 at 07:27..

6th May 2024, 13:05	#10
Costa Fortuna Avid contributor Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: POOLE Posts: 129 Thanks: 24 Thanked 44 Times in 27 Posts	Ebayer invited you to their home address - from that you can look at the V5 and any other paperwork relevant, drive the thing and inspect it. Ask seller for proof of address (rates bill, water ditto) if he's kosher he won't mind. Ask him how he got the car and how long he's had it and why he's selling it. If he wanted to meet up at Hilton Park M6 northbound at 03.30 hrs - now THAT would be fishy. Shame, it's looks at initial pics and description a nice car. I don't do Facecloth so I don't know if one is invited for a drive or not - it could be a relly or mate has listed it there for the seller for exposure.