Even if there wasn't a scam in play, sellers might not want to bother with the extra steps of an overseas transaction. To Nick's point; if people are lined up [with cash] locally, why deal with a transaction that has more moving parts?
Printable View
Wire transactions are very safe. No seller should accept personal checks EVER! Bank checks are a real problem, it is difficult to tell if it is counterfeit. Best way to handle them is to take it to the bank that issued it and ask for cash. If that is not possible or convenient, cash is always good but it too can be counterfeit. That's why a wire transfer is the safest method. They are not without cost to the seller AND the buyer and can't be done on holidays or weekends or nights. Using an agent to act as escrow is also safe but everyone is right, why would a seller want a complicated deal when he can do a simple quick deal? Often the first person to show up with cash and a trailer gets the deal.
I used to sell restored classics all the time overseas, many a year. Only took wire and handled the prep and transport to the port myself for a small fee. Overseas buyers were never a pain in the ass like locals, always willing to pay up - no kicking tires fighting for every penny they could save, always polite. I was always told it was so much cheaper to buy from the US and ship than find a classic in Belgium for example where it might cost many times more. Anyway, that was years ago and never had a single complaint or negative experience other than a dead battery upon arrival at the port to get the car off the trailer. As time went on it seems like more rules, more regulations and more fees which made overseas buyers less willing to spend the money. More of a chore with paperwork, prep work, etc. In my opinion with all the changes over the years, it is now easier to just deal with the tire kickers than everything else with an overseas purchase. If you're worried about being paid in counterfeit cash, get the marker.