Don't Be Taken By A Scammer - Buy From A Dealer 

We live in a world full of scams. Whether by email, phone or even text messages, you need to be on the lookout for something that is too good to be true, or someone trying to take advantage of you. This trend has even reached the world of classic car buying. There have been recent stories in the news about companies claiming to be car transporters or dealers who will sell you a classic car from across the country and include the shipping fees in the cost. They seem to offer a convenient one-stop shop for purchasing vehicles from an individual, with their company acting as the middle-man. Often they will use Craigslist or other listing sites and include detailed descriptions of the cars, with nice photos from every angle both inside and out.

They even make it easy to pay for that classic ’57 Chevy you have had your eye on by accepting a wire transfer from your bank. The problem? There is no car. And once they have your money, you will never hear from them again. The Better Business Bureau is aware of these scammers and some of them appear to be based in Minnesota, so we need to be especially careful here in the upper Midwest. It may seem obvious to some that buying a car without knowing whether the “seller” is legitimate is not a smart move. But when you have been looking for a specific make and model for a long time with no luck, then finally see one offered you just might be tempted to take the chance. 

 

The only way to be sure you are not being duped is to buy a classic car from a reputable dealer. Preferably one with a track record of satisfied buyers and sellers through a classic car consignment program like Ellingson’s. Even if you are buying that classic from across the country and having it shipped to you, do so from a dealership with a physical location and someone you can speak to on the phone. If they are only able to communicate electronically that could be a red flag.

Ellingson's has up to 100 classic and collectible cars in our showroom at any given time, with cars coming and going every week. And we’re always available to answer any questions you have about buying or selling a classic car. Give us a call!

 

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