Request info regarding Escrow.com ( Better way to say need help) (1 Viewer)

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Joined
Jan 8, 2021
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Good Morning
First thank you in advance for the help... I am looking at a purchase (LX470) in another state...
Has anyone used Escrow.com for a transaction and would you use them again ?

Thank you
 
I should have looked at that ... Thank you for the link.... Not a very good rating on BBB
Looked like a good idea ....
Have any other suggestions across multiple states? I would normally fly over and complete the transaction however cant fly at this time ....

Thanks again for the info
 
I used escrow.com about 9 years ago to buy a truck from California, and it worked perfectly well for me. No worries, and still driving my truck. I didn't opt to pay extra to have them handle the title as well, but probably should have for insurance. Still worked out fine in any case.
My credit union was very hesitant to wire several thousand dollars for any internet vehicle purchase, thinking I'd been scammed, but reassured them several times and they sent it to escrow.com.
No way in hell I'd just wire several thousand dollars to just anybody for a vehicle. Seen too many stories of people losing all of their money.
I don't know that I'd put much stock in 10 reviews on BBB. I think BBB is a bit of a scam itself, similar to yelp.
 
You've got a few options, but I wouldn't recommend buying a vehicle long distance without going through a licensed seller (dealer), a great escrow agent, or having a local representative with a POA handle it for you.

My recommendation would be that if you aren't flying right now, don't buy something without looking at it. The caveat is if the deal is too good to pass up or the vehicle is incredibly rare, and you have had a disinterested party do a verification of the vehicle (inspection, VIN verification, ODO verification, reviewed sellers docs).

It doesn't end once they accept the money and hand the car over to the carrier. There are a lot of other things that can still go wrong.

I have done a few out of state purchases (only one I didn't have a representative look at the vehicle), and know a number of guys who have done a lot of purchases. There is always more to the vehicle than is disclosed - sometimes you get burned and sometimes you just are disappointed. The only time I was truly burned, was when I didn't have the car verified and didn't have a representative conduct the transaction. I got a rare vehicle for a steal, but it turned out to be a Katrina car and was dying a slow but sure death.

Keep in mind:

There are usually very good reasons its not selling locally. It's priced too high, there is no market locally, it has issues mechanically or cosmetically, the seller sucks, or any combination of the above plus a few things you never even knew were a thing.

Cross Country Car Carriers...

The carriers used for running a trailer of cars across country are rarely without issue. Seriously. They are shuffling cars on and off, showing up whenever they want, strapping cars down hastily and with very little training. Your car goes where all of their other cars have to go, often getting handled on and off several times, driven through all kinds of weather, gravel roads, good and bad parts of the country.

Only go with a carrier with excellent insurance that covers your vehicle and any damage caused with NO deductible or fees to you, look at their reviews - particularly the negative reviews and how they handle problems. Do not let them rush you through inspecting the vehicle when they deliver it - have them let you look at the car before it's unloaded to see what they used to secure it to the trailer. If they washed the car before delivering it, really look it over.

I had a brand new car delivered and the guy loading it had destroyed the clutch - vehicle had two miles on it and the dealership verified the clutch was shot. Must have not known how to drive a stick and couldn't load it? He didn't say a single thing, backed it off the truck using gravity and LEFT the dealership. We had a car arrive at a friends house with the hood and front end damaged. They hadn't secured it well enough and it slid into a truck in front of it. I received a car with a broken windshield that had left with a good windshield. Carrier said it didn't happen on his trip.
 
Last edited:
Good Morning
First thank you in advance for the help... I am looking at a purchase (LX470) in another state...
Has anyone used Escrow.com for a transaction and would you use them again ?

Thank you
The list of folks here who have bought vehicles from other states without first checking them out and got screwed is a long one. Don't be one of those people. If it hasn't had an inspection by someone who knows 100s, don't do it!
 
When I bought my truck, I just asked on a smaller car forum if there was anyone local there that could look at it. I didn't even care if they knew nothing about that make/model, or if they were a mechanic, or if they were a personal friend, or what. Just a random friendly guy volunteered, and did great. I was mostly interested if the seller looked to be honest and accurately presented the vehicle. Then I made shipping arrangements, I wired money to escrow.com, escrow told seller that money was real and he gave truck to shipper, truck arrived at my house, I verified everything was good with vehicle, and I released money to seller. Sure, I wish I had time to go there myself to check it out and drive it back, but I was very busy.
 
The list of folks here who have bought vehicles from other states without first checking them out and got screwed is a long one. Don't be one of those people. If it hasn't had an inspection by someone who knows 100s, don't do it!
You've got a few options, but I wouldn't recommend buying a vehicle long distance without going through a licensed seller (dealer), a great escrow agent, or having a local representative with a POA handle it for you.

My recommendation would be that if you aren't flying right now, don't buy something without looking at it. The caveat is if the deal is too good to pass up or the vehicle is incredibly rare, and you have had a disinterested party do a verification of the vehicle (inspection, VIN verification, ODO verification, reviewed sellers docs).

It doesn't end once they accept the money and hand the car over to the carrier. There are a lot of other things that can still go wrong.

I have done a few out of state purchases (only one I didn't have a representative look at the vehicle), and know a number of guys who have done a lot of purchases. There is always more to the vehicle than is disclosed - sometimes you get burned and sometimes you just are disappointed. The only time I was truly burned, was when I didn't have the car verified and didn't have a representative conduct the transaction. I got a rare vehicle for a steal, but it turned out to be a Katrina car and was dying a slow but sure death.

Keep in mind:

There are usually very good reasons its not selling locally. It's priced too high, there is no market locally, it has issues mechanically or cosmetically, the seller sucks, or any combination of the above plus a few things you never even knew were a thing.

Cross Country Car Carriers...

The carriers used for running a trailer of cars across country are rarely without issue. Seriously. They are shuffling cars on and off, showing up whenever they want, strapping cars down hastily and with very little training. Your car goes where all of their other cars have to go, often getting handled on and off several times, driven through all kinds of weather, gravel roads, good and bad parts of the country.

Only go with a carrier with excellent insurance that covers your vehicle and any damage caused with NO deductible or fees to you, look at their reviews - particularly the negative reviews and how they handle problems. Do not let them rush you through inspecting the vehicle when they deliver it - have them let you look at the car before it's unloaded to see what they used to secure it to the trailer. If they washed the car before delivering it, really look it over.

I had a brand new car delivered and the guy loading it had destroyed the clutch - vehicle had two miles on it and the dealership verified the clutch was shot. Must have not known how to drive a stick and couldn't load it? He didn't say a single thing, backed it off the truck using gravity and LEFT the dealership. We had a car arrive at a friends house with the hood and front end damaged. They hadn't secured it well enough and it slid into a truck in front of it. I received a car with a broken windshield that had left with a good windshield. Carrier said it didn't happen on his trip.
I used escrow.com about 9 years ago to buy a truck from California, and it worked perfectly well for me. No worries, and still driving my truck. I didn't opt to pay extra to have them handle the title as well, but probably should have for insurance. Still worked out fine in any case.
My credit union was very hesitant to wire several thousand dollars for any internet vehicle purchase, thinking I'd been scammed, but reassured them several times and they sent it to escrow.com.
No way in hell I'd just wire several thousand dollars to just anybody for a vehicle. Seen too many stories of people losing all of their money.
I don't know that I'd put much stock in 10 reviews on BBB. I think BBB is a bit of a scam itself, similar to yelp.
When I bought my truck, I just asked on a smaller car forum if there was anyone local there that could look at it. I didn't even care if they knew nothing about that make/model, or if they were a mechanic, or if they were a personal friend, or what. Just a random friendly guy volunteered, and did great. I was mostly interested if the seller looked to be honest and accurately presented the vehicle. Then I made shipping arrangements, I wired money to escrow.com, escrow told seller that money was real and he gave truck to shipper, truck arrived at my house, I verified everything was good with vehicle, and I released money to seller. Sure, I wish I had time to go there myself to check it out and drive it back, but I was very busy.
which state? See if anybody is close by to take a look at vehicle. also for vehicle inspection look at R8tr.com
This is all great information ...

Fortunately I am dealing with another member of this board.
I also called Slee Offroad and they were awesome folks to talk with unfortunately they could not do a pre inspection on the LX for a long while. The folks at Slee did suggest another company Arvada Toyota and Lexus ... ALTR Arvada Toyota and Lexus Specialists - ATLR - Affordable Toyota & Lexus Repair - https://atlr.net/ I worked with Cam ( Outstanding Service ) The completed the inspection and sent me all the recommendations along with a large number of digital photos and videos ... (Truly outstanding service and people)

I am trying to sort out the paperwork and funding side of the transaction ... ( I know .... send the money to all of you and you will help me out ) LOL (Just Kidding)

I am open to any words of wisdom ... and Thank you for all the help
Keep you posted
 
This is all great information ...

Fortunately I am dealing with another member of this board.
I also called Slee Offroad and they were awesome folks to talk with unfortunately they could not do a pre inspection on the LX for a long while. The folks at Slee did suggest another company Arvada Toyota and Lexus ... ALTR Arvada Toyota and Lexus Specialists - ATLR - Affordable Toyota & Lexus Repair - https://atlr.net/ I worked with Cam ( Outstanding Service ) The completed the inspection and sent me all the recommendations along with a large number of digital photos and videos ... (Truly outstanding service and people)

I am trying to sort out the paperwork and funding side of the transaction ... ( I know .... send the money to all of you and you will help me out ) LOL (Just Kidding)

I am open to any words of wisdom ... and Thank you for all the help
Keep you posted

Part of my reason for getting someone to check out my Datsun truck by a random guy from my BMW car forum, is that I knew they'd be independent and unrelated. Even on small car forums, scammers can make their way in and rip people off by looking trustworthy. I've seen where one guy within a forum refers to another one as being trusted, then both accounts vanish after they have your money. It might be just paranoia, and most transactions end up fine. But its possible for two LC guys that live near each other to be in on the scam together, or just be aliases of the same guy. But if I can find someone I know that's completely unrelated, sweet. A scammer is unlikely to want to meet with someone independent, and will start doing sketchy things.
 
Part of my reason for getting someone to check out my Datsun truck by a random guy from my BMW car forum, is that I knew they'd be independent and unrelated. Even on small car forums, scammers can make their way in and rip people off by looking trustworthy. I've seen where one guy within a forum refers to another one as being trusted, then both accounts vanish after they have your money. It might be just paranoia, and most transactions end up fine. But its possible for two LC guys that live near each other to be in on the scam together, or just be aliases of the same guy. But if I can find someone I know that's completely unrelated, sweet. A scammer is unlikely to want to meet with someone independent, and will start doing sketchy things.
That is a very good suggestion ... thanks
 
I work part time at one of the national chain auto parts stores. We get a few calls a month from out of area folks who want someone to go look at a local car and send them pics and comments. Usually one of the employees is willing to do this for $50 -$100 or so.

(disclaimer- this is Not a service offered by the store, but we have a couple of college kids who I work with who are happy to do it after work for the extra bucks)

so. If you can’t find anyone else, call up the local auto parts stores close to where the vehicle is located.
 
I work part time at one of the national chain auto parts stores. We get a few calls a month from out of area folks who want someone to go look at a local car and send them pics and comments. Usually one of the employees is willing to do this for $50 -$100 or so.

(disclaimer- this is Not a service offered by the store, but we have a couple of college kids who I work with who are happy to do it after work for the extra bucks)

so. If you can’t find anyone else, call up the local auto parts stores close to where the vehicle is located.
That's a very nice offer ... I believe that part is taken care of ... Thanks to all for the help ...
Keep you all posted
 

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