Author Topic: I got a call from buycarsnow.ca, anyone else smell BS on this one? (Read 21464 times)

java_man · « **on:** March 09, 2007, 07:10:05 pm »

I'm trying to sell my mom's Dakota. I had it listed in the buy and sell for a few weeks, and I also put an ad online.

I just got a call from someone from buycarsnow.ca (that's their website) saying they had a buyer, and wanted $200 to "put me in touch". They tried to portray themselves as a broker. It was a lot of fast talk and "send me some photos, 9 would be good", so the "potential buyer" could see the car.

It was when they asked for my credit card number that I started to smell BS. They said they would give me back the money if the car didn't sell

I checked out their website, it didn't show too much, just looks like another car selling site to me.

Anyone had any similar experiences, or heard of these guys? The google search turned up a post on some VW forum, basically asking the same question. The consensus there was, stay away. Probably good advice...

Wolfe · « **Reply #1 on:** March 09, 2007, 07:31:33 pm »

Quote from: java_man on March 09, 2007, 07:10:05 pm

It was when they asked for my credit card number that I started to smell BS.

They called you to ask for your credit card number.

This one's off the scale!

AVToller · « **Reply #2 on:** March 09, 2007, 07:51:49 pm »

I agree!! That one sounds downright scary. RUN AWAY. There is a (tiny) chance it my be legitimate, but I wouldn't bet a nickel on it.

Snowman · « **Reply #3 on:** March 09, 2007, 08:00:41 pm »

I would call the cops on them and play along with the con.

Wolfe · « **Reply #4 on:** March 09, 2007, 08:04:05 pm »

Quote from: AVToller on March 09, 2007, 07:51:49 pm

I agree!! That one sounds downright scary. RUN AWAY. There is a (tiny) chance it my be legitimate, but I wouldn't bet a nickel on it.

I think you'd be a sucker to bet a penny on it.

Now where'd I put my hat? ...ah there it is.

java_man · « **Reply #5 on:** March 09, 2007, 08:41:18 pm »

Thanks, guys. You pretty much confirmed what I'd decided.

They were slick, though. Called up asking "is it still for sale?", then went through all buyer prelim stuff; mileage, options etc. Then casually dropped the "we're representing client(s) who are interested in this car, for a small fee we can...", it was at that point the spider senses started to tingle. After I started to ask a few questions about this "fee", I was like, "ah, I'll call you back in a bit" - click.

HeliDriver · « **Reply #6 on:** March 09, 2007, 08:51:37 pm »

Yeah, I must have got half-a-dozen calls from those clowns (or clowns just like them) when I had our Xterra in the AutoTrader.

It seems like a shady business model, to be sure, but I don't think it's an outright scam. It seemed to me that they're just trying to steal business from AutoTrader & other publications/websites.

mdxtasy · « **Reply #7 on:** March 10, 2007, 01:45:34 am »

So they have no details on the vehicle, but have interested buyers. Yeah....

tonyd555 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 10, 2007, 04:29:43 pm »

I'm from the UK and these 'Canvassers' as we call them are notorious for pestering you after you have listed your car on any classified site. Probably get 4 or 5 of these calls to every 1 legit buyer. Major pain in the B HIND. !!!!!

dewongone · « **Reply #9 on:** March 30, 2007, 02:47:06 am »

boy, I wish I knew about this website sooner. I received a call (several) from them also. I asked a couple of people I know in the car sales business whether they had heard of these guys and whether they were legit; they seemed to think so. So, I gave them a try. After the "transaction", I have not seen my "ad" on their website yet (2 weeks and counting), and they have not replied to my e-mails. I called my credit card company and they advised me to try calling them at the phone number listed on the transaction, and if I got no response then to call them back. I'll report back on what happens.

johngenx · « **Reply #10 on:** March 30, 2007, 10:58:05 am »

Why would anyone want to buy car snow? And what is car snow?

dorin · « **Reply #11 on:** March 30, 2007, 11:52:42 am »

Quote from: johngenx on March 30, 2007, 10:58:05 am

Why would anyone want to buy car snow? And what is car snow?

It's pure snow because it's been driven. Duh!

safristi · « **Reply #12 on:** March 30, 2007, 11:57:56 am »

Fess UP Snowie...yer dumping which one fer the Infiniti OR Vette...!!!!

crv595 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 30, 2007, 06:10:58 pm »

I got a call from a broker too (cause I list my car on the trader). He promised me that for $150 fee, my car will be sold at listing price. BUT, $150 need to be paid before they start to advertising my car. What a joke.

Damien · « **Reply #14 on:** March 30, 2007, 07:07:40 pm »

We got a call, even better!

"We are going to send you a cheque for $1500 for your $1100 car (we have an old Jetta for sale).

You send us the $400 extra that we keep as a brokerage fee for our client, meaning you get your $1100!

To make it even easier, we can direct deposit the $1100 for you if you don't want to deal with having to go to the bank to cash the cheque. We have your convenience in our best interests!

May we have your bank/trasit/account number please?"

bwuahhahahahahhah!

barrie1 · « **Reply #15 on:** March 31, 2007, 01:01:39 am »

Not very bright ads i think as they are definitely attempting to scam somebody. I hope they go bankrupt as they don't deserve any better luck then that.

Damien · « **Reply #16 on:** March 31, 2007, 04:09:30 pm »

Scary thing is. These scams are around because they work to some degree.

Too many suckers...

calgaryguy · « **Reply #17 on:** May 21, 2007, 03:58:58 pm »

I, unfortunately, was one of those suckers...

My truck didn't sell for months, thought hey, what do I have to lose? Well, turns out to be $149, $40 in notary fees (notarizing required for their "guarantee"), $7.92 in registered mail (to make sure they got it, and on time).

Not one call, emails only received a generic "someone will call you", phone messages not returned, and my guarantee being returned as the post office has determined it to be undeliverable.

On the plus side, I may have tracked down the agent who called me...so I may be making a surprise appearance at his home.

So, in summary, DO NOT USE BUYCARSNOW.CA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

johngenx · « **Reply #18 on:** May 21, 2007, 05:55:58 pm »

If you used your CC, report it immediately and ask for a chargeback and fraud investigation.

Quote from: calgaryguy on May 21, 2007, 03:58:58 pm

On the plus side, I may have tracked down the agent who called me...so I may be making a surprise appearance at his home.

Careful you don't end up in trouble...

calgaryguy · « **Reply #19 on:** May 22, 2007, 01:37:24 pm »

First thing I did was call Visa...I thought that would be good recourse as well. However, they have a timeframe which complaints can be made, and all they can do is if they issued a credit and I hadn't received it, they would persue it. They also said that since I received a service for what I paid (if one can call what they did "service"), then I'm SOL (my words, not theirs).

And don't worry...not going to threaten, just hand deliver my documents and request my $$$ back since they didn't accept my registered mail, answer their phone, return my calls, emails, etc.

Author Topic: I got a call from buycarsnow.ca, anyone else smell BS on this one? (Read 21464 times)

mdxtasy