Posted on 09/23/2022 4:21:06 PM PDT by Not_Who_U_Think
Fellow FReepers, I welcome any and all advice on a sticky situation.
I sold a small camping trailer through FB Marketplace. The buyer, a guy about 30, was almost obnoxious in pleading to come see it. After others fell through, I gave him the address and he came over. He was enthusiastic, but seemed somewhat naive to camping. We got along well.
He had asked before if I would take a Zelle bank transfer, I pointed out that the $3000 price was more than Zelle would allow. So how about cash? He agreed, texted me that he was at the bank before arriving, but shows up with a $1000 in cash and then wants to do Zelle for the difference. Whatever, I guess, we do the transfer, I take his cash, we sign a bill of sale that I've prepared and I sign over the title.
All good. And then...
He says he's having transmission trouble, he's going to have it worked on next week, but he's afraid to pull the camper home today. Can he leave it here until his car is fixed? The camper is sitting beside the driveway, a little in the way, but I agree and he leaves.
For the first week, he's responsive but vague, bad sensors, parts on order, sorry for the trouble.
It's now over two weeks. I'm still getting the runaround about repairs, but I'm not sure why. During our transaction he mused about where could park it at his apartment complex, and I suspect that may be part of this.
But it just reeks of a con somehow. In the meantime, I've put a lock on the hitch, so that it can't easily be moved while I'm not home.
So FReepers, I'm trying to figure out what to do. I've never had a situation like this!
I've gave him an ultimatum a few days ago to get it moved by 9/30, and if not I would take to a storage lot. But that means I would have to pay the rent, for at least a month or two, and then what if he still doesn't show?
Is using you for free storage
might talk it over with a lawyer if you can get one to just talk for free or a cop to notify there might be something fishy going on.
Didn’t you say you already got paid? I think the deals done but I’m not sure I’m knowledgeable enough to say so.
Also if you can run his name on the net and see if anything comes up.
Have AAA tow it over to his address
Has the Zelle bank transfer cleared? Is Zelle a bank, where?
How far away does he live, close enough to tow to?
Drop it his parking lot and be done with it.
He has the title, paid for, it’s his property on yours. If mediation efforts fail, have it towed! Problem solved.
I understand the cash and the zelle transfer are not reversible.
So since he’s paid you, I would assume that he means well, just a poor planner buying an asset he’s not really prepared to receive.
It doesn’t sound like a scam to me since neither payment can bounce.
You can charge him storage. Might be hard to collect. Wouldn’t be surprised if he comes back and wants to reverse the transaction. And then that’s up to you. You might keep part of the payment as a “restocking fee”. But I’d make doubly sure that zelle transaction can’t be reversed before I gave him his money back.
did you get $3k out of him?
Are you fully paid?
If so I would offer to tow trailer to his place.
You signed over the title without full compensation. Consider this a $2000 lesson in life. It’s like paying a contractor in advance. Some things you just don’t do. Forget about it. But remember the lesson.
Why can’t you tow it to him?
I would be more concerned about the Zelle money transfer. Zelle is what all the scammers use on Facebook and Craigslist. Please research the possibility of him reversing the funds leaving you hanging for the $2000.
In the meantime I would recommend storing the camper at a different location unknown to the buyer until you can get it all sorted out. Good Luck
If you have your $3k, then have it towed. Will cost you a few bucks but it will be gone.
I just looked up what Zelle is. Get all of your money in your Zelle acct into your own bank acct. He may be running a tag scam.
I think at this point I would see if the cash was counterfeit. (if the bank already accepted it, you’re good.
Need clarification. Did you receive the $2000 from Zelle?
Yes, the transfer was good, I just still have the property!
I like that idea, towing it to his address. Two problems, I don’t have his address, and since he has the keys, I can’t secure things down. But, it’s a starting point.
Assuming you have all the money (e.g. no chance the check bounces), I would give him 24 hour notification to remove or it will be towed to a recovery lot. He can pay them for storage and get it out.
Let him deal with them, not your problem anymore. I wouldn’t want the headache.
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