Buying a used car: Dead Husbands everywhere!

[TahoeTennis]

Ok, so I've been looking for used cars online the past week, and when using craigslist in particular, just advising everyone to avoid the "Dead Husband" scam. I've already gotten three of these emails/texts:

Hello,

Sorry for the delay. The 2008 Honda Accord EX-L is still available. It is in a good condition, no scratches, no damages, it has never been involved in any kind of accidents, no problems at the engine, runs very well. It has an 3.5L V6 - Cyl engine with 36,196 miles and automatic transmission, a perfect car. I'm selling it at this final price $1,800 because my husband died 2 months ago (he had a heart attack) and brings me bad memories and that's the reason I want to sell it asap. I also got a new job and moved to another city, and many other things have priority now, so, this car has to go. If you are interested in buying my car, feel free to email me at any time.

Best regards,
Kristen!
____

Hello,

My name is Jennifer and I'm emailing you about 1996 Chevrolet Impala SS with an gas engine, automatic transmission and only 77,800 miles. Never had or need any paint/body work done, garaged keep always, without any mechanical problems, tires and wheels are in great shape as well, electric is working perfectly. The engine 5.7 L V-8, runs very good and the automatic transmission shifts perfectly. Has a clean and clear title in my name and there are no liens or loans on it. This car was used by my husband who died 4 month ago. The price was reduced at $1000 because I'm in a hurry to find a buyer. I need to sell the car before the December 15th, when I will be leaving on military duty with my medical team out of the country for a year and do not want to store it. Hate to sell it but its not worth keeping insurance and paying storage fees for a year. If you interested, I can send you more pics.

Thanks,
Jennifer Rice

VAMOS SCAMOS!!

 

[Chadalina]

Good luck with your new car, hopefully the trend continues

 

[Ronaldo]

Life goes on even after your husband is gone, so walk on by these lame offers

 

[EloQuent]

I'm curious what the scam is? Do they ask you to send the money before delivering the car? If they actually have a car to sell it's no different from any other transaction on Craigslist.

 

[TnsGuru]

If they agree, ask them if you can have a mechanic of your choice to look over the vehicle. A carfax would be advised and If everything checks out or if there is some discrepancies that are discovered, you can haggle the price down even more. If it is "as is" run away....could be a scam!!

You can check obituaries for the deceased individual if you are really interested. If person died by crazy wife....definitely run!!

 

[Sentinel]

Good luck with your new car, hopefully the trend continues

He's looking at used cars that are ten years old,

 

[Chadalina]

He's looking at used cars that are ten years old,

New is relative. Not everyone has a maid that feeds them choc cake

 

[Sentinel]

New is relative. Not everyone has a maid that feeds them choc cake

haha

My maid cooks Indian food, but certainly not chocolate cake. She comes in for a couple hours and has to rush through everything. I just get some rice, some millet rotis, vegetables and dal (lentils).

p.s. and she doesn't feed me. I have to do that chore myself.

 

[Chadalina]

p.s. and she doesn't feed me. I have to do that chore myself.

The only time you cant depend on the dog

Imagine your dog feeding you, he would give you scraps, you would look at him the same way he does you

 

[Light of Star]

Beware of leaving out of country quick sale scam as well. Those cars look great and price right but full of problems, just like dead husband scam.
It is better to take the car to mechanic for thorough inspection before buying it.

 

[Turbo-87]

I see a ton of ads on my local Craigslist for newer cars that are advertised for unreal prices, like $2000 for a 2015 Toyota Camry. All of them claim to be in exceptional condition of course and are written in "too good to be true" format. I'm just curious what the scam is and whether people actually fall for it. There are good deals to be had but be skeptical first. I have never purchased a vehicle off of the list but I do look through it out of curiosity every now and then

 

[EloQuent]

I see a ton of ads on my local Craigslist for newer cars that are advertised for unreal prices, like $2000 for a 2015 Toyota Camry. All of them claim to be in exceptional condition of course and are written in "too good to be true" format. I'm just curious what the scam is and whether people actually fall for it. There are good deals to be had but be skeptical first. I have never purchased a vehicle off of the list but I do look through it out of curiosity every now and then

I've gotten lemons even from "reputable" dealers, so I can't imagine why anyone would buy a car from Craigslist.

 

[Raul_SJ]

It's not a scam. Wives do outlive their husbands.

 

[Ronaldo]

I've gotten lemons even from "reputable" dealers, so I can't imagine why anyone would buy a car from Craigslist.

If you know a mechanic or anyone that can evaluate a car and is willing to check out a car, it is not a crapshoot. These too good to be true sales can be @bay sales. Out of town ads that want a dn payment of $500 or more on a credit or debit card.

 

[EloQuent]

If you know a mechanic or anyone that can evaluate a car and is willing to check out a car, it is not a crapshoot. These too good to be true sales can be @bay sales. Out of town ads that want a dn payment of $500 or more on a credit or debit card.

Yeah you gotta check it out yourself.

In general, if anyone asks for money or a credit card before showing the merchandise, chances are it's a scam.

 

[Ronaldo]

Yeah you gotta check it out yourself.

In general, if anyone asks for money or a credit card before showing the merchandise, chances are it's a scam.

If a bizzaro e-mail address is a major part of the ad, ignore it or even report this to CL.

 

[TahoeTennis]

Oh no, now it's KIDS DYING!! Just got this email:

Hi, I have received your email regarding the 2013 Ford Fusion. The car has 31,580 miles 2.5L liter V6.engine, hybrid. This Ford is in perfect condition with clear title, no accidents, no liens or loans and it has just been completely serviced. The engine runs very good and the automatic transmission shifts perfectly. The price for this Ford is $1,600 (including delivery and handling to your address). I'm selling this sedan because my child of only 26 years died 2 months ago in a bike accident, the sedan belonged to my son and it brings me bad memories and that's the reason I want to sell it. Me and my husband travel a lot with our business and we want to make this deal through e-Bay Motors (Buyer Protection Program).

God Bless you and your family

Here you have all the photos of Ford!

___
But the FUNNY THING IS I SENT THIS BEFORE:

Hello. I'd love to see this car. Are you in the Tahoe/Reno area? Also if your Husband recently died, please don't reply! If you are legit let me know!

 

[ollinger]

VAMOS SCAMOS!!

My wife and her sister are selling the car that belonged to their father, who died a few months ago. Nothing untrue about the ad they posted; what makes the OP think these are all scams??

 

[hollywood9826]

Why not just put it on **** if she wants the to use the buyer protection program. CL should have had al link to **** auction.

 

[Ronaldo]

Why not just put it on **** if she wants the to use the buyer protection program. CL should have had al link to **** auction.

May be how she received that refund

 

[TahoeTennis]

that's part of at least 3 of the emails i got, they offer to sell it to you on **** auction site, but conveniently they are across the country, but offer a 5 day guarantee with **** motors. I didn't even bother to reply to any of them

 

[Ronaldo]

An

that's part of at least 3 of the emails i got, they offer to sell it to you on **** auction site, but conveniently they are across the country, but offer a 5 day guarantee with **** motors. I didn't even bother to reply to any of them

And how much is shipping the car to you?

 

[TahoeTennis]

An

And how much is shipping the car to you?

not sure, but i can give you the email and you can find out. i didn't want to feed the scam, but maybe i should.

 

[Ronaldo]

not sure, but i can give you the email and you can find out. i didn't want to feed the scam, but maybe i should.

No need, know a couple of guys who buy cars at auction and ship them out of state for a living. They rarely sell to individuals. Rather fill a trailer and send them to another dealer.

 

[Nostradamus]

Ok, so I've been looking for used cars online the past week, and when using craigslist in particular, just advising everyone to avoid the "Dead Husband" scam. I've already gotten three of these emails/texts:

Hello,

Sorry for the delay. The 2008 Honda Accord EX-L is still available. It is in a good condition, no scratches, no damages, it has never been involved in any kind of accidents, no problems at the engine, runs very well. It has an 3.5L V6 - Cyl engine with 36,196 miles and automatic transmission, a perfect car. I'm selling it at this final price $1,800 because my husband died 2 months ago (he had a heart attack) and brings me bad memories and that's the reason I want to sell it asap. I also got a new job and moved to another city, and many other things have priority now, so, this car has to go. If you are interested in buying my car, feel free to email me at any time.

Best regards,
Kristen!
____

Hello,

My name is Jennifer and I'm emailing you about 1996 Chevrolet Impala SS with an gas engine, automatic transmission and only 77,800 miles. Never had or need any paint/body work done, garaged keep always, without any mechanical problems, tires and wheels are in great shape as well, electric is working perfectly. The engine 5.7 L V-8, runs very good and the automatic transmission shifts perfectly. Has a clean and clear title in my name and there are no liens or loans on it. This car was used by my husband who died 4 month ago. The price was reduced at $1000 because I'm in a hurry to find a buyer. I need to sell the car before the December 15th, when I will be leaving on military duty with my medical team out of the country for a year and do not want to store it. Hate to sell it but its not worth keeping insurance and paying storage fees for a year. If you interested, I can send you more pics.

Thanks,
Jennifer Rice

VAMOS SCAMOS!!

There could be black widow involved here. you have to be careful if you approached by very beautiful woman that wants to marry you

 

[Mr.Lob]

I've been looking at Craigslist cars for about 6 months, for my son. I'm in no hurry. LOL. 95% of cars in Craigslist are sold by wholesalers and flippers. Seems about half are rebuilt wrecks. Many of those sellers claim that the car was rebuilt, "but it only had a small dent in the fender." SCAM.

See the going overseas ad,changing jobs...don't see the dead spouse ad, maybe once. A lot seem to be owners who've had the car less than a year and are selling. Red flag. Looked at a car once that had sand in the ashtray. I always ask in email, "How long have you owned the car?" If they don't answer, I pass. Looked at a nice 2008 Mitsubishi GS, with 90,000 miles a few weeks ago. $4,200 .Second owner. Had for 5 years. Car in good shape, but I didn't like the poor visibility. Like driving a submarine. Buyer beware. Know cars, or get a mechanic to inspect.

 

[Mr.Lob]

In OP 's 2008 Honda Accord with 36,000 miles for $1,800. Bull. That's a loaded diaper. That car would sell in a day for 5 grand easy. Sounds too good to be true....SCAM.

 

[hollywood9826]

In OP 's 2008 Honda Accord with 36,000 miles for $1,800. Bull. That's a loaded diaper. That car would sell in a day for 5 grand easy. Sounds too good to be true....SCAM.

True, usually if it sounds to good to be true it is. Asking for 1800 they could easily get that by just taking it to a dealer and selling to them outright. 100k plus Accords around here are around 8-9k dealer price.

 

[Ronaldo]

There is nothing difficult about maintaining a car that previously belonged to someone.

Especially your partner,

 

[Radicalized]

Floridians and Southerners watch out. Totalled cars from Hurricane Ian are finding their way into the already tight car market, even though they are supposed to be total losses.

 

[Ronaldo]

Floridians and Southerners watch out. Totalled cars from Hurricane Ian are finding their way into the already tight car market, even though they are supposed to be total losses.

 

[Radicalized]

https://nypost.com/2022/09/29/florida-mans-1m-supercar-swept-away-by-hurricane-ian/

When the guy found his 1 million dollar McLaren P1 after the water receded, it was balancing on top of a toilet. See link below.
https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a41469828/mclaren-p1-hurricane-ian/

 

[LuckyR]

For something as expensive as a used car, either it has to have a dealer warranty (certified used car) or you have to have a clean CARFAX and be able to take it to your mechanic. Period.