Need advice buying a car long distance

66fyssh said
I bought one long distance. Had an inspection done, and I think it was $150. Got an emailed report with 70 photos and a test drive review.

Then I booked a flight to see it in person. But before I left, I went to my bank and ordered $10k in cash to the bank branch near the car (they don't always have a lot of cash). At the same time, I contacted a transport broker who said call him if I decide to get it.

Looked at and drove the car, then met the owner at the bank to swap cash for the title. Called the transport company and he found an open hauler who could be there the next day.

Met the driver, helped him load it, and told him I had an extra $50 if the arrives unhurt!!

Flew back home, met the guy two days later and got the car off the carrier.

That's a good procedure, 66. One thing that might not always work so well is for meeting the transport right after the sale; if the car is in a rural area, the odds of a transport driver being in that area the next day are close to nil.

The car has to be near a big city to be able to call a transport company and meet it the next day. If that is not the case, you need to arrange with the seller before hand to help on that, or take it to a garage or other facility to be stored until a transport arrives. Then security of the car becomes a question; most tow shops keep pretty secure facilities for car storage.