pitfalls of buying a vehicle from another country

[chris vickery]

I think we get what you are getting at hence the info given previous...
Putting out a whole lot of cash for something sight unseen is, in my opinion, foolish.
You ask a really good question. I would definately deal with a reputable dealer rather than an individual or a dealer from a less scrupulous country.
Sending a bunch of cash to an Eastern European fellow that uses a PO Box doesn't cut it. I would perhaps find something you like listed on Milweb and ask away right here on MLU! Surely pieces located in England could be inspected by one of our "own" located there. England has many dealers and I am sure some of the guys on this Forum would jump right in to give you unbiased opinions regrading this guy or that as well as fair values etc.
Remember though, buying something sight unseen or relying on another's opinion may or may not be in the best interest neither. One persons opinion of decent can be as far from another viewpoint as the moon is to the earth.
I would go and see it first, plane fare is cheap insurance. As far as payment goes, bank drafts and electronic transfers are the way to go.
Chris

[Robin Craig]

I have offered to help but no one seems to want to engage me to do so.

Frankly, the info I have in my head and the contacts I have made would help anyone importing a vehicle and be a pittance compared to the money you could squander and the grief and delays experienced doing it the wrong way.

I know one forum member who when he did contact me went "doh!" within a few sentences as he found out the aggravation he could have saved himself had he engaged me.

Quite honestly I'm not inclined to blurt out all over the forum what has cost me big dollars and my time which I also value to learn and give that away for free.

I don't ask an exorbitant fee but if you want to go for it on your own . . . fill your boots. Enjoy your added extra costs as you fall foul of the system and your hidden costs mount. Any consulting on importing I have done has always paid the client dividends and my modest fee has been well recouped by the savings.

The blunt end result is this, your going to pay something somewhere. Being cheap isnt going to be cheap in the long run, trust me.

R

[chris vickery]

Just the purchase of a vehicle right here in Canada can cost you.
What seems to be a good deal 1000kms away will cost you an extra $2-$3000 in shipping alone.
I purchased a vehicle several years ago from one of our members here and at least went to look at it even though it cost me extra for a plane ticket. My host was gracious enough to keep me for the weekend, show me around and even let me sort through some of his stuff so I was able to make a bulk buy.
Considering trucking was the main issue, it was well worth it to "load up" on extras while I was there.