williamtherebel 413 Posted March 2, 2018 Report Share Posted March 2, 2018 Hi Guys need your expertise again! Ive been in contact with a guy I purchases some stuff off in the past (through eBay) He is offering me his Lotus Esprit S1. So how do you go about buying a car in from a private individual in the States when I'm in the UK? Obviously he doesn't want to send the car before I pay him. I don't what to pay him and hope he sends the car. He suggested going through ebay as a buy it now, but on checking, eBay or Paypal wont guarantee the payment. Even though it says so on the help pages under Vehicle Purchase Protection (VPP) apparently its only available in the USA and Canada. Is Escrow the only way to go? At a cost of about $500. is there no cheaper alternative? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stuart Monument 787 Posted March 2, 2018 Report Share Posted March 2, 2018 I’m affraid you need to take a leap of faith. I just imported a car from Arizona and built up a repor with the guy over the phone and sent him the money. Either that or go to the states to collect to ship. Perhaps a reputable local dealer would except the car for a small margin and then arrange collection from there ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ramjet 1,085 Posted March 2, 2018 Report Share Posted March 2, 2018 Hi William, Is there any member on here that lives nearby that might be able to assist with you going to have a look and act as a middleman possibly? 1 Quote All we know is that when they stop making this, we will be properly, properly sad.Jeremy Clarkson on the Esprit. Opinions are like armpits. Everyone has them, some just stink more than others. Link to post Share on other sites
CarBuff 195 Posted March 2, 2018 Report Share Posted March 2, 2018 I know a Lotus enthusiast/owner who has experience selling cars to Europe. He is near Philadelphia, PA USA. http://taylormadeclassiccars.com/vehiclessold.html Tell Ted that Atwell sentcha. Perhaps he would agree to help you for a few dollars. Might be worth it. 1 Quote Atwell Haines '88 Esprit Succasunna, NJ USA Link to post Share on other sites
pete 1,778 Posted March 2, 2018 Report Share Posted March 2, 2018 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_of_lading any good? Quote hindsight: the science that is never wrong Link to post Share on other sites
Bibs 11,096 Posted March 3, 2018 Report Share Posted March 3, 2018 @Tony K knows pretty much every S1 in the USA, he might be able to help? Quote 88 Esprit NA, 89 Esprit Turbo SE, Evora, Evora S, Evora IPS, Evora S IPS, Evora S IPS SR, Evora 400, Elise S1, Elise S1 111s, Evora GT410 Sport Evora NA For forum issues, please contact the Moderators. I will aim to respond to emails/PM's Mon-Fri 9-6 GMT. Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post Tony K 127 Posted March 3, 2018 Popular Post Report Share Posted March 3, 2018 Thanks, Bibs. William, please send me a private message, I will do my best to help you. I might know the car or owner, and I've a bit of experience in what you are dealing with. - Tony K. p.s., don't worry, I won't try to buy it from under you. 3 1 Quote Tony K. Esprit S1s #355H & 454H Esprit S2.2 #324J 1991 Esprit SE Link to post Share on other sites
williamtherebel 413 Posted March 3, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2018 9 minutes ago, Tony K said: Thanks, Bibs. William, please send me a private message, I will do my best to help you. I might know the car or owner, and I've a bit of experience in what you are dealing with. - Tony K. p.s., don't worry, I won't try to buy it from under you. Thanks Tony. Ive have just sent you a message before I read this!. 35 minutes ago, Bibs said: @Tony K knows pretty much every S1 in the USA, he might be able to help? thanks Bibs. Ill do that! Thanks for your help. 2 hours ago, pete said: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_of_lading any good? thanks Pete, God it looks complicated. I see how it goes. 3 hours ago, CarBuff said: I know a Lotus enthusiast/owner who has experience selling cars to Europe. He is near Philadelphia, PA USA. http://taylormadeclassiccars.com/vehiclessold.html Tell Ted that Atwell sentcha. Perhaps he would agree to help you for a few dollars. Might be worth it. Ive got it touch with him. Ill see what his rely is. Thanks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tony K 127 Posted March 3, 2018 Report Share Posted March 3, 2018 Check your private messages. Quote Tony K. Esprit S1s #355H & 454H Esprit S2.2 #324J 1991 Esprit SE Link to post Share on other sites
lotuseaters 143 Posted March 3, 2018 Report Share Posted March 3, 2018 18 hours ago, williamtherebel said: Hi Guys need your expertise again! Ive been in contact with a guy I purchases some stuff off in the past (through eBay) He is offering me his Lotus Esprit S1. So how do you go about buying a car in from a private individual in the States when I'm in the UK? Obviously he doesn't want to send the car before I pay him. I don't what to pay him and hope he sends the car. He suggested going through ebay as a buy it now, but on checking, eBay or Paypal wont guarantee the payment. Even though it says so on the help pages under Vehicle Purchase Protection (VPP) apparently its only available in the USA and Canada. Is Escrow the only way to go? At a cost of about $500. is there no cheaper alternative? William there is another way around this . when I shipped a car from Seattle I used Rinkins shipping and used there escrow account. Basically you pay Rinkens for the car and they pay the seller on collection . They won’t check the condition of the car but they do check it’s validity with paperwork and vin tag . But they do charge for this it’s about £300 from memory. well worth it I thought for piece of mind 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
williamtherebel 413 Posted March 3, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2018 Hi Mark, Yes I used Rinkins to import my S2. They have quoted me $500. (around £360) for their escrow service. As you say probably the way to go for peace of mind. Just wondered if there was another (cheaper way) of doing it. Ive suggested this to the seller and he is going to contact Rinkins himself as well. The seller seems a nice guy and its a shame we live in these untrusting times with so many scam artists about, no-one trusts no-one any more. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lotuseaters 143 Posted March 4, 2018 Report Share Posted March 4, 2018 William I do have a Yellow S1 advertised at the moment I would be more than happy in taking your S2 as a P/X ? Surely a RHD S1 has got to be the way to go as long as funds allow it . 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
williamtherebel 413 Posted March 9, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2018 Hi Guys, Just to thank you all for your help. All good now. I know what I am going to do. For anyone that's interested I've just listed my S2 on various sites(eBay starting at £15000.) Other sites I've asked more but if it doesn't sell on eBa,y I can reduce the price on the others. Because I started the bidding at £15000. eBay wanted me to ask for over £22000. as a buy it now! Yes like that's going to happen. (I wish!) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ramjet 1,085 Posted March 9, 2018 Report Share Posted March 9, 2018 William, Mark's offer above no good? Quote All we know is that when they stop making this, we will be properly, properly sad.Jeremy Clarkson on the Esprit. Opinions are like armpits. Everyone has them, some just stink more than others. Link to post Share on other sites
williamtherebel 413 Posted March 12, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2018 On 09/03/2018 at 21:42, ramjet said: William, Mark's offer above no good? I would love to take Mark up on his offer. Sadly I cannot afford anything like the sum he is asking for. Of course that's why I went down the federal route in the first place. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ramjet 1,085 Posted March 13, 2018 Report Share Posted March 13, 2018 Ah. Ok. Sorry. Quote All we know is that when they stop making this, we will be properly, properly sad.Jeremy Clarkson on the Esprit. Opinions are like armpits. Everyone has them, some just stink more than others. Link to post Share on other sites
Gold FFM johnpwalsh 1,326 Posted March 13, 2018 Gold FFM Report Share Posted March 13, 2018 I know of two imported S1's that may be for sale and already in the UK. PM me if you want any info. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fridge 940 Posted March 25, 2018 Report Share Posted March 25, 2018 (edited) @williamtherebel as @CarBuff said Taylor Made are a useful US contact, but he doesn't like sending stuff to the UK. I had to arrange that via my own UK-based shipping company, and it went without hitch. Mine was just parts though. @johnpwalsh does have a line in US-spec'd S1s. Maybe check out his "stock" as he suggests. I'd suggesting taking on your own restoration though, and conversion to UK/Euro-spec. If you're able to undertake some of the work yourself, or know outfits to do some of the really skilled stuff (paint, engine, gearbox etc). Pity @lotuseaters yellow S1 is out of your price range. That looks like a decent running example, and largely complete. It's a good match for your yellow S2 too I can verify that @Tony K (or Tony T, as I prefer to think of him - Goodfellas) is a great source of information on Federal S1s, and very helpful. Finally, you sound like you have not got the buying the from US sorted now, as you stated. I would suggest a shipping agent that will hold the money in an escrow account. Paid over at collection. Paying extra for a single container (at least not stacked) if the car is in a decent condition. Hope that helps. Edited March 25, 2018 by Fridge Quote Link to post Share on other sites
williamtherebel 413 Posted March 26, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2018 On 13/03/2018 at 07:49, johnpwalsh said: I know of two imported S1's that may be for sale and already in the UK. PM me if you want any info. Hi John Thanks for the offer. However I am committed now to purchasing the one Ive been looking at in the States. On 25/03/2018 at 09:51, Fridge said: @williamtherebel as @CarBuff said Taylor Made are a useful US contact, but he doesn't like sending stuff to the UK. I had to arrange that via my own UK-based shipping company, and it went without hitch. Mine was just parts though. @johnpwalsh does have a line in US-spec'd S1s. Maybe check out his "stock" as he suggests. I'd suggesting taking on your own restoration though, and conversion to UK/Euro-spec. If you're able to undertake some of the work yourself, or know outfits to do some of the really skilled stuff (paint, engine, gearbox etc). Pity @lotuseaters yellow S1 is out of your price range. That looks like a decent running example, and largely complete. It's a good match for your yellow S2 too I can verify that @Tony K (or Tony T, as I prefer to think of him - Goodfellas) is a great source of information on Federal S1s, and very helpful. Finally, you sound like you have not got the buying the from US sorted now, as you stated. I would suggest a shipping agent that will hold the money in an escrow account. Paid over at collection. Paying extra for a single container (at least not stacked) if the car is in a decent condition. Hope that helps. Hi David, Many thanks for your suggestions. However after doing a fair bit of checking up and dozens of emails,, I'm as happy as I can be regarding the purchase of the S1 in the States. The guy seems very genuine. The money has been paid and he is keeping me updated regarding the bill of sale, Title etc. He has been in touch with the shippers so hopefully the car will be on its way back to the UK in the near future. Thanks again. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
giorgetto 38 Posted April 13, 2018 Report Share Posted April 13, 2018 Hey William, Being a bit nosey, but any update on your S1? Can't help myself. Love an S1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
williamtherebel 413 Posted April 13, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2018 Funny you should ask today. I've got word this afternoon that the car has just been picked up from the seller (from the Maserati garage that has been doing a fair bit of work on it). I asked him to take some photos for me because I am going to make a photo record of the car as it leaves the USA and gets back to Blighty! Here's one to whet your appetite! I cant wait for it to arrive. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tonytransam 43 Posted April 13, 2018 Report Share Posted April 13, 2018 (edited) On 03/03/2018 at 15:17, lotuseaters said: William there is another way around this . when I shipped a car from Seattle I used Rinkins shipping and used there escrow account. Basically you pay Rinkens for the car and they pay the seller on collection . They won’t check the condition of the car but they do check it’s validity with paperwork and vin tag . But they do charge for this it’s about £300 from memory. well worth it I thought for piece of mind Was going to suggest this. Apparently it’s easier to trace a U.S to U.S account if there is any issues and you have more legal power. Edited April 13, 2018 by tonytransam Quote Link to post Share on other sites
giorgetto 38 Posted April 14, 2018 Report Share Posted April 14, 2018 Even though the car is shrouded in shadow and transporter truck, it still looks great! Genuinely excited for you William. Please do show us more once the car arrives. Great advice Mark and Anthony. Thanks for sharing. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
williamtherebel 413 Posted April 14, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 14, 2018 Hi Gavin, Your exited!!!!! I'm delirious!! Yes I will post loads of photos when it arrives. Thanks again to everyone who offered advice. Its great to be part of this group. You really feel as if everyone is supportive. Cheers. guys. 1 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bibs 11,096 Posted April 14, 2018 Report Share Posted April 14, 2018 Quote 88 Esprit NA, 89 Esprit Turbo SE, Evora, Evora S, Evora IPS, Evora S IPS, Evora S IPS SR, Evora 400, Elise S1, Elise S1 111s, Evora GT410 Sport Evora NA For forum issues, please contact the Moderators. I will aim to respond to emails/PM's Mon-Fri 9-6 GMT. Link to post Share on other sites
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