Long distance purchase and shipping. Need advice.

My son has found a car in Tampa that he really wants but I need some advice on getting it back to Atlanta. He's very confident of the car itself. Seller is the original owner and has provided plenty of pics and documentation of the car. Normally I'd drive out with him and bring it back but I'm really not looking forward to 7.5 hours each way. Of course if I did, at least we'd see the car before purchasing. But, if I decide I want to have the car shipped, what's the best way to go about this? I'm really talking about the financial transaction. I'm pretty trusting but there's something about sending money for a car before the shipping company even has their hands on it. Also, the owner has plenty of used and extra parts that go along with the car. Most can be stuffed in the car but some not. Will any of the shipping companies some how take care of these too? Never done this before so looking for advice from those who have.

Thanks

7.5 hour drive each way or fly down one way and drive back is likely your best bet.

Another option is if you can find someone here on the board who is local and get them to lay eyes on it before purchasing and maybe lay hands on it gathering the parts.

I've shipped lots of cars, and in fact am getting ready to ship another one in. I also live in Atlanta. I've tried different shipping companies, but I have consistently come back to u-ship.com It's sort of like an Ebay style shipping site. You list your shipment and carriers bid on it. You can read feedback from other people on their performance. Plus the shippers bid against each other, so you can get a bargain. It's worked like a charm every time for me. From Tampa, it's a straight shot up I-75, which is a very popular route for snow birds who have their cars transported. You should be able to get a great rate.

Over this past summer, I had a car shipped from Denver to Ohio. A distance of over 1,200 miles and it cost $600 or just about 50 cents per mile traveled. To me, that was a bargain.
In your situation, maybe 500 miles and maybe $250.

Your bank and his bank can do a wire transfer for the financial end, but really this sounds like a great opportunity for a roadtripickup with your son.

I am local in St. Petersburg if you need another set of eyes or hands involved. I also have family in Atlanta and could even help drive or deliver the vehicle if you'd like. I do have access to a tow vehicle and could rent a uhaul trailer. You can contact me, Dan, through the forum messaging system and it goes straight to email.

In reply to JohnRW1621:

Thought about flying down but he has enough parts that it's not all going to fit into the car that's being purchased.

Definitely hit up some of the Tampa/St. Pete forum members. There are several. They could do a pre-purchase look/see for you, as well as help with transportation.

And shipping should be cheap, as noted above. With all the snowbirds shipping their cars to FL right now, lots of empty trailers going back north.

What about the financial transaction? What's the best and easiest way to take care of it. And I'm taking about the transaction if I have the car shipped. I'd hate to send money with a wire transfer and for some reason the shipper backs out. How is all of this handled?

Are you talking about the financial transaction of the shipping, or the car? If it's the shipping, I'll again suggest u-ship. You'll pay a $40 or so service fee, but it gives you security. You pay U-Ship up front, they then give you a payment "code". When the car is shipped and arrives at your door, then you give that code to the shipper so they can collect the money.

No, I was talking about the financial transaction. Concerned about paying for the car upfront and then being left empty handed. What's the best way to handle this? Escrow service?

I've done this a number of times, and it is a leap of faith. I always have a friendly set of eyes look at it (and the surroundings/situation) and have spent enough time emailing and talking first. You can gauge it by the shipping. A good seller who loves his car and realizes that it is going to a good home will be super helpful to work with the shipping company for pickup. I write a bill of sale that states that on completion of the wire transfer with confirmation from the bank the car is considered sold and ownership transfers.

There's NO way I'd ever buy a car sight unseen. I did that once, had a PPI done and the car was a complete basket case when it showed up.

This is a big purchase and it's worth the time and cash to fly down there and lay your own eyes on it, drive it, inspect it etc.

If you can't do that you need to wait until a car that's more local to you pops up...