So the guy has an equipment business. I am not completely sure the guy I am dealing with is the owner. Some red flags. Speaks English, sort of. has provide lots of info. Pix of the equipment with sn. Has provided an AL drives license. He looks older than the date. Some people age differently. The DL looks weird to me. Has a business license in the business name. Has provided a invoice for the sale. Has created a bill of lading for transportation. He has his own shipping company Offshore name.
When I questioned him and told him I would not wire funds until I as satisfied he got pissed.
Seems liget, then it doesn't. I am feeling like without someone seeing things on the ground there I am going to have to pass. To good to be true. Maybe so. Oh well. Better than being took for sure.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: old rugged cross,

Proof that he is the legal owner. And no existing liens.

That is a great point. I do not believe there are titles for them. What would I ask for to prove ownership?

Good question. Possibly a "Paid in full" receipt from purchase.

ORC, congrats on the new (proposed) purchase.

Johnny, I'm not trying to be cute, I don't know. Since equipment isn't titled, at least not in my state, how would you go about proving ownership or lien free?

For example, I have a Deere tractor. If I were to sell it, I could provide the purchaser proof of purchase new. It was financed, I suppose I could show a statement indicating account free and clear. But, suppose we're talking about a machine that's changed hands several times; it's unlikely that ownership chain documentation would continue to follow the machine.

ORC, I did some preliminary investigation into this. It seems the best answer is to conduct a lien search under the Universal Commercial Code through the Secretary of State, in your state.

I tried this in Georgia, and there's a subscription fee to access the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority. You could create an account and pay the monthly fee of $25 and cancel it. In your case: see https://biz.sosmt.gov/. It doesn't mention any fee. Lucky you...

Or, for probably a similar fee, you could get another third party to do it for you.

I don't know. It's the risk you take I guess.

Thanks guys, this is a small business in Alabama. They do used farm and construction equip. sales.

You should be safe then.

BTW, you should receive that shipment we've been working on Friday.

Wonderful, thanks a ton for all your help with that Mj. I appreciate it more than you know.

Lets keep in touch and maybe hook up in the spring

I updated the op in case any of you have any thoughts.

How far is this business from you? Is it drivable or no? How did you find the excavator?

I worked for Case New Holland and other equipment manufacturers and lenders for 2 years, every piece of equipment we sold was via wire transfer.

If he’s a legit business I wouldn’t worry about that part.

If you’re concerned about buying sight unseen that’s another story but has nothing to do with the seller.

Check and see if it’s listed in equipment trader, everything we sold went there first. A lot may have changed in the past 20 years but if it’s in the trader in the same location I doubt you’re being screwed.

Option: pay a local small equipment or large equipment mechanic 250$ or a couple hours shop rate to go inspect it for you. We did this as a third party for finance companies on off-leased and repossessed equipment since dealers can be biased when valuing said equipment.

quote:

Speaks English, sort of

^^^^^^^^^^^
Explain a little more. Most everyone I know in that area has English as primary language.

Go with your gut which seems to be telling you no. If you aren’t going there to pick it up, I’d wait for one closer to home to show up.

How too good to be true are you talking about?

Out of curiosity, what bank and account is listed on the wire transfer instructions? Is it an American bank?

So, was this piece of equipment listed on the company's website, including details/pics? Do they have a website? Are they a legitimate business, with a street address that can be located on Google Maps? When do they expect the payment to be wired and what are the terms?

Lots of questions...

Where in Alabama is this guy?

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:

quote:

Speaks English, sort of

^^^^^^^^^^^
Explain a little more. Most everyone I know in that area has English as primary language.

Well it is Alabama

My business has been buying and selling farm equipment all over the US for the past 15 years. My advice is if you have any doubts at all, and it seems like you do, just walk away from the deal. If this guy is not legit, you will have NO recourse, and I mean NONE.

I have never lost in a deal like this (knock on wood) and I have wired many millions of $ over the years. But a good friend of mine did lose over $100,000 wiring money to someone who was not legit. And my friend did do some checking on the seller but still got scammed.

Its just not worth it. There will be another deal.

Send me an email with your phone number if you want. I know a few JD dealers in AL. I might be able to check on this guy for you.