Situation: Sketchy used car buyer

[Grape Ape]

So I bought my wife a new car to go with the new baby and was trying to sell her old one. The first guy to respond to the ad seemed a little weird and wanted buy the car right away. I told him I had a class shortly (from 5-9pm) and suggested we meet the next day. But he wanted me to drive 10 miles and meet him in a bank parking lot after my class (who buys a used car in the dark?).

I just can’t figure out if he was weird or had some strange crime planned. If roles were reversed and he wanted me to bring a couple thousand dollars and meet him in a dark, empty parking lot then I would be fairly sure he wanted to rob me, but why would he go to so much trouble to steal my wife’s 12-year-old station wagon?

What do you guys think? Was he a crook or a kook? Have you ever heard of crooks using a classified ad and a prepaid (or stolen) cell phone to set up a fairly lucrative stickup?

BTW: from his accent I’d guess he was from Sri Lanka, and I sold the car the next day to a nice couple who were willing to come to my home at a reasonable hour.

[10volt]

Your smart not to go through with the late night, people from 2nd and third world country's always makes me cautious because whatever they do good or bad they always have a place to run where you can't get at them. Never in one place for long period of time using P.O Boxes for addresses etc.... If it don't feel right in your gut then always go with your first impressions, I'd say you did good not to mention the couple you sold the car to sure sounded like they could use one.

[armymp119]

It seems a little out there i think you made the right choice. I would not have gone.

[wheelgunslinger]

i'm always buying and selling used cars and motorcycles. I won't ever let someone call the shots on the sale like that. First of all, it lets them know you are in control, and secondly, it lets them know you aren't a sucker. Two very important things.
So, you made the right move.

[SSN Vet]

the only thing that makes any sense to me is that the guy needed to cash a check and didn't have transportation to get back to you.

But that was his problem, not yours

Smart decision to stay away!!!

[odysseus]

Not sure what it matters what his accent was or not, but as another said here - you control the situation and sounds like you made the right call.