Unsuspecting buyers with repro documents

[TimG]

For $100 the buyer could have sent the three documents off to have them validated. One hundred bucks vs spending whatever they did for a car. This is not uncommon, I saw it with a car that cost somebody over $200,000 last year. If somebody doesn't know how to tell fake documents from real ones, ask for help. If somebody doesn't know how to tell a fake stamp from a real one, ask for help. $100 may seem like lots of money, but there's lots involved in the validation process. It may seem like you're risking the deal of a lifetime holding off on buying a car for a day or two, but that's not always the case.

[cook_dw]

Originally Posted by TimG

If somebody doesn't know how to tell fake documents from real ones, ask for help. If somebody doesn't know how to tell a fake stamp from a real one, ask for help. $100 may seem like lots of money, but there's lots involved in the validation process. It may seem like you're risking the deal of a lifetime holding off on buying a car for a day or two, but that's not always the case.

This is exactly right.. The reality of all this is the buyer has to do the work.. All we as hobbyist can do is support the ones that ask and continue to expose the ones that pop up. As long as greed and ignorance are in the equation there is nothing more ultimately we can do.

[fsc66]

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[fsc66]

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[Charley Lillard]

Originally Posted by fsc66

On unsubstantiated high value, rare cars, non-numbers matching. Back of all those documents:

You only put the watermark on the back ? Couldn't I just copy the front and then there would be no watermark on the back ?

[fsc66]

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[cook_dw]

That would be great if everyone was honest.. But that is not the case. What happens if you die unexpectedly? Will your wife and/or kids know that fake docs are to be destroyed? What about the other guy that has the same thoughts as you? Eventually somewhere down the road this is gonna happen.. This is EXACTLY why I stated what I did previously.. I'll quote it for the lazy that do not want to go back..

Originally Posted by cook_dw

This is exactly right.. The reality of all this is the buyer has to do the work.. All we as hobbyist can do is support the ones that ask and continue to expose the ones that pop up. As long as greed and ignorance are in the equation there is nothing more ultimately we can do.

The argument being discussed here will never end. Just like politics..

[Pusher_Man]

Originally Posted by TimG

For $100 the buyer could have sent the three documents off to have them validated. One hundred bucks vs spending whatever they did for a car. This is not uncommon, I saw it with a car that cost somebody over $200,000 last year. If somebody doesn't know how to tell fake documents from real ones, ask for help. If somebody doesn't know how to tell a fake stamp from a real one, ask for help. $100 may seem like lots of money, but there's lots involved in the validation process. It may seem like you're risking the deal of a lifetime holding off on buying a car for a day or two, but that's not always the case.

Very interesting thread.

I wanted to make one point I felt was worth the space.

I’d like to point out that yes, there are some on this thread and board (and others for $100) who could help someone ID fake docs and cowl tags, etc., but for the most part the general public has no knowledge of any of them. Many people are naive, and the others who seek out help don’t know who the “good” helpers are and who aren’t.

Thankfully I’m blessed to have 3 good buddies that help me on a regular basis, and they’ve even referred me to a couple more on here in a couple instances.

But, my first rodeo was with a Shelby and I googled for an appraiser and came across what appeared to be just what I needed...boy was I mistaken and as another poster pointed out, it could have led to me being jaded by this hobby and never having anything to do with it again. Thankfully it was a great car even though it was a terrible “appraiser” and I dodged a big bullet.

My main point is this...I believe most people would invest $100 to be sure about their 50k+ investment if they only knew that option existed with a great source.

Thanks to you all.
Kasey

[Xplantdad]

Good for you, Dan!

[rsinor]

I've often thought there is a simple way to slow all of this down,

1 GM could require a licensing fee for use of their logos.

2 The producer of the document could include a statement that said reproduction not intended to be used as authentic documentation, or something similar.