<VV> RE: Pre-Purchase Inspection Services

[Alan Smith]

While I do not have a Pre-Purchase Inspection Service to recommend, I do 
have a Pre-Purchase Inspection Service which I would NOT recommend that you 
use.  I bought a SUV on eBay last September and arranged to have SGS 
Automotive Services inspect the vehicle before it was shipped.  SGS took 
longer than initially promised to have an inspector look at the vehicle.  I 
then received an inspection report which recommend that I have the brakes, 
transmission and steering components inspected by a certified technician. 
The report also stated that there had NOT been a test drive due to storms in 
the area.  Because I had already contracted with a shipper I did not have 
time to have the vehicle re-inspected.  Thankfully, once I received the 
vehicle it drove fine and I have not had any trouble with the transmission 
or steering components, although I did have to have some brake work done.  
It was not a good feeling to wait 2 weeks to find out if the car was okay or 
not and to feel like I spent $99 to receive a CYA inspection report.  Next 
time I will do things differently and not back myself into a corner.

Alan Smith
Oakland, CA
1963 Convertible Monza


Good evening all:

Anybody want to recommend a Pre-Purchase Inspection Service?
This transaction would be long distance as I am in the Pacific Northwest
and the car is in Gilmer, Texas. What should someone expect this service
to cost? Especially using something as comprehensive as Steve Serenska's
checklist.

Thanks.

Bill Chellis