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hi all please help as i have found this Sterkeman van on ebay and paid a £50 deposit. I am a bit sacared about buying from ebay but talked to bloke all seems legit....but i am a worrier as this is my first van only a year old so not realy worried about caravan its self.

He told me it is not cris registered and he does not know vin number as its French so he does not think its got on. He says he has full proof of purchase to prove its his as he bought from new and said he got insured through Caravan club and not being cris registered was ok with them,

wot do you all think as im very new to this game.

Heres the van

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=012&item=220005693779&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

Thanks all

Hmmm, it might be worth talking to a dealer who sells foreign vans and pretend you are interested in buying one and in the course of the conversation ask him/her whether foreign vans have the same registration system as ours.  Bit devious I know but will give you a definitive answer.

I would imagine if  he has docs to prove purchase, you meet him at the address on the docs, the van is at the address etc etc then it is genuine but if he wants to meet you elsewhere, can't prove his identity etc walk away.  It won't be unreasonable to ask him to show you his driving licence as this too will have his home address on it as should any invoice.  If he tries to tell you he has moved or anything is suss don't touch it.

Hopefully it is genuine and you will have a great purchase.  Check out it is insurable in the UK and parts are readily available because some foreign vans are harder to ensure and get bits for than others.

Ali

Ali

Thanks for tha i have talked to him on his home phone number as i aked him for it in emails then phoned him at home plus i have sent the deposit cheque to his address and he says the van is at that address for pickup so he seems genuine and said to check his ebay credentials which i have and he has been with them for 5 years and all possitive transactions but i will take your advice and phone Freedom caravans tomorro as they are the dealer for Sterkeman and the only one.

Any more advice before i part with a wedge of money gratefull recieved

Thanks ali

http://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/Documents/Secondhand%20Caravans.pdf

Some hints and tips on buying a van from the C and CC.

Another thing you could do is a bt.com search.  If you go to BT.com you can do a directory enquiries search and providing he is not ex directory could check name against address.

Ali

It's worth doing an HPI check which can be arranged through the National Caravan Council http://www.nationalcaravan.co.uk/home/index.asp?rid=306&id=1

Thinking of buying a caravan?
For only £14.95 (incl. VAT) you can find out in seconds...
- if it has been reported as stolen
- written-off by an insurance company
- or still subject to outstanding finance.

Simply call CRiS on 01722 411430 and tell them the 17 digit VIN or serial number and you can pay by credit/debit card.

Good luck