Cars & Parts MarketplacePrivate-party saleCommunity Starter

2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class — seller asks for a deposit before showing the car

TorqueMomCommunity StarterMar 20, 20262020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E450Washington DC
Private seller says several people are interested and asks for an electronic deposit to hold the car before I can see it. The listing is not obviously fake, but the request makes me uncomfortable.
apr
3.38
location
Washington DC
ppi planned
term months
48
asking price
55000
dealer addons
2495
dealer doc fee
199
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22 replies

MarketMom68Community StarterCommunity StarterMar 20, 2026permalink
Don't get cute with the meetup or the payment. A rushed deposit before you can inspect the 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is enough reason to walk. That's where I'd start. This is from a 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class in Washington DC. Just my two cents from doing this recently. Make the next action something you can finish this week. I'm keeping receipts and dates in one folder.
RotorHunterCommunity StarterCommunity StarterMar 21, 2026permalink
Fair point. Counterpoint: Bill of sale, VIN, odometer, and names matching the title — I'd want all four on the 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class. That's where I'd start. No need to make it theatrical. Not letting add-ons ride along because everyone does.
RotorHunterCommunity StarterCommunity StarterMar 20, 2026permalink
Title status is the whole conversation. Bill of sale, VIN, odometer, and names matching the title — I'd want all four on the 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Then you'll know the next fork. That's the sequence I'd use. Might be overthinking it, but I'd rather overthink than overspend.
CanyonDriverCommunity StarterCommunity StarterMar 20, 2026permalink
I'd treat this like cash with a paper trail. Independent PPI on the 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is cheap insurance versus a seller who “already had a friend look at it.” Then you'll know the next fork. On “benz e-class — seller asks for a,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Post the numbers (or the code) and people can get more specific. I asked for the buyer’s order in email, not a text.
ShopRoadieCommunity StarterCommunity StarterMar 20, 2026permalink
Private-party deals fail on paperwork, not vibes. A rushed deposit before you can inspect the 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is enough reason to walk. I'd do that before spending real money. If it doesn't change the out-the-door or the repair estimate, it's noise. If they only talk monthly I'm walking.
BoostDriverCommunity StarterCommunity StarterMar 20, 2026permalink
Title status is the whole conversation. Independent PPI on the 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is cheap insurance versus a seller who “already had a friend look at it.” Then you'll know the next fork. If they can't show the line item, I assume it's hiding. Not trying to scare you — just skip the expensive first guess. I'll post OTD once I have two apples-to-apples sheets.
TrackCollectorCommunity StarterCommunity StarterMar 21, 2026permalink
Title status is the whole conversation. If the 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class still shows a lien, coordinate payoff with the lender before any cash changes hands. I'd do that before spending real money. This is from a 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class in Washington DC. Have you gotten a second quote in writing? PPI guy I use is booked until next week, so I'm waiting.
TorqueMomCommunity StarterCommunity StarterMar 21, 2026permalink
Coming back with numbers — insurance in Washington DC changed the 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class comparison more than the sale price did. Not wiring anything in the meantime.
TorqueMomCommunity StarterCommunity StarterMar 22, 2026permalink
OP here. Still looking, but I'm waiting on inspection notes before I send money on the 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Going to compare one more dealer before I decide.
RustBeltGuy896Community StarterCommunity StarterMar 21, 2026permalink
I'd treat this like cash with a paper trail. Bill of sale, VIN, odometer, and names matching the title — I'd want all four on the 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class. That's where I'd start. On “benz e-class — seller asks for a,” that was the fork that mattered for me. If they can't show the line item, I assume it's hiding. If they get vague again I'm shopping the deal elsewhere.
RotorHunterCommunity StarterCommunity StarterMar 21, 2026permalink
Don't get cute with the meetup or the payment. Meet at a bank or dealer title office for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, not a parking lot at night. Then you'll know the next fork. This is from a 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class in Washington DC. No need to make it theatrical. Make the next action something you can finish this week. Calling insurance in the morning before I reply to the desk.
RotorHunterCommunity StarterCommunity StarterMar 21, 2026permalink
Quick add on that: A rushed deposit before you can inspect the 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is enough reason to walk. I'd do that before spending real money. On “benz e-class — seller asks for a,” that was the fork that mattered for me. That's the sequence I'd use. Climate here is different, so treat that as a local data point. That's my plan before I call anyone.
MarketMom68Community StarterCommunity StarterMar 22, 2026permalink
I'd push back a little: A rushed deposit before you can inspect the 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is enough reason to walk. That's where I'd start. Take it or leave it — that's what I'd do. Calling insurance in the morning before I reply to the desk.
TorqueMomCommunity StarterCommunity StarterMar 21, 2026permalink
OP update: I got two written quotes on the 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the out-the-door gap is bigger than the ads made it look. That's my plan before I call anyone.
MarketMom68Community StarterCommunity StarterMar 22, 2026permalink
That's a good start, but I wouldn't stop there. Meet at a bank or dealer title office for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, not a parking lot at night. I'd do that before spending real money. Not gospel, but it saved me a headache. If the title is messy I'm out, full stop.
TorqueMomCommunity StarterCommunity StarterMar 21, 2026permalink
Walked a dealership this week on the 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the doc fee was the tell. Sleeping on the number either way.
TorqueMomCommunity StarterCommunity StarterMar 21, 2026permalink
Quick update: a second 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class quote made the first offer look ordinary. I asked for the buyer’s order in email, not a text.
RotorHunterCommunity StarterCommunity StarterMar 21, 2026permalink
Private-party deals fail on paperwork, not vibes. Meet at a bank or dealer title office for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, not a parking lot at night. Then you'll know the next fork. This is from a 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class in Washington DC. No need to make it theatrical. Doc fee is the line I'm watching.
BoostDriverCommunity StarterCommunity StarterMar 21, 2026permalink
Don't get cute with the meetup or the payment. A rushed deposit before you can inspect the 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is enough reason to walk. I'd do that before spending real money. Verbal 'we'll take care of it' is not a plan. I'm keeping receipts and dates in one folder.
TrackDriver489Community StarterCommunity StarterMar 21, 2026permalink
Title status is the whole conversation. A rushed deposit before you can inspect the 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is enough reason to walk. That's where I'd start. Do that first. If this is nothing, great. I want that in data.
RustBeltGuy896Community StarterCommunity StarterMar 22, 2026permalink
That's a good start, but I wouldn't stop there. Meet at a bank or dealer title office for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, not a parking lot at night. That's where I'd start. I'd want that in writing, not as a promise. Going to compare one more dealer before I decide.
TrailBuyerCommunity StarterCommunity StarterMar 21, 2026permalink
Title status is the whole conversation. Bill of sale, VIN, odometer, and names matching the title — I'd want all four on the 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class. That's where I'd start. Run the total, not the monthly, before you commit. I'd rather be boring and correct. If this is nothing, great. I want that in data.
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