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One of the most terrible and infuriating things that can happen to you online is being scammed. It’s the bane of every online shopper and it is definitely not good for businesses that exist mostly online. However, internet users still believe that purchasing online is easier and more convenient—and it’s true. One of the areas where making online purchases is both convenient and risky is Japan’s used car market, because of its convenient affordability and history of scams. As a buyer, you should be aware about how to protect yourself from fraudulent sellers whose common modus operandi is not shipping or delivering the car you bought, or not contacting you at all once you’ve made full payment. Being a smart shopper means being well-informed, exercising caution, and leaving nothing to chance—so follow safety buying information to the letter! Here’s how to efficiently avoid fraud in the secondhand vehicle market. Too good to be true? It probably is. Take a look around used-car listings for the car model you want and take note of the specifications and selling price of each. This will give you a good idea of how much a car of its condition is going for—its market value. Now, if you see a car with the same specs that is priced so much cheaper, it’s probably too good to be true—the seller may be keeping something from you by trying to sell the car off cheap. It could be stolen, or has been illegally reassembled from various auto parts. Check and verify who you’re dealing with. One of the go signals you ca use when doing transactions in the Japanese used car market is seller legitimacy. The company you are dealing with should be a legally-registered export company in Japan that is licensed to sell secondhand vehicles. To check, look through the directory of the Japan Used Motor Vehicle Exporters Association, or JUMVEA. The members of the JUMVEA are all verified legitimate businesses in Japan. As JUMVEA members, they are also bound by the values of the organization, including fair trade and ethical business practices. Verifying through the JUMVEA directory is also easy—when you find a seller’s listing in the member directory, check the contact information and business address written on their company info page. Do a quick search on the internet to verify the company’s address and Japan-based telephone numbers. A company involved in the Japanese used car market that isn’t listed in the JUMVEA directory and who refuses to give their permanent business address and landline telephone number may be a fraud. In close, open communication Sellers are generally very helpful when it comes to entertaining customers’ questions about the cars they are selling. Dealers who go out of their way to provide you with additional photos of the car (as requested) can be trusted to see the transaction through until you receive the car in good condition. In addition, a seller who suggests you use a secure payment option works in good faith, because it means the company is thinking of your online safety as well. Keeping an open communication with the seller will help you determine if it is a good company to trust or not. Remember to follow these basic tips to avoid fraud in the Japanese used car market. We hope you find a dealer worth working with! Good luck!
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japanese cars, used cars, import cars,
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