I've bought my last 2 cars without seeing or touching them.
Both were imported from Japan, inspected and purchased by professional buyers at Japanese auctions, with communications, importation, paperwork etc arranged by a professional broker. Selection of the vehicles was made based on photographs and inspection reports sent via email.
Ultimately a very simple and successful operation which I will almost certainly do again.
<<purchased by professional buyers at Japanese auctions>>
How did you find these buyers? Are these just auto brokers (e.g., these guys are popular in SV: http://www.hammerauto.com/) or is this something different?
The buyers conduct inspections, supply photos and place bids at the request of the broker. I pay the broker for their contact with professional buyers and their knowledge of the imports process (ie, paperwork, shipping contacts, etc).
I never had any contact with the buyers themselves - they may not actually speak english.
If I had to guess, I would say the buyers work for many different brokers.
Both were imported from Japan, inspected and purchased by professional buyers at Japanese auctions, with communications, importation, paperwork etc arranged by a professional broker. Selection of the vehicles was made based on photographs and inspection reports sent via email.
Ultimately a very simple and successful operation which I will almost certainly do again.