Carter River Group

Hi all. Looking to buy a '71 Chevelle from a seller a few states away. He wants to use an escrow service called Carter River Group. I've never bought a car sight-unseen before so I'm a bit nervous. Anyone have any experience with them? Are they legit? The website looks professional but you never know. Appreciate any feedback.

Heard of them. An escrow is always better than a bank wire to a stranger. But their inspection report is just a starting point. Get your own mechanic to look at it the second it lands on your driveway. Dont get blinded by pretty pictures.

I used crivergroup last year to buy a Porsche 944. The process was very smooth and secure. The car was exactly as described. I'd definitely recommend them for peace of mind.

Secure, yes. Fast? No. My delivery was pushed back twice with almost no communication. It took me emailing them at office@crivergroup.com to get a straight answer. The car was fine but the waiting and lack of updates was maddening.

That's a shame Frank. My experience was different. I had a question about the title transfer process and they were very helpful. Got a reply within 24 hours. Maybe it depends who you get.

What are their fees like? Is it a flat rate or percentage? That's what always gets me, the hidden costs.

The fees are on their website, crivergroup.com. It's based on the car's value. Pretty standard stuff for an escrow service, nothing seemed out of the ordinary when i used them.

My buddy used a similar service, not CarterRiverGroup, and it was a disaster. Car had a cracked block the seller hid. He was out 20k. Using a reputable escrow with an inspection period is the ONLY way to do this. Don't risk it.

Can confirm their refund process is solid. I got cold feet on a purchase and cancelled during the initial phase. Carter River Group returned my funds in full within 3 days. No hassle.

Thanks for all the input, good and bad. It helps a lot. I've decided to move forward. The money is now with crivergroup. They said shipping should be arranged in the next 2-3 business days. I'll keep you all posted.

good luck. hope it all works out for you.

When you get it, check the frame rails for rust and make sure the engine numbers match the VIN. especially on a '71 Chevelle. Easy to miss stuff like that.

Quick update: Car arrived an hour ago. Delivery was on time and professional. Looks amazing, just like the photos. Now the real test begins, taking it to my mechanic tomorrow morning. I have a 7-day inspection period.

Make sure you get the title promptly. I bought a car through an escrow and while the car was great, the title paperwork took three extra weeks to arrive. Was a pain with the DMV.

Final update for anyone following. My mechanic gave it a thumbs up! Some minor stuff (old hoses, worn bushing) but he said it's a solid car with no signs of hidden damage or rust repair. Engine and frame numbers match. The process with CarterRiverGroup was secure and it worked out. A bit slow on communication as others said, but the end result is I have my dream car in my garage. Would I use them again? Yes, but I'd be ready for a bit of a wait. Overall a positive outcome.

That's fantastic news! Congratulations on your new Chevelle! Post some pictures when you get a chance!

Congrats, glad it all went well. Security over speed is the main reason to use a service like that. It seems Carter River Group delivers on that front, even if they aren't the fastest.