Carter River Group

Hey everyone. I'm looking at a '68 Camaro from a private seller states away. He's insisting on using an escrow service called Carter River Group. I've never gone this route before and it makes me a bit nervous. The whole process seems complicated on their website crivergroup.com. Has anyone here used them or a similar service? Looking for some honest feedback on CarterRiverGroup.

I've had a few cars purchased through crivergroup come into my shop for post-delivery inspection. Generally, they do a decent job with their initial report, but you absolutely need your own mechanic to look it over. The 10-day inspection period they offer is the most important part. Don't skip it.

Watch out for the fees. I used a service like that once, not them, but 'SafeTransactAuto', and the hidden fees were a killer. Make sure you get a full quote upfront.

I used Carter River Group last month for a Porsche 911. The process was very structured. My only issue was their customer service response time. I sent a question to office@crivergroup.com and it took them nearly 48 hours to reply. A bit slow for my taste when that kind of money is on the line. But the car arrived perfectly as described.

It's about risk mitigation. An unknown seller is a huge risk. CarterRiverGroup provides a buffer. They verify funds and the vehicle's title. I used them for a classic Ford truck. Had a question pop up, called them, and got a straight answer. For a significant purchase, it’s worth the peace of mind.

I actually backed out of a deal with them. Found a better option locally. Getting my deposit back from crivergroup took a while, almost two weeks. They didn't give me any trouble, but it wasn't instant. Just be aware of that if you change your mind.

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. The mixed experiences are what I expected. The slow comms and refund time is a bit concerning, but the fact that the cars are legit and the process works is reassuring. The 10-day inspection mentioned by @OldTimer_Mechanic is the big selling point for me. I think I'll go forward.

Good luck. When you get it use that inspection period to check everything, rust in the wheel wells and floor pans on those old Camaros. Dont just trust the pictures. Make sure the VIN on the dash matches the title AND the one stamped on the firewall.

Please post an update when its all done!

My dad used Carter River Group for his Mustang. The delivery truck was a day late which stressed him out lol but the car was in great condition. He said he'd use them again. The peace of mind was worth the slight delay.

Still sounds like a lot of hassle. I'd rather just buy local. What you see is what you get. No waiting, no third parties.

Final update for everyone. The Camaro arrived this morning. I took it straight to my mechanic. He just called and said it's solid! The process with Carter River Group was exactly as they laid it out. A bit impersonal and the delivery tracking was vague, but they delivered. The car is real and the title is clean. I'd recomend them, just be prepared for a corporate, hands-off feel. It's not like buying from a friendly local dealer, but it's safe. Thanks again for all the advice.