Best way to sell a car?

[Mr Twigbert]

Have A stranger coming over from Craigs List to look at one of our cars. My queastion is what do you guys & gals think is the best way to take payment?

1) Cash is always best but I am asking over $14,000 so that is a little much to count and a little much to ask of the buyer. Right?

2) Check. But anyone Tom, Dick & Harry can write on a piece of paper and take the car only to find out there is no money in the account.

3) Money Order. Ever post something on CL and some shit bag sends you a VERY realistic looking money order? I had no idea someone could just print one of these up and have it look so realistic.

So only option #1 seems safe but I can't see anyone bringing cash of that amount.

What do you think?

[Josepy]

Have A stranger coming over from Craigs List to look at one of our cars. My queastion is what do you guys & gals think is the best way to take payment?

1) Cash is always best but I am asking over $14,000 so that is a little much to count and a little much to ask of the buyer. Right?

2) Check. But anyone Tom, Dick & Harry can write on a piece of paper and take the car only to find out there is no money in the account.

3) Money Order. Ever post something on CL and some shit bag sends you a VERY realistic looking money order? I had no idea someone could just print one of these up and have it look so realistic.

So only option #1 seems safe but I can't see anyone bringing cash of that amount.

What do you think?


Have him bring a certified check from his bank. Go to your bank together and deposit it. That is what I do when I sell vehicles.

[-stew-]

I'd ask your bank. Maybe a wire transfer can be done if you and the seller meet with a personal banker at your bank?

[PureSound15]

Teller can do a wire transfer.

Cashiers check is the next best bet - and incredibly easy for him. Your bank *shouldn't* hold a cashier's check, but they can. His bank will cash it like any personal check, I'd take the cash over to your bank.


14k cash is easy to get from a bank, too if you wanted to be really easy. Very common thing to do.

[Yooformula]

cashiers check and maybe give your bank a call to see if they can verify the numbers over the phone. I dont see the issue with giving though, otherwise he pay in cashier's check and you hold the title until it clears but give him a receipt in the meantime.

[PureSound15]

FTR - industry standard is now to NOT confirm available funds on a check due to confidentiality.

Even 2 years ago we could call and see if a check was good before we sent it though, now most financials wont give any information.

A cashiers check will always be good unless it's fraudulent. Rather than funds being in the account of the buyer, they're moved to a seperate GL owned by the financial - hence "gaurunteed" because the bank already claimed the funds.

Not tryin to get all educational here - just helpin to explain how it works.

[Mr Twigbert]

Difference between cahsiers check and money order? Ryan?

Hate selling cars. You I trusted. Some shit fuck from CL, nope.

[Prince Valiant]

A cashiers check will always be good unless it's fraudulent. Rather than funds being in the account of the buyer, they're moved to a seperate GL owned by the financial - hence "gaurunteed" because the bank already claimed the funds.
Could one call the bank that issued the cashier's check and verify that it's legit/not fraudulent? Can the bank do that?

My last two cars I paid cash for...one was 6,500, the other 10,500...but both were out of state purchases, and the sellers felt most comfortable with cash, which I had no problem with...but it was a little disconcerting traveling across the country with that kind of dough on me, lol.

[PureSound15]

Depends on the bank. I'd say 70% of financials wont give any information at all.

If a client screws up - the financial makes money. No matter how they spin it, it's done so that they can collect the fee income once the client overdrafts and or incurs whatever other fees apply.

[Moparjim]

Have him bring a certified check from his bank. Go to your bank together and deposit it. That is what I do when I sell vehicles.

This can still end up being no good weeks later, and your bank will hold you accountable and deduct the money. The only truly safe way is cash or a wire transfer. Wire transfer is one way, once its in your account its yours. I've bought and sold 40,000 cars this way. Your bank and their bank can set it up easily.

[FoxStang]

Dim lighting and a creative story.

[jbiscuit]

Bank check (certified) or cash....if they are out of state, cashiers check from HIS bank for sure or cash always is good. Do the transaction AT his bank even. Make him sign a "Vehicle Bought AS IS" statement also and make copies for each of you in addition to the title. I don't like yahoos coming to my house either so be cautious of that as well

[Moparjim]

FTR - industry standard is now to NOT confirm available funds on a check due to confidentiality.

Even 2 years ago we could call and see if a check was good before we sent it though, now most financials wont give any information.

A cashiers check will always be good unless it's fraudulent. Rather than funds being in the account of the buyer, they're moved to a seperate GL owned by the financial - hence "gaurunteed" because the bank already claimed the funds.

Not tryin to get all educational here - just helpin to explain how it works.

The problem is that even half sophisticated forgers can print up a cashiers check that looks legit, often even using a local bank and valid account numbers that all look legit and check out as legit until the check is tendered and its found to be fraudulent. Wire transfer is only way to go I've bought and sold an average of 3-5 cars atvs bikes etc per year for 20 years and the last decade or so fraudulent paper of all kinds checks, cashiers checks, money orders have become all too commmon.

[0TransAm0]

just have your uniform on and gun in the holster should keep the guy from doing anything stupid...

[BoosTT]

Cashiers check is pretty safe. Go to the bank together, if you are worried.

[DirtyMax]

If he doesn't feel comfortable carrying that much cash around, offer to escort him to his bank and take it from there. With all the creative ways to create false documents now, I sure as heck wouldn't have it any other way these days.

[hrsp]

CASH....simple

[michelle]

Wear your uniform and cash in full.

[brotherbenn83]

Burn your car to the ground and collect the insurance money, wait...what was the question again?

[HITMAN]

Burn your car to the ground and collect the insurance money, wait...what was the question again?

Lol, I was thinking along similar lines. Park the car around 19th and North. Leave key in ignition. Wait. Collect insurance.

[Slow Joe]

Well, what I did when we sold my dad's Boxster was went with the guy to his bank and had him take the cash out of the bank.

Voila, walked out with cash :rolf

I've never walked around with 30k in cash before... Or after that for that fact...

If the guy don't feel comfortable waiting to go to his bank to do the transaction, in my opinion something is wrong.