[awanatech]

I have not sold (nor bought) a vehicle or other high value item via private sale in over 20 years. My newest vehicle is 13 years old. Except for a very low value used car a bought a couple of years ago, my last several ones had been purchased new and kept many years.

I have a travel trailer that I'm considering putting up for sale and have been wondering the best way to accept payment. I don't know exactly how much yet, but it will likely be in the $11K-12K range. I'm not comfortable taking a personal check, but really don't know if I would trust someone to bring a "Certified" check or bank check, not knowing if it would be a counterfeit or not. I expect most people would not bring that much cash to purchase, and not sure if I'd want that either. I know several of you have bought/ sold vehicles privately, how have you handled this? I have thought about letting a potential buyer look at it, then meet them or follow them to their bank to transfer funds directly to me at that point and then sign the title over. Any suggestions or other ways to safely handle the transaction?

 

[awanatech]

Thanks bdee & Nemo. That's what I was thinking, meet in person & transfer funds at their bank.

Yeah, I'm not getting involved in any 3rd party payments or having someone pick it up while the real buyer is out of the country, even if there is a 25% premium tacked on for my trouble. It needs to be meeting in person, with the actual buyer, transferring funds and signing papers. I don't believe anyone legitimately wants to buy it sight unseen either.

 

[awanatech]

According to my bank manager, if the check is fraudalent, you'll still be on the hoof for the amount.

Last time I sold a car, it was a significant amount of money so I had him bring a check to the bank and cash it. They gave me access to a private room to count it, and then I deposited the cash.

Az

This is what I've always heard too. Like AtlPhilip mentioned, it can take a few weeks before it goes through the system to come back as fraudulent. I was thinking something along the lines of meeting at the buyer's bank and having a check cut right then, where I know the funds are verified, then handing me the check. But then again, if we are right there like that, they could just give me the cash. I may also look into the electronic funds transfers/ wire transfer options.

I'm hoping to have it ready to list for sale by next weekend and have been wondering about payment options. I appreciate all of the replies. I'm also trying to figure out the best place to list it. I'm not a Craigslist fan, but I won't rule it out. Do people still use Auto (RV) Trader anymore? List in local paper or AJC paper? I'm realizing that it has been a long time since I sold anything of significant value.

 

[awanatech]

What is your sale price. If its over about $5k you will have likely have little response on craigslist. If its in that price range, put it on CL and it should be gone in 3-4 days.

You will also likely get a call from a service that will list it in umpteen places and get it gone quick. They will ask for description and probably appraise/price it $2-3K above your desire. I never dealt with them. They do not work on commission and want $2-300 up front. I suggest if you do not bother with that.

If you do craigslist and its reasonably do-able for you, set the meet up to view at a local mall or such and go with a friend or 2, all OCing.

Nemo

I'm still working on details, but probably selling for $10,500.

I had thought about not listing on CL because of the nuisance calls & offers, but I'm reconsidering that idea. I'm not interested in the services that will offer to sell it for me like that. As I've thought about it, I imagine that anyone who is looking to buy will at least take a look there. Wherever else they may look, I bet most will at least stop by CL. I don't want to alienate a legit buyer.

This week, I'm cleaning it up & cleaning out, trying to get it clean & ready. It's ready to camp, I just have had a lot of stuff in various cubbies. I've also had a lot of house & car issues that have taken higher priority the past few weeks. So the camper has been pushed off a little bit.

I'm not too far from the Sheriff's Dept & thought I might meet there. As well as having a friend or 2 with me.

I appreciate your input into it.

 

[awanatech]

Also remember that it's off-season for camper sales. Try again in the spring.

I had thought of that too, but fall is an excellent time to head for the N. GA state parks in your "new" camper. At least I'm hoping someone else will think that also.

 

[awanatech]

As do I. But for someone who doesn't own a camper , spring Sparks the fever. Paul does too, but no one wants to buy a camper and have it sit for 6 months.

Winter is the best time to buy, and late spring early summer the best time to sell.

For me, I'm much more likely to camp in Fall-Spring than I am Spring-Fall. My camping season is more like my motorcycle season. I'd much rather camp or ride all winter, even into the teens, than I would through the 95 degree days of summer. But I do understand that's not really typical, or at least when it comes to people getting the itch to buy in the spring.

 

[awanatech]

Sunny, I was liking the thought of a $12,000 check. Of course, I'm sure you would want me to keep a little of the overage, you know, for my troubles and all. But then CM got me to thinking... that $21,000 check would look pretty good. I'm already thinking of the cars I could buy off of Craigslist with that kind of a check. So if I go ahead & WU you the $10,500 overage, I can count on you to send a check for $21,000, right? Since I'm sure you'll be out of the country for a few months on business, you'll be making arrangements for your friend to pick up the camper. I can't believe I was even worried that this might not work out.

 

[awanatech]

Believe it or not, folks... IT FINALLY HAPPENED!

:woohoo:

I'm going to go out on a limb here... I bet this is not the first time you've driven people to have thoughts though... lol

 

[awanatech]

The terms of your deal are right there, out on the interwebznets for all to see. It's well published with witnesses. Of COURSE you can count on her!

I knew that I could find the right person who was willing to send enough extra $$ in a check and was ready to buy it sight unseen. I'm sure she's probably on the way to the post office now to drop off the check.

 

[awanatech]

I should just be so excited to do whatever it takes to make sunny happy. After all, she's going to send me a check for $21,000\\/

 

[awanatech]

Well, I think everything looks ok with the check. It is probably the most colorful check I've had, but I'm sure it willl be fine. The WU system is down for sending the cash to you now. They said I could send you a pic that you can print out. So here's the $10,500 in cash that I owe you for the extra from your check.

 

[awanatech]

It was my pleasure sunny, I hope you enjoy it too. Now, I have some craigslist shopping to do before the marker smears on that check.

 

[awanatech]

I have seen in the news for the past week or so about the movie prop money scams going on around Atlanta lately. I've mainly heard about it concerning retailers, but I keep it in mind for selling a travel trailer also. But thank you for the tip and reminder about it.

 

[awanatech]

While Sunnymw & CM got this a little derailed, I do appreciate all of the tips & advise. It's given me a good bit to think about and beware of. There's too many ways to get taken out there & I know that many of ya'll will give good, solid advise.

Don't worry sunnymw, this doesn't change anything about the legitimacy (or lack of) of the money that I sent you (a pic of). Now, I need to hurry and do some Craigslist shopping & buying before the markers smear on that check. And who knows, if I hurry, maybe I can have this thing sold again before your associates get here at 2am.