Selling a vehicle tips?

ckruzer

Infidel
Joined
Jul 2, 2015
Location
asheville nc
Been a awhile since I’ve sold something other than to a dealer or fiend/family.

What protocols have y’all established from experience?

My current mind says meet only in a public place, not at home. Only deal in cash or account to account transfer, and this Only complete transactions at the bank.

What am I missing? What’s the protocol if someone wants to test drive?

Thanks
 
Test drive my vehicle I'm selling and you leave a person there with me, which can possibly result in them ragging the vehicle during test drive or You can ride shotgun... I've always dealt in cash, cash or go to bank with em! Just my .02 I've sold a few of the vehicle I've dragged home! Most areas have kid drop off spots with cameras for extra comfort also! Most ppl I buy from incite yacto their house I'm not against that but with family it's not best option!
 
I’ll take someone for a test ride until I see actual money.

I always have friends or family to be around for the meeting if possible, public places etc. multiple phone calls and text messages just to have paper trail and confirm everything.

If it’s craigslist I fwd all names and addresses and locations to my buddy with my location sharing turned on on my iPhone. This allows my best friend to see my location real time.

Then I’ll allow test drive while I ride shotgun. Preface that with you break it, you bought it. Got to make sure they actually have the loot before a free test drive.
 
My only one is that I talk to them on the phone before they come to my house. Test drives are no problem. I usually ride with because they don't know the area. But worst case scenario, solo test drive, they steal it. I'm trying to sell it, so they save me the trouble. That's the purpose of insurance, right?
 
Generally prefer public places during daylight hours. Previously (before having a friend with notary) that would be a bank or nearby, so if the deal goes through we can transfer the title immediately. I also prefer to ride along for the test drive. I keep the plate (they need to bring a temp or have it towed). Sold a car several years ago to a friend-of-a-friend and it was WEEKS before I got the plate back. I didnt appreciate that. My standards changed after that scenario. I also sign a bill of sale and have the buyer sign a copy as well (one for each of us), stating the vehicle is sold as-is, no warranty, etc. It's not reviewed by a lawyer or signed by notary, just a small peace of mind in case they attempt to come back and try to make a claim.

As others have said. I tell someone where I'm going, when I'm meeting, when to expect me back. I also carry, no exceptions.
 
The big thing is having a notary to notarize the title. That makes it final, plus another person as a witness. Can't say I haven't dealt with an open title before, but that $25000 fine if caught with one is kinda scary....
 
You don't have to have a witness, just be sure you sign and notarize the title. Also, if they don't want to sign their name on the title, don't sell it to them. If they get caught with the open title it can still come back on you even though the notary is really only notarizing your signature.
 
I'm like Matt.
I'll meet you at my house. We can sign paperwork at my Kitchen table. No further in the house though.

I do a bill of sale and make a copy of the signed title (copy machine in my house).
SC doesn't require a notary.

Test drive - Here are the keys, dont be gone more than an hour. Your vehicle stays here. If a friend rode along he is welcome to ride with you or hang out and talk, if he wants to sit in the truck I may ask more questions.

I figure if they steal or crash my vehicle that's what insurance is for.

I accept cash (I keep a veri-pen at home, they are a couple bucks at home depot, to make sure $100s are good) or cashier's checks made out in my name drawn from a major bank.
I keep the tag when they leave.
 
Initial meet at somewhere in town. If guy feeling is good, then we can test drive around and back to my house. Money/title transaction will be done at a bank. Unless it is one of y’all, then you can come straight to my house.
 
I'm like Matt.
I'll meet you at my house. We can sign paperwork at my Kitchen table. No further in the house though.

I do a bill of sale and make a copy of the signed title (copy machine in my house).
SC doesn't require a notary.

I accept cash or cashier's checks made out in my name drawn from a major bank.
I keep the tag when they leave.

Same here. And I've sold stuff by just parking it out by the road, so they kinda know where you live at that point... I can't think of anything I've actually sold to an individual that got a road test drive, but I've taken buyers or some epic trail test drives around our property.
 
I'm like Matt.
I'll meet you at my house. We can sign paperwork at my Kitchen table. No further in the house though.

I do a bill of sale and make a copy of the signed title (copy machine in my house).
SC doesn't require a notary.

Test drive - Here are the keys, dont be gone more than an hour. Your vehicle stays here. If a friend rode along he is welcome to ride with you or hang out and talk, if he wants to sit in the truck I may ask more questions.

I figure if they steal or crash my vehicle that's what insurance is for.

I accept cash (I keep a veri-pen at home, they are a couple bucks at home depot, to make sure $100s are good) or cashier's checks made out in my name drawn from a major bank.
I keep the tag when they leave.
Pretty much the same here, except the caveat that they aren't getting my address to come and do any of this until we talk on the phone first and hold a real conversation, and my gut feels good about it. That right there cuts out 90% of the yahoos. If they take it away for a test drive, I'm cool w/ that but I'll ask to snap a pic of their license first just to CYA.
 
Make sure you include 'ran when parked' in your ad.

Price it too high.

Don't respond to calls/texts.

Leave out important info (miles, price, etc)

Include crap pics from too far away

This is the typical Craigslist way.

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1. Fix the problems. Keep in mind people are looking for reasons not to buy it. While you know it's a $20 fix they think that must be why you are getting rid of it and it's going to cost thousands.

2. Never meet people. My time is more valuable than that. Half the time they don't show up and the other half they didn't bring any money. If they want to buy it they have to come to me. So what if they know where I live? What makes me any more special than someone else?

3. I ride with them. If you give them a key and send them on their way they can make a copy or never show up again. I generally take a pic of the tag of the car they came in too.

4. They must have a valid DL or you can be liable.

5. The buyer must "feel" like they got a deal or it won't sell. I print NADA or KBB and show them how good of a deal it is. I do other things depending on the person to make them feel good about the deal.

6. Payment must be in cash or meet at the bank and have the teller verify the cashier check.

7. Get a bill of sale so you have proof that you sold the car AS-IS for legality.

8. List everything in your add. Motor, trans, mileage, options, etc. The worst adds say "too much to list". That translates to "too lazy to care".

9. Post at least 4 pics. Show the front and drivers side in one pic. Show the rear and passenger side in another. Show the roof and whole car in one. Then squat low and take a front pic. It looks cool. Be mindful of the background when you take pics. I'd recommend a fancy hotel or park in the background.
 
Make sure you include 'ran when parked' in your ad.

Price it too high.

Don't respond to calls/texts.

Leave out important info (miles, price, etc)

Include crap pics from too far away

This is the typical Craigslist way.

If you list on a forum make sure to bump it without answering questions in the thread. Pretend like they aren't there.
 
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