TxOutlaw

Run!!!!

Mod (Ret.)

And fast!

I always work with MY bank for deposits and payments. Any buyer that's legit will understand your concern and work with you. I meet the buyer at my bank branch (or his ), and do the deposit/transfer at the bank. No checks, no cashiers checks. Period.

Also have the buyer sign a paper that states he/she has 48 hours to provide the remainder of the money, or the deposit is forfited to you, as you are pulling the car/truck from the market for that period of time. Just make sure you have the cash transfered into your account from either your bank (prefered) or his/her bank. Do all money transactions from a bank.

Ruprecht

A recent Craigslist scam is to pay with a cashiers check for down payment, then they change their mind and demand refund of down payment. Your bank will find out the cashiers check is phony, but it'll take a couple weeks before they find out. You will have to repay your bank the amount of the check, plus fees, and you will have already repaid the down payment.
Don't even bother with craigslist for big ticket items, there's a scam for every legit deal on there. If you must, then take cash only. Take a camera with you and get their picture and ask for their ID. And make sure you have someone with you as security when you make a deal. Or do it at a bank like Bucko suggests, great idea.

Mod (Ret.)

The camera to take their photo, copy of their ID information, and a witness are excellent points as well. I always carry one of those "disposeable" cameras in the glove box in case of an accident; I was told to use it to take pictures of the accident scene, my vehicle, the person(s) involved in the accident, and their vehicle damage as well.

RoushNitemare

scam lol had the same offer when selling my mustang on CL

jhelrey

Scam... tell them you want cash directly... I never ever take check from anyone unless it is to hold the vehicle until they bring cash, then they get their check back.

I have taken a check twice for vehicles, but they bank where I do, and we went to the bank together and had them wire the money over instead of the check crap. That way, I knew it was good right then and there.

Too many fake $ orders, etc...

Ruprecht

My mom sold her car a few years back for cash. All seemed fine until the cops showed up due to thousands of dollars in red-light, speeding, parking tickets. The new owners never transferred the title and went nuts. They left the scene of an accident the same day my mom was at the court trying to get out of paying for their actions. Huge hassle but she finally got the court to dismiss her of responsibility. She's in her 70's and it was a nightmare for her. If she'd gotten a picture and ID from the buyers they could have put out a warrant on the new owners... er, creeps.

jhelrey

Oh... ^^^ that reminds me, I always write a bill of sale with the title and I require proof that they transferred the title before they take the car. This way, that ^^^ crap won't happen.

The DMV will make a photocopy of the title, as well as a receipt. To make sure it is legit, flip the title over and they will have filled in the tax amounts, etc. If the tabs are about to expire, the new ones match the plates so that indicates they transferred it as well.

grassmanfx4

This same guy just emailed me and asked me if its still for sale and whats my address to come and view it as if hes someone new?!! WTF?

Ruprecht

Hmmm, meet him somewhere safe and bring that camera. How 'bout outside a police station?