Selling car privately.... am I being OTT?

spookylukey

I want to sell my car privately, it's probably worth 4k... is it OTT for me to ask the eventual buyer to meet me at the bank so I can pay the money in straight away rather than risk fake notes? As a buyer would you think that strange?

Also, when it comes to a test drive - how would you feel about being asked to show your certificate of insurance that proves you have 'driving other cars not belonging to you' third party cover?

I'm a naturally cautious person but not sure if the above is being OTT?!

jimjames

Ask for payment by bank transfer, then no risk of fake notes. It's reasonable to ask to see insurance, just make sure you ask before they set off to you.

Richard53

No to both. The last motorcycle I sold, the buyer checked it over, was happy, and we went together to my bank where he paid the money into my account directly. It was his idea, but it worked for me and I would not have a problem as a buyer if a seller suggested it.


In adverts I always state some thing like "test drive (accompanied) welcome on proof that buyer is insured to do so". No proof, no test drive. Simple.

spookylukey

jimjames wrote: »

Ask for payment by bank transfer, then no risk of fake notes. It's reasonable to ask to see insurance, just make sure you ask before they set off to you.

Thanks, are there any circumstances where a bank transfer is reversible? If I was the buyer I don't think I'd want to pay by bank transfer, seems a bit scammy to me - I'd probably insist on paying cash.

spookylukey

Richard53 wrote: »

No to both. The last motorcycle I sold, the buyer checked it over, was happy, and we went together to my bank where he paid the money into my account directly. It was his idea, but it worked for me and I would not have a problem as a buyer if a seller suggested it.


In adverts I always state some thing like "test drive (accompanied) welcome on proof that buyer is insured to do so". No proof, no test drive. Simple.

That's good to hear, I like the wording for the ad about the insurance - will add that in.

smjxm09

Bank transfers are not always instant so make sure the money is in your account.

Oh and I had someone try to buy a bed from me with fake £20 notes once that had no foil running through them.

arcon5

spookylukey wrote: »

Thanks, are there any circumstances where a bank transfer is reversible? If I was the buyer I don't think I'd want to pay by bank transfer, seems a bit scammy to me - I'd probably insist on paying cash.

But you'd carry £4k in cash to a strangers house?
Atleast with bank transfer you have solid proof of payment

arcon5

Going to the bank with you is weird. Why would anybody in the right mind want to go in to a bank to withdraw a large sum of money to come buy your car just for you to say they need to drive back to a bank, wait in the queue for you to bank it?
Either check it yourself or insist on bank transfer.

colino

When you have a serious buyer in front of you, you can discuss in a friendly way how the drive and payment will go. Don't be mental and waste words and put up barriers by putting that dross in your advert.

shaun_from_Africa

colino wrote: »

When you have a serious buyer in front of you, you can discuss in a friendly way how the drive and payment will go. Don't be mental and waste words and put up barriers by putting that dross in your advert.

Why do you consider that the very important point about insurance is "dross"?
Surely a serious buyer won't mind being informed or reminded that they will need to supply proof that they have insurance cover before they can test drive the vehicle they will be looking at.

richy999

It isn't necessary to put the requirement for insurance in the advert. If anyone is keen to come see the car, let them know on the phone before hand that they should bring their insurance certificate with them.

You can check that the insurance is valid by looking up the registration number on the certificate on the askMID web site (while they are looking around the car).