Selling Car out of state

[LuckyFordGuy]

Two Questions:
What is the safest way to get paid when selling a car out of state?
If he is using a trucker to transport it What is the safest way to get the title to him? I don't want to make a bad mistake and would appreciate your help. Thanks, Rog in MN

[Bruce in southern OH]

Bank Check cleared before transportation, sign title and notarize, put in envelope, envelope in glove box, all done.

[chap52]

If your not happy doing it as Bruce suggested you can go on classiccars.com , I believe there use to be a auto sales broker advertised on the site that for a small fee (about $300 as I recall) they will accept the payment, clear the check, advise and pay you and send title to buyer.
Don't let the vehicle out of your hands until you are certain that the check has cleared.
I would send the signed title by registered mail to the buyer after all has cleared. Hate to loose the car and a signed release somewhere along the way.

[Johnnydidd]

I have sold 2 out of state got checks jn advance, after check cleared I released the title and car. I have been very lucky, usually the people we deal with are good people.

[rust runner]

open an account at your bank and have buyer go to his bank and wire transfer the money to your account. once funds are available at your bank call buyer and tell him car can be picked up and send the title to him certified mail.

[Rowdy]

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I have only had a problem once. They brought cash, 16 real $100 bills and 3 fake $100 bills. Luckily I had my pen for checking the cash. The other 4 transactions were quick and easy. Rod

[DD931]

Bruce offers good advice. Buyer's responsibility from then on.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by rust runner

open an account at your bank and have buyer go to his bank and wire transfer the money to your account. once funds are available at your bank call buyer and tell him car can be picked up and send the title to him certified mail.

This is the method I have always used. Never an issue.

[waterboychuck]

I made sure that I had all the money in my paypal account before I let the car go. Once the car was on it's way I mail the title to the new owner via registered mail with a return receipt. That way I knew he had the title.

[Ford Freak]

Originally Posted by waterboychuck

I made sure that I had all the money in my paypal account before I let the car go. Once the car was on it's way I mail the title to the new owner via registered mail with a return receipt. That way I knew he had the title.

I have used this method 2 times now , w/no problems .

[V12Bill]

I sold one car that was paid for by Bank Check. Since I was in NJ and the buyer was in CA, I went to my bank, B of A and had them check on their computer the the Bank Draft I was given, also B of A was not a counterfeit. The tellers were quite adamant that a Bank Draft could not be counterfeit, but I have heard horror stories about counterfeit Bank Drafts and Money Orders and give them time to clear also. The second vehicle that I sold went to TX and the money was wired to my account. I had never done this before and thought that the transfer was instant. The transfer takes up to 24 hours and sometimes more to complete. IN one case the title was in the glove box and the other I mailed it to the buyer registered with signed receipt.

[Alaska Jim]

Bank transfer for the funds and certified mail signature required for the title is the only way to go. If you put a signed title in the glove box and the vehicle would happen to be stolen during transport ( rare ) you would be out your money and possibly the car. when the title and the car are gone very hard to get it back. this is the method I used . purchased the car in N.Y. and had it shipped to Alaska. I did have a copy of the registration in the glove box so that it could be put on the barge in Seattle to get it here to Alaska.

[LuckyFordGuy]

Thanks for all your good advice. I really appreciate it - Rog in MN

[itslow]

Originally Posted by Bruce in southern OH

...sign title and notarize, put in envelope, envelope in glove box, all done.

I wouldn't put the title in the glove box. Easy theft of the car that way. Free car with an open title? Sign me up!

Send it via USPS (or Fedex, DHL, UPS, etc) as certified mail with a signature required.

[trulyvintage]

Payment by bank wire transfer - no need to open a new account.

If you do open new account & receive more than $10,000 in one or more
wire transfers - the system can flag the account & possibly freeze the funds.

Opening a new account to transfer money by wire is a common practice
among drug dealers - weapons smugglers - human trafficers.

The banking community views it as a way of avoiding IRS tax laws.

Send the title by overnight express mail or equivalent,
some method requiring a signature & offering verification of delivery.

Any type of check has to be held in your account for up to (10) business
days or more - if the check is " lost in the mail " it can kill a deal.


Jim

[Richard in Florida]

Originally Posted by rust runner

open an account at your bank and have buyer go to his bank and wire transfer the money to your account. once funds are available at your bank call buyer and tell him car can be picked up and send the title to him certified mail.

That's the safest way of all. I'd add that as soon as the funds have been transferred to your new account, move them to another account whose number your buyer doesn't know.