Craigslist question: What forms of payment do you accept/consider "safe"?

[Mursilis]

I'm basically a noob to Craigslist, but since it's free, I decided to give it a shot, and posted an older minivan there. We were looking to upgrade, and the dealer was low-balling us on the trade in, so I'm trying for the private sale. Price is $4000. Should I insist on cash only? Since cashier's checks and money orders can be forged, cash is the only safe method, right? Experienced Ebayers/Craigslist users, what do you usually insist on for payment, especially of larger amounts? Is cash only common? Thanks in advance.

 

[Xylitol]

Cash only
meet them face to face in a public area

 

[HyTekJosh]

postal money order, certified bank check, cash, or wire transfer

 

[HardcoreRobot]

NO personal checks.

 

[needalife]

I get paid in booty.

 

[TerryMathews]

Cash and title or buyer's contact and cashier's check.

EDIT: And I'd lean towards cashier's check and buyer's contract so that you've got a paper trail in case you need to go to small claims court (IE the car is stolen).

 

[intogamer]

If they can get a cashier's check from the bank why can't get they CASH?

CASH CASH CASH... have them bring an extra person for securities or do it in a public place if they feel unsecure

 

[IronWing]

Cash. Agree to meet them at your bank so you don't have to carry it around. You'll probably need a notary to complete the sale anyway (depending on state).

 

[Ns1]

20's and hundreds

 

[shabby]

Originally posted by: HyTekJosh
wire transfer

We have a wienner...

 

[Squisher]

If MO or Cert. Check make sure you can call and verify authenticity, so schedule transactions during business hours.

 

[Skeeedunt]

Uncut heroin. It's the only way to be sure.

 

[Miramonti]

Cash. Other than that, I'd accept cash. If that's a problem tho, take cash only.

Those three options, period.

 

[venkman]

Meet them at your bank and have them draw a cashiers check. Usually they charge an extra $5 on top of the normal Cashiers Check fee for non bank members. Deposit Check immediately in your own account.

Make it clear that he MUST draw the check on the spot, tell him you wont accept a check he brings in. With $4000 on the line, you want some kind of paper trail in case something goes haywire.

 

[MegaVovaN]

CASH MONEY BRO

 

[axelfox]

Even with cash, you can get burned. My friend sold some wheels, and he got counterfeit money. Meet at a bank and deposit the money, if you can.

 

[woodie1]

Meet them at their bank and have them buy a cashier's check made out to you in the proper amount while you stand next to them. Then take the check to your bank and deposit it. Painless.

 

[overst33r]

If one is accepting cash and cannot go to the bank right away (because it is closed), what is a way of telling if the money is real? One of those markers?

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: mariok2006
If one is accepting cash and cannot go to the bank right away (because it is closed), what is a way of telling if the money is real? One of those markers?

http://www.wikihow.com/Detect-Counterfeit-US-Money

 

[Captante]

Originally posted by: mariok2006
If one is accepting cash and cannot go to the bank right away (because it is closed), what is a way of telling if the money is real? One of those markers?

Don't do it ... either meet at his bank & as already advised have him purchase a cashiers check right in front of you or meet him at your bank and have him bring cash which you immediately deposit.

If its too much trouble to do one of those things then pass on the deal & sell it to the next guy, otherwise you will very likely be sorry.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: HyTekJosh
postal money order, certified bank check, cash, or wire transfer

first two are easily fraudulant today.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: intogamer
If they can get a cashier's check from the bank why can't get they CASH?

CASH CASH CASH... have them bring an extra person for securities or do it in a public place if they feel unsecure

For $4k I will agree, but carrying around a multiple of that isn't wise nor accepting that. Some dude gets rolled on your property after you told him to bring cash...he may have a suit against you.

 

[daveymark]

I always meet at the bank, and I give the buyer a story about how my brother's friend's nephew's wife's sister's lover got ripped off when they were given counterfeits, so I like to meet at the bank. this will weed out a low level counterfeiter. A higher level counterfeiter won't care as there are ways around detection, but they won't be getting rid of their money via craigslist for a car anyway, so nothing to worry about.

Saying you want to meet at a bank so they can check the bills will weed out any possible scammers.

 

[FP]

PAB would know. He has sold thousands of cars.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: daveymark
I always meet at the bank, and I give the buyer a story about how my brother's friend's nephew's wife's sister's lover got ripped off when they were given counterfeits, so I like to meet at the bank. this will weed out a low level counterfeiter. A higher level counterfeiter won't care as there are ways around detection, but they won't be getting rid of their money via craigslist for a car anyway, so nothing to worry about.

Saying you want to meet at a bank so they can check the bills will weed out any possible scammers.

Why do you have to give a story? Meeting at a bank for a financial transaction is not odd.