Selling a vehicle online.

[dmh165638]

What is the safest way to sell a motorcycle to an out of town buyer {Texas resident}? He is willing to transfer funds and wait for them to clear before having a transport service pick up the bike. I have always tried to avoid this process but don't want to lose out on this buyer. He seems reputable. I have corresponded with him via his work and personal phone as well as work and personal email. He is also mentioned online frequently related to the business. I am just trying to prevent shipping the bike and then the funds getting reversed. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Stephen]

have him make a bank account with the same bank you use and then wire it.. that way they have his credentials when sending it to you.. I would think that would make the cash instantly available?

I’m no expert on this but seems like many people have been burned over the years of doing this.. be careful

Maybe ask your bank what the absolute safest way is?

[yellowstang]

COD, have the shipper pay you in cash from him?

[SS Junk]

He is willing to transfer funds and wait for them to clear before having a transport service pick up the bike.

Where's the problem? If you can see the money in your account there's no reason why you need to take any further steps than to transport the bike to the seller. Either that or if you want to pend the sail, have the buyer snail mail a cashier's check, deposit it and then ship the bike. Make sure to inform seller that all sails are final.

[ceyko]

Yeah, on stuff like this it is always fun. Recently went through similar but much lower risk thing and ultimately you put the trust in the buyer as the seller and vice-versa for the buyer. Curious, just how much of a distance are we talking here?

The item I bought was MUCH cheaper with a lifetime warranty. I'd be hesitant on someone buying a bike unseen as well. I get it, it happens but I liked the ideas above about asking your bank and/or doing the money transfer through your bank. Paypal - if as it used to work - does not protect you as the seller. Don't know if cashier's checks are still like they used to be but those could be FedEx'ed - with insurance...etc.

I do know the only 3rd party I'd feel comfortable with would be a bank.

[dmh165638]

I am in far north Dfw and buyer is South of Austin. He was going to fly in and ride it back but decided against it. Just because it is a bike he has no familiarity of. I like the idea of a bank transfer except giving out my account and routing code to him. My understanding is PayPal does not guarantee purchases for either party on any type of vehicle purchase.

Yeah, on stuff like this it is always fun. Recently went through similar but much lower risk thing and ultimately you put the trust in the buyer as the seller and vice-versa for the buyer. Curious, just how much of a distance are we talking here?

The item I bought was MUCH cheaper with a lifetime warranty. I'd be hesitant on someone buying a bike unseen as well. I get it, it happens but I liked the ideas above about asking your bank and/or doing the money transfer through your bank. Paypal - if as it used to work - does not protect you as the seller. Don't know if cashier's checks are still like they used to be but those could be FedEx'ed - with insurance...etc.

I do know the only 3rd party I'd feel comfortable with would be a bank.

[Stephen]

I am in far north Dfw and buyer is South of Austin. He was going to fly in and ride it back but decided against it. Just because it is a bike he has no familiarity of. I like the idea of a bank transfer except giving out my account and routing code to him. My understanding is PayPal does not guarantee purchases for either party on any type of vehicle purchase.

Well at least if money gets stolen out of your account the bank will protect you.. I wouldn’t worry about that as much as a cashiers check clearing and then a week later it being bogus and the money is gone from your account

[Big A]

If he's willing to take the risk of transferring the $$$, have him mail you a personal check.

Another option would be to use an escrow service.

https://www.escrow.com/cars?utm_campaign=869016468&utm_medium=adwords&utm_source=&utm_content=203307659992&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3tOO4PK_3AIVDIlpCh0O1QewEAAYAiAAEgJYr_D_BwE

[Stephen]

If he's willing to take the risk of transferring the $$$, have him mail you a personal check.

Another option would be to use an escrow service.


https://www.escrow.com/cars?utm_camp...iAAEgJYr_D_BwE

Escrow service would be a winner!

[homealone]

If he was willing to fly and drive, just have him rent a UHaul van for 24 hours. $19.95 +0.59 per mile. Drive up, buy it, drive back.

[the spindoctor]

COD from the shipper or move on. By the time you work out all the details, you could have probably had someone local bring cash and be done with it.

Back in '03 I drove to Miami FL to buy a badass bike that was on ebay, so if he's serious he'll come get it.

[Torinoman]

What? No reference to Perez transport? You guys are slacking

[dmh165638]

We both ended up renting a $14.95 uhaul motorcycle trailer and meeting in Waco. Transferred the bike from one trailer to the other at Flying J truck stop and no worries. Thanks for all the suggestions.

[Gasser64]

Whew...