# What method of payment for selling a used car? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 26, 2013, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-method-of-payment-for-selling-a-used-car/653998 "2013-03-26T12:01:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2013, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-method-of-payment-for-selling-a-used-car/653998/1 "2013-03-26T12:01:32Z")
Posted a used car for sale on craigslist last night. CL warns about fake cashier’s checks and other scams, but they don’t recommend any other methods of transferring payment between buyer and seller. So what do you suggest? In the past four years I’ve sold a motorcycle and a car through craigslist; both were paid for with cashier’s checks, no problems. Have you sold a used car yourself? What payment methods were you willing to accept? ---
**Author:** ![jacobsta811](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jacobsta811/32/2893_2.png) [@jacobsta811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jacobsta811)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2013, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-method-of-payment-for-selling-a-used-car/653998/2 "2013-03-26T12:57:42Z")
Cash is king, especially on Craigslist. For a higher priced used car I’d probably take a cashier’s check or just a regular loan check from the bank _if_ I went with the buyer and watched the bank issue the check. Fake cashier’s checks are very common. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2013, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-method-of-payment-for-selling-a-used-car/653998/3 "2013-03-26T13:17:19Z")
When we sold our old car, we received cash for it. I probably would have taken a (possibly fake) cashier’s check as well. ---
**Author:** ![AnthonyElite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b487fb/32.png) [@AnthonyElite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnthonyElite)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2013, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-method-of-payment-for-selling-a-used-car/653998/4 "2013-03-26T13:37:38Z")
POSTAL MONEY ORDER. Good luck faking one of those things. And it costs $2.50. If someone can’t spare that, they can’t afford your car anyway. I wouldn’t accept cash without a receipt. DO NOT. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2013, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-method-of-payment-for-selling-a-used-car/653998/5 "2013-03-26T13:44:23Z")
> [@jacobsta811](#): > > Cash is king, especially on Craigslist. For a higher priced used car I’d probably take a cashier’s check or just a regular loan check from the bank _if_ I went with the buyer and watched the bank issue the check. Fake cashier’s checks are very common. What is a regular loan check? How does that differ from a cashier’s check? The amount in question is likely to be around $6,000. Would you go with cash for an amount that large? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2013, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-method-of-payment-for-selling-a-used-car/653998/6 "2013-03-26T13:59:05Z")
> [@jacobsta811](#): > > Cash is king, especially on Craigslist. For a higher priced used car I’d probably take a cashier’s check or just a regular loan check from the bank _if_ I went with the buyer and watched the bank issue the check. Fake cashier’s checks are very common. Why not just ask the buyer to get cash from the bank teller while you’re standing next to him/her and then either walk away with the cash or, if you’re uncomfortable with that much cash, buy a cashier’s check yourself? ---
**Author:** ![DadWagonDriver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/edb3f5/32.png) [@DadWagonDriver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DadWagonDriver)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2013, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-method-of-payment-for-selling-a-used-car/653998/7 "2013-03-26T14:13:58Z")
Since you have to go to the bank to notarize the title transfer anyways, just meet them at their bank and do the transfer there. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Who](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Doctor\_Who](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Who)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2013, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-method-of-payment-for-selling-a-used-car/653998/8 "2013-03-26T14:21:47Z")
Cash. Cold and hard. If you don’t feel safe, meet the buyer at your bank and walk straight in. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2013, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-method-of-payment-for-selling-a-used-car/653998/9 "2013-03-26T14:23:24Z")
Many people do not have a bank, thus they deal in cash. Also, from the states I have been in you do not have to go to a bank to get a title notarized. I’ve actually seen a guys wife notarize a title since she was a notary. Take the cash and get [one of those pens that turn color if the bill is a fake](http://www.shoplet.com/Sharpie-Counterfeit-Detector-Pen/SAN1778881/spdv?ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=SAN1778881) if you are hesitant about your ability to spot fakes. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2013, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-method-of-payment-for-selling-a-used-car/653998/10 "2013-03-26T14:30:57Z")
The last time I needed something notarized, I asked at the bank but they didn’t have a notary on staff. (Fortunately, someone in my apartment building was a notary.) ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2013, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-method-of-payment-for-selling-a-used-car/653998/11 "2013-03-26T14:47:02Z")
Cash, preferably twenties. I’ve sold items in the 3 - 5 thousand dollar range and have requested cash. I’ve also had buyers who questioned cash and have explained I would accept nothing else. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2013, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-method-of-payment-for-selling-a-used-car/653998/12 "2013-03-26T14:50:48Z")
> [@Doctor\_Who](#): > > Cash. Cold and hard. If you don’t feel safe, meet the buyer at your bank and walk straight in. I say this, or meet at the buyer’s bank and take the Cashier’s Check directly from the Cashier. Last time I sold a car it was for only $650, so I didn’t fret about it too much. Not to mention the kid didn’t even take the car away after giving me the cash… which turned into a far longer story than “sold my junker for $650” should ever be. ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2013, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-method-of-payment-for-selling-a-used-car/653998/13 "2013-03-26T16:19:16Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > What is a regular loan check? How does that differ from a cashier’s check? > > The amount in question is likely to be around $6,000. Would you go with cash for an amount that large? If the buyer is taking out a loan to purchase the vehicle the bank will issue a check for the sale price. I bought a car a few months ago and then refinanced at a lower rate a couple weeks later. The bank that with whom I refinanced mailed me a check that I then mailed to the original lender. I also just sold a car on CL a few months ago and I accepted cash from the buyer, but it was only $2500. We met at a mechanic shop to have the car inspected and when it checked out we went to a coffee shop down the street to complete the deal. He had a bank envelope with the cash that we both counted out. $6000 in cash would be pushing my comfort level, so I’d meet at the buyers bank where you can either take a freshly printed check or your bank where you can deposit the cash as soon as you receive it. ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2013, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-method-of-payment-for-selling-a-used-car/653998/14 "2013-03-26T20:28:10Z")
> [@wmulax93](#): > > Since you have to go to the bank to notarize the title transfer anyways, just meet them at their bank and do the transfer there. Because his state may not require notarization for a title transfer, mine doesn’t. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2013, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-method-of-payment-for-selling-a-used-car/653998/15 "2013-03-26T20:36:10Z")
> [@SmellMyWort](#): > > $6000 in cash would be pushing my comfort level, Why? How is 60 hundred dollar bills any different than a check for $6,000? ---
**Author:** ![GreasyJack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df705f/32.png) [@GreasyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreasyJack)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2013, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-method-of-payment-for-selling-a-used-car/653998/16 "2013-03-26T21:13:43Z")
> [@Kimballkid](#): > > Because his state may not require notarization for a title transfer, mine doesn’t. Also, in my state you normally have to notarize the title, but you can avoid it by actually going to the DMV with the buyer. This helps prevent one of the other pitfalls of selling a car, since you know the person actually transfered the title and you won’t start getting their parking tickets. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2013, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-method-of-payment-for-selling-a-used-car/653998/17 "2013-03-26T21:46:06Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Why? How is 60 hundred dollar bills any different than a check for $6,000? Because a stolen check can be stop-paid and reissued? Because if stolen, the thief can’t spend a check unless they break the law a 2nd time? Because checks written out to other people aren’t valid street currency in the US? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2013, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-method-of-payment-for-selling-a-used-car/653998/18 "2013-03-26T22:23:01Z")
> [@Rachellelogram](#): > > Because a stolen check can be stop-paid and reissued? Because if stolen, the thief can’t spend a check unless they break the law a 2nd time? Because checks written out to other people aren’t valid street currency in the US? Oh. I wasn’t considering fear of being robbed. ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2013, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-method-of-payment-for-selling-a-used-car/653998/19 "2013-03-26T22:31:49Z")
Echoing people who say to go to the buyer’s bank and have the teller hand you a cashier’s check, or go to a post office and have the buyer pay for money orders and the clerk to hand them to you. No theft risk, no fraud risk, and no reason a legitimate buyer would refuse. ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2013, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-method-of-payment-for-selling-a-used-car/653998/20 "2013-03-26T22:41:55Z")
> [@iamthewalrus\_3](#): > > Echoing people who say to go to the buyer’s bank and have the teller hand you a cashier’s check, or go to a post office and have the buyer pay for money orders and the clerk to hand them to you. No theft risk, no fraud risk, and no reason a legitimate buyer would refuse. For the utterly paranoid: This assumes that the teller is not working in cahoots with the buyer. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-method-of-payment-for-selling-a-used-car/653998.md?page=2)