Overhaulin'

When selling a used car on Craigslist, is it a good idea to do business CASH ONLY?

Even If I'm selling it for $4000? That's a lot of cash? Anyone sold a used car on craigslist before? Care to share your experiences so I don't get robbed/ripped off/scammed? Thanks. I've also been asked to provide the VIN (Vehicle Identification number) from some of the interested buyers. Is this a reasonable question on their end? Is this safe to share with individual interested buyers?

Public Comments

1. Cash only would be my vote.
2. Well, i say cash. that way he/she gives you it all in full. otherwise with credit cards the couldnt have the money in the bank [same with checks] just tell the man/woman to get a "money order" that way you CANT get ripped off.
3. Always accept cash only. If they insist on a check or payments...tell them to get lost.
4. If you do not want to handle $4000 in cash have the buyer write you a check for for a certain amount.
5. Beware of counterfeit cash. I'd require a Cashiers Check from a local bank, then I'd go there with the buyer and cash it before I would sign over the title. <edit> yes, it's fair that they ask for the VIN number. That way they can research it's history of accidents, major repairs, and the number of owners it's had.
6. i bought a $4700 car for cash Just take them to the bank They take the money outta their account or get a loan. they give it to you. You sign the title to them and tell your DMV
7. I've sold 3 cars on craigslist and it worked out great just make sure to get the money in cash or a cashiers money order and no out of towners. i had one guy say that he wanted to pay the car in full without even seeing it or even talking to me on the phone just email. he would send a check in the mail and an agent for him would pick up the vehicle. definitely was a scammer.
8. Yes that is a large amount but if they really want the car they won't have any issue withdrawing the money from their account. I never accept anything else. From experience accepting checks or even cashiers checks from people are very risky. There are people that scam for a living so while there are good honest people in the world, it's simply not worth it to take the risk. Plus like i said earlier if someone is willing to write you a check for something, they have the money and shouldn't have any problem just withdrawling it. Watch out for Nigerian Scammers. These people offer to buy your merchandise and send a cashiers check for well over the amount specified(sometimes thousands) and tell you to just refund them the difference. The check clears the bank but will always be stopped somewhere through processing and the depositer is held liable for any overdraft fees occured because they refunded the money back to the "buyer". State clearly in your ad cash only and do not except anything less. If you do decided to accept cashiers checks etc, take it to the bank asap and have them look at it and verify that it is indeed valid. In most cases banks will be able to tell you if it is valid or not. Sometimes it does take days however. Goodluck!
9. cash is always a good way to go. (as long as its real) cashiers check from bank is ok i wouldnt take a personal check. they could always go to the bank , write a check and get cash.
10. It wouldn't be a bad idea. But any other transaction you can verify...a direct bank transfer in person at the bank, a cashier's check that you witness the buyer purchasing at a bank...is just as safe. Yes, requesting the VIN is perfectly reasonable. They want it so that they can check the car on Carfax. Not providing a VIN instantly rules your car out when I'm car shopping. You should put the VIN in the ad, even. It cannot be used for scamming YOU. Someone might use it to scam someone ELSE, or an insurance company...but they could use ANY VIN for that.