Selling a car question.. out of state buyer

Eric 951 · 07-05-2016, 10:48 AM

I have my FJ62 on craigslist here in PA. A potential buyer from TN contacted me, asked some questions and made an offer pending a visual inspection/test drive. He has a buddy who lives in PGH. The buddy is supposed to come over tomorrow and check out the car, and if everything is good, hand over the cash. The buyer is then going to make shipping arrangements. I have never sold a car to an out of state buyer without the actual buyer being present. I have a bill of sale written up, and am stopping at the local AAA office on my way home to ask some questions, and did some snooping on DMV.com, but want to be certain all of my bases are covered.
I don't want to get sued down the road for whatever reason and the bill of sale states "as-is" and I don't want to be open to any liabilities if the buyer doesn't register the car right away, or get any blame for shipping damage(it is a 26-year old car)
My thoughts are, once the buyer's rep sees the car and hands over the cash, I will fax or e-mail the Bill of sale to the buyer for his signature--have him send a copy of his driver's license back with the signed bill. I will also have a provision written in there regarding the length of time I will store the FJ prior to his shipping arrangements. Turn in my plates to the PA DMV and go to a notary to get a title transfer acknowledgement. Once shipping is arranged, take a video or photos of the car prior to it being loaded.
Does this sound like I am covering everything?

Laneco · 07-05-2016, 10:56 AM

You are going to a lot more effort than I would. Remove the plates, get signed paperwork, turn in plates and paperwork to your state DMV. Give the buddy the car and title. Pour yourself a cold one.

angela

legion · 07-05-2016, 11:34 AM

If you have cash in hand, most of the problems that can occur are the buyer's problems.

I've done long-distance deals, and have both communicated my intent and any changes that occur along the way--before the deal is finalized. When "cash" becomes "personal check" or "IOU", then you know you are dealing with a schister.

Por_sha911 · Por_sha911's Garage

Legion has a good point. Take extra time and effort to stress cash means cash, all cash, nothing but cash. No exceptions.

stomachmonkey · 07-05-2016, 12:26 PM

No different than an in state buyer.

Someone, anyone, who cares who, produces cash, you hand over keys and title, pull your plates and regi sticker and wave buh bye.

dad911 · 07-05-2016, 01:59 PM

Check cash with one of those pens.....

Heel n Toe · 07-05-2016, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dad911

Check cash with one of those pens.....

^^^This.

Or as I've heard, the absolute best way to do it is to conduct the visual inspection in the parking lot of the local police/sheriff's dept., then if the guy okays it, have him follow you to your bank and have a manager witness the signing over of the bill of sale/title, then he/she takes the guy's cash to a teller who checks it out, then deposits it into your account.