Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Shackeng on 05 October 2019, 19:30:33

Title: Selling a car privately
Post by: Shackeng on 05 October 2019, 19:30:33
Not having sold anything valuable for several years, what is the safe way of accepting payment, apart from cash, these days? :y
Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 05 October 2019, 19:43:47
A chegue from a bank that you are there to see.

Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 05 October 2019, 19:47:38
......or a cheque even. :y

A chegue may turn out to be a bit 'Clark Kent' ....... :)
Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: STEMO on 05 October 2019, 19:53:58
It really is a minefield, Chris, here's what MA says:

https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/how-to-sell-your-car-privately#ensuring-safe-payment
Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 05 October 2019, 19:59:25
You'll get less at WBAC or similar but at your age do you need the stress of waiting in for people who don't turn up . ;)
Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 05 October 2019, 20:08:39
I heard about someone who sold a camper van for £20,000 and accepted cash.  ::)

He took the bundles of 20's and started to count the notes, but the buyer got all offended saying things like "You don't trust me?" etc So not wanting to lose the sale he just counted the bundles instead and as all seemed well, he handed over the keys and paperwork.  :)

After the buyer left, he went in to count the money properly and only then realised that inserted in amongst the £20 notes were £20 note sized sheets of newspaper and he had a lot less than £20,000!  ::)

Moral of the story is count and check every note carefully, and if the buyer gets funny and tries to pressure you. Hand the lot back and tell him to opps off!  :)
Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: STEMO on 05 October 2019, 20:18:32
I heard about someone who sold a camper van for £20,000 and accepted cash.  ::)

He took the bundles of 20's and started to count the notes, but the buyer got all offended saying things like "You don't trust me?" etc So not wanting to lose the sale he just counted the bundles instead and as all seemed well, he handed over the keys and paperwork.  :)

After the buyer left, he went in to count the money properly and only then realised that inserted in amongst the £20 notes were £20 note sized sheets of newspaper and he had a lot less than £20,000!  ::)

Moral of the story is count and check every note carefully, and if the buyer gets funny and tries to pressure you. Hand the lot back and tell him to opps off!  :)
Then the problems with your bank start when you stroll in with 20 grand in cash.
Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: Migv6 le Frog Fan on 05 October 2019, 20:51:03
Bank transfer is safe afaik. Just don't let the vehicle go until you login and see the money in your account ?
Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 05 October 2019, 21:12:10
Building society cheque?  ???

The one's made out at the branch?  I think the money is then earmarked as spent and the account holder cannot empty the account or anything?  :-\
Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 05 October 2019, 21:13:23
I heard about someone who sold a camper van for £20,000 and accepted cash.  ::)

He took the bundles of 20's and started to count the notes, but the buyer got all offended saying things like "You don't trust me?" etc So not wanting to lose the sale he just counted the bundles instead and as all seemed well, he handed over the keys and paperwork.  :)

After the buyer left, he went in to count the money properly and only then realised that inserted in amongst the £20 notes were £20 note sized sheets of newspaper and he had a lot less than £20,000!  ::)

Moral of the story is count and check every note carefully, and if the buyer gets funny and tries to pressure you. Hand the lot back and tell him to opps off!  :)
Then the problems with your bank start when you stroll in with 20 grand in cash.

The Bank Under The Mattress doesn't mind!  ;D
Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: dave the builder on 05 October 2019, 21:25:24
I heard about someone who sold a camper van for £20,000 and accepted cash.  ::)

He took the bundles of 20's and started to count the notes, but the buyer got all offended saying things like "You don't trust me?" etc So not wanting to lose the sale he just counted the bundles instead and as all seemed well, he handed over the keys and paperwork.  :)

After the buyer left, he went in to count the money properly and only then realised that inserted in amongst the £20 notes were £20 note sized sheets of newspaper and he had a lot less than £20,000!  ::)

Moral of the story is count and check every note carefully, and if the buyer gets funny and tries to pressure you. Hand the lot back and tell him to opps off!  :)
Then the problems with your bank start when you stroll in with 20 grand in cash.

The Bank Under The Mattress doesn't mind!  ;D
add the coins that fall out your trousers onto the floor by the bed and your earning about the same interest rate too  ;D
Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: Andy B on 05 October 2019, 23:24:11
when we sold a caravan a few years ago, the buyer just transferred the money into my wife's bank account via his interweb banking on his phone
Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: Entwood on 05 October 2019, 23:56:22
when we sold a caravan a few years ago, the buyer just transferred the money into my wife's bank account via his interweb banking on his phone

Which is how I paid for the audi when I purchased it a few months back ....   :) Seller saw the money arrive in his account before the kettle had boiled !!
Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: Rangie on 06 October 2019, 09:57:56
Definitely either cash or bank transfer only.
Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: Shackeng on 06 October 2019, 10:14:35
Good tips there. Bank transfer while I wait is probably best, although I wil still have to give account details.:y
Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 06 October 2019, 10:26:03
What are the issues in handing over your bank details?  :-\ ie  Some clever bugger hacking into your account?  ???

I think a few years ago Clarkson declared that it was impossible for someone to take money from a bank account with just the account number and sort code and published his bank details.  Some one took £20 out of his account and then put it back, just to prove it can be done!  ;D
Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: STEMO on 06 October 2019, 10:27:27
Good tips there. Bank transfer while I wait is probably best, although I wil still have to give account details.:y
You give out your account number and sort code every time you write a cheque.
Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 06 October 2019, 10:28:51
True.  When did you last do that?  :-\
Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: shyboy on 06 October 2019, 11:29:33
As said above, cash can be a problem these days unless you take the payer to a bank and have the money checked when paid in.
Safest way is bank transfer, ensure the money has appeared in your account, and then, if you are paranoid like me, immediately change your password.
Not everybody is that worried about doing that however. I recently sold my wife's car to the parents of a relatively close friend who were happy to do the bank transfer and then wait for me to deliver the vehicle almost one week later.
I just could have been an inveterate crook rather than the "most honest person in the whole wide world" as far as they knew.  ::)
(That reminds me. I must get round to dropping the car off sometime).  ;D
Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: STEMO on 06 October 2019, 11:30:23
True.  When did you last do that?  :-\
Last nephew's birthday.
Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: STEMO on 06 October 2019, 11:33:01
Cheques in the UK amounted to £442 billion in 2018.  :)

https://www.chequeandcredit.co.uk/information-hub/facts-and-figures/key-facts-and-figures-0
Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: Shackeng on 06 October 2019, 12:54:18
I write about 5 cheques per year. :-\
Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 06 October 2019, 14:39:25
I write about 5 cheques per year. :-\

Whatever you do don't accept any 'white fivers'...... :)
Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: biggriffin on 06 October 2019, 15:49:32
 Over all the years I've sold cars, nearly always been cash, and I've sat and counted the lot,, I've accepted cheques, and told the buyer you can have the car once the cheque has cleared,, if the buyer is genuine they won't mind waiting..

I've sold via, gumtree,eBay, and local press.
Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: STEMO on 06 October 2019, 16:10:22
I find there's not that much difference between a private sale and what you get offered on WBAC. BUT..........I've never actually sold a car to WBAC and, I believe, they try to haggle once you present with the car and, of course, there is an admin fee.
Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: Andy B on 06 October 2019, 17:01:23
What are the issues in handing over your bank details?  :-\ ie  Some clever bugger hacking into your account?  ???

I think a few years ago Clarkson declared that it was impossible for someone to take money from a bank account with just the account number and sort code and published his bank details.  Some one took £20 out of his account and then put it back, just to prove it can be done!  ;D

I thought a standing order had been set up from his account to some kind of charity
Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: Andy B on 06 October 2019, 17:05:53
when we sold a caravan a few years ago, the buyer just transferred the money into my wife's bank account via his interweb banking on his phone

Which is how I paid for the audi when I purchased it a few months back ....   :) Seller saw the money arrive in his account before the kettle had boiled !!

It wasn't that straight forward when I bought a car a couple of weeks ago. When I told the seller that my bank was Santander, he said I bet you'll have to phone them too ... I did. After half an hour and no money transferred to his acc I phoned Santander who asked various security questions & asked if I could see the car and hadn't just transferred money to someone on line etc etc. The couldn't really be faulted but it meant another 20 mins on the phone to my bank.
Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 06 October 2019, 17:08:59
when we sold a caravan a few years ago, the buyer just transferred the money into my wife's bank account via his interweb banking on his phone

Which is how I paid for the audi when I purchased it a few months back ....   :) Seller saw the money arrive in his account before the kettle had boiled !!

It wasn't that straight forward when I bought a car a couple of weeks ago. When I told the seller that my bank was Santander, he said I bet you'll have to phone them too ... I did. After half an hour and no money transferred to his acc I phoned Santander who asked various security questions & asked if I could see the car and hadn't just transferred money to someone on line etc etc. The couldn't really be faulted but it meant another 20 mins on the phone to my bank.

What is it , Mr Beanz?

Not the Merc finished in BL brown. :)
Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 06 October 2019, 17:10:53
I find there's not that much difference between a private sale and what you get offered on WBAC. BUT..........I've never actually sold a car to WBAC and, I believe, they try to haggle once you present with the car and, of course, there is an admin fee.

They've offered me another £700. About £3600 increase in the last couple of months.
Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: Andy B on 06 October 2019, 22:44:03
....
Not the Merc finished in BL brown. :)

It's another Smart to replace the other Fortwo that died & wouldn't fix .... to be kept alongside the Vermilion ML  :P
Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: Rangie on 07 October 2019, 09:40:58
When I bought the Range Rover recently the seller said he would prefer cash he didn't even open the sealed bag from the building society, let alone count the cash.
Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 07 October 2019, 12:17:09
When I sold my BMW earlier in the year I had loads of phone calls from Eastern Europeans and the conversations usually went something like this...

EE: I'm calling about your BMW, what is your best price?

Me: Well the price is in the advert.  You'll have to come and look at it.

EE: Yes, but what is your best price?

Me: Come and look at it and then we'll talk about the price!

EE: Click...

Me: Sigh...

One guy though asked lots of good questions and said he'd think about it as it was a long way from him.  He then told me he was from Poland, and said I should be careful of his fellow countrymen as some of them have fake £££!  :-X
Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 07 October 2019, 12:24:35
When I sold my BMW earlier in the year I had loads of phone calls from Eastern Europeans and the conversations usually went something like this...

EE: I'm calling about your BMW, what is your best price?

Me: Well the price is in the advert.  You'll have to come and look at it.

EE: Yes, but what is your best price?

Me: Come and look at it and then we'll talk about the price!

EE: Click...

Me: Sigh...

One guy though asked lots of good questions and said he'd think about it as it was a long way from him.  He then told me he was from Poland, and said I should be careful of his fellow countrymen as some of them have fake £££!  :-X


Shame it went for peanuts. :'(

Future classic. ::) 8)
Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: STEMO on 07 October 2019, 12:28:27
When I sold my BMW earlier in the year I had loads of phone calls from Eastern Europeans and the conversations usually went something like this...

EE: I'm calling about your BMW, what is your best price?

Me: Well the price is in the advert.  You'll have to come and look at it.

EE: Yes, but what is your best price?

Me: Come and look at it and then we'll talk about the price!

EE: Click...

Me: Sigh...

One guy though asked lots of good questions and said he'd think about it as it was a long way from him.  He then told me he was from Poland, and said I should be careful of his fellow countrymen as some of them have fake £££!  :-X


Shame it went for peanuts. :'(

Future classic. ::) 8)
You never miss a chance, do you?  ;D
Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: STEMO on 07 October 2019, 12:33:07
I've never sold a car to a face-to-face buyer, I've traded all but one. The Saab I sold on eBay was bought by a fella from Cornwall, who had it trailered down there.



Ah.....sorry.....James bought my 2.5 CDX.
Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 07 October 2019, 12:36:39
I've never sold a car to a face-to-face buyer, I've traded all but one. The Saab I sold on eBay was bought by a fella from Cornwall, who had it trailered down there.



Ah.....sorry.....James bought my 2.5 CDX.

Until recently every car I have bought or sold have been in a private sale.
Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: STEMO on 07 October 2019, 12:41:10
I've never sold a car to a face-to-face buyer, I've traded all but one. The Saab I sold on eBay was bought by a fella from Cornwall, who had it trailered down there.



Ah.....sorry.....James bought my 2.5 CDX.

Until recently every car I have bought or sold have been in a private sale.
Yes, and look where it got you. Mrs Opti drives a prehistoric corsa, you had to get rid of your expensive deflating merc and you can't get rid of your future classic sigmund.  ;D
Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 07 October 2019, 12:42:30


Shame it went for peanuts. :'(

Future classic. ::) 8)

It's enjoying it's retirement in Torquay!  :y
Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 07 October 2019, 16:30:38


Shame it went for peanuts. :'(

Future classic. ::) 8)

It's enjoying it's retirement in Torquay!  :y

Does the new owner run a hotel and 'give a damn good thrashing' to his Austin 1100. :)
Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: STEMO on 07 October 2019, 17:25:38


Shame it went for peanuts. :'(

Future classic. ::) 8)

It's enjoying it's retirement in Torquay!  :y

Does the new owner run a hotel and 'give a damn good thrashing' to his BMW? :)
That's more like it.
Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: Andy B on 07 October 2019, 18:08:17
When I sold my BMW earlier in the year I had loads of phone calls from Eastern Europeans and the conversations usually went something like this...

EE: I'm calling about your BMW, what is your best price?

Me: Well the price is in the advert.  You'll have to come and look at it.

EE: Yes, but what is your best price?

Me: Come and look at it and then we'll talk about the price!

EE: Click...

Me: Sigh...
 .....

I had the same when I sold a £700 Astra but substitute EE for Mohamed or Hamzar
Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 07 October 2019, 18:25:23


Shame it went for peanuts. :'(

Future classic. ::) 8)

It's enjoying it's retirement in Torquay!  :y

Does the new owner run a hotel and 'give a damn good thrashing' to his Austin 1100. :)

I think that the new owner is a bit past thrashing anything to be honest!  :-\  ;D
Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: Viral_Jim on 08 October 2019, 00:16:12
Good tips there. Bank transfer while I wait is probably best, although I wil still have to give account details.:y

FWIW I have a current account that has no overdraft facility and no payments going out from it, it never has more than £1 in it. When I have anything to sell that someone wants to pay for by bank transfer I give these details to the buyer.

They pay into the account, I immediately transfer it to my 'proper' account, both transfers take seconds.

Then the worst the buyer can do is defraud me for the pocket change that stays in the account to keep it open.  :y
Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: BazaJT on 08 October 2019, 07:56:56
Every car I've ever sold has been for cash,never had any problems but then the scrapman is pretty trustworthy like that ;D
Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: Rangie on 08 October 2019, 07:58:45
Good tips there. Bank transfer while I wait is probably best, although I wil still have to give account details.:y

FWIW I have a current account that has no overdraft facility and no payments going out from it, it never has more than £1 in it. When I have anything to sell that someone wants to pay for by bank transfer I give these details to the buyer.

They pay into the account, I immediately transfer it to my 'proper' account, both transfers take seconds.

Then the worst the buyer can do is defraud me for the pocket change that stays in the account to keep it open.  :y
.   


Very good idea that 😎