I found a buyer for my car. I live in San Francisco, and the buyer lives in Florida. I was wondering what you would recommend as the safest method of accepting payment? Wire transfer?

How would I get the title to him? Certified/registered mail?

When shipping a nice car, would it be better to go with an enclosed carrier, or would an open carrier suffice? An enclosed carrier will cost an additional $461 ($1395 vs. $934)

The buyer will arrange and pay for transporting, but I'm helping him do some research.

Thanks,

Warren

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2011 C300

Gone but not forgotten:

1995 E420
1990 500SL

Certified funds/check is best. I would have hi/her get the check drawn on a bank that is nationwide like NAtionsbank, and go cash it right away.

THere are very creative crooks out there, and a good one could easily make one.

My 2 cents

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Enough about me, how are you doing?

Yes - be aware that the big scam in car buying these days is to send a fake cashiere's check. So get a check from a big bank and call that bank up to verify its one of their checks.

Wire transfers are much cheaper than they used to be because the electronic communications network is cheaper. So you could ask for a wire transfer directly into your account and it would only cost about $7.50 or so in fees (at my bank anyway).

I don't think there's much chance of a fake wire transfer.

Ken300D

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1982 300D at 351K miles
1984 300SD at 217K miles
1987 300D at 370K miles

Fake cashiers checks are a standard scam these days, particularly on E-bay. If you receive a cashiers check, look up the phone number of the issuing branch on the internet. Call them and ask to verify the authenticity of the check. They should be happy to verify the buyer of the check (i.e. the buyer of your car), the date issued, the check number, the amount, etc.

Also look very closely at the check itself. It will have micro-printing in the margins, and most likely and artificial watermark on the back.

I don't think there's any risk in accepting a cashiers check if you know how to handle it.

- JimY