selling car on craigslist

[Social Democrat]

Originally Posted by funflyer99

I've sold a few cars on CL in the past and always make the terms perfectly clear which has, thankfully, made for an easy hassle free transaction. I only negotiate in person, not through email, txt, or over the phone. Buyer must present a current state driver's license along with a recent utility bill with matching address. I do not take payments and only accept cash, bank cashier's check or a postal money order.

However, it never fails as CL is a haven for low-lives, someone will always have a story and want something for nothing but they get the same answer from me, NO!

This! I did the same thing when I sold a pickup last year. Really does filter out most trolleers

[cb73]

Originally Posted by blue_water

But if I file the RoL online (Calif dmv website) which gives me a confirmation, that should be good enough proof, right? How about plus a Bill of Sale

Yes, the Release of Liability is legal proof that you sold the car. But if the buyer racked up a bunch of parking tickets and the tickets went to a collection agency, they're still going to harass you in the hope that you pay just to get rid of them.

"Legal proof" generally means "will stand up in court." It can be a long, irritating, time-consuming path from sale to court.

[Electrician4you]

Originally Posted by blue_water

But if I file the RoL online (Calif dmv website) which gives me a confirmation, that should be good enough proof, right? How about plus a Bill of Sale

(Difrent states have different rules but you're in California)
Until he new owner actually registers the vehicle the registration is incomplete. In some states the transfer is different. I wish California simply assigned a plate to the driver. This way you pull the plates the guy has to register it. Either way for the most part YOU are still legally the registered owner. Yes eventually it may get figured out (after a lot of time ad effort n your part) but the new owner must transfer ownership. You are releasing liability not transferring ownership. Those are two different things. Most people think filing out the release if liability changes ownership. The car is still in your name.
If you think you can say I filled out the release of liability online to Joe Schmoe go talk to him, they won't.

It's a hassle that I don't want to deal with. I simply state that the vehicle ownership must be transferred at the time of the sale. It's a nonnegotiable condition of the sale.

[Pyramidsurf]

Originally Posted by blue_water

But if I file the RoL online (Calif dmv website) which gives me a confirmation, that should be good enough proof, right? How about plus a Bill of Sale

You would probably be fine 99% of the time. It's the 1% of the time where some criminal decides to burn you.

But, realistically you should be able to filter out the dirt bags on craigslist before meeting up with them.

And if you've ever dealt with the California DMV when they screw up your paperwork, you'll realize why some people want the car out of their name immediately.

[V8 Vega]

I would like to state in the ad "vehicle ownership must be transferred at the time of sale". But when your trying to sell a car you don't want a bunch of conditions the buyer must make. You want to get rid of the car.

[Electrician4you]

Originally Posted by V8 Vega

I would like to state in the ad "vehicle ownership must be transferred at the time of sale". But when your trying to sell a car you don't want a bunch of conditions the buyer must make. You want to get rid of the car.

Sure I want to sell the car but I'm not going to trust the buyer is going to do the right thing. Because most people will drive it and won't do nothing until it's due for registration. So you could potentially have a vehicle in your name out there for 1-12 months length of time (depending on when you renewed the registration) that. Buyer WILL just keep driving on. Even though LL they would have to pay is the transfer fee not the registration. Most re under the ssumption they would have to repay the registration fees ( usually only if there is little remaining time left on the registration before it's due. No that's supimply because the registration papers won't get to you in time. You old have to pay the registration fees. If you're simply transferring title you pay the transfer fee and tax on the sale.

I ways place that exct thing in my ads. A nonnegotiable condition of the sale is the vehicle has to be transferred into your name at the time of the sale. Sure I get some who don't want to do it. I simp,y say thank you have a nice day. I don't care when I sell the car because I already bought my new car. If it sells it sells if it doesn't it doesn't. I have yet to put a car up for sale nd last more than 30 days. That's why I meet people at AAA. I do the transaction t my bank then we go to AAA. The other way to do it is you simply h e them fill out. Power of attorney to register the car. You collect LL the fees taxes no then go register it for him. That's what a Dealer does too.
If they don't want to buy it it's my condition they can go elsewhere. Plenty of used salvaged junk out there for them to buy.