How can I be sure the check will be good?

[Ortimber]

I've sold several higher dollar items to private parties. I recently sold my camper for $12,000. After negotiating the price, I met the buyer at his bank, and walked out with cash. It's all on camera, and it's all legit.

 

[stevem5215]

Ortimber might have the safest idea of all of them. Go to the bank the buyer has the cash in. Get him to write himself a check for the correct amount. Transfer the title at the bank if necessary as most have a Notary available due to being a bank. Have the new owner sign some kind of bill of sale with description and if warrantied at all (For Judge Judy's sake if you've ever watched her). Take the cash and put it in your bank (hopefully nearby so the cops don't get a piece of the action as mentioned). Done deal. I think this method out of all is probably the safest.

(I personally did the personal check one where the buyer gave me a personal check in advance and when it had cleared fully I let him pick up the tractor. Worked ok that way too.)

 

[Steppenwolfe]

I always wonder why it takes 5-15 days to electronically get funds into your account, but milliseconds for funds to go the other way.

They call that a scam... it only ever works in the banks favor.

 

[PILOON]

Once did a job and client did pay me by check.
I was leery so went to her bank to have it certified.
Her bank refused to do so, wonder why?

They claimed that she'd have done so if she wanted so I requested to cash it.
They refused claiming that I did not have an account with them so I said OK, let's open one.
The next answer was that I needed an appointment to open an account and that would be next week.

Oh, that client also asked me to do the work under my insurance by claiming that I had caused hidden damage or some such.
That was what gave me the vibes to get her check certified.

But I was all in all lucky as that was my first and only bad client experience in some 20 years of renovations and construction.

 

[Midniteoyl]

They refused claiming that I did not have an account with them s

That doesn't seem right.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

Go to the bank the buyer has the cash in. Get him to write himself a check for the correct amount. Transfer the title at the bank if necessary as most have a Notary available due to being a bank. Have the new owner sign some kind of bill of sale with description

This would work if the buyer's bank is close by. I have several that have inquired about the item for sale that are 3 hours drive from me. I won't drive 3 hours to their bank.

This excavator does not have a title. It never had. I don't think any farm or construction equipment has a title. I could be wrong on that, but I've never had a title to any of the equipment I've owned, and I've been through lots of equipment in my business.

I do always print a bill of sale with as much information as I have on it, whenever I sell a piece of equipment. I make two copies and both buyer and seller sign both and we each keep one. I've never had an issue, but always do it just in case.

 

[Torvy]

That doesn't seem right.

It is not legal. The bank does not have to cash a random check, but they are required to cash checks drawn on their bank.

 

[Midniteoyl]

It is not legal. The bank does not have to cash a random check, but they are required to cash checks drawn on their bank.

Ya. they do it around all the time on payday. They do require a thumbprint of the check casher on the check though, just in case

 

[Torvy]

Ya. they do it around all the time on payday. They do require a thumbprint of the check casher on the check though, just in case

Sure, the bank has to get valid ID on the presenter, but it is a legal instrument.

 

[Monster5601]

Over the years I've been burned every way possible from counterfeit bills embedded in banded currency to stolen bank checks forged to be cashier checks. Years of experience have taught me to only accept payment two ways, Zelle for low amount transactions or a met at the buyers' bank.