Selling Car to Private Party

have someone from SOMA who wants to buy our car. They came over to look last night and seem like they genuinely want to move forward. Asked for a date and cash payment. Agreed to cash but now they want me to deliver the car. I don’t have too much of an issue it’s just not the way I’ve ever sold a car. Typically the buyer comes, gives the $ and takes the car after we sign the title and bill of sale. Person is very worried about insurance and wants us to bring it. Other than a slight discomfort with taking a large cash payment at someone’s house (I suggested we meet at the bank), any reasons I should not deliver it? Just wondering if I’m missing something obvious. They live in SOMA so it’s not like it’s a long trip for either party.

The way it works is they pay you first. You give them the title, they register the car, get the plates and pick up the car. Don't go anywhere to pick up cash. Not even in good ole Maplewood. Tell them to get a cashier's check and give it to you. No cash pick up anywhere. 

I’d rather have cash than any kind of check. 

Anytime I’ve bought a car, I’ve slapped my current plates on it and driven it home. Registered it in next day or two. No?

conandrob240 said:

Anytime I’ve bought a car, I’ve slapped my current plates on it and driven it home. Registered it in next day or two. No?

 No, if those plates are run by an officer they won’t come back to the car they are on.  The car would be towed and the driver fined for driving an unregistered and uninsured vehicle.

Is someone going with you in a second car presumably to give you a ride home?  I don't see a problem making a delivery.  If something appears shady upon arrival back out.  Maybe don't go inside the house.  Go in daylight hours.  Google the address before going to see if it's owned by your buyer.  

okay. i thought I read there was a grace period of a few days as long as you had a bill of sale and dated title.

Anyway, I’m not the buyer so that’s on them but I will offer that they can leave the car in our driveway, go to DMV and come back later with plates/registration if they want.  

Red_Barchetta said:
Is someone going with you in a second car presumably to give you a ride home?  I don't see a problem making a delivery.  If something appears shady upon arrival back out.  Maybe don't go inside the house.  Go in daylight hours.  Google the address before going to see if it's owned by your buyer.  

 Yes, I’m only going to agree to delivery when husband and I can both go. I think I’ll offer we can deliver but we want to meet at the bank to exchange cash & title or they are welcome to come pick it up and we can store car if they don’t want to drive it away immediately.

You should take the cash at your bank so they can see you have deposited it and won't have any cash on you.  

Them wanting you to deliver it for the reasons they stated are valid concerns on their end. (The no reg. or ins.)  However, that does not obligate you to do so.  You can do just what JayTee suggested in having them register and insure it before you give the car to them.  This is the best (and pretty standard) way to handle it.  If you drop it off, make sure you return the plates right away and cancel the registration.  If you don't, they could drive it with fake plates and no insurance and it will all fall back on you since the registration is still in your name.

good considerations, thanks. I’d prefer they pick it up but I do understand their concerns. We did already meet them and while I’d never just trust anyone, they are very nice and seem very upstanding. They are long-time members of SOMA so we can both “verify” each other a bit that way.

nowadays with plate readers, it is harder to get away with slapping plates on a car.  in the past, it wouldn't be run unless there was an infraction and if you were very careful, could likely make it home without a problem....i'm not sure how the plate scanners work, but they do increase the risk of getting caught.

if they have an auto policy for another car currently, a new purchase is automatically covered for a short period, maybe a week...so that is not a problem...it just needs to  be registered...

if it wasn't too inconvenient, you could meet at a MVC, they could run in, register it and drive off.

spontaneous said:

conandrob240 said:

Anytime I’ve bought a car, I’ve slapped my current plates on it and driven it home. Registered it in next day or two. No?

 No, if those plates are run by an officer they won’t come back to the car they are on.  The car would be towed and the driver fined for driving an unregistered and uninsured vehicle.

The easiest way is to slap current plates on and drive home. To pay, then leave the car while doing the registration work and finally to pick it up is inconvenient.

The chance of plates being run is very, very low. Be sure to drive carefully.

It's not just about having the police running the plates, there is also the liability factor.  The car is still registered under the seller's name, if there is an accident the seller could be held responsible.

The more I think about this the more I lean towards not letting them take the car until they register it. If you don't go that route, I would definitely have them sign and date a bill of sale.  This way you have some proof that you no longer own it.

I speak from experience on this topic.

my “proof” is my bill of sale. That’s the only proof you have when you privately sell a car. They will take ownership Thirs night after paying cash, taking the car with them. I’ll bring my bill of sale to DMV 8am Fri morning and get the slip that says I turned in plates. And hopefully all will go well.

The one time I sold a car privately, I took cash payment at a neutral location.  I gave them the title and a bill of sale.  I took off the plates and they put the car on a trailer.

sounds about right except I doubt they are going to trailer the car 10 miles to South Orange.

How about - 

you drive over and park car in front of their house,

Go to bank together - you get cash and sign over title

Them go back and remove plates