How to sell a van?

[Californiaman]

Or more to the point, what do you think is the safest way of accepting payment?
I've got the dent puller working on my T6 as we speak, so i'm currently wording my for sale advert while i'm waiting.
I want cleared funds in my account before I release the van to a buyer but was wondering what the quickest and safest way is?
I was thinking a direct bank transfer would be best but even with that I assume there is a period of time between the money appearing in my account and it being cleared?
I'm thinking about a potential buyer coming to view the van from a fair distance away and wanting to pay and take it away in one visit, is this even possible? I don't have a payment by card facility as it will be a private sale (i'll be buying it from my business first to enable me to sell without VAT).

Also should i ask for a deposit prior to somebody coming to view to weed out the tyre kickers?

Any opinions welcome!

 

[Scruffy]

Sit them down in front of a computer and do a internet bank transfer . Almost all banks are now instantaneous, it couldn't be quicker. Or failing that facility, walk them down to your local branch and do it all there, again it's quick and easy. That is of course if you still have a local branch! I would stay away from cash these days, unless they are prepared to go to the local bank and have it counted out by the cashier and paid into your account.

But obviously, if you have any doubts, don't hand the keys over………and don't for goodness sake sell it to We-Buy-Any-car or the likes, utter criminals.

 

[Loz]

Nowadays most banks use the Fast Payment System (BACS died a long time back) so funds are near enough instant so I tend to favour Back transfer.
Last time I sold he transferred his money to me and then set off over and it was in my bank when he got here so just had the paperwork and receipt to do. I would expect a buyer to come and look at the vehicle and return another day to pay/collect.
if the buyer just turns up expecting to view/buy and leave then he needs to bring a large amount to cash with him...

bankers drafts can be forged so not acceptable anymore due to the risk that they can be reversed weeks after the event.

 

[Californiaman]

Cheers Scruffy yes that's what I was planning on doing but I was unsure if the money is cleared as soon as it appears in my bank account or not?
The ultimate nightmare would be for the transfer to be done, I hand over the keys and they drive off, then I check my account the next day and find the money's gone again!!
Suppose I should ring my bank and find out.....

 

[Californiaman]

Nowadays most banks use the Fast Payment System (BACS died a long time back) so funds are near enough instant so I tend to favour Back transfer.
Last time I sold he transferred his money to me and then set off over and it was in my bank when he got here so just had the paperwork and receipt to do. I would expect a buyer to come and look at the vehicle and return another day to pay/collect.
if the buyer just turns up expecting to view/buy and leave then he needs to bring a large amount to cash with him...

bankers drafts can be forged so not acceptable anymore due to the risk that they can be reversed weeks after the event.

Thanks Loz, I wanted to avoid cash if possible, I doubt if I could spot a decent forged bank note!

 

[former member]

I've paid over the phone and via computer transfer; no worries with either.
Bought both Calis on a debit card but I doubt you have one?

 

[Oldrat]

You could both go to your local building society, sorted in two minutes, no hassle, safe and secure.

That's how I paid for mine.

 

[Chopman]

Cash


I thought you had plenty of useful comments already.
Be nice to have a big bag of cash though.

 

[former member]

Cash


I thought you had plenty of useful comments already.
Be nice to have a big bag of cash though.

I drew out 15 grand once to buy a car. Turned out it was a duffer, had to pay it all back in!

 

[Chopman]

I drew out 15 grand once to buy a car. Turned out it was a duffer, had to pay it all back in!

I remember having to carry cash to buy cars in the old days - never as much as 15 grand though... About 4 was my limit I think.

 

[Californiaman]

I've paid over the phone and via computer transfer; no worries with either.
Bought both Calis on a debit card but I doubt you have one?

We bought ours from our VW dealer on a debit card as well, we had to ring my bank to prove it wasn't fraudulent though!
As this will be a private sale I can't take a card payment, though I don't have a card payment facility for my business either.

 

[former member]

We bought ours from our VW dealer on a debit card as well, we had to ring my bank to prove it wasn't fraudulent though!
As this will be a private sale I can't take a card payment, though I don't have a card payment facility for my business either.

Yep you definitely need to call the bank first!
I'd go for internet transfer - maybe ask them to bring their own laptop (or phone if they can use it) and make sure the transaction goes through.

 

[Californiaman]

Thanks for all the responses, I did manage to ring my bank earlier (well the hotline anyway) and they confirmed that bank transfers are cleared immediately so that would be my preferred choice.
This is the first time I've potentially had to sell a vehicle properly as all my cars & vans in the last 20 years have been sold to friends or family (or given away in one case and that was a still decent Ford Focus)!
Hopefully my brother in law will put his money where his mouth is and buy this one.

I had my local paintless dent repair guy round today, I had 4 dents of various shapes and sizes, all caused by ignorant t#### that needed sorted - it was amazing to watch. It took him all morning but they've all gone with no trace of where they were.
I though he was just going to turn up with a rubber plunger and whack them out in 10 minutes, shows what i know!

 

[former member]

Thanks for all the responses, I did manage to ring my bank earlier (well the hotline anyway) and they confirmed that bank transfers are cleared immediately so that would be my preferred choice.
This is the first time I've potentially had to sell a vehicle properly as all my cars & vans in the last 20 years have been sold to friends or family (or given away in one case and that was a still decent Ford Focus)!
Hopefully my brother in law will put his money where his mouth is and buy this one.

I had my local paintless dent repair guy round today, I had 4 dents of various shapes and sizes, all caused by ignorant t#### that needed sorted - it was amazing to watch. It took him all morning but they've all gone with no trace of where they were.
I though he was just going to turn up with a rubber plunger and whack them out in 10 minutes, shows what i know!

What company did you use? The BMW has a couple I want to sort (too deep to machine polish).

 

[Californiaman]

The guy's called Stacy (yes he is a man), his company name is Pro Dent Removal, link here North Devons number 1 paintless dent removal specialist. He's North Devon based so not sure if he would cover your area though as he seems to work mostly locally.
He used to work in the aircraft industry heat forming panels amongst other things, a real pro and a nice bloke to boot.
I was worried when he took out his hammer and what looked like a hole punch and started bashing away but you have to hope they know what they're doing don't you?!
Top bloke and couldn't recommend him enough - don't think I'll be needing him for my Sprinter though!

 

[former member]

The guy's called Stacy (yes he is a man), his company name is Pro Dent Removal, link here North Devons number 1 paintless dent removal specialist. He's North Devon based so not sure if he would cover your area though as he seems to work mostly locally.
He used to work in the aircraft industry heat forming panels amongst other things, a real pro and a nice bloke to boot.
I was worried when he took out his hammer and what looked like a hole punch and started bashing away but you have to hope they know what they're doing don't you?!
Top bloke and couldn't recommend him enough - don't think I'll be needing him for my Sprinter though!

Hmm - interesting. I may look him up. I'm sometimes in Exeter so not too far away.

 

[Californiaman]

Slight change of tack but we walked through Polzeath last week while on our hols, we were staying at Dennis Cove campsite in Padstow and got the boat across. Walked out to Pentire Point and back again.
On the way back there was an air sea rescue helicopter hovering just out from the beach with the guy on the winch going up and down. Couldn't see anyone in the water so presumed they were training, but after reading your coastguard job posts I was wondering whether they were giving you a beasting?!

 

[former member]

Slight change of tack but we walked through Polzeath last week while on our hols, we were staying at Dennis Cove campsite in Padstow and got the boat across. Walked out to Pentire Point and back again.
On the way back there was an air sea rescue helicopter hovering just out from the beach with the guy on the winch going up and down. Couldn't see anyone in the water so presumed they were training, but after reading your coastguard job posts I was wondering whether they were giving you a beasting?!

Haha! You should have dropped me a message! Pentire Point is part of my slightly evil running route.
That was a separate exercise (the heli operation is very much a different entity) but still had me twitching by my pager!

 

[Californiaman]

Well the T6 has now gone! A lovely chap from Wales saw my ad on Gumtree and came down with his wife to view yesterday, we agreed a price and job done.
The direct bank transfer didn't go through last night, it took until mid morning today. They've come down on holiday for a few days so luckily he was ok to wait for the van which I just delivered to him.
Sorry to see it go after such a short time but a bigger van is more suited to my work needs at the moment.

I'll keep an eye on this forum as I could be back as an owner again who knows?!

 

[DaveyB]

Well the T6 has now gone! A lovely chap from Wales saw my ad on Gumtree and came down with his wife to view yesterday, we agreed a price and job done.
The direct bank transfer didn't go through last night, it took until mid morning today. They've come down on holiday for a few days so luckily he was ok to wait for the van which I just delivered to him.
Sorry to see it go after such a short time but a bigger van is more suited to my work needs at the moment.

I'll keep an eye on this forum as I could be back as an owner again who knows?!

Don't be a stranger @Californiaman, you know where we are. Sorry this particular van did not work out for you, but hope it'll bring its new owner plenty of joy. Did you point them in our direction?