Selling my Vespa online

[thyme4change]

I listed my Vespa on cycle trader. I got one email, which I responded to and got no answer. A week later I got a text. It started okay, but now I am wondering if this is shady. Here are the details.

First, the area code is from California, and I am in Phoenix - so not really a flag, but this person may not be local.

The texted me Friday 10 am asking if it is still available. The syntax made me think English was a second language- but also not a flag for Phoenix.

I responded saying that I would be available on Saturday if they wanted to come see it.

I got this text back pretty quickly

Yes I’m interested and can you tell me about it ? Any mechanical fault ? how long have you had it ? What’s the final asking price ? [\quote]

I was away from from phone and I responded at 11.30

I bought it new in 2018. It is running well - I haven’t noticed any problems, but also haven’t driven it much. My price is negotiable [\quote]

My price was listed in the ad. I suspect it is a smidge high - if someone pays it they won’t get screwed, nor will it be the deal of the century. I expect to be talked down at least 500 bucks.

I got this response at 2.30 AM - middle of the night

Sounds Great, i'm okay with the price and condition,I'm ready to pay your price ?

Would you be willing to accept a cashier Check as payment ? We will pick up after the check clears. [\quote]

This person hasn’t seen the bike. Maybe I am being old fashioned thinking this is weird. I haven’t sold or bought anything online for almost 20 years, and haven’t sold (or bought) a vehicle to a stranger since last century.

What is my exposure here if I take a cashier’s check before handing over title. How can I protect myself?

[Cheesy FL-Vol]

DH will only sell for cash. We sold an Expedition several years ago for 8k cash. The buyer was perfectly okay with that. DH will only also conduct online sale transactions in the proximity of a sheriff or police station. He weeds out scammers by doing this. He almost never allows someone to come to the house to look at something he is selling. The only exception he ever made was when he sold an older model 5th wheel his dad gave us.

ETA: get the cashiers check cashed before handing over the title. Insist the cashiers check is obtained from the USPS or major bank. Have another person with you when you conduct this transaction, don’t go alone.

Also, the area code isn’t necessarily a red flag. We still have our cell numbers that were issued to us in FL 30 some years ago but we live in TN now. My mom’s cell has a WI prefix and she has kept her number even though she lived in TX and now in FL.

[toomuchreality]

Although those things may not be major red flags, they also don't give warm fuzzies. I would call your bank and ask them what possible issues you should be aware of, by accepting payment this way. Ask for suggestions.

When I was looking for a car a few years ago, I got an email, in response to an inquiry I made. I got replies, but not warm fuzzy replies. I finally said, how do I know you're not a scammer? I never heard from them again.

I would definitely do the transaction at the police department. You can call and let them know you'll be there, in case there's an issue.

[toomuchreality]

Did they ask for the VIN?
Vespas have a VIN, don't they?

[CCL]

I'd be suspicious. As you said, they haven't even seen it. Why would someone bother with a cashier's check in the first place? What's wrong with cash? Cashier's checks aren't what they used to be. Nowadays, many of them are scams.

I like the idea of telling them you can meet at the police station. Then see how they respond.

[Works4me]

Feels/sounds like a scam to me & I wouldn't mess with it. Them wanting you to cash the check & waiting for it to clear is a very big red flag. I do Craigslist all the time and only deal in cash. I've even met at my bank to withdraw or deposit the cash.

But that's just me - I pay close attention to my "gut" feelings and the times I've regretted are the times I've ignored it. Good luck and let us know what you decide.

[toomuchreality]

The problem is, if you deposit, or cash a check that has issues, you are held responsible.
Then you're out both the money and your Vespa, plus you could have charges brought against you.

I received a "cashiers" check once. Only it wasn't. Luckily I asked the bank manager about it, before I tried to deposit it in my account.

So not worth it. If they have money for a cashier's check, why can't they just pay you cash? No doubt, they have a story for that too.

[Works4me]

I've also been known to keep one of those pens that check money on hand.

[Opti]

Sounds Great, i'm okay with the price and condition,I'm ready to pay your price ?



Would you be willing to accept a cashier Check as payment ? We will pick up after the check clears. [\quote]

This sounds like the usual check scam for online sales. Personally, I would not engage with them any further and list it locally in FB marketplace and maybe one local paper.

[dannylion]

This sounds scammy.  Because the bank has to release funds within a certain number of days, the check will "clear" before it has actually cleared, so by the time it has been identified as bogus, the scammer will be long gone.  

I also think it's suspicious that they didn't even attempt to negotiate the price.  

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

TD received one of these cashier’s checks he knew it was a scam.  This check looked remarkable genuine, so I can see how it would slip through a few levels at the bank before it’s caught.  You’ll still be holding the bag.  I’d go cash only.  That’s how we sold a used car…..the guy showed up with a wad of $100 bills.

This stinks of a scam, I’d ghost him.  

[tractor]

I'll jump on, it's a scam! Run away and block them. Selling on-line sucks, but don't fall victim to one on these idiots.

[NoNamePerson]

Google fake cashier's checks scam. 

[Bonny]

I'd ask for real cash too.

You can put a stop payment on a cashier's check.

[bean29]

We just took a Cashier’s check from a state CU for a car. $9800.00. It was too large for me to remote deposit it, so DH said he would take it to the bank Thursday. He did not take the check, so I came home on my lunch & deposited it (B/C I also was worried about fraud). We have full credit in our account for it, so hopefully it is good. Glad we have one less car in the driveway.

They guy asked me for the VIN, I gave it to him, you would need it to pull car fax. He lives in Neenah. His daughter is a UWM student. She came with a friend to look at it. He never came to see it. We did have it dealer maintained, so the car fax should show that. She wanted the car, her brother Graduated on Wed, she came with her sister to get the car rather that attend the Grad. Graduations are boring anyways. Lol.

I think the guy was worried about fraud too but DH sent him a picture of his office sign with his name/company name on it and pointed out same name was on car title. She came to office for test drive & to pick up car.