Money Matters
Dear Community,

Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.

If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.

Thank you.

Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.

Shady buyer... advice needed

Dh and I have a bit of a dilema that has become a bit worrisome. His old truck sits behind our apartment building, and has been there for a year and a half. It took us a while to decide what to do with it, and finally we decided that we are ready to sell it in the spring. Last month, a man knocked on our door asking if it was for sale. DH spoke with him and they said they would work out a plan so that the truck could be paid for in increments, with the final payment in the spring when it was able to go (its buried in snow right now). First, the man offered more than DH wanted, which was kind of odd. DH told him we would write up a sales agreement and would call him when we were ready. He showed up the next day when I was home alone asking if we were ready yet. He told me his nickname and then said "You do not need to know my real name." I was extremely weirded out by that so DH and I decided to not contact him and let it go.

DH called me today to say that the guy showed up at his work with $500 cash in his hand, basically begging DH to take it. He told the guy that we still didn't have anything written up yet but he would let him know when. We talked it over and decided DH will tell the guy tomorrow we changed our mind and that the truck is not for sale.

Are we doing the right thing? Does this seem odd to anyone else? Would you still sell it to him regardless of his weirdness?

Re: Shady buyer... advice needed

  • Very weird! How does he know where your dh works? If you do sell, I'd request a moneyorderor similar. I think I'd be worried about counterfeit money, etc.

    Also isn't the title transfer supposed to be done jointly so that both parties can insure it was done and done correctly?
    Lilypie Kids Birthday tickers Lilypie Kids Birthday tickers
  • Yikes. That is scary. How did he know where your DH works? Why is he that desperate for this specific truck?
  • Is back out. I wouldn't allow a stranger to make payments on it. Either he pays the total or the deal is done and I agree about the money order. People are so shady and scary!!
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
  • Yes, cancel the deal. Have your H tell him, thanks but this is just not going to work out and give him any money he gave you back. I had a similar experience with my neighbor last spring, I won't go into the details because it's a long story, but find a new buyer. Someone else will want it.

    And why they heck did he says you don't need to know his real name? Yes you do! You need it for the title transfer! BUT, if you do end up selling to this guy, keep a copy of all paper work for the next two years. Also make sure to check in with the DMV or SOS to be sure he transferred the plates out of of your H's name. If you can, go to the DMV or SOS with him. You can always request he meets you in the parking lot of a police station for all transactions.  If he refuses cancel the deal. 

  • I wouldn't sell the truck to this guy. Trust your gut-- if it doesn't seem right, it probably isn't.
  • I would cancel out too. I agree with PP, you have to know his full real name for the title transfer. If you put it up for sale at a later point & he comes back, just tell him what the price is and that payment in full is required at the time of purchase. Have a purchase agreement ready which will be good for anyone then purchasing the vehicle. You may want to contact your local DMV to find out what you can do if you sell the vehicle and the person doesn't go & finish the transfer of the title. This is just good information to know for dealing with anyone you may sell the vehicle too.
  • Yeah, totally go with your gut. That is really weird. I would not owner finance a car, either he pays cash up front or no sale. Also, you would have to have his real name to transfer the ownership through the DMV. He is giving me the creeps and I'm not even dealing with him. Have your DH cancel the 'deal' which really wasn't even made yet. Tell him your not ready to sell or whatever bogus lie you need to tell to get him away from you both.
    image
  • DH texted him today and made up some story about how the truck is no longer for sale. We never accepted any money from him so it was easy to just tell him no. The sad thing is we will have to fgure some other way to sell it, since he lives up the road from us and will see it for sale in our driveway if we go that route.

    As for finding DH at work, that isn't hard. DH drives a very unique truck and works at a local auto shop... again, small town. But he was legit frightened when the guy walked in the door and tried to hand him $500.

  • Yeah this would skeeze me the hell out, even if it is a small town.  I probably wouldn't do the for sale sign in the front of your yard, but maybe do a listing on craigslist or ebay?   The guy is less likely to see it that way.

    Have you tried taking it to a dealer or anything?  Or even a place that would buy it for scrap?
    Wedding Countdown Ticker
  • Post the truck for sale on Craigslist.
  • One thing to be aware of is how you are going to handle the title if he is making payments. If you have a written agreement for the buyer to pay in installments, and hand over the title in the beginning, you most likely will end up in small claims court trying to get the rest of your money however you are not liable if he gets into an accident. 

    If you wait to hand over title until he pays it off but he is driving it in the meantime, then you could be held liable for any accident, tickets etc.

    All around not a good idea. Never make a deal such as this with anyone you don't know. 
Sign In or Register to comment.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards