Well, I don't want too speak too soon and jinx myself, but I think I've sold my Sentra to a guy in Idaho. He just needs his parents to cosign for the loan and I believe it's a done deal. At this point I plan on driving halfway there and meeting him in Fargo or Bismarck or something. In terms of the transaction, people are telling me that I should have all the money in hand before I set out for the trip. Do ya'll agree? This needs to be fair to the seller and buyer though. Both should have reasonable assurances that both are going to follow through, especially over this long distance. Maybe the buyer should only half the money at first? I dunno- I've never done anything like this before. Ideas?

If you can get at least a $500 - $1000 non-refundable deposit that will apply to the purchase price as long as the buyer follows through up front, that would be best. Then if the buyer doesnt show or backs out, it was worth your time and effort. :D If you dont get anything up front and you take that trip and the buyer doesnt show, Jeff and I will kick his ass for messing with the Ben-meister. ;)

I definitely need something to get my broke ass our there for sure. Definitely not going without something decent up front.

Well I wouldn't go without at least half in hand.

I should think that is fair. Yes?

plus fifteen when we reach Alderaan.

I know, I know......Shut up you geek. :p

Ben,
Definately get some type of deposit up front to show good faith and that he is serious about this. Make sure it clears before you leave. I would also request that they fax you a copy of the certified bank check or money order for the balance of the amount that he will give you when you meet him in the middle. I would not recommend taking a personal check.

Just talked to some coworkers at the creditr union here and a couple of things they thought I should do:

1. Ask the guy for the name and phone number of the bank he is financing the loan at, as well as the name of the loan officer so that I could call them and verify with the bank that yes James whoever has been approved for a loan of $8,500 for the purchase of my car. The VIN has to be on the loan document and I haven't given him the VIN so he couldn't possibly get the loan without it, so that would be a good time for the bank to get the VIN from me. Since I will be driving such a long way this shouldn't seem unreasonable.

2. Definitely get a copy of the check. Call the bank to verify that that check in in question is a valid check.

If I can get all that, I'd say that's proof enough to only require maybe $500 as a deposit. If he doesn't want to do any of that, then I must require the full sum to be paid to me. There's no reason why he should not want to give me this information so I think this is reasonable.

Sound ok?

Sounds good to me I would at least get a 500 non refundable deposit.

Ben, heres what I did....

About 2 years ago my brother had '93 SE-R - which he promptly blew the engine in after about a month of driving it. So I posted it up for sale on SE-R.net for $800. Some guy from the midwest told me he wanted it, so I told him to send me a $100 deposit, which he did. I held the car for him, and he came and picked it up on a flatbed (I guess he was a truck driver) and paid the rest of the money.

Although thats kind of opposite of your situation, you could always have your car shipped to the buyer, although it is not all that cheap....I got a quote of $395 to ship a car from Boston, MA to Easter PA, so I'd imagine that far out for you would be at least double that or more.

What you should do, is have him get a plane ticket to Indy and you can pick him up there.

That's the way it should work. You driving half way across the country vs a quick trip to indy.....think about it ;)

He's perfectly welcome to do it that was as well :)

Ben, how are you getting back home? If you are coming through Madison Wisconsin, you can chill at my dorm, and check out the University of Wisconsin Formula SAE racer.