Mercedes-Benz CLK - safest way to receive payment selling privately

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Fri 31 May 2024 15:42
Mercedes-Benz CLK - safest way to receive payment selling privately - lucklesspedestrian

Hi

After 5 years of trouble free motoring it's time to let the CLK convertible go (probably a good time of year to do it) and since it's worth less than £2K, I'll list it on Gumtree and the FB owners group and brace myself for some of the inevitable nonsense that will come my way.

I've sold a few cars this way over the past 15 or so years with no real issues but just wanted to check, is it still best to avoid cash and ask for a faster electronic bank payment, only letting the car go when the funds show up in my bank?

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Fri 31 May 2024 16:02
Mercedes-Benz CLK - safest way to receive payment selling privately - badbusdriver

I'm no expert and haven't actually looked into this. But I'm sure I heard something, possibly on the radio, specifically about scams involving online bank transfers. I can't remember exactly what or how, but something about the money appearing to go from their account to yours (so you hand over whatever you are selling) but it doesn't actually.

Not sure what the safest way would be, possibly a car buying service, but that would almost certainly involve your accepting less money than you think your car is worth.

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Fri 31 May 2024 16:21
Mercedes-Benz CLK - safest way to receive payment selling privately - johncyprus

A year ago I sold my CLK on the MB Club.Co.UK forum. It was a hassle free sale.

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Fri 31 May 2024 18:09
Mercedes-Benz CLK - safest way to receive payment selling privately - mcb100
If it’s cash, take your buyer to a bank branch (if such a thing exists in your area) or Post Office and deposit the money in their presence. Counter staff should be able to detect any forgeries, and if they don’t then it’s their problem from that point on.
A bank transfer is safe enough, as long as you’ve seen it arrive in your account via online banking. Maybe speak to your bank to make sure you can withdraw the funds, if you want to be belt & braces.
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Fri 31 May 2024 22:30
Mercedes-Benz CLK - safest way to receive payment selling privately - bathtub tom

Last car I sold for £1700, was cash at a PO. They count and verify the notes, keys and V5 section handed over.

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Sat 1 Jun 2024 08:28
Mercedes-Benz CLK - safest way to receive payment selling privately - Steveieb

I’ve heard that if taking a bank transfer it’s best to switch the money into a savings account immediately to prevent the money being switched back .

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Sat 1 Jun 2024 09:32
Mercedes-Benz CLK - safest way to receive payment selling privately - Falkirk Bairn

Go to your bank - if there is one.

The buyer withdraws the money with their card.

Having withdrawn the money you use your card to deposit the money in your account.

2 transactions.

No cash and the transactions are not linked so cannot be reversed.

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Sat 1 Jun 2024 13:21
Mercedes-Benz CLK - safest way to receive payment selling privately - lucklesspedestrian

All went very well in the end, sold for full asking price within 24h, used electronic bank transfer with no problems. Buyer was a decent, honest sort. My next post will lilkely be asking for suggestions what to replace the CLK with as a weekends and sunny days car. The CLK has been brilliant, cost £4K 5 years ago and very little has gone wrong other than the usual brakes, suspension components etc needing sorted come MOT time but no big bills at all.

Thanks as always for the replies.

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