Craigslist - Cash only!

So, looking at a motorcycle, and guy seems adamant on cash only. I asked if he'd accept a certified check from my bank. He still prefers cash. Communication (emails) thus far seems legit (I know, I know...). I'm not keen on traveling with a lot of cash regardless if he's legit feller.

What could be his reasoning you think? Only off top of my head would be planning to rob me, or someone? I actually don't think this is the case, but why else?

 

My buddy got burnt for 30k on a "certified bank check" cash only for me if I'm selling something also.

 

Bank check. With that you have to get a legit name. It helps if it goes south. And make sure you get a middle initial for the check. Helps with tracking people down. Photo their Driver’s license if you can.

 

I've pretty much paid cash for every bike purchase I have made other than at a dealer. Even a bank draft or a money order can be cancelled. I wouldn't look at that by itself as a red flag, but I always take precautions.

 

Probably wants to tell the wife he only got a couple grand for it when in reality he's getting much more

 

I'd go with him to his bank and he could cash/deposit it right then.

 

I sell cash only. Cash doesn't bounce.

 

Pain in the ass for the seller. Show up, count out the cash, do paper work, shake hands, load up and go.

 

Agreed, with precautions cash only

 

Probably wants cash so you can't try and rip him off with a fake check. Take cash, problem solved.

 

Just take cash and a pistol or go with a friend. Preferably a buff guy. There's so many scams nowadays that cash is just the least hassle especially when buying a bike off of someone. No funny stuff.

 

Bank checks can take time to clear as well.... cash only here to people I don’t know

 

This is the first thing I thought of after reading this post.

 

When looking at stacker trailers a few years ago, a seller wanted cash only. It was a used trailer so only about 20-25k, but the bank had their fare share of questions about why we needed that much cash (as opposed to a bank check or something). The bank suggested the seller was trying to avoid child support or some other mandated payment. Not sure how much the bike is, but sometimes getting cash is a hassle...

 

If I don't know someone, I prefer cash or I want the check to clear before I release the item.

 

Tough shit for the bank. You don’t need to know jack shit about why I want MY f@cking money. I don’t give a shit why he wants cash or what he may potentially try to hide it for. Not my problem.

 

Face to face deals and cash. That way there's no regrets.

 

Agreed, but it was a really more of a casual conversation than a CIA interrogation before letting us have our money. So we didn't feel the need to get defensive over small talk.

 

Lotsa people like/prefer to meet in and around police station parking lots if they’re nervous about the cash aspect.

 

How much cash are we talking? There’s a certain amount (I think $10k) that the bank has to report when you deposit. Up to that amount I always prefer cash.