I cannot stress how important a bill of sale is when you are buying from a private person. Even if it's your best friend, an acquaintance, or a perfect stranger. Be sure to write out a bill of sale, and have them sign it; and if it's more than a few hundred dollars; get it notarized. Why? Because people have been known to change their mind, forget the details, or some are even evil enough to try and collect from their insurance company by reporting the item sold, as stolen. If a title is involved, then the seller must sign and have their name notarized for the state to accept it. If you aren't going to the motor vehicle office, then make sure the signatures are notarized.
Now some people are naive and they trust their friends, but I'm here to tell you that a Bill of Sale will save friendships, and avoid the cost of hiring an attorney later. That type of cost makes any savings you made from a private transaction nothing short of lost, and in the hole financially. The bill of sale may even prevent you from being arrested for receiving stolen goods. Good intentions do not always hold true, and especially if any of the persons involved in the transaction have a tendancy toward greed. This is a protection for anyone dealing outside of an ordinary business, where receipts are the norm.
What if what they are selling you is stolen property and you do not know it, then the Bill of Sale is your protection. If there are serial numbers on the item, then use them on the Bill of Sale. It doesn't have to be typed up officially, just take a plain or lined piece of paper and put BILL OF SALE at the top, and include the date. Then list the items on it, including color, maker, type, use or any other descriptions including any model or serial numbers, and a column for amount. If what you are buying was stolen, and the seller doesn't know it; there is a protection for you when the police come knocking at your door. Otherwise you will be charged with receiving stolen property, or worse. You could be arrested for stealing said property, since you have no proof as to how you got the property. The person may deny selling it to you out of fear, or that you had permission to use it. That's a legal pickle you don't want, an expensive one, which could include some time in jail.
Be sure if they warranty the item that it is in writing. It is amazing what people will do when there is no legal document to make their words useful. I have seen the best of friends divided by money, trades, sales of items and either the inability to pay, or greed. If, in fact, there are payments involved, then never ever leave that as a verbal agreement. You must protect your interests, and make a bill of sale with notarized signatures, as the seller. A bill of sale protects both the buyer and the seller. When we buy from a dealer, or store we get a "receipt" that acts as our bill of sale. As individuals we must make that Bill of Sale, and for any warranties, payments or other details it must be signed by both individuals showing good faith, and preferably notorized signatures. So to prevent unnecessary expenses, legal hassles or broken friendships Please get a BILL OF SALE for that gun, boat, car, motorcycle, four wheeler, golf cart, bobcat, gun, or other items men seem to want to trade around from time to time. I'm not a lawyer and it's not legal advice, although it's the law in almost every state, but it's good advice from my point of view.
Kii Kynzer is a writer of poetry, blog author, and EO of a nonprofit. She is married, one son and two grandsons. Her interests vary from christian philosophy to politics, which is quite a span. The link to Kii Yayhzi Kynzer Poetry is on her blogs, so be sure to read some of her work at the following blog sites:
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
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