Bill of sale on a used bike?

Triathlon Forum
1

Have you ever heard of someone asking for a bill of sale when they buy a used bike?

I never have but just wondered what standard practice is on this.

2

I insisted on one when I bought a used bike. Just a simple note with the buyer and seller’s info (name, birthdate, driver’s license number) and signatures, the date, and a brief description of the bike and serial number.

More than likely it will never be needed. But if there is no bill of sale, the seller could go home and report the bike as stolen. You could conceivably be out of a bike, out of cash, and possibly be facing bogus theft charges.

So I would make a bill of sale just as a CYA. It doesn’t need to be fancy, just a handwritten note will do. If you want to be a little fancier, I’m sure stores like Staples or Office Supply will have pre-printed versions with carbon copies.

3

I’ve heard of it before.

Just put:

1 box containing 7 years of Penthouse Magazine - used

$50

ALL SALES FINAL

4

I’ve heard of it before.

Just put:

1 box containing 7 years of Penthouse Magazine - used

$50

ALL SALES FINAL

I would add. “Sold as is.”

5

I’ve heard of it before.

Just put:

1 box containing 7 years of Penthouse Magazine - used

$50

ALL SALES FINAL
Khai, if they put your box of Penhouse magazines under one of those black lights, you could see it from space.

6

it’s yours now, SUCKA!

7

Are you shipping it across the border? I had to provide on for a bike that I sold via the classifieds across the border. I have not had to provide one for anyone that I have sold to locally or at least within the same country.

8

I’ve sold 3 bikes and nobody has ever asked for a bill of sale. Two of them have asked me to see the original bill of sale from my LBS to prove that the bikes were mine.

9

Man, good point. That never occured to me.

10

Yeah, I work in law enforcement. I tend to have a cynical viewpoint of people. Admittedly, the vast majority of people would never even think of doing such a scam, but there are a few dirtbags out there. Kind of like the vast majority of us wouldn’t even think of stealing Lance’s bike, but someone did.

11

Question for you - I agree that your CYA policy is a smart one, but wouldn’t you also think that giving a random stranger info such as DOB, driver’s Lic, etc. is kind of risky as well?

I wouldn’t have a problem signing a receipt with my full name and the date of the transaction, but I wouldn’t be giving my DL, DOB, etc.

12

True. If you are uncomfortable with the birthdate, how about printed and signed name and a driver’s license number? As a legitimate buyer or seller, I would not be offended to prove my identity. This way if something does go south, the police have access to driver’s license info.

Hypothetically, what if you were buying the bike, and it turned out to be stolen. Wouldn’t you want to be able to tell the police who you bought it from?

Personally, when I meet a buyer or seller, I also make a note of his vehicle and license plate. I just scribble it down before I get outof my car, or I may be on the cell phone and discretely call it in to my voicemail.

Again, the incredible vast majority of the time this is overkill. But if things go bad you’ll sure be glad you have it.