I also have some personal rules that I always follow:
1. Never give out your address or meet at your house (don’t give away the location of the bike). Meet up at a bank. Plenty of cameras and you can deposit the money as soon as you get it. Some banks also provide notarization services for free.
2. Cash only. No test rides without cash in my hand or a signed test ride agreement.
3. Have the buyer get there first. I have been left hanging too many times. People call and don’t show up or show up hours late. I don’t leave my house until I get a call that the buyer is there.
4. Never take off work or leave work early to meet a buyer. Why you ask? See #3.
5. Never reschedule important events to show a bike. Why you ask? See #3.
6. Bring a friend. I usually have a friend go ahead of me in their car and park near the buyer. He will give me a call and let me know the situation. If it looks shady I will cancel. The buyer is unaware of this person until I show up with the bike and the transaction begins.
JPunisher
