When people say they "pay cash" for a car...

[Anonymous]

Semi related: One dealer we used to visit had prominent signs on their doors saying they don't accept drug money.

I always wondered: How do they know it's drug money? Does it look different? Do they test it for drugs?

[Anonymous]

Last car we maxed out what they’d take on credit card ($7k) and wrote a personal check for the rest. The amount you can charge is negotiable even if they say it isn’t.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Usually certified check from bank.

Why? Why not just cut a regular check? That’s all we’ve had to do to pay for cars that cost between $55k and $75k. Is there something I’m missing?

A personal check could bounce. A certified check carries a guarantee from the bank that the funds are available and set aside to cover this specific transaction.

Yes, but dealerships don't seem to care. In the fine print must be language about penalties for bounced checks and the buyer paying to repossession if necessary.

[Anonymous]

Some dealers won’t take a personal check. I have never had a problem, but my DS, who lived in CT, needed a cashier’s check issued by his bank.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Usually certified check from bank.

Why? Why not just cut a regular check? That’s all we’ve had to do to pay for cars that cost between $55k and $75k. Is there something I’m missing?

Some dealers don’t accept a regular check and require certified or a wire. We dealt with this with our last car purchase. We ended up calling the bank and they increased our debit card limit to allow us to pay for the car via debit card.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Usually certified check from bank.

Why? Why not just cut a regular check? That’s all we’ve had to do to pay for cars that cost between $55k and $75k. Is there something I’m missing?

A personal check could bounce. A certified check carries a guarantee from the bank that the funds are available and set aside to cover this specific transaction.

Yes, but dealerships don't seem to care. In the fine print must be language about penalties for bounced checks and the buyer paying to repossession if necessary.

This may be true. In my experience, the dealer asks for some verification that the funds are available with a personal check (usually by looking at the online account balance or by calling the bank). Now that we can all initiate a wire/ACH transfer from our phones, I'm shocked that this hasn't become the standard of payment.

[Anonymous]

Just means you aren't going into debt to buy the car.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Semi related: One dealer we used to visit had prominent signs on their doors saying they don't accept drug money.

I always wondered: How do they know it's drug money? Does it look different? Do they test it for drugs?

it's all rolled up tightly with white powder residue

[Anonymous]

We’ve wired and check.

[Anonymous]

I get a loan because it has incentives, and then pay it off in a few months. I bought in the zero interest rate era though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We’ve wired and check.

Same. Last two cars were wires because they were from dealers out of the area and the car was delivered.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Usually certified check from bank.

Why? Why not just cut a regular check? That’s all we’ve had to do to pay for cars that cost between $55k and $75k. Is there something I’m missing?

A personal check could bounce. A certified check carries a guarantee from the bank that the funds are available and set aside to cover this specific transaction.

Yes, but dealerships don't seem to care. In the fine print must be language about penalties for bounced checks and the buyer paying to repossession if necessary.

IME, a regular check is usually sufficient. One exception - DH bought a Porsche from the Tysons dealership and they wanted a certified check.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hear people say they are paying cash for cars, but it sounds so strange. Does that mean they are walking into the car dealership ship and a box full of money?

Have you not heard of checks?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hear people say they are paying cash for cars, but it sounds so strange. Does that mean they are walking into the car dealership ship and a box full of money?

It troubles me, OP, that you are allowed out in public without a minder. And that you can vote.

Not to get political, but this is why we are in the mess we are now - because a lot of people don't have the critical thinking skills God gave a turnip.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Usually certified check from bank.

Why? Why not just cut a regular check? That’s all we’ve had to do to pay for cars that cost between $55k and $75k. Is there something I’m missing?

In the old days dealerships took certified checks only. I just bought a car and it was the first time I’d been given the option of writing a regular check.