Preparing "Bill of Sale"

stacygoats · #1 01/12/07, 07:58 PM

I've got a guy coming from out of state tomorrow to purchase a travel trailer from me and need to put togrther a "bill of sale", but am struggling with the wording.

Example:

Received January 13, 2007, $5300 from John Smith for purchase of 1998 Cub Trailer (Veh#18JTS458I89).

Trailer sold as is with no warrenty.

My signature

Is that all I need, does he need to sign anything and should I keep a copy? Of course the title will also be signed over to him.

tamsam · #2 01/12/07, 08:07 PM

You should go to a notary public and have both the title and the bill of sale notorized. Make 2 copies of the bill of sale so you can prove you no longer own the trailer if you ever need to. Yes I think what you have written up will be fine. Good luck. Sam

Yeti · #3 01/12/07, 08:14 PM

I would have a spot for His sig also. if both partys sign its legal in any state.
And yes you should make at least two copies. The title should also be signed with you standing there with him. some states require you to transfer titles with both partys present at the Secretary of state

grannygardner · #4 01/12/07, 08:18 PM

Once you receive a signed bill of sale send a copy to your local motor vehicle office to let them know the trailer should no longer be registered to you. Be sure to take the license plate off the trailer.

botebum · #5 01/12/07, 08:29 PM

State laws differ. You are only required to comply with your state's laws.
Get a signed BOS by both of you. Follow any other requirements of your state. If he has a problem registering because of a need for notary, he'l contact you. He's from out of state and it's his responsibility to know what is required in his state. As the seller you are only required to accomodate his legal needs as he defines them(unless you know his legal needs better). Any travel to accomodate his legal needs are his responsibilty, other than going to the nearest(to your home) notary. A notarized signature in your state, on your state's title will be sufficient elsewhere.

Doug

stacygoats · #6 01/12/07, 08:33 PM

Here in Michigan you do not need to go to the Sec. Of State together, but apparently in Ohio where the buyer is from that is standard practice. I'm just signing off on title as required here and hopefully he wouldn't have any problems in Ohio.
I'll have him sign the bill of sale too and then scan a copy for my records.
In the past I've always told potential buyer of any known faults, like this trailer has a foam seal on window that needs to be replaced and sink drain leaks, but you just can't be too careful. I sure don't want him coming back to me with something that doesn't work, because he's aware the trailer has been sitting for two years.
I took the plate off today and he going to haul it home without one, so I think a bill of sale will help him if he gets pulled over.
Thanks Everyone!

botebum · #7 01/12/07, 08:43 PM

You are doing all that is required of you if you comply with Mi rules. Ohio DMV has undoubtedly dealt with this situation inumerable times and will advise him as to what else they require without further travel by either of you. Be sure that you state on the BOS that the trailer/vehicle is being sold "as is/where is". Any comments by you as to issues with the trailer are a bonus, but you can't be held responsible for what else may be wrong with it that causes a ten car pile-up on his way home.

Doug

hoofinitnorth · #8 01/12/07, 09:13 PM

Do you not have to have a license plate and title for the trailer? Certain types of trailers here require that and it does suffice as a bill of sale for most (lots of people prefer it since there is no place for price so no one can pry into their business of what they paid/received).