[DeTomaso] NPC - Selling a car on the Internet - question

[Garth Rodericks]

Wait!  What's the date today?  No, it's not April Fools Day!  Ok the answer is "NO!"  Do NOT send the pink slip with only 50% of the cash received!  He owns the car, for half price at that point.

Options:
1. He send wire you all the money., Then you send him the pink slip. Then his carrier picks up the car.
    You might provide a signed bill of sale and photocopy of the signed pink slip with change of ownership info filled out to give him piece of mindwhen he sends the funds, but don't release the pink until all funds are received and verified good.
2. He can hire an agent or friend to hand deliver the cashier's check in exchange for the pink slip, so you get your cash and he gets the title at the same time.

3. Use an escrow service. He pays for the fees since it's for his protection. 


Never release the title until you have "good" funds - verified cashiers check, wire transfer, cash, etc.

Cheers!
Garth



--- Original Message ---
Appreciate any advice you may have, as I haven't done this before.  Here is the situation.  I listed a car on craigslist, and it was found by someone in Florida. We negotiated a price, then he ordered an independent inspector to come by, and wired me a $500 deposit. He has now reviewed the inspectors report, and is happy with it, and wants to proceed with the transaction.  He is suggesting that now: 1) he wires me 50% of the money, then
2) i mail him the pink slip, then
3) he wires me remaining 50% of the money, then
4) he schedules a transportation service to get the car. Does that sound reasonable? What are the risks?  Is there a "normal" way to do this?  I know we could use an escrow service, but that can be a mess too.  appreciate any insights from those that may have crossed this bridge before... thanks,
brent