Hi all. I am looking to buy a GU Patrol wagon very soon, and have my eye on a few around 13k. I am curious and concerned about the method of payment for this. I have the cash in the bank, and need a safe and traceable way to get it into a sellers account, with an official record (not an unofficial receipt) to testify that the payment was for purchase of the vehicle. It should obviously provide both the buyer and seller with the same sense of security. The seller would also need to be agreeable to this.

Now I know that sellers love cash, as there is nothing more secure than having the money in hand. However, as a buyer I am uncomfortable with handing over 13k cash and driving away in a car with nothing but a signature to say that it is now mine. I find it difficult to understand how a scribbled on piece of paper is considered evidence of anything. A signature can be forged, so I don't see this as solid evidence of a transaction. There would seem to be nothing (besides a sense of decency) stopping a seller from reporting a car as stolen immediately after the sale, the buyer potentially losing both the car and the money.

I believe that all payments should be traceable. I am interested to hear how others feel about this. Cash is every bit as untraceable as Western Union, which is all the rage for scammers these days. Paypal seems to be a good option, although the 2.4% fee is quite steep. It is peace of mind at least. I wonder if a Justice of the Peace or similar could/would act as an independent witness for a cash transfer in this regard. Bank transfers tend to be a little too slow for a smooth, worry free transaction, unless the buyer and seller happen to have accounts at the same bank. I have considered signing up to whatever bank the seller is with, simply for this purpose. I have not had experience with bank cheques but I think that they are even slower (I could be wrong here), and sellers tend to worry about whether or not they are genuine.

Any other ideas? Has anyone done this better?