Proof of purchase can really help you if a transaction doesn’t work out long-term. A robust bill of sale document is absolutely essential in these situations. In this post, we’ll highlight eight tips for getting proof of purchase after a major transaction.
Contents
1. Request the Original Receipt
If you’re buying second-hand goods, ask for the receipt. This could help you claim the property’s original warranty. However, this can involve a few extra steps to transfer the warranty to you. It’ll also help you prove the item’s original worth.
On top of this, it also shows the seller is reputable. Whether you use a bill of sale or not, you will need to trust the transaction’s other side. This means having a paper trail of the item you buy.
2. Use an Online Bill of Sale Template
Bills of sale are instrumental for major transactions between two people. It outlines that the sale took place and offers a detailed description of the property. This needs to be accurate, detailed, and clear. Any omissions (even minor cosmetic blemishes) could void the sale.
Here’s everything else your sale agreement needs:
- Full details of the buyer and seller
- Agreed-upon purchase price
- The date of the sale
- Specific payment method
- Warranty information
- An as-is clause (if applicable)
- Signatures of both parties
Make sure you use an online template for your sale agreement. This will be cheaper to arrange and will already come with every field you require. Some states need you to notarize the form. This is good practice in any state and can give the document extra backing.
3. Ensure the Description is Accurate
Expanding on the description, your bill of sale must reflect the item in full. If you’re buying, you’ll have to inspect the property before purchasing. This will let you verify that the item is entirely what you expect.
If there are any problems, bring them up before signing the bill of sale. If you discover them later on, you could still challenge the transaction. The document acts as proof of purcase, but might also prove an unscrupulous sale.
4. Keep Details of Correspondence
Make sure you get every discussion point in writing. This can be via email, text message, or any other format. You might need to refer back to it to prove a promise that the other side broke.
Save copies of every email chain or conversation. If it was on a platform where the other party is able to delete messages, take screenshots. This can help you negotiate a fair bill of sale. It also holds both sides accountable where necessary.
5. Save the Original Listing
Similarly, if your sale began online, make sure you have screenshots of the listing. This will help you prove exactly how the seller advertised the item. For example, they may have falsely said the item was near-flawless.
The listing also usually comes with pictures of the item. If it doesn’t show the property at certain angles, this is an immediate red flag. Chase this up immediately. If it’s too late, the listing will still show the seller misled you.
6. Use the Right Payment Methods
Make sure you agree on a secure payment method. This could be in the form of a general bank transfer. Alternatively, sites such as PayPal are incredibly user-friendly. If the sale runs into serious problems, many payment methods let you initiate a chargeback.
For example, the item might not be as advertised. In this situation, you can get your money back pretty quickly. You can then begin taking action against the seller. PayPal and other similar services also have full paper trails.
7. Store Receipts and Other Documents Safely
Once the sale is complete, keep every document safe. This could be in physical storage, or you might opt for a cloud solution. If it’s the letter, make sure it’s one you can trust. It must keep your sale agreement completely secure.
This can also have tax or warranty implications further down the line. The other side might even dispute the sale. You can then use your documents to show that everything is above board.
8. Ask for a Formal Invoice
An official invoice of some kind will go alongside your bill of sale. This combination can help you track more specific financial information. If you’re buying multiple goods, for example, this splits them into individual items.
This should match up to your bill of sale. Any discrepancy, such as a price difference, could give you a reason to take the matter to court. In any significant transaction, it’s good to have as many records as possible.
Conclusion
Proof of purchase is absolutely essential for having a secure transaction. A sale agreement can take care of this, but it always helps to have even greater backing. The more evidence that you have, the stronger the final sale.
