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While I don't think it should be within the government's right to seize cash without reason, i can't imagine why you'd carry cash for such transactions and not a cashier's check. It also gives you some negotiating power because you can say 'we agreed on x, I brought a check for x, the price is x or I'm walking'.

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1024core 9 hours ago | parent | next [-]

Because a cashier's check is for a fixed amount; you can't change its value on the spot without going through the whole process again.

Suppose you show up to buy a truck with #30K in cash (the truck is listed for $30K). You inspect the truck, and find that the A/C needs to be fixed, which would cost you, say $3K. So you decide to split the repair cost with the seller, and now the truck will cost you $28.5K. If you have cash, this is simple: you just hand over $28.5K. But if you have a cashier's check?

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wing-_-nuts 8 hours ago | parent [-]

You walk. In that case, I would walk regardless because I would ask if there were any issues with the vehicle and if a problem with the A/C wasn't disclosed, what else wasn't disclosed?

When I show up to buy a vehicle, the only thing I'm doing is taking it to a mechanic for a look over, and completing the purchase if it's all clear. That's it. The time for disclosure and negotiation is over. Not negotiating things in person (as opposed to over email where I have it in writing) has saved me countless hours over the years and made buying things much more pleasant.

	▲	fragmede 7 hours ago \| parent [-]
		Yeah, the smart move is to walk, but we're not all perfectly rational spherical car buyers. You've made all that time investment, and having cash and being adaptable is just easier.

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alasdair_ 8 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

> i can't imagine why you'd carry cash for such transactions and not a cashier's check.

because people forge cashier's checks far more easily than they forge cash. I certainly wouldn't take one as payment for a truck without going to the issuing bank first and withdrawing the money (as cash). In which case, there is no need for the check.

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wing-_-nuts 8 hours ago | parent [-]

For smaller purchases, sure. For large purchases, I refuse to do business with anyone who insists I show up with thousands in cash. Even taking civil forfeiture out of the equation entirely, there's just too much that can go wrong.

	▲	alasdair_ 8 hours ago \| parent [-]
		The last time I rented a home in the Bay area I paid first, last, damage deposit and pet deposit in cash (almost $15k). The reason was that I was changing banks after a dispute and didn't want my old bank snagging the money. The owner straight up asked me if I was a drug dealer though, so I see your point. I had to show him my tech company offer letter for him to believe me.

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dogman144 5 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Because you can't imagine, I can't carry whatever cash I'd like for a legal use case without the risk of seize-first, ask questions later? Nonsense implication if so.

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marcus0x62 8 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

No. I don't care why you "can't imagine it". Don't blame the victim.

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	▲	anonCoffee 7 hours ago \| parent \| prev [-]
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