One can never be too careful when it comes to buying and selling. Whether its a private sale or a business-to-business transaction, a Bill of Sale comes in handy whenever more than a couple of hundred dollars is given to someone else in exchange for a tangible product. A Bill of Sale cannot protect the buyer from receiving stolen goods however, but it can provide a trail of evidence that, if needed, is usable in court.
Depending on the situation, one of the following bill of sale templates will fit. Just copy and paste the data onto a blank piece of paper, or write it out by hand with the words, "Bill of Sale" at the top. Then, make sure both parties sign and date the document, and make copies for everyone involved before parting ways.
Sample Bill of Sale Form - Basic
A generic Bill of Sale does nothing more than provide proof that a purchase has been made. The following information should therefore be covered:
- Write: "For good and valuable consideration (receipt of which is acknowledged)" [insert Seller's full name] (the 'Seller') hereby sells and transfers possession of the following goods to [insert Buyer's name] (the 'Buyer').
- List all of the items being sold, with one line per item. Make sure to list the full name of each item, along with a detailed description, whether or not the item is new or used, if there is any damage to the item (and if so, what specifically), any identifying features, barcodes, model or serial numbers, color, make, or any other details that would describe the item.
- Detail how much money is being exchanged between the two parties, and for what that money includes.
- Just before the end of the Bill of Sale, write: "The Seller agrees that he/she owns and has the right to sell the goods listed to the Buyer, and that the goods are free and clear of all encumbrances."
- Write: "Given under seal on [insert date the goods were exchanged between the parties]."
- End the Bill of Sale with, "Signed, sealed and delivered to the Buyer in the presence of [insert Witness name, address, phone number and signature]," and then have the Seller also sign the document with their name, address and phone number.
Sample Bill of Sale Template - Without Warranties
A Bill of Sale without warranties is a bit different than a generic Bill of Sale, and therefore requires a bit more information. Basically, without warranties means exactly that -- there are no warranties made by the Seller, and the item(s) are being purchases "as is". To make a Bill of Sale one without warranties, use the same information in items #1-4 above, and then add the following:
- "The Seller agrees that he/she owns and has the right to sell the goods listed to the Buyer and that the goods are sold free and clear of all encumbrances, but does not make any representation and gives no warranty as to the goods or as to their fitness for any particular purpose or their safe use."
- "The Buyer acknowledges having examined the goods and buying them "as is" completely at the Buyer's risk. The Buyer promises not to make claims against the Seller based on alleged expenses or implied representations, warranties, or collateral agreements, or as to their fitness for any particular purpose or their safe use."
- The Buyer and Seller must both sign, date and write their address and phone number at the bottom of the Bill of Sale without warranties, as well as get witnesses to confirm their signatures.
Free Bill of Sale Form - With Encumbrances
A Bill of Sale with encumbrances means that whatever product is being sold has some sort of attachment to it, be it a lean, mortgage, or monies owing, and the Buyer is agreeing that they will take on these attachments upon purchase. A Bill of Sale template with encumbrances is the same as a Bill of Sale without warranties, with the following information added:
- "The Seller agrees that he/she owns the goods listed, but states that it/they are being sold subject to the following encumbrances [list encumbrances in detail]."
- "The Buyer agrees to the listed encumbrances and promises to pay the encumbrances. The Buyer will hold the Seller harmless from any claim(s) based on a failure to pay the encumbrance(s)."
For more free sample forms, try: Free Sample 360 Evaluation Form, Free Human Resources Forms, and Free Legal Forms for Business.
Bonny Albo - Bonny offers 20 years of writing experience to her readers. CNN, MSNBC, The LA Times and Macleans all reference her for expert advice.
