Simple Sale Agreement

What this document is

A simple sale agreement is a one-page record of a private sale between two people. It names the seller and the buyer, describes the item, states the price, and confirms how and when payment happens. Most everyday sales are done on trust and a chat message, which works fine until something goes wrong — the buyer claims the phone was faulty, or the seller says the full amount was never paid.

Writing the sale down takes a few minutes and gives both sides the same version of events. If the buyer pays THB 8,500 for a second-hand laptop by bank transfer, the agreement plus the transfer slip together show what was sold, for how much, and that payment was completed. That is usually all the evidence either side will ever need.

When to use it

• Selling a phone, laptop, tablet, or camera to someone you met through a marketplace app.
• Selling furniture or an appliance to a neighbor or colleague.
• Buying a second-hand item from a stranger and wanting written proof of what was promised.
• Any sale where payment and handover do not happen at the same moment — for example, payment today, pickup at the weekend.
• Selling to a friend or relative, where a short written record prevents awkward misunderstandings later.

When not to use it

• Selling a car or motorcycle — use the used car sale agreement or motorcycle sale agreement, which cover registration transfer and vehicle-specific checks.
• Selling land, a house, or a condominium unit, which involves title transfer at a government office and usually professional help.
• Selling goods regularly as a business, where consumer protection rules and tax obligations apply.
• Sales involving a dispute that has already started — at that point, consider getting legal advice before signing anything.

Information you will need

• Full names and ID or passport numbers of the seller and the buyer
• Contact details for both sides (phone number and address)
• A clear description of the item, including brand, model, color, and serial number if it has one
• The item's condition, including any known faults or cosmetic damage
• The agreed price in figures and words
• Payment method and date (cash, bank transfer, PromptPay, GCash, or e-wallet)
• When and where the item will be handed over
• Whether the sale is final (sold as-is) or whether any return window applies

Clauses included

How to sign it

Both parties should sign and date the agreement, ideally at the moment of handover so the signatures, the payment, and the exchange all line up on the same day. Each side keeps a copy — a clear photo of the signed page shared in the same chat you used to arrange the sale works well as a backup.

If payment is by transfer or e-wallet, save the confirmation slip together with the agreement. If it is cash, sign a receipt at the same time. The agreement proves what was promised; the payment record proves the money actually moved. You want both.

A witness is not required for a small sale, but if the item is valuable or the buyer is a stranger, having a third person present at handover adds a layer of comfort for everyone.

Common mistakes

• Describing the item vaguely ('one laptop') instead of recording the model and serial number.
• Not writing down known faults, which invites a 'you sold me a broken item' dispute later.
• Accepting cash without signing a receipt at the same moment.
• Leaving the handover date open when payment has already been made.
• Agreeing changes by voice after signing — put any change in writing, even a short signed note.

Frequently asked questions