We recently sent out a survey for our customers, and the results came in quite positive. I’m really proud of the work we’ve done, helping people get cash for their cars in NJ and NYC. Here are a few of my favorites.

Chris C. wrote:

Friendly people, very professional.

I would recommend We Buy Any Auto to friends and family because dealing with Peter made me feel comfortable, and he embodied trust.

We Buy Any Auto took care of the whole deal in less than 30 minutes.

Fred T. wrote:

I was even offered a ride to local public transportation after selling my car, and I had not expected that courtesy.

WBAA has my recommendation because it offered me a fair price on my vehicle.

WBAA bought my car quickly and with no hassle, was super courteous along the way, and treated me great. You can’t ask for more than that from any business.

Joey C. wrote:

Thanks for driving to my home to return my driver’s license!

We appreciate the feedback!

As a small business owner, I get to know your customers’ needs pretty quickly. Most people who walk in the door want to know, “How can I sell my car conveniently?” Some people have special circumstances, and buying used cars from them requires creative thinking.

Say “Olá” to Brasil, “Adeus” to Your Car

A couple walked into my office, and they were preparing for a big move to Brazil in one month. They needed to sell their 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe, a midsize SUV with excellent safety ratings. Everyone knows that the value of your vehicle drops the most in the first year of ownership, so they were going to take a bath, regardless of where they sold the vehicle. I offer customers a fair price for their car, but I never hide the fact that I have to resell it.

The vehicle was in great shape, with only 8,000 miles on the clock. As I looked over the SUV, I realized the couple would probably sell the car to We Buy Any Auto, but they would probably feel unsatisfied with the experience. I searched for a creative way to provide some additional value to the customer while crafting a deal that worked for everyone. I considered all they must be going through, trying to coordinate so many details while moving to a new country, and I realized they still needed a car.

The couple was doing the right thing by selling their SUV well in advance of their departure date, but they had hundreds of errands to run in the next month. One month would not make much difference in terms of the vehicle’s resale value, so we reached an agreement where a We Buy Any Auto representative would pick up the vehicle the day before they left the country.

With a little creative thinking, we saved the couple the hassle and expense of renting a vehicle for an entire month. That’s the type of personal service you can expect from my company.

“I’ll Trade My Beemer for Your Mini”

In another case, I brought together two car sellers who were simply asking too much for their vehicles. A woman walked in, offering to sell a Mini Cooper, which is a sporty little car with good fuel economy and a terrific resale value. The problem was she was hoping to receive more than retail price. This just doesn’t work for my business model, so I politely recommended that she try a private sale and said I hoped she would reconsider us if it didn’t work out.

A week later, a customer walked in with a BMW 3-series convertible. She was hoping to sell her car and buy a Mini Cooper! “Would you consider a trade?” I asked. The customer sounded intrigued by the idea, so I asked permission to share the Beemer owner’s information with the Mini Owner, and I put them in touch. This might seem like an unconventional strategy for someone who buys cars for a living, but I want to provide a positive experience for everyone who touches my business.

People ask me all the time, “Peter, what can I do to sell my car at the best price?” Although it’s a little counter-intuitive for someone who buys cars to offer advice to sellers, I’m going to do just that.

Condition

Condition is very important. The best thing you can do for your car’s resale value is to take care of it over time. You will earn more for your vehicle if it’s clean and well-kept.

If you are unfortunate enough to get in an accident, make sure you get the vehicle fixed properly. Compare estimates from various repair shops, and don’t let your insurance company patch the vehicle together at a cheap body shop. The quality of an accident repair directly affects your resale value.

Let’s say it’s time to sell your car, and you have no control over that history. Small things make a difference, too. If you show up for an appraisal at We Buy Any Auto, bringing your maintenance records can increase the value. If you can demonstrate that the car has been cared for, I can feel comfortable that I won’t get any surprises when I sell the car. Other small details can make a difference. Make sure your tires have reasonable wear and tear. Good tires mean I don’t have to track down replacements at additional cost.

Here’s an easy way to make a hundred bucks. Clean the car–really! A nice, clean car with vacuumed carpets and sparkling wheels saves me the trouble of having it detailed. That’s worth money, and I pass along that value to you.

What’s My Car Worth?

How much can you expect for your vehicle? Well, you’re one click away from our online quote form. You fill out your vehicle’s year, model, mileage and check off a few boxes, indicating any special options that might increase your car’s value. Behind the scenes, our customized formula arrives at an appraisal using a combination of different metrics and shoots you an e-mail with the info. Our algorithm includes data on sale prices from the NADA guide and the Galves used vehicle price guide, as well as some auction prices. The system will most likely generate a high and low range for your vehicle’s value. Of course, I need to perform an in-person appraisal to provide you with a guaranteed figure, but you’ll be in and out of my office in 30 minutes, many times with a check in hand.

The Car Selling Process

Let’s say you have filled out the online appraisal form, and the quote is in your range. Your first step is to make an appointment at 1.877.420.WBAA (9222), or you can request an immediate call back. We handle walk-ins as well, but an appointment will save you time. We respect our customers’ schedules and must give priority to appointments. We allow 45 minutes for an appraisal, and the typical time is 30 minutes from the time you enter to the time you leave with a check in your hand.

In that time, I’m going to look at the car. I’ll take it on a brief test drive. I’ll evaluate the engine, check the brakes and look for suspension issues. I’ll listen for any squeaks or rattles–the same steps you would take if you were buying a used car. I’ll open the hood to check for oil leaks and general cleanliness. I’ll check the trunk to ensure the jack and spare tire are still present. All these small details impact the value of your car.

One step with which you might not be familiar is metering the car’s paint. I’ll measure the paint integrity at various points on the car using a scientific instrument called the Elcometer 311 Hi Line®. If you’re the second or third owner of a car, you may not be aware of prior accidents or repairs. These will show up with a paint depth that does not match the rest of the car. If I see a right front right fender with a paint reading that’s out of sync with the rest of the car, that’s a signal that the vehicle might have lower resale value. Also, I would inspect the frame, steering and suspension more closely in that area to ensure the accident only resulted in cosmetic damage.

This raises the issue of the number of people who have owned your car. The fewer people who have owned a car, the more value it has. We run a CarFax report to verify the history of each vehicle. Of course, if you have any information about accidents or repairs to your car, please share them with me up front. I attempt to educate my customers on the car buying process, and this blog is a part of that effort. The transaction runs most smoothly when everyone is straight with one another.

Cars That Sell

It’s a sad fact for the American auto industry that Detroit’s vehicles no longer command as high a resale value as imports. Right now, foreign vehicles will provide you with more resale value, compared to domestic models. The following makes will get you top dollar:

• Honda
• Toyota
• Later model Acuras
• Nissan
• Infiniti

Unfortunately, Chevys and Chryslers are going through a rough time. The resale value is directly related to the financial situation of the company that made the car, and people are worried about Chrysler and GM these days. Ford is holding up better than the rest.

Cash for Your Car

We’ve covered a lot of ground in this article, and you might be wondering how a business can evaluate and purchase a used car in 30 minutes. All I can say is I’m a car guy, and I keep it simple. You want out of your car, and I will quote a fair price where I’m comfortable reselling the vehicle to another buyer. I’m not going to play games with you. If a car’s worth $7K, and you want $10K, I’m going to recommend you try another venue. Convenience is a big factor for my business. If you’ve got a loan on the car, we pay you and handle all the paperwork.

Fast. Friendly. Fair: I stick to it.

I wanted to take a moment to write about the motto of We Buy Any Auto: Fast. Friendly. Fair. Big corporations spend thousands of dollars coming up with mission statements, “value propositions” and other stuff that’s supposed to help them connect with their customers.

I’m a third generation car guy. I wanted a simple motto that described how I wanted to run my business. My grandfather was an auto dealer for 30 years, starting in the 1940s, and my father got into the business after him.

Friendly

So I understand that value of customer service. A customer recently left his driver’s license in my office with some paperwork, and I drove by his house to drop it off. That’s what I mean by friendly. I know that doing right by my customers will build this business.

FAST

How long does it take to get out of a car? A typical transaction at We Buy Any Auto takes 30 minutes. That’s from the time you walk in the door to the time you leave with a check. I like to dedicate at least 45 minutes for an appraisal, but we usually don’t need that last 15 minutes. Filling out an online quote form will help the process move quickly. This free service gives you an idea of the trade-in value to expect. Of course, we have to appraise the car in person to determine the car’s precise value, but this will give you a ballpark range. Give it a try.

FAIR

I’m honest with customers when they walk in, looking to sell a vehicle. I don’t hide the fact that I have to resell this car. Some customers walk in, hoping to sell their car at the higher range of its retail price. That’s perfectly reasonable, but my business will not be sustainable if I sell cars at a loss. If you’re looking for retail price, I will politely advise you to pursue a private sale. If things don’t work out selling the car in the classifieds or on Ebay, I hope you will consider my service.

When you walk in the door, I will quickly evaluate the vehicle and arrive at a fair price. My family has been in the car business for three generations, and I value your time, so I try not to drag out the process. I’m not going to say I would never negotiate, but I’m offering convenience. The majority of my customers walk out satisfied in 30 minutes with a check. If you enjoy an endless haggling process, try your luck selling to strangers with a classified ad.

So that’s the story behind my motto. Fast. Friendly. Fair. What do you think? Does this sound like a service you might consider? Click for a call back, fill out a quote or comment on this article below.