Get Cash for Your Car: Car Selling Tips
This article reviews the pros and cons for each method of selling your old car.
Get Cash for Your Car
At We Buy Any Auto, we’re aware that a car buying service is one option among many. We want you to be aware of all your options. For many situations, we believe we are the best option–that’s why we built a business on this concept of a fast, friendly and fair price for your car. That said, here are some trade-offs to review when considering how to sell your car.
Do It Yourself with a Private Sale
We’ll be honest with you–private sales commonly result in a higher sale price than other methods. If you want the maximum possible amount for your used car, selling the car youself is your best bet. However, achieving that value can consume a lot of your time and effort.
Selling Your Car Online with Ebay
You may have created an Ebay account to sell some electronic equipment or knick knacks, and those products typically result in a quick transaction. Many cars do sell on Ebay Motors, but buyers understandably want a lot of reassurance before they’re willing to pay for your vehicle. You’ll probably endure Q&A phone conversations with many potential buyers before finding someone who would like to check out the car in person.
Selling Your Car Online with Craigslist
Listing your auto for sale on Craigslist will cost nothing, but you’ll have to weed through the scams to get to the real buyers. Half of these scammers seem to live in foreign countries and want to set up a complicated transaction that involves you sending money to them. Sure, Craigslist is free, but your inbox is filled with messages like, “I leev in England nd can send check for 15.000 USD today if you wil send me 4.000 on Westrn Union.” Have you ever met an English person who writes his native language like a first grader?
Safety Tips for Meeting Your Car Buyer
Once you identify a likely buyer, you should follow a few safety tips to ensure the transaction goes smoothly.
- Meet in a public place. This is for your safety.
- Ask to see the buyer’s driver’s license. You should not let anyone test drive your car unless they can produce a license.
- Ride along during the test drive, and bring your cell phone.
Selling your car via a private sale may result in a higher price for your vehicle, but you have to weigh that against the hassle and safety issues of dealing with strangers.
Dealership Trade-In
If you’re selling your old car to buy another vehicle, the car dealership will probably emphasize how much you can cut the cost of your new car with your trade-in. The salesperson may even include the trade-in cost at the start of the negotiation, suggesting a $30,000 car would only cost $20,000 after you trade in your old vehicle.
Consumer advocates like Consumer Reports recommend deferring all discussion of trade-in value until the end of the car-buying process, and we agree. First, determine the full cost of your new car, including all fees and taxes. Only after the dealer provides a firm number for your new vehicle should you discuss how much he might offer on your trade. At that point, you can compare the dealer trade-in price with your other options, including car buying services like We Buy Any Auto.
Sell Your Car to a Relative or Friend
Selling your car to a relative or a friend can feel like a rewarding experience. You probably won’t get top dollar because you don’t want to fleece a friend, but you feel like you’re helping someone out. The transaction goes smoothly because everyone is honest with each other. Consider a scenario where you sell an old Ford Econoline van to a friend who lives two states away. The van works reliably for a year and earns its keep, especially considering the inexpensive sale price. The friend visits later, and the van dies on the highway, requiring a tow truck and an expensive repair. You drive him back to his home and help him arrange for the transmission rebuild at your local repair shop. A maintenance issue on a used vehicle can cause hassles and put a strain on any friendship.
Car Buying Services
Car buying services like We Buy Any Auto offer a convenient method to extract value from your car. You know you’re dealing with a reputable buyer and an established member of the business community. Depending on your vehicle model, you may not achieve the retail price mentioned in guides like Edmunds or Kelly Blue Book, but you will save time that you can spend with your family or enjoying your hobbies. The car buying service performs the paperwork, and you have your payment on the spot.