The Dos and Don'ts of Selling Your Used Car
Everyone has an opinion on selling a used car, and it's hard to know what to believe. Whose prices are more reliable, Kelley Blue Book or the NADA guides? Should you sell to a private party or a dealer? Do you leave the fuzzy dice or take them out for safekeeping? Relax - this isn't a flashback from your school exam days! But it never hurts to pin down a few basics and get the best deal possible for your car.
Don't Pay to Sell Your Car
Newspapers don't give away their ad space for free, and most websites won't either. A listing on eBay Motors costs $80, and Auto Trader charges $39 for a three-week run. Your payment doesn't guarantee a buyer, either. If your car sits unsold at the end of the sale window, you'll have to ante up once again. The bill could add up quickly.
Don't Over- or Underprice Your Used Car
Most sellers open up the Kelley Blue Book, find their car, zero in on a specific price - and make a common mistake. They don't realize that KBB's numbers are merely guidelines, and only a tiny percentage of autos on the road qualify for the top price listed. Meanwhile, your next step could cost you dearly. If you go with the KBB value as listed, chances are no one will agree to pay that much for your car. On the other hand, you could play it too conservatively and undervalue your vehicle, losing hundreds or thousands of dollars in the process.
Don't Give in to the Dealerships
It seems so easy to drive down to the nearest dealership and jump on their first offer. Don't do it - unless you want the lowest price possible for your car. Keep in mind that a dealer has overhead and other costs to cover; its top priority is to make money, not to line your pockets. Plus you'll be expected to turn that cash right around and invest in a new vehicle at the lot. Not really a free sale, is it?
But don't stress. The used car market doesn't have to be a minefield! There are many services and companies on your side. Here's how to get ahead when selling your car.
Do Take Advantage of Free Resources
Don't be afraid to turn to the pros for freebies. An auto buying service such as Cash4UsedCars.net will not only set up a meeting with you at your convenience, we'll appraise your car, make you a cash offer, and take care of the paperwork - at no cost to you.
Do Go With a Reputable Buyer
You hear new horror stories every day about new scams perpetrated on innocent people, even with supposedly secure sites such as eBay or Craigslist. Car sales are especially popular targets, as they promise a big windfall for the crook. Now there's evidence of criminals who use fraudulent escrow services and fake cashier's checks that look good enough to fool bank employees. These false documents still pack a real punch, however, when the money fails to come through or, worse, the recipient is held responsible when the check bounces.
You can protect yourself from these hazards by working with an established company with a good reputation. We are Southern California's largest and most respected auto buying service, with over 25 years' experience, and with more than 50,000 cars bought and sold on the books. Cash4UsedCars.net is your no-risk option.
We'll offer you more money for your auto than any dealership, and we do it all on your timetable. We'll even get the cash to you the same day. It's really that easy: no Blue Book confusion, no visitors, no paperwork, and no out-of-pocket expenses for you.
Contact us today for a no-obligation appraisal. You can call our toll free phone number, or click here to fill out a brief form. A trusted valuation expert will be in touch shortly to schedule a meeting. We look forward to doing business with you.
