Buy and Sell Help

Tips For Selling Your Vehicle

Categories

  1. Picking a selling price
    • Check out similar vehicles on Buy and Sell.com and other classifieds sites to see what your vehicle is worth
    • Prices can vary in different areas of the country so make sure to check out the automobiles in your local area
  2. Getting your vehicle ready
    • Help make your vehicle look it’s best by putting a good wax job on it, vacuum the inside, and gloss up the tires, appearance is everything
    • Do not make any major repairs. Any major mechanical repairs or body work will almost always cost more than the increase in price you'll get for your vehicle. Instead of spending a lot of money, simply be honest and straightforward in your ad
    • Smart shoppers want to know how well maintained your vehicle is and will ask for maintenance records. A presentable maintenance log with all of your receipts, especially oil changes, can be a powerful selling tool
  3. Taking Pictures
    • Buy and Sell.com has the ability to upload as many as 3 different photos to a regular member account and up to 5 for a merchant account. Use as many photos of your clean, well-maintained vehicle as possible. Include a variety of shots, such as exterior front, rear and side angles; interior front/rear seats; the dashboard; trunk/cargo space; wheels and tires; engine block; and other special features (e.g., if the stick shift is a key selling point in your sports car, show pictures of it.)
    • You don't need to have a digital camera to post photos. Just take your traditional film to your local photo-processing lab and ask for a photo CD. You can easily upload photos from the CD to your ad. Or, you can turn your prints into digital pictures with a scanner.

    Before you point and shoot, remember these guidelines:

    • Photograph your vehicle in daylight
    • Avoid reflections and shadows from the sun and trees
    • Photograph your vehicle at a front-side angle to achieve a good view of the entire automobile
    • Find a nice backdrop to film your vehicle in front of
    • Make sure your vehicle is clean and neat in appearance
    • Take advantage of Buy and Sell.com’s multiple photo uploads, and point out any special features about your vehicle, such as specialty tires and wheels
  4. Taking good Video
    • Capture all angles of your vehicles. When taking video of your vehicle follow many of the same rules as when taking a photograph. Avoid lots of glare and make sure to show the entire vehicle. Also take the time to show any extra features such as speakers, specialty wheels and trunk space just to name a few.
    • Tone Down the Zoom. One mistake beginners make is zooming in and out a lot. It's dizzying for the viewer. The best time to zoom is when your camcorder is on pause! Set up your shot and then start to record. Too much zooming is distracting; the "zooming" becomes part of the movie, like watching a rollercoaster.
    • Stay In Focus. Keep zooms in focus when you do use them. To do so, zoom all the way out on the most distant object in your scene and focus your lense on that object. Now all the things in the scene between the most distant and the closest will be in focus.
    • Use Slow and Steady Motion. Move the camcorder carefully and slowly.
  5. Writing Your Ad
    • Appeal to a buyer's lifestyle. Ex. Van - great family vehicle," economy car - "excellent gas mileage makes it a great commuter car," truck - a dependable work truck."
    • Use key phrases that typically signal you've taken care of your vehicle, like "one owner," "kept in garage" and "maintenance records available." But do be honest!
    • Mention any non-standard modifications and improvements, such as stereo, speakers and specialty wheels.
    • List any recent replacements, like new tires or battery.
    • Your used vehicle ad should list the year, model and body style, and you might want to include the number of miles, engine size, or color.
    • When writing your ad be honest. Skip the flowery phrases and stick to words that buyers will respond to such as super clean, low mileage, one owner, excellent fuel economy, regular service records, etc.
    • If your used automobile has any special features such as a car alarm, let people know about them in your ad. The clearer and more honest your ad, the less hassle you'll have in selling.
  6. Inquries
    • Once you place your ad, be ready to answer questions. Keep a list of basic facts about your vehicle near the phone and computer. Print out the online sources that show your auto's market value.
    • Buyers are making a big decision, so try to answer every question honestly and openly. You'll save yourself time instead of making unnecessary appointments.
    • Make appointments for a specific time, rather than allowing a buyer to show "sometime after work."
    • It increases the chances of the buyer making it, and it doesn't waste your time. If you feel uncomfortable with a buyer coming to your house, arrange to meet in a populated, well-lit area.
    • Many buyers will want to have your vehicle inspected by a mechanic of their choice. You may want to have your own mechanic inspect the vehicle prior to placing the ad in order to avoid potential surprises closer to sale.
  7. Transactions

    At this point you have an idea of what your vehicle is worth, and you know what you're willing to accept. Be ready and prepared for any responses when a buyer begins to negotiate. For example:

    • If a buyer mentions a scratch or ding, say it's normal wear and tear and that it's accounted for in the depreciated market value.
    • If a buyer makes an offer lower than your asking price, counter offer. Never seem too eager to lower your price. And don't budge beyond your minimum.
    • If a buyer shows you a mechanic's receipt for repairs needed on your vehicle, take a look at the repairs. If they're warranted, consider reducing the price based on the amount needed for the repairs. If you advertised that your vehicle is being sold "as is," then simply refer to your ad.
    • Once you settle on a price, accept only cash or a cashier's check before you sign over the title. And make sure the check has cleared at the issuing bank. Be suspicious of any buyer who offers a complicated payment arrangement that involves overpayment with a refund. This is often a sign of fraud.