ALT-1 Best Ways to Sell used Cars
So you want to sell your car? And, I can presume, that you want to pocket come cash as well. There are several things one can do, in order to speed up the selling process, and make more money at the same time.
Research
Spend a little bit of time doing your homework. Get online and find the blue book value of your car. Be honest with your answers though. If your car is in "fair" condition, don't check off "good" for the hopes of getting a higher number. Write the number down. Then, go through a few papers and read the classified ads for similar cars. Make sure the year, mileage and condition is similar to yours. Write those numbers down. Chances are, you now have a price range of where to price your car. Want to price it on the high side? Follow the next few steps.
Mechanic check
Many will do a PM (Preventative Maintenance) check for a low price. Call around. Make sure they give you a receipt that you can show potential buyers. Don't think the expense is worth it? Think of it this way, if it costs you $100, it will return you $500. Make sure you have the oil changed, and if it needs a tune-up, tune it up!
Professional detailing
A car dealer near my house runs specials for $69 detailing. This is how car dealers get that "new car" smell in their used cars. Do it! Make sure the outside is shiny. Use tire and chrome cleaner to make the wheels sparkle. Most buyers make up their mind when they first see the car. If the inside is as good as the out, the first test driver should take it!
Advertising
Now the fun part. Get creative. Make up flyer's. There are many websites that have flier templates if you don't have a Printshop program. Put a "For Sale" sign in the window. That is an obvious one, but look around. There are many new "For Sale" signs outside the typical red and white versions. This will be more apt to catch people's eye. Park your car in heavy traffic areas. Malls, shopping centers, grocery stores, etc. Put an ad in the paper, and be a good ad writer! Read the ads and figure out what you can do to make your ad jump! Here is an example,
"Looking for a loving and caring person. I have lots of love to give and a lot more miles to go in life. I love to run, I don't drink much, and I am very low maintenance. If you'd like to meet me, please call. I am ready for a new phase in my life."
Honesty is the best policy
Be honest with yourself about your car. Many people tend to think their property is always better than everyone else's and therefore worth more. They think it about everything they own, from the houses, to their cars. Don't get stuck in that trap, or you may not sell your car for a long time. Also be honest with potential buyers. Treat them as you would want to be treated. I am a firm believer that what goes around, comes around. And, you don't want any nasty legal troubles after the fact.
That being said, get out there and start getting that car ready to sell!
