If you have a used car you no longer need, you may be looking at ways to sell it. You might be considering using Craigslist but have concerns about its safety. There are ways to sell your car successfully and safely using Craigslist.
One advantage of Craigslist over some of the other online sites is that it is local. That means you will not get phone calls or emails from people who are hundreds of miles away and therefore unlikely to purchase your car. Also, Craigslist does not get involved with the price or payment. You and the buyer are able to come to an agreement without any interference and there is no charge for your ad.
Before you get started, you should familiarize yourself with the motor vehicle laws in your state. For example, in Massachusetts the used car has to pass inspection and in Oklahoma, the buyer has 72 hours to change their mind. Many states require you to return the license plates to the Department of Motor Vehicles. In other states, the license plates remain on the vehicle.
You should also get all the paperwork together for your car including the title, lien release, car repair records, etc. A possible buyer will want to examine them. They may also want to see a CarFax or AutoCheck report on the car, so you should get one.
Your ad should include all the details on the vehicle including the year, make, model, mileage, etc. Pricing the car reasonably will help you get serious buyers. You should also include all the positive aspects of the car. Putting a phone number in addition to an email address will make possible buyers feel more comfortable.
Ask callers many questions to determine if they are serious about your car. You will want to ask what kind of car they are interested in, what their price range is, how soon they need it, do they have a family, etc. The more questions you ask, the more you get a feel for whether your car would be appropriate for the person.
Wash the car before you show it and clean and vacuum the interior. This will make it more appealing. Remove all your personal property from the trunk and glove compartment. If you have stickers on the vehicle, remove them too. Take pictures of your car inside and out. The pictures will protect you if the buyer claims there are problems after the sale.
Once you get to the point when someone wants to look at the car, do not show it at your home. Make the appointment to show the car at a public place during the daytime. Do not go alone and take your cell phone with you in case you need to call the police. Accompany the person during the test drive.
Only accept cash, a bank check or postal money order for payment. If you accept a personal check, the buyer could stop payment, or it could bounce leaving you with nothing.
I've been shopping cars at Craigslist and they're good so it's also a good decision if you sell cars through them. But, I always have VINaudit vehicle history reports on my end to make sure I'm buying a good used car.
ReplyDelete