Big Bucks Auto™ eNEWSLETTER |
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Monthly Automotive Articles
May 2008
Selling your Car Privately?
Be Careful!
By Buddy Evans, President of Big Bucks Auto™
So you’re interested in selling your car privately. After all, you can probably make more money selling privately than you would by simply trading the car in on your next new car. But before you list your car for sale in local newspapers, on local car sites, or on an auction site like eBay, there are safety issues to consider. After all, you’ll be meeting with potential buyers who are also complete strangers.
Follow these tips to ensure your safety when attempting to sell your car privately. Before you go through all the trouble, bring your used car in for a fast and free quote from a reputable used car buyer like my team at Big Bucks Auto™. You may find that you can skip all the hassle associated with selling privately, because we pay top dollar for used cars!
If you’re interested in selling your leased car, read our article on "Getting Out of a Leased Car".
If you would still rather sell privately, follow these simple precautions – and be safe!
Find out how much you can sell your car for
To learn about how to accurately value your car and pick an asking price, check out our article “Why Kelly Blue Book Values Can be Misleading”.
Ask to see the car buyer’s license
This may sound like a no-brainer, but most car sellers don’t practice this when meeting with potential buyers. Ask to see a valid driver’s license! If you ask to see a license and then make copies of the license, you’ll be able to cover yourself should a car accident occur. You’ll also be assured that a legal – and hopefully skilled driver - is test driving your car.
Meet in a safe public place
Rather than asking the car buyer to come to your residence, meet in a public place. It is best to not let total strangers know where you live. Also, don’t give out too much of your private information. The car buyer does not need to know your address or any private info at this stage.
Be careful about allowing test drives
Chances are a serious potential car buyer will want to test drive your car before making a decision. But be careful about who you hand over the car keys to. Young drivers who may not yet be especially skilled at driving may not be the best people to let behind the wheel of your car. In this case, ask the buyer to bring an adult or parent to test the car.
Also, if your car has a manual transmission, make sure you trust that the buyer who will be test driving your car is fully skilled at driving a manual. The last thing you want to do is cringe at the smell of your burning clutch as your potential buyer destroys it.
Watch out for “tire kickers” and “test pilots”
Some people love test driving cars just for the heck of it, while having no real intention of purchasing your car. Keep an eye out for “car buyers” who fit this profile. If your car happens to be a sports car, be especially wary. Sporty cars tend to attract a ton of “test pilots” who are simply interested in a free thrill ride.
Keep an eye out for scam attempts
When you post your car for sale privately - especially online - you’re asking for attention from potential scammers. Many of these attempts will be all too obvious, but some scammers have come up with some pretty unique ways to rob individuals of their cars or money.
Watch out for certified check scams and bogus Escrow Services
Scammers today, both near and abroad, have come up with some very genuine looking counterfeit checks - and even phony escrow services - that look like the real thing. To ensure you’re receiving a ‘real’ payment, always physically cash a check or any other form of payment before handing over the keys.
Selling Your Car on an Auction Site
If selling your car on an auction site like eBay, be sure to carefully research the potential buyer and bidding history before completing the transaction. According to the Federal Trade Commission, the most frequently reported internet fraud occurs on auction sites. Car sellers are often most targeted by scammers, as cars are generally such high-dollar items; leaving scammers with potential for big rewards.
Selling Your Car to International Car Buyers
Last but not least, watch out for international buyers, especially those who offer to pay your full asking price, plus more, to ‘cover shipping charges’. These buyers, who offer to send a generous certified check in exchange for you sending the car, are extremely common today. Try to stick to selling within your own country if possible, and remember the old saying; “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is”.
Don’t Go it Alone
If possible, bring a friend along whenever you meet with a potential buyer. A friend can help provide good judgment and also provide a bit of protection in case you end up meeting with a shady individual.
If you follow these steps and use your better judgment, you’ll be a whole lot better off when you’re attempting to sell your car privately. If you would rather skip all the trouble and sell your car fast – and likely for as much or more than you could privately, visit us at Big Bucks Auto™, one of the largest and most reputable used car buyers in the Tri-State area!
To sell your car fast for the best price possible call Big Bucks Auto™, a company that is authorized to buy used cars directly from their owners. This is the easiest, fastest, safest and most reliable way to sell your car at the price you want.
Learn more about why choose us to buy your car and call us today at 1-888-44-BUCKS or 1-888-44-8257 |
