By now, everyone has heard of the Times Square Bomb Scare. We feel the need to point out how one chooses to sell their car can have an effect on national security. It doesn’t seem to make sense, but the simple need to sell your car can have long reaching and very far flung consequences and the potential to affect the stability of the whole world as the a real Times Square explosion would have had it gone through as the Times Square Bomber had planned!

Sell Your Pathfinder on Craigslist; a Terrorism Car Bomb

Imagine you sell your car to a stranger on CraigsList and a week later the FBI is pounding down your door asking about why your car is now rigged to be a car bomb in the heart of New York City! That’s exactly what happened to Peggy Colas. Little did this 19-year-old Connecticut woman know what she was getting into when she sold her Nissan Pathfinder on Craigslist. After all, she was only selling her used car so what real danger could that entail?

 Peggy probably thought that she had achieved the exact goal that she desired when she sold her Pathfinder for $1300 cash. It didn’t matter who she sold the car to, she had money! Of course, we now know the Time Square suspect, whose name we now know to be Faisal Shahzad wanted Peggy’s Nissan Pathfinder to be an integral part of his planned Times Square Bomb.

Turning Your Car into a Bomb

When one buys a car to make it into a terrorist car bomb, you don’t really want people to know about that, which is why Faisal Shahzad declined any paperwork and the bill of sale.  He removed the VIN from the Pathfinder’s dashboard and switched out license plates that were stolen.  He then tinted the windows and packed enough explosive material to kill or seriously injure hundreds of people shopping around Times Square. It was the private car sale on Craigslist and Peggy’s lack of experience that allowed the wannabe Car Bomber to achieve those goals.

 After selling her Nissan Pathfinder, Peggy went about her normal life.  One week later the FBI was knocking on her door.  We can all see where she went wrong here.  Why would some one decline paperwork that proves ownership?  No matter what the explanation was, she should have sensed something was very wrong.  Now people are asking, “Why did she sell her vehicle in the fashion, and why didn’t she call the police?”  Some even say that she should be held liable due to her poor judgment.  This poor 19-year-old’s reputation is being pulled through the mud.  Imagine how she would have felt had the bomb killed people.  We can only hope that one day she lives it down.

Selling Your Car? Avoid the Terrorists and Car Bombers!

Selling a car privately is not the simplest of tasks since there are legal obligations and ramifications involved.  Aside from the obvious hassles of placing ads, answering the phone, and waiting for strangers at your home, you can also be contributing to a terrorist attack on our country!  

After the Times Square Bomb Scare, people should realize that perhaps selling your car to strangers isn’t the best option. Now that the obvious risks are exposed, you need know how to sell your car and know for sure that the car won’t be involved with any crime. Since most folks won’t be doing criminal background checks and contacting the FBI for approval before they hand over the keys to their automobile, we suggest that you spend 20 minutes at Big Bucks Auto and sell you car the easy, quick and SAFE way in New York!

Avoid the possibility of self incrimination, your name in the news for the wrong reasons, and police beating down your door in the middle of the night and when it is time to sell your car, sell it to the professionals.  We will buy your used car and guarantee that this will not ever happen to you!

Remember, you never know who you will opening the door to when you sell your car.

No one enjoys a car accident – from fender benders to major damage. The headaches are many, including haggling with insurance companies; repairing your vehicle or buying a new one; and the hassle of making all of that happen without your car.

So why deal with an increased likelihood of an auto accident during the winter by keeping a vehicle you may, after all, not need? Consider selling your car in New York City to avoid those winter hassles.

Winter Driving Is More Than Just Hazardous Roads

The obstacles on the road during the holiday season—in addition to the ones that include heavy traffic and frantic shoppers—do indeed take their toll throughout the months.   It is no surprise that insurance companies are at their busiest during this time of the year; as a matter of fact, claim adjusters will be taking care of, on average, over five accidents each day throughout the winter months.  You, of course, do not want to be one of the auto accidents they are handling, nor do you want to be one of many people in line at an extremely busy rental car company.

Winter driving is another reason to sell your car.

Another thing to consider, especially for those of us who have lived through some tough Northeast winters (especially in New York), is the size of your car. The push is certainly on to drive smaller, more fuel efficient cars. But those smaller, lighter cars don’t perform as well on roads battered by winter weather. Kudos to those who bought smaller cars in an effort to lessen their carbon footprint, but maybe you should sell your car in New York altogether to avoid scary winter driving.

No Need To Risk A Winter Accident

Winter accidents are every bit as unpleasant as they are likely.  Considering that both AAA and FEMA do not condone driving in the winter months, it’s probably a good idea to reconsider your options when it comes to transportation. 

You can view the winter months as an opportunity to take advantage of alternative means to get from A to B—means that do not require you to weather (no pun intended) dangerous roads and cranky insurance personnel.   Again, auto accidents are already bad enough regardless of when they happen, and you should not have to deal with the added frustration of a winter occurrence.

There is a healthy section on this blog describing the specifics of transportation alternatives.  All the advice given here is just as valid for avoiding winter car accidents as it is for saving both money and the environment.  Heed it wisely.

Sell Your Car In New York City, Evade The Winter

With the blizzards, and possible car accidents, just around the corner, it is time to think about how your vehicle is going to handle them (or get around them). 

Should you have a vehicle which is capable of handling the change in conditions, be sure to have a look at our blog post on using winter car care to protect your vehicle’s resale value. 

However, if you’re thinking that the risk is just not worth it, we are more than happy to have a look and see how much you can get to sell your car in NYC.

The dust has settled and the Cash for Clunkers stimulus numbers are in…and it seems like the Cash for Clunkers bill was a success, more or less. But, a closer look at the numbers suggests a few flaws in the program.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the program was “wildly successful” with nearly 700,000 “clunkers” traded in for rebates on new, more efficient vehicles. For those cars, taxpayers (via the federal government) can expect to dole out $2.877 billion.

Here’s the rub – perhaps the fundamental rule of the Cash for Clunkers stimulus was to require people to buy new cars with a government rebate in exchange for their clunkers.

So, why doesn’t the amount of clunkers turned in match the amount of new cars purchased?

Cash for Clunkers update from the U.S. DOT touts impressive stats, but it just doesn’t add up

The number of clunkers brought in through this taxpayer funded stimulus program was reported as 690,114, according to press release in late August. That same release included a list of the number of cars and trucks purchased through the Cash for Clunkers Program, too. You would think that the number would be exactly the same, no? After all, the only way you could participate was to bring in a qualified clunker and buy a new car, right? Apparently not.

According to the federal government, 684,941 cars and trucks were bought through this auto industry stimulus program. That’s a difference of 5,173 cars and trucks. That means that more than 5,000 clunkers were traded in through the Cash for Clunkers stimulus and new cars were never bought. That’s 5,173 vehicles unaccounted for nearly $22 million dollars in government rebates potentially unaccounted for (the average rebate appears to be around $4,200).

As an interesting side note, the DOT press release does not tally the number of new cars and trucks sold – you have to root through the numbers and figure it out on your own.

Despite the thousands of missing cars and millions in unaccounted for rebates, the Cash for Clunkers stimulus effects are real

“American consumers and workers were the clear winners thanks to the cash for clunkers program,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Manufacturing plants have added shifts and recalled workers. Moribund showrooms were brought back to life and consumers bought fuel efficient cars that will save them money and improve the environment.”

Whether you share Secretary LaHood’s enthusiasm or not, the auto industry got a much-needed shot in the arm from the Cash for Clunkers program. With increased demand, auto makers are reporting production increases; have added extra shifts at their plants; and officials are expecting lasting effects that will result in 42,000 jobs in the second half of 2009.

Environment gets relief from the Cash for Clunkers program

Of the cars traded in and those bought, the result is more cars on the road that get better gas mileage. The average miles-per-gallon (mpg) of clunkers traded in was 15.8 and the new car average was 24.9 mpg – a 9.2 mpg improvement, or 58%.

According to the U.S. DOT, 84% of trade-ins under the program are trucks, and 59% of new vehicles purchased are cars. “The program worked far better than anyone anticipated at moving consumers out of old, dirty trucks and SUVs and into new more fuel-efficient cars,” the press release read.

With questionable numbers and many criticisms of the Cash for Clunkers bill, the overall result is lacking

The fact is, many more people wanted to participate in the Cash for Clunkers program than were able to. Most people with clunkers couldn’t afford to buy a new car even with the tax-payer subsidized rebate. Of course, the original funding for the program was spent in a week and Congress approved additional funding, but many still complained about the short duration of the Cash for Clunkers stimulus plan.

And, despite the DOT’s claim of 42,000 expected jobs and minor increases in nation economic growth, the actual duration of the program’s stimulus is questionable.

Cash for Clunkers gave us a lot of ‘ifs’ when it came to selling your car. BigBucksAuto gives you cash when you want to sell your car.

The Cash for Clunkers bill was not the wild success that the government claims. Clearly, something is wrong when more than 5,000 vehicles and more than $20 million are unaccounted for. The stimulus aspect of Cash for Clunkers seems temporary and the environmental benefits are tough to imagine considering the thousands upon thousands of gas guzzlers still on the road.

With Big Bucks Auto, selling your car comes with none of the hassle of a troubled federal program, full of restrictions and red-tape.  We’ve been in the business of buying cars for years, and our easy process means a fair price for your vehicle. And, the only rule about what you can do with your cash is simple – anything you want.

Take a look at how we buy used cars and give us a call at 1-888-44-BUCKS or 1-888-442-8257.

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

Maybe you’re moving to the big city and you’ve decided you won’t need your car anymore. Maybe you’re simply tired of driving your current car. Whatever the reason, you want to get out of your current car lease. Only problem is, your lease hasn’t expired yet and you don’t want to wait any longer to get out and move on.

How Can You Get Out of Your Car Lease?

Fortunately, there are options available to the individual who wants to get out of a leased car.  But unfortunately, there’s no ‘magic pill’ to take when it comes to getting out of a lease.  This article will review all the options.  Chances are, one of the possible solutions outlined in this article is best for you – but it all depends on your current situation.  Read on and learn how you can get out of your car lease with:

• Lease trading websites
• A Buyout
• Returning the leased car early
• Allowing a car buyer to negotiate the terms on your behalf and then buy the car from you

Leased Car Trading Websites

In lawyer speak this is called “lease assumption”.  These sites are — you guessed it — places where current lease holders can list their cars, lease details and contact information.  Lease seekers then browse these websites in search of cars and opportunities that match what they were looking for.

But before you go and annul your current car marriage via one of these lease trading sites, there are some major issues to consider.

Does your car leasing company allow transferring the lease?

First and foremost, some car leasing companies prohibit the transferring of car leases altogether!  That may or may not apply to you; so you’ll have to do some homework to find out if trading your leased car is even a viable option.

Finding a lease trade partner can take time

Remember that it could take some time before the right person – who is hopefully local enough to do a deal – finds your car and contacts you about a potential lease trade. If time is an issue, lease trading isn’t the answer.

And what if the individual you trade your lease with defaults?

This is a big one that many in the lease trading world don’t want you to know about. If the person who you trade your lease with defaults on the lease at some point, you’re still responsible! In other words, you carry a great deal of risk even after you’ve traded your lease.    If your lease partner quits making those lease payments, even several months or years down the road (depending on the lease), you’ll wind up in some very hot water.

So say lease trading isn’t for you.  Say you’re looking for an instant exit.  Fear not, as there are still other escape routes to explore.  Like, for instance, the buyout option.

Buyouts

By buying out your leased car, and then selling it yourself, you can effectively avoid things like wear and tear charges and early termination fees.  These features all make the buyout option look pretty darn appealing.  But remember; in many scenarios, the red tape, hefty buyout price offered, and sales taxes can be enough to make this option look quite unappealing too.

If you’re interested in buying your car out and then selling it, be sure you know whether or not the buyout price offered is a good deal.  A reputable car buyer like Big Bucks Auto™ can tell you exactly how much your car is worth with a free car appraisal.  This way, you’ll know if the buyout option really is a good deal, and you’ll have an idea of how much you may be able to then sell the car for.

Turning in the leased car early

With the loads of early termination fees and possible legal ramifications depending on your lease, this may not be much of an ‘option’ to getting out of your leased car.  There will almost certainly be a huge cost involved if you try to turn in your leased car early.  In many cases you will still be obligated to pay the remaining balance on the car lease, or some combination of these payments, along with other penalties, like charges for wear and tear or mileage over the allotted limit.
For most individuals, turning in the car early is simply not an option.

There has to be an easier way!

You could sell your leased car to a used car buyer.  But why?

If you choose an honest and professional car buyer experienced in these types of transactions, this may very well offer the best “bang for the buck”.  And speaking of bucks, Big Bucks Auto™, one of the largest car buyers in the tri-state area, can easily handle these tricky lease scenarios.

If you happen to be in the tri-state, NY, NJ area, you’re in luck as you’re close enough to do business with Big Bucks Auto™. We’ll help you get out of your current car lease, and then we’ll give you the best price possible.  Get a free quote – FAST, by simply filling out a short information form.

At Big Buck$ Auto we’ll contact your lender or lease company to obtain the lowest possible payoff amount on your account.
And even better, we can negotiate to get you the best deal possible. In most cases, Big Bucks Auto™ will provide the bulk of the money required to pay off the lease.  For most, this is the easiest ‘way out’ considering all the alternatives.

Read Why Choose Us to Buy Your Car for a better understanding of what you can expect when dealing with a used car buyer like Big Bucks Auto™.

Learn more about how our free used car appraisal works – call us today at 1-888-44-BUCKS or 1-888-44-8257

There are times when one needs to reconcile their financial obligations. One of the quickest and surest ways to obtain money in a timely fashion is by selling your car. There are many ways to sell your used car:

• online
• through classified ads
• putting a sign on your car’s back seat window
• going to a used car dealer
• selling your car to an authorized car buyer

By doing just a little bit of homework, you can be sure you’re getting the best deal possible – whether selling on your own, or selling your car to a used car buyer like Big Bucks Auto™. The goal is to get the most for your money.

Big Bucks Auto™ is an industry leading car buyer that can give you the most for your money and remove all the hassles and challenges of selling your used car.

Used Car Values – Evaluating Your Car Before Selling It

• Research the market for the car you want to sell. If it’s a popular make and model, you could sell your car quickly. If your car is not all that in demand, you might need to do a little extra research to find the best markets for your particular car.
• Know the popularity and desirability of the make and model of the car you want to sell.
• Take the time to research the going rate for your car.
• Read used car reviews online.
• Look up used car ratings and find out if your car is a top seller.

Only then will you know how much you can sell your car for and the most reliable place where to sell your car.

For up to date information car buyers like Big Bucks Auto™ can provide you with a free car appraisal that will let you know your used car’s value perfectly.

Know the Asking Price for Your Car

Knowledge and research are the keys to deciding your asking price. Your asking price will always be higher than your selling price.

Visiting a professional car buyer like Big Bucks Auto™ for a free sales price appraisal will tell you exactly what is fair for a selling price.

To research asking prices:

• Read classified ads for comparable vehicles or search for sites online that include phrases such as sell your car, used cars, used car dealers, used car reviews and used car ratings.
• Keep in mind using the Kelley Blue Book for pricing your car can be misleading. Sales prices will always be lower.
• You can also use Edmonds.com and other car appraisal sites to figure out your car’s value for asking prices.

Once you find out the basic price range for your car, you will also need to consider:

• Mileage – check and log your odometer reading
• Condition – fix those pings and dents
• Improvements – did you buy new set of high-end tires? Was your transmission recently changed?  When was the most recent tune-up? Any enhancements to your car can increase its value. And, be sure you have the paperwork and receipts to show the buyer.

Once you have decided on the price you want to sell your car for, remember that a fair sales price will be slightly lower.

Big Bucks will confirm that fair sales price.

Prepare Your Car for Sale

• Clean the car thoroughly.
• Detail your car if you have to, and replace small worn out parts if need be.
• Clean out the trunk, ashtrays and glove compartment.
• Vacuum the interior and wash and wax the body. You want to make the car shine!

Starting to sound like a LOT of work? Well, it can be.

Call Big Bucks Auto™, and sell your car for what it’s worth – fast! 

Necessary Paperwork for Selling Your Car

• Contact your state’s DMV and find out the requirements for title transfer and license plate removal once you sell your car.
• Contact your auto insurance company and let them know that you sold your car – you surely don’t want to pay insurance on a car you don’t own
• If you bought the car with a bank loan, contact your bank or loan officer before you sell your car.

Decide Where to Sell Your Car

There are a host of methods for selling a used car.

• You could put a “Car for Sale” sign on your car window and hope you get legitimate response – however, chances are you wont. 
• An ad in your local paper or community bulletin board might bring a lot of strange people to your home, with only a few potential real buyers.
•  You could try to sell your car online and end up dealing with people hundreds of miles away.
• Selling your car to a broker usually works, however, you do have to pay a brokers fee.

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