| Determine your vehicle's condition |
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First, start by being honest.
It can be tough sometimes to evaluate your own car.
But, take a few minutes set your emotion aside and look at it closely.
Use the worksheets below to check the condition in each area.
| Exterior: |
Above Average |
Average |
Below Average |
| What kind of condition is the exterior in? |
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| Are there any visible dents and if so how many? |
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| Are there any visible pings and if so how many? |
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| Are there any visible scratches and if so how many? |
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| What condition are the tires? |
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| Interior: |
Above Average |
Average |
Below Average |
| What kind of condition is the interior in? |
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| Are there any major rips or holes? |
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| Does the dashboard have tears or cracks in it? |
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| Mechanical: |
Above Average |
Average |
Below Average |
| How well does your car run? |
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| How well does the transmission shift? |
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| How smooth does it drive? (any noticeable vibrations) |
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| Does the engine sound smooth or does it make loud knocks and other noise? |
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| Are there any visible oil leaks? |
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| Does the car pull to one side of the road when you drive it on a flat surface? |
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| Determine your vehicle's value |
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The best way to start is to research a few resources like Kelly Blue Book, Edmund's, NADA.
All of these sites will have areas that describe how to find out what your car is worth.
You can find these websites on our Auto Links page.
Also, call your banker. Most bankers will use an NADA value to determine loan value and retail value.
If you have a lot of time you may be able to get retail.
However, if you want to sell your vehicle in a shorter time you may want to consider finding a point between loan value and retail.
The closer to loan value the faster you will sell your vehicle.
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| Take the time to detail your vehicle |
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At minimum you should have the car either professionally detailed or do it yourself.
This includes: Vacuuming the carpets, clean the windows, wax the car, armor-all the seats and dash, etc...
You want your car to feel refreshing and new to the potential buyer.
Just because it's not a brand new car, does not mean it shouldn't feel new to the potential buyer.
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| Talk to the banks and local credit unions |
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If the vehicle is not a cash purchase then financing for the new buyer will be necessary.
Make it easy for them, just like most car dealers do for purchasers.
Talk to your local banks and credit unions.
Find out what kind of money an average person, with good credit will have to put down.
Inquire about the maximum number of months the institution will finance the car for your potential buyers.
What is interest rate? More importantly, how much will the payment be.
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| Listing on the Internet |
This one is a no-brainer!
Click Here to Get Started and List Your Auto Today On America's Fastest Growing Automotive Site on The Net - AutoSeekAndSell.com !
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| Listing in the newspapers |
AutoSeekandSell.com is unique because you can sell your car online and you can advertise your car in the local news paper at the same time.
Be sure to check out our Newspaper Selling Tip for more details.
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| For Sale signs |
FOR SALE signs are a must.
Be sure to include the appropriate information (vehicle details, contact name/number, etc...).
Place them in your vehicle's windows when you are at work or out shopping.
You never know when the right person will be driving by and want your to purchase your vehicle.
We recommend that you do not drive with the signs in your windows as they may obstruct your view.
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| Bulletin board postings |
Many workplaces, merchants, gymnasiums, etc... offer bulletin boards where people can post flyers.
You never know, a coworker or someone at the gym may walk by and see your listing and be in the market for your vehicle.
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| Parking Lots |
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When you go to the mall (or any store for that matter) park your vehicle in a highly visible area where the traffic that frequents the merchant will see your FOR SALE signs.
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| Fielding the calls |
Now that you have done all of your homework from above this part is easy.
Keep all the facts with you (near the phone) so you don't have to search for it when you get a call.
Keep a copy at work if you will be taking calls there (just hide it out of the way from you boss).
Rule number #1: do not ever fail to tell everyone in your household that you are trying to sell your car.
Nothing irritates a potential buyer more than when someone answers the phone and has no clue that a car is for sale at your household.
Remember you are selling, not buying and therefore you must be professional and establish confidence in the buyer.
Also, keep a pen and paper with basic instructions near the phone and inform all persons that answer your phone how to answer and what to say and most importantly what not to say.
Some good questions to get a feel for the potential buyer and things to keep in mind are:
- How long have you been looking for a vehicle?
- What part of town do they live in?
- Are they looking for just a car or specifically the make and model you have for sale?
- Ask the magic question! Does this sound like a vehicle you would be interested in?
- Before you schedule an appointment try to feel them out a little as it relates how they plan to pay for the vehicle (without being threatening or rude).
- Try to schedule multiple buyers a few minutes apart as this creates a little overlap and if they are interested this creates the supply and demand!
- Schedule the times that are convenient for you and them.
- Do not be in a hurry during these appointments.
- Always have someone else with you. Never ever go for a ride alone!
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| Test Drives |
Have a planned route that will allow them to feel the car out in several different conditions.
- Ask to see a valid driver’s license just like the dealers do. Make a copy or write some of the information down if you feel you need to.
- Always let them drive but you navigate!
- Don’t go on extremely long drives. It can be a waste of time and also dangerous.
- Let them be in control of the vehicle. The potential buyer needs to feel like it's their new car!
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| Negotiations |
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Always know what the least amount you will take before you ever start the negotiating phase. That does not mean you are accepting that right out the gate. You just need to know what is your absolute bottom limit. Always set the price a little higher than you plan to take. Not too high, though. You need to have wiggle room and you make the buyer feel like they got a deal!
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| Bill of Sale |
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Always have a bill of sale ready. These vary from state to state so you may want to either check out the department of motor vehicles online or check with a local car dealer. Some office supplies stores have generic ones you can use or modify to meet your needs.
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