How To Sell My Used Car

Are you trying figure out how to sell your used car? These days everyone has "something" to sell, and many sellers use the same old traditional route. The key to successfully selling your used car is by not overlooking tried and true selling methods. The goal is to sell your used car as quickly, easily and profitably as possible. This article will give you ten effective tips to sell your used car in no time flat.  

1.  Clean it up!   Your car should sparkle, this is about to become someone’s “pride and joy”. Make your used car appealing to buyers. Your car should look and smell clean.

2.  Signage  Place a prominent "For Sale" sign on your car with phone number, year and asking price if there is room.  Providing as much information as possible will cut down on potential buyers calling for basic information.  

3.  Know your used car.  

Keep relevant information about your vehicle such as, mileage, and service record at your fingertips. Write down all upgrades you have made to your car, and use them as “selling features”. Find the title and other relevant documents, including warranties and receipts, and keep them close at hand.  

4.  Prominently display your used car.  

Park your vehicle in a lot on a busy street, if this is a private lot, get permission from the owner first. Avoid being towed by obeying parking lot rules and regulations.  

5.  Know the value of your car. The Kelly Blue Book web site is a reliable source to find out the value of your vehicle. Incorporate all upgrades made to the car in the selling price. Remove anything you are not selling with the vehicle.

6.  Advertise your used car. Take a picture of your car for ads and the Internet. List your used car with local papers, free circulars, EBay, Craig’s list and the like. Utilize bulletin boards (high schools, churches, colleges, Laundromats, libraries) in public places Do not be afraid to list the sale of your used car in other states, do not limit yourself.  

7.  Spread the word. Everyone knows someone looking for a vehicle; ask your family, friends, and co-works to put the word out.  

8.  Be honest and up front. When buyers call, do not over sell just to get them to come out and see the car. Do not waste their time, or yours. Honesty is still the best policy, state the facts about the car and encourage the buyer to come out and see it.  

9.  Negotiate. You know the Kelly Blue Book value of the car, and what you have added to the vehicle, now you must determine a price. There is no hard and fast rule about pricing your car, after all, it is your car; however, if you need a quick sale be prepared to negotiate. If a buyer offers you an amount that seems low, before you walk away from the sale, remind him of the value of the vehicle by pointing out the “selling features”.  

10. Close the deal. A hand shake is great, but the car is still “For Sale” until you have cash (or certified funds) in hand. Issue a receipt to the customer when you receive full payment. The sales transaction receipt should show the date, make, model, VIN, mileage and price of the used car. Make certain you write the words “As Is” prominently on the sales receipt. Include any relevant details about the deal, if you told the buyer that the engine is bad-write it on the receipt. Keep all documentation regarding the sale, including email and text messages, in a safe location for future references. 

Resource:

Kelly Blue Book