When it comes time to sell a vehicle, most people will list the car in some form of classified ad and hope for the best. But there’s more than one way to skin a cat, so to speak. Gone are the days of buying a one-inch-long text block in the classifieds section of the local paper. The Internet has turned car sales into a multidimensional universe. Still, there are other ways, and which one you choose will have a lot to do with your personal circumstances. For example, if you’re selling a 12-year-old Honda Civic, you might choose a different sales site than if you were trying to land a mint condition 1956 Lincoln Continental Mark II. Either way, you’ll want to establish the car’s Cars360 value as a baseline.
1. Word of Mouth
This may be the best, easiest way to sell a car or truck. Drive the car to work, drive your kids to school in it, park it in your gym that’s equipped with neatly printed signs for sale. Ask at work or school or church or whatever and see if anyone wants to buy a car. The plus side of this scenario is that you don’t have to deal with any awkwardness and flex, which you can cope with somewhat simply by tossing a list on Craigslist.
But make sure the car is in tip-top condition if you intend to sell it this way. You don’t want someone you work with to come to you a few weeks later with a complaint about how the vehicle is going. If there are mechanical problems, or the interior smells like 3-year-old corn chips and gym socks, make sure you’re super up about all before you complete the sale. Also, be aware that selling a car to someone you know is often subject to “bro deal” pricing. In other words, you may not get the absolute market value. But selling an acquaintance also reduces your exposure to people you don’t want to know.
2. Instant Cash Offer
Cars360 Instant Cash Offer is a great, hassle free way to sell a car or truck. You enter some basic details about the car in the web form – VIN, mileage, features etc. – write a description and add some pictures. Based on the information you submit, you will receive a Cash Offer Certificate which can be redeemed at any participating dealership. However, your description of the vehicle needs to be as straightforward, realistic and detailed as possible. A dealer may not share your pink appraisal about it – of course – and may offer a lower price when you actually bring the vehicle in for payment and transfer of ownership papers. But until you sign the title of your car, you won’t be locked into the sale. If the dealer offers less than what you started with, you can walk away from the deal at any time.
3. Trade-in
If you are going to buy another car, find out what your dealer will offer for the car you need to get rid of. The old adage, “It never hurts to ask” applies here. You may not think that you have much they will be interested in, but you never know. Plus, trade-ins reduce the hassle that you might face selling a car on the open market. Instead of dealing with phone calls, missed appointments, potentially awkward or unpleasant people, and paperwork in multiple locations, you’ll get one-stop shopping at trade-ins. Sell a used car, get a new car – it’s as simple as that. The downside, of course, is that you won’t get as much on a trade-in as you would get at a private sale. But if convenience is your top priority, then this is the thing for you. Again, Cars360 values will give you an idea of the trade-in value of your vehicle even before you even step on the showroom floor.
4. Sell to CarMax or any other dealership
Not only does CarMax have locations across the country, but it also offers a standardized process that includes a 30-minute assessment that you can schedule online ahead of time. You want CarMax to do an appraisal anyway because – like an instant cash offer – you get a baseline market value for your vehicle. Once you’ve received a written offer, you’ll have a week to decide whether to sell it to CarMax, during which time you can try selling it privately for more money. Huh.
You can also try your luck at a new car dealership with an independent dealership, or a used car department. It might be a good idea to call first to see if you have anything the dealership would be interested in. Like a trade-in, you’re not likely to get as much from the dealership as you would get at a private sale. , but dealerships are better equipped to handle the car you are still paying for.
5. Sell Privately
Last but certainly not least is private sales. You can park your car – the for sale sign displayed prominently – on the service road where many other people park the cars they are trying to get off. But if you’re trying to maximize your selling price on the open market, the Internet is top for private selling. There are a lot of websites available for selling cars, so it really depends on what you have. If you’re looking to sell something classic or collectible, the Bring-a-Trailer is a good choice, as it caters to the enthusiast crowd and commands a high selling price for desirable vehicles. The listing price is $99. If you’re looking to sell a well-worn, but still useful commuter car, another alternative to Craigslist is local neighborhood websites like Next door. These free ads may not have access to Craigslist, but you’re less likely to encounter scams and undesirables. cars and trucks that nation