Should You Sell Your Car, Or Trade It In?
Selling -- Online Or In Paper -- Can Get More Money
You've decided it's time for some new wheels, but what should you do with the old ones -- become a salesman, or just take the car to one?
Selling your vehicle doesn't have to be a painful experience.
When you're looking at selling your car, there are pros and cons for both selling it yourself and trading it in at a dealership.
The advantages of selling a car on your own are that you're going to get more money for it. In fact, you may get anywhere from $500 to $2,000 more by selling a car on your own.
It's just a question of economics and time.
A trade-in is quicker, easier and less risky, but the dealer gets a cut on the car because he's putting in the effort, time and investment to improve your vehicle before reselling it. That's time and money that you would have to invest if you were going to sell it yourself.
Whichever route you take, you should get the vehicle ready with some basic car care that will increase the curb appeal -- and the resale value -- of your vehicle.
First, get it detailed. Make it as physically attractive as possible.
The next step is to price the vehicle, which can be tricky. Check the classifieds for similar models or see what a dealer is selling the same car for on the lot. You can also check online pricing services.
Then, plan to market your car.
You should offer it online, and perhaps put it in the newspaper. You'll also want to put a sign on it. Then, be ready to answer your phone when potential buyers start calling to set up test-drives.
Online sites are terrific places to list your car and reach a large number of active car shoppers. More and more people are using the Web to search for a vehicle. Sites like AutoTrader.com can help you effectively merchandise your car with multiple photos, and options like run-it-'til-it sells and auction-style listings. This allows you to put your ad in front of the largest, most-targeted audience of in-market car shoppers, and provides you with all of the features to turn a shopper into a buyer before they even come out to test-drive the car.
Three keys to successfully marketing your car online are including good pictures of the car, listing a competitive price providing detailed descriptions.
When you make a sale, hold transfer of the title until cash payment has cleared. There has been a rash of phony cashier's checks circulating recently. Take steps to protect yourself from this type of fraud.
The car may sell in a few days, or it may take three months or more. Experts say it depends on how fast someone who wants your vehicle sees it.
If you need cash fast and want to unload quickly and avoid the hassle of having people come by and drive the vehicle, a conventional trade-in may still be the best way for you to stay on the money.
Content provided and sponsored by AutoTrader.com
The advantages of selling a car on your own are that you're going to get more money for it. In fact, you may get anywhere from $500 to $2,000 more by selling a car on your own.
It's just a question of economics and time.
A trade-in is quicker, easier and less risky, but the dealer gets a cut on the car because he's putting in the effort, time and investment to improve your vehicle before reselling it. That's time and money that you would have to invest if you were going to sell it yourself.
Whichever route you take, you should get the vehicle ready with some basic car care that will increase the curb appeal -- and the resale value -- of your vehicle.
First, get it detailed. Make it as physically attractive as possible.
The next step is to price the vehicle, which can be tricky. Check the classifieds for similar models or see what a dealer is selling the same car for on the lot. You can also check online pricing services.
Then, plan to market your car.
You should offer it online, and perhaps put it in the newspaper. You'll also want to put a sign on it. Then, be ready to answer your phone when potential buyers start calling to set up test-drives.
Online sites are terrific places to list your car and reach a large number of active car shoppers. More and more people are using the Web to search for a vehicle. Sites like AutoTrader.com can help you effectively merchandise your car with multiple photos, and options like run-it-'til-it sells and auction-style listings. This allows you to put your ad in front of the largest, most-targeted audience of in-market car shoppers, and provides you with all of the features to turn a shopper into a buyer before they even come out to test-drive the car.
Three keys to successfully marketing your car online are including good pictures of the car, listing a competitive price providing detailed descriptions.
When you make a sale, hold transfer of the title until cash payment has cleared. There has been a rash of phony cashier's checks circulating recently. Take steps to protect yourself from this type of fraud.
The car may sell in a few days, or it may take three months or more. Experts say it depends on how fast someone who wants your vehicle sees it.
If you need cash fast and want to unload quickly and avoid the hassle of having people come by and drive the vehicle, a conventional trade-in may still be the best way for you to stay on the money.
Content provided and sponsored by AutoTrader.com
