10 Steps To Sell Your Car On Craigslist Without Getting Robbed -- Or Worse

Avoid all such requests. Rely more on the lower numbers from Edmunds when negotiating, and don't take seriously a seller's claims that "I'm selling this for below Blue Book value. " At the end of the day, you are will have to decide how much you trust the seller, but a Carfax report will at least get you started. MORE: How to buy a used car.

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Related Talk Topics. For a similar reason, you probably shouldn't publish your phone number. 10 Steps To Sell Your Car On Craigslist Without Getting Robbed -- Or Worse. Make sure the seller's answers are in written form, if you ever need to reference them later. They're not a full-time car salesperson, they don't have to maintain an outstanding reputation. Safety is also an issue; you should assume, for example, that you will not have functional airbags in a car with a salvage title.

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It doesn't matter if the receipt is written in crayon on a piece of toilet paper. If someone has warmed up the engine, you may be unable to detect certain problems it exhibits when starting up. The title the seller produces looks sketchy. Take your time and find a seller that you feel you can trust. You may need information from the stub (such as the bank customer's account number) to pry out the answer. Also, your resale value will be about half of what a good car with a "clean" title sells for. In a big country with lots of stuff on the Internet and thousands of murders, this could be statistically insignificant. The 17 digit VIN on the dashboard doesn't match the VIN on the car door (a sign the car was stolen). On the closing day, you drive the vehicle to the DMV with a friend following behind in another car. There is always a great deal of uncertainty when shopping for a used car. I found a small-town DMV office with no lines. Craigslist used cars for sale near me zillow. But privacy; junk e-mailers scrape addresses off the Web.

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Get evidence of the promises they are making. Find out what a typical car of that year is really worth, and decide if the one you're looking at is a bargain or overpriced. Used cars for sale near me by owner. The car could have a serious problem that wasn't disclosed and then you, buyer, could walk away from the loan, leaving the bank with a worthless car. If the seller has nothing to hide, then they should be willing to work with you. Craigslist, the free, peer-to-peer classifieds website, is where you'll find most used car bargains — and where con artists try to prey on gullible sellers.

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But if you do a bit of research, ask appropriate questions, and take a few sensible precautions, you'll be in the best position to find a good deal. If he asks you "which one? " Nearly all online scams stem from some unusual financing request from the buyer. The purpose in not disclosing your usual address is not safety (do murderers find victims by getting their emails? ) Paying a mechanic $75-$100 to inspect the vehicle is your single best insurance policy against winding up with a lousy used car. When it comes to vehicle history a dealer might come up a little short in that department. If you do your homework then you should be good to go. But you're unsure of how to go about looking for the right car or maybe you're nervous about being stuck with a lemon. If you don't know any nearby mechanics, while you're on the list, Craig can also help you find mechanics who can inspect the vehicle. Use the resources available to you (the bank, KBB, your gut, etc. ) Many scams begin with pleas for help or unusual requests such as to ship a car out of the country. Include, in the description, meticulous detail about features like rear A/C and engine size, and the fact that you are the original owner. Craigslist used cars for sale near me teacup. Too many owners or incomplete service records often indicate a problem car, so either significantly reduce what you're willing to offer, or keep looking. Your mechanic can check for frame damage, paint overspray, and other signs of a crash that was not reported to an insurance company or to a state motor vehicles department (DMV).

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If you are needing to make the transaction right away after the test drive then meet at a bank so you can have the bank cut you a cashier's check. Then hand in your plates and take the receipt to your insurance agent. This goes back to the red flags and avoid scammers topics that we talked about earlier in the post. I know cash can be a powerful tool in price negotiations, but there is no way to track how much cash you paid and when, aside from your word. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY. In a 2014 case, a young student from Southern California was stabbed to death selling a car he advertised on Craigslist. But I was pleased to sell the car to a family that really needed it and went away happy. In the end, it all boils down to trust. So remember that real buyers will have questions about the car and will probably want to dicker. How to Safely Buy a Used Car on Craigslist - LifeHack. You pay for the shipping, send the car and then the check bounces. Avoid buyers with too many stories. If the buyer encounters a problem, you can help him. Get the phone number for this branch on your own. After an interview over the phone I found him in the White Pages and in an article about volunteer firemen.

Used Cars For Sale Near Me By Owner

Buckle up as we tackle the used car scene on Craigslist. Fine, you say, but you'll be showing the car to other people. There is an abundance of information on user-generated discussion forums. It all boils down to how fast they want to get out of their current car and into their new car. Because so many people are arranging physical meetings after connecting over the internet, Scafidi says police departments are creating "safe zones" with video surveillance. Set up a Gmail or Hotmail address, like ford2003, to get messages. Do you want to be in the front seat with a thief behind the wheel? How to avoid danger and scams when selling your car online. These are good places to meet prospective buyers. Never have cash on you and if you can, bring a friend. Keyword search "mobile mechanic" in the auto repair section. How many owners the vehicle has had, and whether the car has service records you or your mechanic can review. Ask for a copy of receipts for proof. We know, texting is the common form of communication nowadays but calling will allow you to put a voice behind the name.

While they may pocket more money, selling online also requires them to meet with strangers and, usually, arrange test drives, exchange cash and sign documents. Pay special attention to listings that have promises of new or recently repaired parts. The new-car dealer offered a $1, 500 trade-in for my 2003 Expedition. At the Craigslist site, after you click the "cars & trucks" tab, select "by owner" - don't buy from dealerships unless you're willing to overpay.

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 00:14:34 +0000