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10/13/2012 04:18:22 PM · #1 |
It's been many years since we sold a car -- and the world has changed considerably.
We are thinking we would go through craigslist...I think I can deal with the scammers via in person sales, but I wonder about the other aspects such as personal safety.
But what if:
1) Someone wants to test drive it...would you go with them, or let them drive it alone (and perhaps drive off with it)
2) They want to take it to their mechanic -- should we just ask for a deposit?
We will also put up a for sale sign on the car...would you suggest we put up our phone number or email?
It's a 2001 Toyota Sienna, 108K miles, which we suspect is worth about $5800, so it's not chump change to lose!
Any and all advice appreciated!
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10/13/2012 04:28:15 PM · #2 |
I would never let them go off for a test drive alone, when we did a test drive of my car at the caryard, the seller came with us.
Often I see for sale signs in the car with a phone number. Why not try that before putting on Craigslist?
Check their drivers licence for their ID's, to verify who they are?
Good luck! |
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10/13/2012 05:14:19 PM · #3 |
| I've had really good success selling on Craigslist. I've sold three vehicles, two cars and a motorcycle. No problems really. I would ask for a deposit if they wanted to take it to be looked over (I've never had this asked), and I do go with them if they want to test drive it. I have a bill of sale made up and printed, so all I have to do is write in the specifcs (buyer, price, date, signatures). |
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10/13/2012 07:47:33 PM · #4 |
| Thanks. What's a reasonable amount for a deposit...and I presume it would have to be cash? |
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10/13/2012 07:50:53 PM · #5 |
Don't take a cashier's check unless you verify with the bank. Those can be faked these days.
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10/13/2012 08:54:11 PM · #6 |
I sold my Truck on CL a few months back - no problems. Also bought vehicles through them. Here's the worst thing about selling on CL (also applies to anything similar, I suppose): I have an inflatable kayak for sale and had a woman say she was "VERY INTERESTED". I arranged to have her come and check it out today, told two other interested parties it would likely be sold, but I would let them know. She then texts me this morning and says she found another one, so "thanks and good luck". She then texts again an hour later and says that deal fell through and she is still interested. So I wait around for an hour and a half this afternoon for her to show up and she calls and says she's lost. I get her location and tell her how to get here from there and as she's driving, less than a mile away, she starts telling me that she's not sure she wants to spend her money. She's been wanting a kayak for a long time but now, on her way here, within a mile, she backs out while we are on the phone. I nearly bit clean through my tongue. >:/
Anyway, it's still a very convenient way to buy and sell. Good luck, Neil.
ps: biting my tongue provided enough good karma that I got an easy $250 quick turn-around task from a client right after this kayak fiasco. And if the bad karma is just as effective, she probably got in a fender bender on the way home. ;-)
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10/13/2012 10:10:52 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by Neil:
Thanks. What's a reasonable amount for a deposit...and I presume it would have to be cash? |
I'd probably take something on the order of 10%, or perha0ps a little less. For a $5800 vehicle, maybe $500? And yes, cash.
Looking at the thing from the other side, I bought a motorcycle off Craigslist this Spring. I took all cash, and let me tell you that really helped close the deal. |
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10/14/2012 04:03:42 AM · #8 |
I am trying to sell my truck on CL right now and it is a pain in the ass! Only getting a bunch of SCAM emails, with automated responses, etc.
I plan TO MEET with any prospective buyer somewhere other than my house if they want to see it or test drive it. I will go with them on a test drive. If they want to take it to their mechanic, I will drive it to their mechanic (even though I have a dealership "once over" mechanical check already). I have had my phone number and email on the For Sale sign on the truck. If there is anything they want to do without my eyes on…I guess I would want cash and to hold on to THEIR wallet. :-)
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10/14/2012 08:10:20 AM · #9 |
A couple of things......
As far as letting someone get the vehicle checked out....do it. Go with them. When I had my shop I *always* recommended that my customers bring any car they were interested in buying to me to inspect before purchase. For my regular customers, I would do this at no charge, though for one-time folks, I would charge an hour's labor......and give them their money's worth with a good lookover. If you go along on a checkover, you may find out something you didn't know about.
Even though I'm not much afraid of anyone, and y'all know about this from telemarketers, people have *zero* sense of decorum about calling you, especially when you have something for sale. They seem to assume that since you're offering up something for sale, that since it's convenient for them to call at 11:30 P.M. on a Tuesday night, or 5:00 A.M. on a Sunday morning, that you're just waiting for the opportunity to take their call.
With these caveats in place, I have these suggestions.....
1. Approach a couple of dealers, both new and used, and see how much they may give you for it outright. Even though it's a little older, that's low miles for its age. If it's sharp & clean, they may want it. And it's a Toyota family hauler......as long as it's not beige metallic, it should sell fairly easily......8~)
2. Approach a used car dealer, check with friends, BBB, whatnot, for a recommendation, and see if they will take the vehicle on consignment.
3. Check your local auto auctions. There are usually one or two open-to-the-public facilities near any major metro area. You can place a reserve and then you're out only the entry fee if it doesn't reach the reserve. This will also give you a real idea of what the market will bear in your area.
4. Lastly......eBay. Your phone number won't be out there, you can pick and choose how you want to replay to any queries since there's a buffer between you, and often, you may even sell it before the auction closes. I've sold everything I've put on eBay for at least what I had for a reserve, and have run about half & half with selling before the auction closed.
Hope this helps......best of luck!
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10/15/2012 01:51:43 AM · #10 |
Thanks for all the responses, and extra thannks for the detailed list, Jeb.
We have our number on a sign on the car...but I put a google voice number on instead of any of my regular phone numbers. I had already lost my G-voice number from disuse, but I was able to get it back. Forwarded it to my home office phone, and so if necessary, I can turn it off and take messages.
The toyota dealer said we would not have any problem selling it ourselves--we didn't want to trade it in when we bought our car because we needed three cars for the rest of the summer.
I've sold a few small items on Craigslist...so I know what a pain the scammers can be. Indeed I was thinking of taking it to a couple of used car dealers...not only to possibly sell it to them, but if nothing else, to see what they might offer.
The cars in excellent condition--my wife took very good care of it. There is one blatant problem we've lived with though that may pose issues for sale. The passenger side window gives us trouble. It's electric...if you lower it, it's really hard to get back up. You have to keep doing it a little at a time, wait, do more etc. This is something easy to tell people, but I'm not sure how it will go over!
Message edited by author 2012-10-15 01:52:08. |
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