When looking to sell your vehicle, you don’t need to be a rocket scientist, but you do need to know how to get your car into the right hands.
Better Business Bureau recommends following a few key pointers to ensure that your sale goes smoothly.
With the Internet becoming the go-to hub of information, any “buyer” can look reputable. Every year BBB hears horror stories of car sales gone bad and, many times, it all boils down to: “If the offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”
“Avoid situations where the buyer requests you wire money or is unable to meet you in-person,” said Gary Almond, president of BBB serving Northeast California. “A common scam involves a buyer overpaying for the car and requesting the overpayment be wired back to the buyer. After the money is wired, the check bounces and the seller loses that money.”
When working with a potential buyer, BBB recommends considering the following:
Communicate with the potential buyer. Don’t rely solely on email conversations. Meet face-to-face and be open and honest about your car’s conditions. Keep all records of service so that the buyer can see proof that you have cared for the vehicle.
First impressions matter. Consider getting the car cleaned and tuned up. You’ll be glad you did when the buyer’s eyes sparkle with delight as they accept your offer. Same goes for the buyer – trust your gut. By investing in the time to let them test ride your car, you’ll know that the buyer is serious about making an offer.
Don’t overshare. Make notes for yourself that you can refer to while on the phone with a potential buyer. Keep them handy for when it comes time to talk about car’s maintenance history. Meet in a neutral, well lit location.
Seal the deal. Give the potential buyer ample time to ask questions. This will help avoid problems in the future. Once you feel confident you have shared all of the details about the car, it will be time to start talking money. Aim high and work your way down, but always be honest with the buyer on the car’s conditions.
###
As a business-supported nonprofit organization, Better Business Bureau's mission is to promote an ethical marketplace. BBB sets standards for ethical business behavior, helps consumers identify reliable businesses through BBB Business Reviews, sets standards for truthful advertising, evaluates and provides reviews of charities, educates consumers, and offers dispute resolution services. More than 87 million consumers rely on BBB for Business Reviews, consumer tips and scam alerts. To learn more, please visit www.necal.bbb.org.
