Introduction
Before selling your used car online you’ll have to take the following steps to be successful. Preparation is the key to selling successfully your used car online.
By the way, forget selling your ad through print ads like newspapers or those throwaway directories you see at your favorite Chinese takeout joint. Print is no longer the way to go when it comes time to sell – and I do freelance work for newspapers! Kills me to say that.
Write the Ad
Sit down and think about what is going to sell your used car online. Play up the features (like low mileage and excellent condition). Do some research and read other advertisements. See what attracts you to them and then make sure your ad reads the same way. Frankly, I abhor plagiarism when it comes to fiction and non-fiction writing, but go ahead and steal classified ads you like.
Why write the ad in advance? You won’t make mistakes when listing the ad. Plus, and this is from my college days as an English major, all writing is re-writing. You’ll get the best results by writing and re-writing the ad.
Snap Some Photographs
You’re going to need some photos of your used car before you can sell it online. Here’s a basic tip: take pictures in the early morning or late afternoon when the sun isn’t as bright. Also, don’t park your car in the shade. Fill the frame with the subject. Plus, you can leave unflattering parts out of photos, but don’t use photo editing to mask flaws. It will destroy your credibility when a potential buyer sees your used car.
Email Everybody You Know
It costs you nothing and is a great way to sell a used car. I sold my 1995 Honda Civic entirely by email without advertising it. A friend of mine was looking for a Honda for a co-worker and remembered I had one. The next time I have a used car I’m going to contact everybody on my email list, as well as my networking contacts. (Don’t worry – I won’t be selling it in my used cars newsletters!)
Use More than One Online Service
When the time comes, there are basically four online classified services you can use. Here is a little secret most people don’t know. Most online services use the following four classified services to sell used cars.
- www.autotrader.com - costs $29 for basic ad
- www.vehix.com - free for consumers
- www.cars.com - ad packages start at $20
- www.carsdirect.com - ad packages start at $29
- www.craigslist.org – ads are free
- www.ebaymotors.com - listings start at $40
Get Your Paperwork in Order
Want to make the process really easy for you and the buyer? Make sure your paperwork is in order. Then, find out what you have to do to complete the sale. It’s also important to find out ahead of time what is involved in selling a car to an out-of-state buyer. Plus, putting your paperwork in order protects you from the beginning if something happens soon after your car is sold.
Now you’re ready to get out there and sell your used car online. Just make sure it’s in the best shape possible by following my step-by-step guide to preparing a used car for sale.
