A car you are ready to part with

Registration and title

All available records of repair (or copies of repair receipts)

Car care products (washes, waxes, upholstery cleaners, etc.)

A "For Sale" sign

Keep it clean!

Don't be afraid to be honest.

Know that the Blue Book provides a pricing guideline, not law.

Applicable cliches: "Time is money" and "You get what you pay for."

Advertise in a local internet Newsgroup!

2torial #0524: Learn2 Sell Your Used Car "Such a deal!!!" Whether it's because you are ready for an auto upgrade or just tired of local parking challenges, there's a bit more to selling a car than just putting a flyer up on the nearest telephone pole. Once you have taken the time to establish your car's price, it's time to prep it for the market. This is not a matter of shining up a hunk of scraps to sell as a Formula 1 race car. If done correctly, you can get hundreds of dollars more for your time and energy than you would by simply dumping your car off at "Hal's Pals" used car lot. Take the role of a prospective buyer. Consider what factors would raise yelps if you were buying your car from you. Tighten up any rattling and try to fix anything that can be inexpensively repaired, giving special consideration to those things obvious to a buyer--such as a broken window or screeching brakes. Set a time frame Determine how much time you are willing to put into this sales effort. If you allow two weeks and you have received no offers during that time, either your price or your expectations need adjusting. However, if you say "Must sell, moving to Bali on Friday," be ready for some basement offers. Have a "last resort" option (i.e., store my car at Aunt Bev's) if that Friday comes and the car is still outside. Replace replaceables Remember that your car's appearance is important to a buyer. If you are seeking a good price for an expensive car, replace even minor items such as side mirrors and bumper strips--though an inexpensive paint job is likely to make the buyer skeptical. To aid worn seats, stop by a local auto supply store or large discount outlet for seat covers. Things to consider fixing or replacing: Cracked windshields Broken stereo Headlight or interior bulbs Cracked or torn upholstery Fuses Things to let pass: "Cover-up" paint job Minor dings or scratches Clean and shine it A good-looking car is perceived to run well, too. A wax and vacuum job can do wonders; also, clear out any old rags or tools that might lead the buyer to envision a fragile machine. Clean the windows and even deodorize the insides to free your car from the scent of antique apple cores and nervous puppies. Often before even getting into the car comes the infamous "look under the hood." Wipe up any oil or radiator spills with a damp cloth. If it's really messy in there, use a commercial degreaser available at any auto supply store. Depending on the kind of engine you have, you may need to first protect some components by covering them with plastic bags and tape. Check with the auto store to be sure. Keep in mind that too clean an engine might also be cause for suspicion. Advertise it First of all, put up a "For Sale" sign in your car's window with your phone number, especially if you're not in a great hurry. People who call will have already seen the car and still be interested, saving one possible step for the showing. When placing an ad in the classified section of your local paper, run a Friday-Sunday ad if the rate is high, as weekends are the peak buying period. In the ad, note the vehicle's type and year, condition, body style, price, and your phone number. Give a time to reach you in order to save time and missed opportunities. Here are some good items to mark--and their abbreviations: The number of doors (4dr) The number of cylinders (4cyl) Power features (Pwr win) Mileage (45k) The last can save you many sprints to the phone, since that's the first question most callers ask. But don't abbrv. 2 mch. because it's 2 diff. 2 rd. It may not be such a bad idea to cap desirables such as "1ST OWNER," "RELIABLE" or "CLEAN." Make sure and be honest about any statements you make. Also, it may be worth your while to mention big problems with the car in the ad; this will save time and wasted calls. Be sure to list your price. Otherwise, serious buyers will assume a high price and skip your ad and bargain hunters will call looking for a steal. Be prepared ("Hi, I'm calling about the...") When the caller calls, make a firm appointment--this will save you time in the long run. Remember to mention any major problems the buyer is going to see anyway; people will see them and assume you were trying to be sneaky. If your car's appearance doesn't do it mechanical justice, put it in the garage or around the corner so the buyer isn't scared off before learning the vehicle's good points. Decide how to deal with offers If you live with other people, leave an info sheet by the phone so they can tell something about the car and the times you'll be available for appointments. Realize most people will want to bargain; many will come in expecting to shave off five to ten percent. If you intend to be firm, say so in the ad. Take all offers seriously and if they are below your range, take the person's phone number and offer to call them if you change your mind. Once you agree on a price, take only cash or a cashier's check from a reputable bank. -end- Learn More!