by Ryan Foley

Created on: November 07, 2008

If you're in the north this box on wheels is getting rusted with the unforgiving cold and heavily salted roads in preparation for winter. The vehicle has lasted you a while but you know that it is now, time to trade up. By contrast in the south your car's body keeps peeling away because Mr. Sunshine really has a distaste for paint. We've all been there, we all face it, you have to shuffle off the old and bring in the new. The question is, how do you go about selling your used car and finding a potential buyer for it?

Luckily, with the very accessible internet today, you have quite a few options. This is the best way to reach folks. The newspaper classifieds are still a good source but more individuals are turning to the internet as a means for purchasing any products. Therefore, find an online classifieds and be sure to include a photograph. This is VERY important. Your chances of getting a hit are far greater than if you were to only include a basic vehicle description.

As aforementioned the newspaper is another alternative. Though not as effective as the internet, newspapers are still widely circulated across the country and many people still use print media as a means of finding auto deals. You can also tailor your advertisement to an Auto Traders magazine which you know in all cases, the readers are looking for automobiles. That would increase the likelihood of finding a buyer greatly.

You also have the option of going through a dealer. Your decision to go through a dealer should solely depend on what year your vehicle is. Dealerships' parent companies will take any trade-in but the value for them will decrease largely if the vehicle is more than five years old. Also, you must take into account what the car's condition is. Many will refer to Kelly Blue Book to find out their car's actual value. Though this is a great tool, it asks car owners to rate the condition of their car. THIS is where a flaw lies because more people will upgrade the condition of their car then not. If a vehicle has a flawless body and no mechanical problems but the inside has crumbs all over the floor, it is NOT in excellent condition. To be considered the highest rating it would virtually have to be untouched so, seller beware.

You've used one of these three exposures to gain a buyer and now are receiving phone calls about it. What price should you tag on there? You will NEVER make profit on a used vehicle (unless you work at a dealership). Therefore, the plan is to minimize your loss as efficiently as possible. How? It is actually okay to price your car a little on the high side and then depreciate the value accordingly during negotiation. However, do not put a price on it so outlandish that no one will even bother giving you a look. Then what? You're stuck with a vehicle in your driveway that has no tags taking up space. Therefore, put it at a price you deem fair yet able to make enough on a return investment.

Now that you have the tools to go and sell your used vehicle-Good luck and have fun!

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