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and trading, but you'll also have to go to the effort of putting the car in an advertisement, a small cost if you sell the car quickly, but cost and effort you won't have to go through if you trade in.

Now consider your personal schedule. If you live with your parents and your job is selling nick-knacks on Ebay, I'd say you've got more than enough time to accept calls and schedule appointments with people. If you work as a R.N at the local hospital and frequently on call, selling might not be for you, unless you're fortunate enough to find a night owl who absolutely can't live without your car.

Going back to safety, you should be careful on where to meet the person for the test drive. If you live with family in a relatively safe area, your home should probably a safe location. If you live alone, do not give your information. Meet the person in a safe area. Also keep in mind that if you do meet with a person at your home or in a neutral area and you don't feel comfortable with going on a test drive with that person, don't do so. Tell the person that circumstances have changed, apologize to them or the inconvenience and tell the car is not for sale. Don't ever go with someone you have feelings of apprehension about.

You need to decide if it's safe to allow the potential buyer to go on the test drive alone. No one wants their car to be stolen, but then no one wants to risk being alone with someone they don't know. If they leave some collateral, like their own car, and you feel safe, then you should be fine. If they refuse, then go with them or call of the deal. It's also a good idea to keep and eye on the car they leave behind so if an accomplice comes and takes that car you can call the police.

Never ever give the test driver more than the key to the car. The friend of a friend of mine once put his car up for sale, and then met with the buyer while he was at work. Since the seller was unable to take time off from work to go on the test drive, he gave the other person the keys to his car, along with the keys to his home and his work, which happened to be a bank. After the potential buyer never returned the seller had to report his car stolen, and then wait to have the locks re-keyed before he could go home. Fortunately he didn't loose his job.

The next potential problem is the unpredictable nature of when your car will sell. Do you have alternative back-up transportation if your car sells? You don't want to let no way of getting around keep you from making a good

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