By: Jennifer John
If you’re looking to buy a used car, Craigslist offers many options. You can limit your search to cars within a certain radius from your ZIP code, and even specify the maximum and minimum price that you’re willing to pay. You can also narrow your search by make and model, odometer mileage, condition, and transmission type. Here are a few tips to make the buying experience as pleasant as possible.
Posting a car on Craigslist
To post a car on Craigslist by owner, you will need an eBay account. Once you have signed up, you will need to create a post describing the car. Make sure the description is detailed and includes enough pictures to capture a potential buyer’s attention. Make sure to include the VIN number for the car, too. If you do not include this, people may not contact you, and they may not take the time to review the car’s description.
Before posting a car on Craigslist, check the price of the car on the Kelley Blue Book or another reputable site. Be honest about the car’s shortcomings, as the buyer may not be aware of them. If it has a problem, knock a few bucks off the price – it’s better to sell a car than keep it for a month and worry about how much it will cost in repairs.
Avoiding scammers
Despite the local feel of Craigslist, the site is also filled with scammers who will sell you a junk or non-existent car. Since Henry Ford first opened his doors, consumers have been ripped off by unethical auto transactions. Business Insider recently spoke to consumer protection attorney Donald E. Petersen to find out how to avoid scammers on Craigslist. He explained that scams on Craigslist range from sophisticated criminal efforts to rip you off to simple ghosting.
To avoid falling prey to Craigslist car scammers, be wary of those who ask you for overpayment. They usually ask for more than the agreed price, or ask you to send a check instead. Even if you send them a check, they might try to rip you off. Then they ask you to return the overpayment. These scammers are extremely skilled at getting your trust.
Getting a fair price
If you’re planning to buy a car off Craigslist, make sure to ask the right questions first. Most sellers will list their car for a price that is way above what they expect to get. Buyers rarely agree to this price, so it is best to negotiate a lower price. Luckily, you have plenty of options available to you. In this article, we’ll outline some of the best ways to negotiate a good price on Craigslist.
When it comes to pricing your car, it’s best to start low and be prepared to accept a lower price than the one you had originally listed. While you might be tempted to accept an offer of a few hundred dollars less than the listing price, you shouldn’t agree to such a low price before seeing the car. Instead, you should determine the lowest offer you’ll accept before you show it to the buyer. Do not accept an offer immediately – consider improving it. Then, be sure to draft a bill of sale for your sale.
Finding a good seller
You’ll have plenty of questions, so be prepared to respond quickly. If your listing does not attract any interest, you should repost it. Make sure you include all of the ad’s important details, including photos and ad copy. You can also specify a cell phone number if you have one. Then, you can be available whenever interested buyers reach out to you.
Don’t be afraid to disclose any known problems with your vehicle. It’s illegal to hide the existence of any problems, so be honest. Check the car’s condition at valuation guides and Craigslist to make sure it’s worth the price. It’s best to buy from a seller who lives near you, which reduces the risk of being scammed. If you’re unsure about the condition of the car, look for ads with pictures.
