We tried something we’d never before. Selling a car privately rather than a dealer who is handling your new vehicle.
Friends told us the best way was checking out AUTO TRADER, a huge organization that handles the sale of used cars. Mind, that’s not what those who sell call them. They are referred to as ‘Pre-used’ cars or other softer terms that make you feel better.
Rosanne took the bull by the horns by punching up AUTO TRADER on her laptop.
Up came the following information you’re given to get you started:
-- Take photos
-- Determine the Make/Model/ trim of your vehicle
-- Determine market price of your vehicle in your local area. (Try our pricing tool).
-- Check what options are installed on your vehicle.
-- Start placing the ad on Autotrader.
Phew. Done. Almost. Deciding what options we figured would include the radio. The (roof) sky light? Heated seated? Navigation system? Keyless entry…? I’m out of breath.
‘What about leather seats? A variety of tinted windows? Gone are the ash tray and cigarette lighter on the new version of the car.
Determining the price was somewhat off-putting, but between the two of us, we came up with a figure slightly higher than what we hoped for, giving us a little wriggle room.
A roll of the drums…we hit the ad sending it out there.
Neither of us had the slightest clue how many would be interested in Roe’s Toyota Camry. One? Three? Maybe.
Author’s comment: By the next morning there were 20 names listed one after the other. Twenty-four hours later we had 40 or more. Now to chose. What about the guy who wants to buy a nice used car for his mother? Or was it for his wife? What about…skip it. You get the idea.