So recently you’ve noticed that your ’82 Oldsmobile just doesn’t seem as hip as it was back in the day, and you’re ready for an upgrade. You’ve posted the ads and told your friends and family to spread the word, but what now? Do you just wait for an interested buyer to call you? Not quite. There are a few things you need to do before meeting with potential buyers in order to prepare for their questions and concerns. Do it right and your chances of selling quickly and at a price you’re satisfied with will be much higher. Let’s take a look.
Anticipate Questions
Nothing is worse than an unconfident salesman for closing sales. The last thing you want to happen when a potential buyer asks you a question is freeze and stumble for answers. Anticipate the questions you may be asked: What is the mileage on the car? Have there been any accidents requiring repair? Has it been regularly maintained? Are there certified airbags installed? Try to think what a person looking to buy your car would want to know about it, then find out the answers to these questions if you don’t already know them.
Get the First Impression Right
Before arranging an appointment for the viewing of your car, it is important to make sure your car looks presentable. Wash the exterior and clear out any personal belongings and garbage you have inside. Wipe down all the interior surfaces and vacuum the seats and floor mats. If you have any bumper stickers or personalized items attached to the car, it is probably best to remove them also. Also, if there are any scratches or bumps, get them touched up. The bottom line is you want your car to look as unused as possible. Many people already have reservations about buying a used car, so it is in your best interest to make your car look as much like it has never been driven as possible. No matter how well your driving habits are, if your car is not well-kempt, many buyers may not even consider looking into it further.
Make a For Sale Sign
Making a “for sale” sign will only take you a couple of minutes, and is one of the best ways to advertise that you are selling your car. What better way to sell something than to turn it into a mobile ad and let it sell itself? Whether you leave it on the side of a busy road or drive it, the fact that a car is mobile means that hundreds of people passing by will see that is for sale. Furthermore, people will be able to see the car in person right away, giving them a much better idea of what it’s like than an online ad for example.
Get Your Paperwork Ready
Selling a car isn’t as simple as getting the cash and handing the keys over. You will need forms from your local vehicle registry office in order to sign possession of the car over to the buyer. This is very important because the car would still be technically registered to you if you neglect to officially sign it over, meaning you could be held responsible for any crime or ticket that was actually the result of the new owner’s actions. You will also need the owner’s manuals, the service history and invoices, and whatever forms your local registry office may require you to fill out. It would be a good idea to have all of these papers ready so that you won’t be scrambling to hand the car over when you’ve finally made the sale.