# First Time Seller **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [January 31, 2010, 11:06am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/first-time-seller/78784 "2010-01-31T11:06:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![cnenf](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/cnenf/32/5252_2.png) [@cnenf](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/cnenf)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2010, 11:06am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/first-time-seller/78784/1 "2010-01-31T11:06:19Z")
Hey guys, just wondering if you have any tip or tricks for someone who hasn’t done a private party car sale before. Best places to advertise? ---
**Author:** ![Karter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e480ec/32.png) [@Karter](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Karter)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2010, 11:09am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/first-time-seller/78784/2 "2010-01-31T11:09:47Z")
here, craigslist for a local sale. Dont take anything that isnt cash in person, dont take payments, and dont hand the title over until you are paid. Best case scenerio, is the cars still on the road, so you can meet in a public parkinglot, public protects both partys better. ---
**Author:** ![deebo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/deebo/32/5218_2.png) [@deebo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/deebo)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2010, 11:33am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/first-time-seller/78784/3 "2010-01-31T11:33:47Z")
Yea, always have someone with you when you sell it unless you are a friend in a public place. Don’t allow joyrides unless you’re in the car, and if you have cash in hand for it Try craigslist, if it doesnt sell in a few weeks, try autotrader. On craigslist if there are a lot of listings for a similar car as yours, you will have to make a new listing like once every two weeks > [@truDriver"](#): > > We are all saddened by the recent loss of Haroon Khan who was murdered on Wednesday, October 1, 2008 by suspects who posed as buyers for his Evo that he was selling. My deepest sympathies and prayers go out to Haroon’s family, friends, and loved ones. It is good to see all of the support of [evolution.net](http://evolution.net) members, on the loss of a fellow Evo owner. Haroon, please rest in peace. > > Haroon’s story can be found here ([http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=802636](http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=802636)) as posted earlier by member lizzys6/4 in this thread ([Evo owner killed trying to sell his car. - EvolutionM - Mitsubishi Lancer and Lancer Evolution Community](http://forums.evolutionm.net/showthread.php?t=373655)). > > Haroon’s story strikes a special chord with me because I was recently (August 2008) carjacked at knife point when I was trying to sell my Evo. Luckily, my Evo was returned unharmed, and I only received scratches and bruises during the carjacking, however, my situation could have been avoided if several precautions were taken. > > If you, a friend, or family members are ever meeting another person(s) to sell your car or car parts, please take these safety precautions: > > 1. Never meet the buyer alone. Always take one or more person(s), that you know and trust, to go with you to meet the buyer. It doesn’t matter if you are taking them for a test drive or not. > > 2. Always let family members, and/or friends know about your appointment to meet potential buyers, let them know when you are going, and when you plan on returning. > > 3. Meet the buyer at a well-populated and safe location, where many people can witness and help if something goes wrong. One example is a large shopping mall parking lot. Also, try to maintain a path on your test drive that is in a well-populated area. > > 4. DO NOT meet the buyer at your home or residence. Often, if someone is intending to steal from you, they will try to find your residence to come back and steal whatever vehicle or part you are showing to them. They also may return to your residence later just to rob your home. > > 5. Ask for a copy of their driver’s license, valid phone number, and proof of car insurance, and the license plate tag. (My attackers called from an unlisted number and gave me very generic names.) > > 6. Make sure that they buyer is not carrying a concealed weapon if you take them for a test drive. If the buyer is trying to hide a weapon from you, this will at least let them know that you are watching to see if they might be stashing a weapon somewhere. > > 7. If you are taking a test drive, do not stop along the drive to let the buyer look at the car, or for any other reason. > > 8. Only meet a buyer when during the daytime and not when it is dark outside and if you get the feeling at all that your buyer is suspicious, cancel the meeting with them. > > 9. Be very aware of any personal information you post on a website to sell you car, such as [autotrader.com](http://autotrader.com), [cars.com](http://cars.com), [craiglist.org](http://craiglist.org), or any automotive forums. It is true that you need to post contact information to sell you car or part, but too much information can make you a target to predators that surf these websites just to steal from other people. > > 10. Try to keep personal protection, like pepper spray, on you at all times and in a separate location from your car keys, and also keep your house keys separate from your car keys. > > Below is a list of mistakes that I made when selling my car, which you should avoid to make yourself less of a target to carjackers and/or thieves: > > 1. Though my family knew I was meeting a buyer for a test drive, I went to meet the buyer alone. This was by far my biggest mistake. > > 2. My attackers called me from an unlisted number and told me that it was a military phone with an unlisted number for security. Do not agree to meet the buyer unless they call you from a valid and listed phone number. No excuse from the buyer is acceptable. > > 3. I met the buyer at my apartment parking lot. I happened to be moving within the next two days, but this was still a big mistake, because they could have come back to steal more items from me, or do more harm to me. > > 4. I did not make sure that we drove through well-populated areas on the test drive. This was exactly what my attackers were hoping for. > > 5. I did not ask for proof of identification, and they both gave me very generic first names only. I did not record the license plate tag of the car the buyer came in, and I agreed to meet them, even though they called from an unlisted phone number. > > 6. I did not specifically look at the buyer and his friend to see if they had any concealed weapons, and I did not ASK THEM either. > > 7. I did stop along the test drive, in an area with very few people to let the buyer look at the car. After I got back in the front passenger seat, I was attacked. Luckily, a family drove by the location where I was being carjacked came toward the end of the carjacking, and scared my attackers away. > > 8. I was suspicious of the buyers friend, but I did not cancel the test drive. I should have acted on my gut feeling > > 9. I had no personal protection - like pepper spray - on me. If your state allows you to carry pepper spray, do so, and keep it separate from your car keys so that you can use it if someone takes your car keys. ---
**Author:** ![deebo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/deebo/32/5218_2.png) [@deebo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/deebo)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2010, 11:34am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/first-time-seller/78784/4 "2010-01-31T11:34:45Z")
this last part should be stickied in the classifieds^^ ---
**Author:** ![cougarspeed](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/cougarspeed/32/7468_2.png) [@cougarspeed](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/cougarspeed)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2010, 11:44am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/first-time-seller/78784/5 "2010-01-31T11:44:45Z")
I have always been able to sell my cars for a great price and here are a few of my tips. 1. Detail the car so it looks PERFECT then get a photographer friend to take some amazing pictures of it. 2. Make a easy to read FS ad and include all modification and maintenance history. 3. Make sure to fix and cheap and easy things wrong with the car. There is no sense in losing money or a sale over something you just don’t feel like fixing. ---
**Author:** ![DougFresh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/eada6e/32.png) [@DougFresh](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/DougFresh)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2010, 12:07pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/first-time-seller/78784/6 "2010-01-31T12:07:19Z")
Try to get the car parked on a well traveled road. I have had success talking to small business owners and giving them 20 bucks for a space for a week or so. Maybe you know someone or shop at a place like this. I have a few locations and could probably help out. ---
**Author:** ![Spam16v](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/spam16v/32/5287_2.png) [@Spam16v](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Spam16v)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2010, 1:13pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/first-time-seller/78784/7 "2010-01-31T13:13:15Z")
when using craigslist, expect to be offered some odd things in trade in addition to multiple tries to scam you from a third world country. be aware… ---
**Author:** ![theblue](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/theblue/32/5074_2.png) [@theblue](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/theblue)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 9:28am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/first-time-seller/78784/8 "2010-02-01T09:28:05Z")
forums and craigslist are good for wasting time, but I find autotrader sells cars best. ---
**Author:** ![cougarspeed](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/cougarspeed/32/7468_2.png) [@cougarspeed](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/cougarspeed)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 9:31am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/first-time-seller/78784/9 "2010-02-01T09:31:38Z")
> [@theblue](#): > > forums and craigslist are good for wasting time, but I find autotrader sells cars best. +1 I have gotten plenty of “interest” on forums but my last three cars sold from autotrader. ---
**Author:** ![Justin](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/justin/32/7459_2.png) [@Justin](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Justin)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 10:18am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/first-time-seller/78784/10 "2010-02-01T10:18:56Z")
eBay. I have sold 4 cars through eBay. You will never meet a larger market to show your car. What kind of car are we talking here? If it is that 328i, I would go eBay for sure. Craigslist has worked for me in the past too, and is getting much more popular. A proper ad with many pictures is going to make or break what you will get for the car too. Presentation is everything. Take time to type up an ad in word, or notepad, or something along those lines a day or two ahead, have someone proof-read it and be as detailed but professional as possible. Don’t USE ALL CAPS EVER. It looks like you are yelling and that a 2 year old wrote it. Use proper sentience structure for your description, and break down the features in bullets, not in a long hard to read list. my .02 ---
**Author:** ![Carbonfiberhooded](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/carbonfiberhooded/32/7608_2.png) [@Carbonfiberhooded](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Carbonfiberhooded)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 10:28am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/first-time-seller/78784/11 "2010-02-01T10:28:06Z")
If someone pays in cash, no matter if they are a friend or not, and if it’s $100 or $1000, count it in front of them. It seems like common sense, but I bought a parts car a couple years back, gave the cash to the kid and 20 minutes later he called me saying I shorted him. I am 100% sure I didn’t but since I knew better than to just fork over a wad of bills without having him confirm the amount but forgot this time, I made a u-turn and dropped him the $20. Could of saved myself 40 minutes of drive time and $20, if I would of just had him or myself count it out to him. ---
**Author:** ![cnenf](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/cnenf/32/5252_2.png) [@cnenf](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/cnenf)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 10:28am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/first-time-seller/78784/12 "2010-02-01T10:28:28Z")
Hey guys thanks for all the info, it helps. Its a 2001 Corolla so its nothing special enough for an out of towner to come buy. (My new car is a 2007 328i 🙂 Its probably great for a college kid or a winter beater but that’s about it. ---
**Author:** ![cnenf](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/cnenf/32/5252_2.png) [@cnenf](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/cnenf)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 1:18pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/first-time-seller/78784/13 "2010-02-03T13:18:22Z")
Do you guys usually get close to private party blue book? I set my asking price to $6,500 and the private party blue book value is $6,300. The first offer I got was just $5,500 so I turned it down. ---
**Author:** ![livin4hockey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d2c977/32.png) [@livin4hockey](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/livin4hockey)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 1:26pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/first-time-seller/78784/14 "2010-02-03T13:26:18Z")
I would check [edmunds.com](http://edmunds.com) to see what kind of value they give your car and compare it to kbb. $5500 seems like a really good first offer for an '01 Corolla. Did you counter-offer? If that buyer could meet you at $6k, that would be awesome, but even $5700 would be good. Depends on the car, but for your average DD, I don’t think many come close to getting blue book value. ---
**Author:** ![DougFresh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/eada6e/32.png) [@DougFresh](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/DougFresh)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 1:26pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/first-time-seller/78784/15 "2010-02-03T13:26:22Z")
shoulda counter offered like 6300 he goes to 6 and deal ---
**Author:** ![cnenf](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/cnenf/32/5252_2.png) [@cnenf](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/cnenf)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 3:12pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/first-time-seller/78784/16 "2010-02-03T15:12:49Z")
Well he started at $4,800 and eventually moved up to $5,500. (KBB lists trade-in value at $4,700) I have another guy coming to see it on Friday so I’ll see where that goes. I am in no huge rush to sell so I’d like to hold out for something around $6k. The car has been really babied, no rust, 58k miles, everything works so I don’t think KBB value is unreasonable. Edmunds shows $6,100. ---
**Author:** ![theblue](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/theblue/32/5074_2.png) [@theblue](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/theblue)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 3:15pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/first-time-seller/78784/17 "2010-02-03T15:15:52Z")
where are all these people finding you from? and I would say that most people get somewhere between trade in and private retail, all the factors about the car that make it desirable will determine where in that range. ---
**Author:** ![cnenf](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/cnenf/32/5252_2.png) [@cnenf](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/cnenf)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2010, 11:08am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/first-time-seller/78784/18 "2010-02-06T11:08:35Z")
I originally posted an ad on craigslist. I just put another on eBay… So what should I do if someone wants to take the car to a mechanic for an inspection? I am not too keen on the idea of letting someone take possession of the car long enough for an appointment. ---
**Author:** ![livin4hockey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d2c977/32.png) [@livin4hockey](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/livin4hockey)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2010, 11:35am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/first-time-seller/78784/19 "2010-02-06T11:35:28Z")
Go with them to the shop if they want their mechanic to look it over. Does it have a recent inspection? If so, you could use that for your argument against taking it anywhere if it’s too much of an inconvenience to you. Also, do you have some or all maintenance receipts? Those would also help put the buyer’s mind at ease.