FAQs
Getting your inventory listed on Craigslist is one of the most profitable ways to advertise your cars. It's proven that car buyers on Craigslist tend to convert much quicker than on any other classifieds. The conversion rate on Craigslist can be as high as 10%, and that's huge.
How to negotiate car price on Craigslist? ›
Doing so will help you prepare for the negotiation and may get you a lower price.
- Check the Kelley Blue Book Value. ...
- Research the Current Market. ...
- Set Your Price Range in Advance. ...
- Ask About Mechanical Issues and Maintenance Records. ...
- Use Cosmetic Issues To Bargain. ...
- Open With Your Starting Price. ...
- Make a Counter Offer.
Is it okay to put a VIN number on Craigslist? ›
You shouldn't include your VIN on any public listings or advertisem*nts, such as Craigslist, Autotrader or eBay. This can leave you especially vulnerable to the practice of VIN cloning (see more from Rig Dig here).
How to get the car you want for cheap? ›
Our 13 top tips for getting your next car for cheap:
- Save Up Your Money and Pay Cash.
- Get Pre-Approved for a Loan.
- Raise Your Credit Score.
- Buy a Car from the Prior Model Year.
- Buy an Unpopular Vehicle.
- Do Not Trade-In.
- Search Government Auctions.
- Consider a Lease.
What is the best place to sell your car? ›
5 Recommended Platforms for Car Selling
- Cars.com: Editor's Choice. Best for: Selling newer vehicles in good condition. ...
- Carvana: Most Seamless Process. ...
- Peddle: Good Choice for Older Vehicles. ...
- TrueCar: Good for Quick, Fixed-Price Offers. ...
- 5. Facebook Marketplace: Good for Private Local Sales.
Is it OK to haggle on Craigslist? ›
Rule 2 of how to negotiate on Craigslist is to get them on the phone. Haggling works best when both parties respect each other as people. Unfortunately, email makes it very easy to be perceived as just text on a screen, reducing your ability to connect and close deals.
How much should you try to negotiate on a used car? ›
Make a realistic offer, but one that's also bold enough to anchor the negotiation to a lower point. A savings of 5% or so below the market value (not the price they are asking) is a reasonable starting point for negotiations. Another way to look at it is to do about 15% to 25% below the maximum you're willing to pay.
How do I reduce a price on Craigslist? ›
This method is relatively simple: pitch a random distribution of offers 40%-50% lower than their listed price. If they want $100, for example, send three emails from different email addresses offering $50, $60, and $55. You then send a fourth offer (your real offer) from your actual email asking for, let's say, $70.
What is the best method of payment for Craigslist? ›
Use cash — safely
If you're dealing with a local, the most secure way to pay or collect funds for a Craigslist transaction is with cash. To keep it even more secure, you can make the exchange in a safe place like your local police station or even at Acclaim FCU.
Is it sketchy to give out your VIN number? ›
Is It Safe To Give A Stranger My Vehicle Identification Number? Yes! Because VIN data is not public record, providing your car's VIN to a potential buyer, whether online or in person, is completely safe. A VIN number can only be used to obtain general information about the service records and history of your vehicle.
Fortunately, sharing your VIN number is entirely safe and secure when selling a car privately. The VIN does not contain any personal information about you, the seller. In addition, most private buyers are reputable and trustworthy — so it shouldn't be a problem.
Should I ask private seller for VIN? ›
Get the VIN from the seller before you look at the car. Then run a free vehicle history report or pay for a more detailed report from a third-party company like Carfax or AutoCheck. Be aware of title issues: Make sure the title is in the name of the seller.
How many miles is too many for a used car? ›
A wary buyer should use as a general rule of thumb that most cars are driven 12,000-15,000 miles per year. If a vehicle is 10 years of age, it should have between 120,000 miles and 150,000 miles on the odometer.
What is the best time to buy a car? ›
Best time of month to buy a car
The final weeks of December are especially important to car dealers because it's also the end of the year. But dealers have quotas to meet at the end of every month all year long. The end of most months. Overall, the best time to buy a car is the last few days of any month.
How to afford a car if you are broke? ›
Start saving ASAP and consider using cash for the purchase
That's because the more you can pay up front in cash for that first car, the smaller your monthly payments will be. Don't use all your savings, though — remember you need a cushion for some emergencies or unexpected expenses that may come up!
What should I not do when selling on Craigslist? ›
Avoid adding any personal information in the posting, including your name, real phone number or real email address. Always use the generated email address on your Craigslist posts. This creates a random email address, so the poster doesn't have your real email on file.
Are Craigslist deals too good to be true? ›
Too-good-to-be-true prices: If a listing offers an item at a price significantly lower than its market value, proceed with caution. Scammers often use unbelievably low prices as bait.
How do I sell a car on Craigslist for free near me? ›
How To Sell a Car on Craigslist
- Estimate your car's value. ...
- Gather your car's paperwork. ...
- Write a detailed, clear ad and take good pictures. ...
- Meet potential buyers. ...
- Determine a price (but be prepared to negotiate) ...
- Create a bill of sale. ...
- Notify the DMV and your insurance company. ...
- Alternatives to selling a car on Craigslist.
How to write a car ad for Craigslist? ›
When writing your ad, include all relevant information about your car. This includes features, specifications, a list of modifications, and maintenance history. A comprehensive ad will give potential buyers all the information they need to decide.