The time has come to sell my car and, because I am moving out of the country to go to school, I will not need a replacement. Since I am not trading it in, I'm told the best bet is to try to sell it myself through the classified ads in my local paper and to put a free add on the web. Any suggestions?
First, find out what your car is worth.
This is the point at which many sellers get off on the wrong foot, commonly by placing an unrealistic value on the vehicle. While you may think it is special, and can overlook a few small problems, to the eye of a buyer it may be something else.
Look at the places where you are going to advertise to see what similar vehicles are selling for. The auto section and web are great for browsing for used cars. You'll have an idea of the approximate price range after the first half dozen or so listings you look at.
Before placing your ad, determine the car's condition. Don't say "excellent," for example, if it is not in new-car condition needing absolutely nothing done to it. "Very good" would indicate everything works as it should and there are no serious scratches, dents, tears or stains, and "good" - which describes the vast majority of used vehicles on the market - means it's been driven 20,000 km a year, maintained according to factory schedules and shows normal wear and tear.
Next, make sure it is clean inside and out - not just a quick once-over, but seriously cleaned. A couple of hours and some elbow grease spent here is a wise investment.
Once you have placed the ad, make sure you are available to answer the phone and be prepared to barter. If a test drive is suggested, accompany the potential buyer.
Accept that buyers may want to get an independent assessment. If you sense they are serious, offer to drive the vehicle there yourself and make sure the buyer is paying.
Lastly, make sure the method of payment is solid - a bank transfer, certified cheque, money order, etc.