Selling your car is easier if you know how and where to present it to potential buyers. Parking it on your front lawn with a 'for sale' sign attached may be effective in some neighborhoods, but you'll have a much better chance of selling it if you get the word out in a big way. Image is an important consideration in any sales transaction. Be prepared to present your car in the best possible light while maintaining your integrity.
Step 1
Clean your car. Don't take for granted that the buyer will recognize its potential under the piles of fast food bags, water bottles and gas receipts. That layer of dust on your dashboard may seem fine to you, but a buyer wants to believe that your car has been lovingly cared for. Cleanliness is an outward indication that you also perform the scheduled oil changes and other routine maintenance every car requires.
Step 2
Take several pictures of your clean car with a digital camera. Make sure you have good lighting so that the color is obvious, both of the exterior and the interior. When you visit a new car Website, you can see all areas of the cars they are selling. Give your potential buyers the same courtesy. Take pictures from several different angles, both inside and out.
Step 3
Research your car's value before you begin to advertise. A price that is too high will be a waste of your time and a price that is too low will cost you money. You can find car values online at Kelly Blue Book, Edmunds, NADA, and Autoworld. Take a look at each of the sites and get an average price for a private sale of your car. Your car's mileage and condition will affect its overall value.
Step 4
Make a list of your car's attributes including year, make, model, total mileage, typical gas mileage, as well as any improvements you've made. Upgrading your car's stereo system or adding a DVD player are items worth mentioning in your advertisements. Write an ad for your car from the attributes list you made in step 3. Be concise and clear, highlighting the pertinent points like mileage and the sales price. People scan ads, so make your good points stand out enough to make them stop and read your entire ad.
Step 5
List your car for sale in your local paper. Place the ad on eBay, Craigslist and Websites like Cars.com to reach the widest audience of potential buyers possible. Upload as many pictures as they will allow, showcasing your car's interior as well as its exterior.
Step 6
Park your car in a busy parking lot with a detailed "For Sale" sign placed prominently in the back and both side windows.
Skill: Easy
Tip: Keep your car clean while it's available for sale.
Warning: Make sure your buyer's check clears before you give him the title to your car.
Keyword: how selling sell a car
