The quarantine has led some of us to unload of the things that matter less to us. It may be an old appliance, jewelry, or your car.
When it comes time to selling a car, most owners would want to maximize in getting the most money possible out of the sale. Unfortunately, cost isn’t the only concern you should have when preparing for a sale. As scammers become more advanced, it’s easy to find yourself in a complicated situation. Keeping yourself safe when selling your car is simple with these important tips, so you can execute a safe transaction and maximize your sale.
Meet the buyer in a public place
Unless you personally know the interested party, always meet the buyer in a public place where it is well-lit and populated. Gasoline Station parking lots areideal places with wide open spaces and surveillance cameras. This will decrease chances of carnapping. It will also scare off scammers. Never have a buyer come to your house.
Do proper documentation
Arrange your car papers neatly in a folder and do a sale with proper documentation. Ask for two copies of Identification Cards from the buyer and do a proper deed of sale with all the details stated before any signatures are done. Keep copies of these papers after the sale.
Do payments inside the bank` ways to ensure you get what you’re owed. Call the bank to verify the funds before handing over the keys and papers. Or better yet, tell the buyer that you’ll deposit the check and then complete the transaction only when the check has cleared.
Be extra careful of test drives
It’s understandable and expected that a potential buyer will ask for a test drive before purchasing your vehicle. However, this gives the opportunistic criminal the perfect way to steal your car. Always have an aide with you, and be sure to go along for the test drive. Make sure to request for a copy of the buyer’s driver’s license before the test. You can always take a picture of the DL and send it to your significant one before testing.
Know your car’s worth
Haggling is the name of the game selling /buying a car. If you haven’t researched on the market value of your vehicle, you will be susceptible to scammers telling boldfaced lies that your car’s market value is much lower than you think it is. They can even set up a situation where they bring a mechanic with them to check out the car. This mechanic may then try to enumerate faults in the cartell you numerous issues. The scammer will then convince you that the market value isn’t worth as much as you expected. Avoid this by researching on the different market places in Social Media. Getting a trusted mechanic to check your car’s condition will also help.
Engage in a negotiation with knowledge of what your car is worth and don’t buckle against their claims to the contrary.
Approach Car Clubs
Car Clubs are there for a big reason. Knowledge sharing is one. Channel concerns through the club and ask questions from members. Car Clubs are also a good way of increasing your pool of quality buyers.
Maximize the sale of your car without the risk of getting scammed. Keep these tips in mind and keep yourself safe to make the most out of the experience.