+- MacResource (https://forums.macresource.com)
+-- Forum: My Category (https://forums.macresource.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=1)
+--- Forum: Tips and Deals (https://forums.macresource.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=3)
+--- Thread: Has anyone here sold a car via Craig's List? (/showthread.php?tid=192924)
Has anyone here sold a car via Craig's List? - JEBB - 07-16-2016
I'm considering selling my old car rather than trading it in. What was your experience? What are the pitfalls and scams to avoid? Thanks.
Re: Has anyone here sold a car via Craig's List? - DeusxMac - 07-16-2016
I did about 6 years ago. Other than where the "ad" appeared, it was no different than putting an ad in the classifieds of a newspaper or putting a sign in the car's window.
Re: Has anyone here sold a car via Craig's List? - Filliam H. Muffman - 07-16-2016
I bought my Integra on Craigs, but it was 7 years ago and it's only gotten worse.
Create a new email and maybe consider getting a burner phone to tie to the email. There are strategies, like saying put a special phrase on the subject line or you won't reply. Next is figure out how you want to get paid (like, 'we will go to your bank and have cashiers check printed') and maybe mention that also.
Re: Has anyone here sold a car via Craig's List? - testcase - 07-16-2016
You are likely to get calls from a "service" who has "buyers interested in your vehicle" and, for a fee, they'll help you sell your car to these "buyers". Of course, it's an out and out scam.
Do you have any local radio stations that offer "Swap~n~Shop" / "Buy and Sell" segments? I've bought and sold lots of items this way. You call in at the appropriate time (or send in a postcard). The DJ puts you on the air (or reads your postcard) and you give a quick description of what you want to sell as well as a contact number. Then, interested parties call you. I've also put up 3x5 cards at my local library and grocery stores where possible. These methods seem to turn up far fewer kooks.
Filliam's idea of a special phrase sounds solid. I'd also use a Google Voice phone number to help maintain privacy.
Re: Has anyone here sold a car via Craig's List? - Speedy - 07-16-2016
I've sold a vehicle on Craigslist and it was painless. I accepted only cash and required the buyer to accompany me to the DMV to do the transfer - all listed in the ad.
Re: Has anyone here sold a car via Craig's List? - mstudio - 07-16-2016
I sold a car 3 or 4 years ago–was not expensive, around $3000. I was flooded with emails so started setting up appointments. A guy was to come out in the morning but the evening before, someone showed up at the door and said he had cash and wanted the car. It was pitch black out so I was reluctant to go outside to show him the car. He said he didn't need to drive it, just wanted it. I asked him to leave and fortunately he did without incident. The other guy came in the morning, seemed OK, he was with his Dad. Paid cash, I gave him the signed title and Bill of Sale so he could drive home without plates.
I sold an old pick-up last year on CL. Again, bunch of replies, I went down the line to set up appointments. The first guy wanted to think about it, the second guy came a few hours later with cash. The first guy called back the next day and was pissed I sold it without calling him first.
I like the idea of asking people to change the subject line slightly so the scam-scale goes down a little.
Both of my vehicles where not much money so I just took cash and trusted them that it was not counterfeit. If it's a larger amount, I think the bank deal is good or meet at the police station to make the deal. Either way, I will only take cash with any CL transaction.
Good luck, don't be afraid to do it, just don't be careless.
Re: Has anyone here sold a car via Craig's List? - Dennis S - 07-16-2016
I was going to mention testcase's swap-n-shop idea. Check out stations in smaller towns. I send emails to the one here instead of calling.
Re: Has anyone here sold a car via Craig's List? - davester - 07-16-2016
Bought and sold, many times. Just make sure that the final exchange if not cash happens at the buyer's bank, with the cashier's check being clearly handed over by the bank. There are many fake cashier's checks and money orders floating around out there so you need to go to the source.
Re: Has anyone here sold a car via Craig's List? - modelamac - 07-16-2016
Sold a 1996 S-10 P/U and a 2000 Ventura short van on Craigslist. Very good experience both times. Sold them to the second visitor each time at very close to asking price.
You need very thorough description of the vehicle, work done, what it will need. Take very good clear close-up pictures of any problems as well as the good stuff. With good info, no potential buyer will be surprised, and all that want to see it are serious.
Research your price carefully, realizing that what you see on the market is more than the atoll selling price.
Show it on your terms or not at all.
I did have some con artists visit me as a group and they tried very hard to buy it. I would not budge on principle for these guys, but they responded to a different ad.
JEBB wrote:
I'm considering selling my old car rather than trading it in. What was your experience? What are the pitfalls and scams to avoid? Thanks.
Re: Has anyone here sold a car via Craig's List? - lost in space - 07-16-2016
Bought and sold several too. No more problems than a newpaper ad.
If the Carfax report is clean, consider posting a screenshot of it. Perhaps the VIN too, in case someone wants to check.. Some would say not the VIN, but I don't understand what the problem would be.
Good pictures will help sell it. I always post the mileage. If I'm looking to buy and the mileage isn't shown, I move on. Get the car as clean as you can, but don't go overboard with the tire and dashboard goop.