Selling Your Car Yourself

Selling your car yourself? The fastest way to cash in on your used car is to take it down to Quick Cash Auto and get your money in as little as 20 minutes. But, if you'd like to tackle the process yourself, here are some steps to keep in mind:

• Get an accurate Galves Book figure: What you'll be able to charge for your car is based largely on its "Galves" value. You can be sure your potential buyers will come armed with that information. When you look up the Galves Book value, make sure all your data is correct - mileage, specific feature package and precise physical condition can all make a big impact on the car's Galves value.

• Advertise Smart: Listing your car in the local want ads will be costly, so make sure you do your homework first. Determine which newspapers reach the people most likely to want your particular car. Compare the rates of daily newspapers and shoppers. And make sure to find out which days the paper runs its special auto issues.

• Gather Your Records: Most buyers will want to see documentation that the car has received regular maintenance. If you've had recent repairs, be sure you can provide documentation of that as well.

• Plan Your Schedule: People will need to know when they can reach you by phone, so make sure you set the time aside. And interested buyers will need to inspect and test-drive the vehicle, so leave some mornings and afternoons free to be show the car. It's a good idea to check to see if your insurance covers accidents that may occur during the test drive.

• Pick Your Payment Terms: Decide in advance what form of payment you'll accept. Taking personal checks or even cashier's checks can be risky, but insisting on cash payments can limit your pool of potential buyers.

• No Take-Backs: Of course, once the car's sold, you want it to stay sold. To keep from having to refund some or the entire purchase price, consider allowing potential buyers to have the car professionally inspected before the sale. It's always prudent to take a look at state and local regulations regarding the sale of used automobiles.

All in all, you should plan for the sales process to take one to two months, depending on how much you're expecting to get for the car and the demographics of your specific community. If you'd like the money sooner, don't have the time to invest, or would like to avoid some the risks involved, Quick Cash Auto is always a quick and reliable option.

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