Car salesperson I am not

[judecorp]

I am really concerned that I won't be able to sell my car. I mean, I've never sold a car, so I don't know how to do it. When do I list it? If I list it now, what do I drive after someone buys it? What if no one buys it? Then what do I do with it? I am totally freaking out about this.

I was thinking at first that if it didn't sell by the time I left, that I would sign it over to Steve and let him sell it for me. But where would he put it? And would I have to keep it registered/insured to me? I am so confused. Did I mention that I've never sold a car before?

I am at a total loss. I am so stressed out about this and don't know what to do. Suggestions?

Comments

[michael622.livejournal.com]

Try this?

http://www.chron.com/content/chronicle/business/97/06/09/carsell.html

I only skimmed it, so I don't know how helpful it will be to you guys ... I hope it's at least marginally helpful!

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

You could just take it to a dealership and see what they will give you for it. It would be out of your hair, but you'd get less money.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Yeah. If I can't sell it to someone we have two choices: sell it to a dealer for peanuts (probably $2000 or less), or drive it to MA. Personally, I think I'd take it with me before giving it away to someone.

[00solstice.livejournal.com]

But where would he put it?

On the street, in front of my house, where everybody else puts their cars.

In Ohio, you can reduce insurance coverage to "comprehensive only" if the vehicle is not being driven. I should know, it only cost me $9 to insure the microbus from 10/2003 through 04/2004. However, test-driving the car could then become a sticky issue.

But if you're shipping your stuff via ABF then you could take Gargamel with you and sell it there, right?

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

We had to cancel our ABF reservation because they have this ridiculous policy where they won't leave an unmanned truck in the Boston area, so the driver has to stay while you unload it. Which isn't a big deal, except a) it has to be during business hours (when people are working and unable to help) and b) you get an hour of the driver's time for free, and it's then $27 for each additional 15 minutes.

So it ended up being a huger pain in the ass than it was worth.

(For test driving, wouldn't the test driver need to have his/her own liability?)

[happy2beso.livejournal.com]

ebay!

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Have you ever sold a car on eBay? I checked out eBay Motors but I'm not sure I would get decent money.

The world of eBay is a maze to me.

[00solstice.livejournal.com]

No, but I've almost bought cars, several times.

You can set the starting bid and reserve price... even add a "buy it now" option with your desired sale price.

Try it!!

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

How much does eBay take as commission?

[00solstice.livejournal.com]

I think it's a set fee that you pay upfront. I don't know for certain, as I've never sold anything.

[kieron.livejournal.com]

There is an insertion fee - a percentage of what you start the bidding at - I think its like 1.1 %.

Then there is a final value fee - a percentage of what you sell it at.

I tend to go in thinking that I will lose 5 - 8 % right off the top from ebay and then another 3% of net through pay pal.

It may be different for ebay motors, but I doubt it.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Do you think we should try it?

[kieron.livejournal.com]

We can consider it....they last a week....so we can try what we have already and then do it the following week if necessary....

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Good idea. You are so smart.

[volumeat11.livejournal.com]

No stress. Try the link listed up top. If you need more sites to check, www.kbb.com & www.edmunds.com have a lot of good info on selling cars -- especially edmunds.

If you're looking to be HERE by June 1, and today's May 12, I'D GET A MOVE-ON TO SELL THAT PUPPY SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.

That is all. Time for work and stats exam.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Well, I checked KBB and Edmunds last month or so, when I was trying to figure out what is a "good price."

I'm not entirely dogging here - I posted a general interest thing on LiveJournal and have gotten a few responses, but no one wanting to look. This morning, after talking to our intern (who is very smart!), I submitted a classified ad in The Lantern, which is the OSU newspaper. Hopefully something will come of that, since I think it's a good "college student" car (especially at OSU where things get beaten up). I have been asking around at work - some of my coworkers have teenagers who drive.

I'm looking into the cost of a classified ad in the Columbus Dispatch versus a listing on Auto Trader or autobytel.com... I guess I'm just nervous that nothing will come of it.

If we get desperate for cash, we can always go sell it to a dealer and get very little money. But that would get it out of our hair. Worst case is we shlep the thing to Boston and have two cars for a while. I can live with that. It's just another one of those "pain in the ass" moments.

[volumeat11.livejournal.com]

Oh. So, what you're saying is, you still rock.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

No, you.

[communista.livejournal.com]

I really, really wish that I had the money to buy it from you right now. With the wedding in 5 weeks I couldn't promise you that I'd have it :(

I'll ask around though, can you describe the car again? And how much are you wanting for it?

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

1998 Nissan Sentra XE, automatic, 69K miles, a/c, cd/radio with removable faceplate, dual airbags, never been in an accident, runs really well. :) $4000/obo

[mayna.livejournal.com]

Yeah we've got our Nissan Maxima to sell so we can buy a minivan... I think we'd get more money selling it private party, bill's not sure he wants to live with only 1 car until we buy the minivan though. :-/

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

I'll send good car-selling vibes to you!

[kieron.livejournal.com]

If you give me the car specs again, Trica said she would post it on her church board - apparently things sell quickly there and like 3000 people see it....

She said the Washer and Dryer would sell quick there as well....so those specs too if you remember them off hand...and what you want for money for each. She is putting the bureaus up if Peas and Sarah don't want it....Brandie emailed me and said she didn't have the cash for the furniture.

I also mentioned the car and w/d to etienne and other people here. He will see if he knows anyone who wants them....his sister may want the w/d.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the help. Hopefully between the two of us we know enough people to get something moving! :)