How to Sell Your Vehicle Quickly on Craigslist.com

Craigslist is the #1 site for Classified Ads

A lot of us have tried to buy or sell something on Craigslist.com. And many of us have tried to sell a vehicle on Craigslist with little or no success. So what separates those who sell their vehicles quickly from everyone else. As a person that sells vehicles on Craigslist all the time, there are a lot of tips that I can give others to ensure quick sells.

Things You'll Need

• Digital Camera

Instructions

1. Title:

   Your title is the first thing a user sees, or doesn't see, when scrolling through the ads on Craigslist.com. Try and make your ad stand out by using capital letters or symbols. Also mention any vehicle highlights, like rims.

   For example, your selling a 1988 Ford Escort.
   Good title: Ford Escort &&&&&& Great on Gas &&&& Rims!
   Bad title: 1988 Ford Escort

   Also if there are any negatives to the vehicle, such as it being a 1988, don't mention that in the title, put that in your ad body. This gives potential buyers a chance to check out the positives, such as the way the vehicle looks in the pictures, before they are reminded of the negatives.

2. 

   Photos:

   Good photos are probably the most important thing. It is important to have large, clear photos that show every side of the vehicle and the interior.

   A good angle for the exterior that I always try to use is a 1/4 shot of the left front.

   Taking your photos when there is a fair amount of sunshine will help the pictures come out clearer. Never take photos at night, or at dawn. Also avoid taking photos once a car has been rained on, it destroys people's perception of the car. The rain itself is distracting and depressing, and will give users a negative feeling when looking at the photo.

   If conditions are not perfect and you need to take pictures anyway, go ahead and take them, but try to retake them when conditions are more favorable.

3. Phone Number:

   For some reason people are shy about putting their phone numbers on their ads. But for a serious buyer who is really trying to contact you regarding your car, email is too slow.

   You want someone to be able to pick up the phone right then and there. Once someone steps away from your ad because there is no phone number, they are on to the next ad. While waiting for your email response, there on their way to see a car from a seller who did leave their phone number.

   I always put my phone number and have never had any problems.

   It is not necessary to list your name if you're uncomfortable, I never do.

4. Price:

   Your pricing strategy should reflect the market. If you have a 1995 Honda Civic and similar cars on Craigslist range from $1600 to $3500, and you ask for $3600, you probably aren't going to receive any calls.

   It is smart to have your vehicle as the lowest priced car. Unless the lowest priced car, say has damage or high miles or no photos in the ad. Then you may go above that price.

   Also your price should not reflect what you owe on the car. Just because you owe $4,500.00 on your car loan, doesn't mean that someone is going to pay that price for your car.

   Your price should also not reflect any extras you have put into it. Buyers will not pay more for a car just because it has a nice music system or speakers, that is not generally important to a buyer. Buyers also don't care about rims, it is nice if they're there but they will not pay a lot more for your car versus one without rims. If you are fretting because you have spent a lot of money on rims and music, then take them off and sell them separately.

5. Negotiations

   Be willing to negotiate. Buyers, on average, will negotiate about $300.00 off. So if you need $1500, and asking for $1800 will still garner interest in your vehicle, ask for the $1800 and let them negotiate down.

6. Don't be firm:

   Don't tell buyers that the price is firm, it discourages people from calling and it doesn't give you a chance to change your mind. Usually when they call, they will ask if you will take less, you can tell them then that your price is firm.

7. Don't Lie or Exaggerate:

   Don't tell buyers the interior is immaculate, if there is a slight rip in the seat and the carpet is a little dirty. Instead say 'good interior.'

   Don't say the body is perfect when there is a slight ding. Say 'good body.'

8. Don't Highlight the Negatives:

   If your pictures show that your car is sunfaded, there is no reason to put that in the body of your ad.

   Don't call your car a 'beater,' a potential buyer may like it, unless they would of until you told them it was a 'beater.'

9. Make them come to you:

   I have never once sold a vehicle that I brought to someone to see. It changes the power dynamics when you bring a vehicle to them. It also waists your time, gas, and money. If asked to drive a vehicle to a potential buyer, tell them politely that you don't do that or make up an excuse like you must stay home to take care of a sick child.

   However, if they want to met you somewhere close by, and it's not out of your way then go ahead.

10. If You Don't Have the Time or Programming Know-How:

    If you don't have the time or know-how to post effectively you might turn to a posting service like PostShark.com. They know how to get around Craigslist restrictions in order to include more and larger photos on your Craigslist ad (other than the standard 4-small pics that Craigslist limits you to) which will help you create more interest and sell your vehicle faster.

Tips & Warnings

• Be polite on the phone. Treat all potential buyers with patience and consideration.

• Be knowledgable about your vehicle. Don't allow someone to talk down your vehicle by insisting something is wrong that is not wrong.

• If you are a woman, tell anyone who calls that your husband will be the one to show them the vehicle (even if you don't have a husband). You want to discourage any men who might be coming to take advantage of you. When your buyers arrive tell them that your husband is busy inside or has left to run some errands, and instead you will go ahead and show them the car.

• Don't agree to take a cashier's check for your vehicle. Scam artists often use cashier's checks.

Resources

• Craigslist
• PostShark