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Step 1
Locate several professional car buyers so you can determine who is right for you. The Edmunds car research website says you can find professional car buyers online or in your local Yellow Pages, or you can get recommendations from friends or car-buying forums. You don't necessarily have to be limited by geography. Edmunds says that many professional car buyers will handle deals nationwide.
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Step 2
Narrow your list by checking out each professional buyer's background. Check with the Better Business Bureau and online complaint websites. Search car-buying forums to see if there is any feedback on the buyers on your list. Weed out anyone who has consistently bad feedback.
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Step 3
Contact the professional car buyers on your list to find out how much they charge for their service and to get more information about their business. Edmunds says the charge should be a flat fee that typically starts at $200, although it can be as much as $1,000 if you're purchasing a rare or hard-to-find model. The fee will be offset by the money you save on your purchase, which is typically several hundred dollars. You should also ask about the buyer's experience, background and how he finds deals. A professional buyer should not have any ties to a particular dealership.
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Step 4
Choose a professional buyer based on your talks with the buyers on your list. While you might want to pay the smallest fee possible, also base your choice on the buyer's experience and feedback from people who have used her services.
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Step 5
Put your agreement with the professional buyer in writing. The contract should spell out the fee, exactly what the buyer will be doing for you, and any timeframes you have agreed upon. This will prevent any misunderstandings later. If the buyer makes any promises that are not in the contract, have him add them in and initial them. Verbal promises cannot be enforced unless they are put in writing.
