FAQs
Getting your inventory listed on Craigslist is one of the most profitable ways to advertise your cars. It's proven that car buyers on Craigslist tend to convert much quicker than on any other classifieds. The conversion rate on Craigslist can be as high as 10%, and that's huge.
How to negotiate car price on Craigslist? ›
Learn the Ackerman Bargaining Method
- Set a target price (one that you're willing to buy or sell at)
- Set your first offer at 65% of that price (if you're buying), or 135% of that price (if you're selling)
- Move your offer in three increments: 85% (or 115%), 95% (or 105%), and then finally 100%.
How to sell your car on Craigslist in California? ›
How To Sell a Car on Craigslist
- Estimate your car's value. ...
- Gather your car's paperwork. ...
- Write a detailed, clear ad and take good pictures. ...
- Meet potential buyers. ...
- Determine a price (but be prepared to negotiate) ...
- Create a bill of sale. ...
- Notify the DMV and your insurance company. ...
- Alternatives to selling a car on Craigslist.
How to be careful when buying a car? ›
Always read and understand your purchase contract. Carefully review the vehicle's price, fees, and finance charges. Don't sign anything you don't understand. Make sure you understand the manufacturer's warranty or any extended warranties offered by the dealer at extra cost.
What should I not do when selling on Craigslist? ›
Avoid adding any personal information in the posting, including your name, real phone number or real email address. Always use the generated email address on your Craigslist posts.
Should you give out your VIN number on Craigslist? ›
Giving out your VIN is one of the best ways for a buyer to see that your car isn't hiding any nasty surprises for them. In some cases, particularly when selling to a dealership, it's virtually a legal requirement to give them access to the code.
Is it OK to negotiate on Craigslist? ›
CraigsList can offer some great deals if you know how to negotiate effectively. I've been compiling a list of best practices to help buyers get the best deal from Craigslist purchases. The bulk of this article is going to focus on a process for getting the best price on CraigsList items based on my experience.
How much is reasonable to negotiate on a used car? ›
Make a realistic offer, but one that's also bold enough to anchor the negotiation to a lower point. A savings of 5% or so below the market value (not the price they are asking) is a reasonable starting point for negotiations. Another way to look at it is to do about 15% to 25% below the maximum you're willing to pay.
What is the best method of payment for Craigslist? ›
Use cash — safely
If you're dealing with a local, the most secure way to pay or collect funds for a Craigslist transaction is with cash. To keep it even more secure, you can make the exchange in a safe place like your local police station or even at Acclaim FCU.
Can I sell my car for $1 in California? ›
Can you sell a car for $1? In short, yes. But while selling a car for $1 will allow you to avoid capital gains and gifts taxes, the recipient of the car will have to pay whatever rate of sales tax your state charges on used vehicles when they transfer the title.
You'll need to:
- Fill out the official Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) transfer forms.
- Get a smog certification.
- Submit transfer forms.
- Complete the California certificate of title.
- Get an odometer reading.
- Collect any valid warranties or as-is documents.
- Collect all maintenance records.
How do I protect myself when selling a car in California? ›
On top of protecting your physical safety, consider taking these financial and legal safety precautions when selling your car:
- Ask for the driver's proof of insurance. ...
- Get everything in writing. ...
- Wait for the money to come in. ...
- Keep your car insured while it's yours. ...
- Complete the paperwork.
What not to say when buying a car? ›
Eliminating the following statements when you buy a car can help you negotiate a better deal.
- 'I love this car! ' ...
- 'I've got to have a monthly payment of $350. ' ...
- 'My lease is up next week. ' ...
- 'I want $10,000 for my trade-in, and I won't take a penny less. ' ...
- 'I've been looking all over for this color. '
How many miles is too many for a used car? ›
What is considered high mileage on a car? Often, 100,000 miles is considered a cut-off point for used cars because older vehicles often start requiring more expensive and frequent maintenance when mileage exceeds 100,000.
What is the biggest mistake that first time car buyers make? ›
“The biggest mistake people make is if they go in and say 'I can afford $600 a month. '” Rather than laying out how much money you're open to spending on your car payment, you should instead determine what the dealership is willing to sell you the car for. “That's the first thing,” he said.
What do you say when negotiating a car price? ›
When negotiating, it helps to be able to justify what you're asking for, he adds: “Instead of saying, 'I want to pay this,' try something like: 'I've looked at five or six different cars that are similar to yours in the market. The price range goes from $19,500 to $20,700. I'm comfortable making an offer of $19,100. '”
How to negotiate when buying a car privately? ›
- Get the numbers: Look up the car's current market value.
- Make the right opening offer: Keep your offer low, but realistic.
- Make a counteroffer: Sweeten the deal, but not too much.
- Getting to “yes”: Review the numbers and all the terms before you shake hands.
Can car prices still be negotiated? ›
Yes, you can negotiate on the price of a car. However, it helps to do your research on the vehicle's fair market value and out-the-door price beforehand so that you know how much room you have to haggle.