First time trying to sell a car......

[DieselHead]

Hey guys,
I'm meeting with someone tomorrow who's interested in buying my Volvo. I've never tried to sell a car before. Hell, I've never really had to buy a car before. Do you have any tips for me? There aren't too many things wrong with the car and the body is great. Mechanically I'm willing to give it a refresher with new fluids new timing belt, etc. I really want to get rid of the car tomorrow so I can get something else, but I don't want to come off as desperate. I know I haven't really given you much time to respond, but it would be great if you could briefly share your experiences in used car selling. Thanks so much!

On an unrelated note, MB Autowerks looks great! I wish I were still down there at Emory so I could take a look.

Alex

[leathermang]

Be sure it is really clean... does not smell like smoke... those kind of eye wash types of things , have it parked where they can walk all around it... tell the truth about what you know about the car.... and if they offer less than you need for it politely decline... and let them walk away... they may be using psychology on you... however, if you really are desperate to sell it tomorrow that is hard to hide... Don't volunteer any of those fix up items until and unless they state them as an objection to buying it....... good luck,,, Greg

[DieselHead]

Hmmm........ I was going to offer to sell those things as a selling point. I washed and waxed the car so the outside looks great and the paint is perfect. The inside though I didn't get a chance to vacuum. I guess I should do it before? Also, is it awful if I don't let the guy drive it? There's nothing wrong with the car but I'd rather he didn't. Thanks

Alex

[mplafleur]

I would never buy a car I couldn't drive. The only exception is an eBay auction, or a car that is known not to be driveable.

[DieselHead]

That's all very discouraging. I kind of figured all of that which is why I'm praying that today's guy goes for it. What's the best way to get this car around and get the most interest? Should I drive it around with 'for sale' signs? I've advertised in the NY TImes and our local county newspaper and have only gotten three calls and two people interested in visiting.

Alex

For a relatively young person, I've sold a lot of cars, mainly muscle cars, which can be somewhat tricky to sell.

And yes, I'd put for sale signs in the window.

Find a parking lot in high traffic area (where cars drive by slow -- e.g. under 35 mph) and park it there over the weekend with highly visible for sale signs in the window. Make sure this is OK with the tenants/owner of the lot as you don't want to get a ticket.

Be cool. When someone comes to look at the car, let them do all the talking. If the person is really quiet, make a few comments pointing out the positive aspects of the car. Don't mention what it needs or doesn't need, let the potential buyer bring up those issues.

Also, since you are in school, post ads on bulletin boards/kiosks and if your university has a newsgroup (usenet) post an ad there as well. Be creative! Could it be a "student special"?

Good luck!

[DieselHead]

Well, I just met with someone and their son (for whom the car is for) seemed very enthusiastic about it. I think he is one of those kids who likes tricked out rice cookers so my yellow Volvo is right up his alley. His dad told me that he wants to have a dealer check it out next week and that he's willing to pay for the inspection. Should I count this as serious interest?

I will put signs in the windows and drive around with it and try the parking lot idea if I can find a good place. I'm really not asking that much for it but it's a car that's really only appealing to a specific type of person.

I suppose this is a student special but unfortunetely, it's only going to pay for less than a tenth of my law school tuition.

Alex

[leathermang]

They are very serious... but get written agreement that you get a hard copy of whatever the inspection report says... I said it that way because you are becoming a lawyer...LOL.... You seem like such a nice guy to be going to law school... I am assuming you meant less than a tenth of one semester..... LOL.... Did not really understand how liking a tricked out rice cooker would make the kid like your volvo... aren't those from two different directions ? LOL... Greg

[leathermang]

LOL, I certainly did not say ALL were... and the question is ... does the law attract that type disproportionally or does the training alter the numbers ? LOL.. your car sounds like a rocket...would you email me pics if you have them? You need digital pics anyway if you are going to advertize over the net.. and you really ought to think about Ebay for that machine... put a reserve on it and if it does not sell you can keep on with your present method.... but that is pretty specialized car and the wider exposure would really help ( I think ). And the part about you not having vacuumed the interior... shameful... LOL , Greg

[DieselHead]

I told the interested party that I would not release the car to them so I am meeting them at our local dealer and will stay there while the car gets looked at. With regards to the volvo, it's a yellow sports version of their 850 which has 240 HP, 17in. titaniam allow wheels, sport suspension, and a loud stereo system. Probably exactly what he was looking for.

I'm looking to sell this thing for about $12,000 and the three years of law school will cost about $120,000 or so, give or take $10,000. My parents are graciously paying for the tuition so I'd like to make as much as I can from this car to give them. Actually, they paid for the car too........ so I guess I'm just a freeloading moocher.

Alex

Oh, and not ALL lawyers are bottom feeding jackals. Most are though, which is why I want to either teach law or become a judge. Tough to afford a Mercedes though on a civil service or professor's salary.

[DieselHead]

I don't have a digital camera, but I took some pictures with my 35mm for my own memories so when I get a chance to scan them in, I'll post them or send them to you.

It's partially the field of law that attracts those types of obnoxious people, and it's partially the fact that the average starting salary of a graduate from NYU, Columbia, Stanford, Yale, etc. is upwards of $120,000. That figure attracts everyone and a lot of these law types are only doing it for the glory and the money.

Alex

I just sold a car tonight, my 1998 Crown Vic. It was on ebay and this guy called me up asking about it. I told him i'd drive it to him for him to take a look, I knew once he saw it and drove it, it was a sure seller.

I got there introduced myself and let him do most of the talking and question asking. I didn't have anything to hide about the car and was honest with everything and when he asked something I didn't know I simply said that I didn't know

He drove it for about a half hour and bought it.

Just be honest and not pushy. If your car is at a fair price with no "stories" then it will sell.

[mplafleur]

Your sale is encouraging. While 41, I've never sold one of my cars before. I've aways driven them to the state where I would have felt guilty about selling them to anyone at any price. I always gave them to charity. I just couldn't see exchanging something of mine that had a problem for money and feeling good about it. That said, I'm about to seel my 190E but want to fix some things on it first. Muffler, rear wheel bearing, front alignment, both driver side door check straps, and center vents. Hard to find time for it when I've got a karate test next month for 3rd brown belt, finishing a basement for our house we want to sell, and getting my masters degree at the same time. Oh, and working 6 days a week. At least I've got work and should count my blessings.

$120,000!!! I'm only getting my master now because work is paying for it. I could never afford it otherwise. Even though it is about $1000 per term (one class at a time). My niece is graduating from High school this year and was just accepted to Kalamazoo College. (others still pending) Tuition there is $30,000 per year. That's not even a law degree! How is a student expected to afford it? I know I could never put one of my kids through school like that. Do students actually get loans for that amount? When I went to college, I was expected to pay my own way, and I thought everybody else did as well. I got loans to pay the way. (My parents did help me with rent, $82/month in 1979-83, for which I made efforts to repay) Am I expected to pay for my childs college education? I can certainly help to a point, but after that, they have to know it's up to scholarships, loans and work.

Sorry, I rambled.

[DieselHead]

I would love to give my car to charity for a tax deduction, but I don't think I'd make as much as selling to a private party. I suppose that if this kid gets it and enjoys it, then the car's fulfilling its purpose.

Congrats to your niece! it's always such a relieving feeling to get into college. Unfortunetely, $30,000 these days is low for a private school. When I started at Brown over four years ago, the tuition was about $29,000 and by the time I had graduated, the tuition was up to $35,000. The tuition at Harvard is the same BUT, Harvard has a $20 Billion endowment (vs. Brown's $9 million) and could pay for each and every student if they wanted to. Universities are becoming more of businesses than institutions of education. But, in the end, it's sad that the degree and where you got the degree from is more important than what you learned along the way.

Have no fear though (well, have a little) because about 40% of the student body is on some kind of financial aid. In most of the best schools though, it's in the form of loans, not scholarships, so someone has to pay it back eventually. I feel bad for my parents because before they can start recovering from my quarter million worth of tuition, they're going to have to start on my sister. Remind me that in 30 years, they'll deserve the best nursing home money can buy (j/k).

Also, congrats on your Masters endeavor. School in any form I find to be really rewarding and you'll feel great when the whole process is over.

Alex

[johngray]

I have bought and sold a lot of cars. It is pretty much all about asking price. If you are getting few or no calls your price is too high. If it is low your phone will start ringing off the hook at 6 AM. If it is low enough they will practically race each other over there to buy it. If one is determined to get full market value be prepared to put up with tirekickers, lowballers, casual lookers, and people who tell you they are on the way over and never show up. It really can be a course in psychology. Some people just can't say "no" and they will come over and leave telling you they will be right back with the money and that is the last you will ever see of them. I have found that anytime something is advertised for sale with no asking price listed the price is high when you call, so I never call if there is no price listed. Some buyers become nervous wrecks. I sold a pickup to a guy once and after the transaction was completed he asked me "Now is that really the actual mileage?" I could have been offended but wasn't because I could tell he was a working guy and that was a lot of hard earned aftertax money for him. It usually made ME a nervous wreck to let somebody I had never met before go off on a test drive. You can insist on going along on the test drive but sometimes that is a little uncomfortable. Just be relaxed and honest is probably the best advice. Good luck.