You might be wondering where to sell your used car. Nowadays, there are hundreds of places where you can sell your used car. Some prefer to sell their car in-person, while others prefer the more modern way of utilizing online car selling sites and marketplaces. If you are wondering how to sell a car to someone in-person, or just the best way to sell a used car yourself; we created this guide to help define some pros and cons of the in-person method, the internet method, and somewhere in between.
Selling a Car In-Person
Selling a car in-person is a bit more difficult than its online alternative. It is important to know the ins-and-outs of your vehicle and be able to answer any questions that potential buyers may have about your vehicle.
Here are some tips to impress buyers:
- Clean the car meticulously, interior and exterior
- Repair whatever cosmetics damages you can
- Be open, honest, and do not conceal anything from your buyers
- Price your car reasonably
Park and Sell Car Lots
One very underrated way to sell your car is by renting a parking spot in a park and sell a car lot. These car lots are where sellers park their cars for potential buyers to look and evaluate their cars on the spot without having to meet in-person. These often have high foot traffic but are far from a surefire way to sell your car. These are best for cars that are special, rare, or unique that attract a lot of attention.
Car Swap Meets Near You
If you’re an avid car enthusiast with a sweet ride to sell, car swap meets are a great place to find potential buyers for your car. Car swap meets are for those who have unique cars with a niche market, and for those who know their car from bumper-to-bumper.
Swap meets are where car enthusiasts of all kinds meet to buy, sell, or trade parts, cars, accessories, and other car-related paraphernalia. These are typically for the true car enthusiast and should be avoided if you’re trying to sell anything that is common, or not considered special.
Local Car Shows
Much like the swap meet, car shows are for the car enthusiast who wants to talk about and show off their car or talk to others about their cars. Car shows tend to be better organized than swap meets and can even be competitive. It is important to note that car shows can also vary in theme and you will want to pay attention to what the theme of the car show is. This could be anything from lowriders, Japanese Domestics Market cars, or classic 60s muscle cars.
If your car is incomplete, damaged, or not “show ready,” it is best to avoid entering car shows. Those who are ready to buy are not interested in incomplete or damaged cars and want something ready to drive and show-off in.
Great Options for the Right Car and the Right Seller
All-in-all, it is important to recognize that while selling your car in-person may seem like fun, it can lead to frustration from buyers without the proper knowledge of your vehicle. It can also seem like a waste of their time if you are trying to sell a basic, unexciting car at a swap meet or car show. This method was the way that people sold used cars before the advent of the internet.
Trying to sell a car in-person is a time-consuming process that is more about who you know and what you know about your car.
Selling a Car Online
This has become most peoples’ preferred method of selling a car. Since the advent of the internet, people have been using it to sell their cars. With hundreds, even thousands, of potential ways to sell your car online, selling a car has become easier than ever. The best thing about selling a car online is that there is room for everyone and interest from all kinds of potential buyers.
Craigslist
When you talk about selling cars online, Craigslist will inevitably come up. It is one of the most used websites on the internet for selling cars and gives both sellers and buyers complete freedom. This can also be dangerous when abused. It is normally not worth selling cars on Craigslist with an asking price of $10,000 or more. Most people who are searching Craigslist for a car are looking for a cheap daily driver that they can get fast. Be responsible when using Craigslist and check out our guide about selling cars on Craigslist and best practices.
Facebook Marketplace
Facebook is the most used social media platform on the planet. Ever since they introduced Marketplace, people have been selling cars on Facebook Marketplace all over the world. Much of the same warnings apply here as on Craigslist. There is a very little mediation from Facebook, giving buyers and sellers complete freedom. This can lead to predatory criminal activity. As long as buyers and sellers use common sense, you can stay safe when selling cars on Facebook Marketplace.
Car Selling Apps
There are hundreds of different mobile applications to sell your car on. Many of them use the same formula as Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace; local, unmonitored, and connect sellers to buyers. On the other hand, some of them are marketplaces specifically for cars. These interactions can be monitored by the mobile app to ensure that there is no criminal activity. These car selling apps vary greatly on each seller’s needs.
“Cash for cars” Businesses
“Cash for cars” is a term used to describe businesses and places that buy cars for cash. These can vary greatly in credibility and each seller should do their due diligence to ensure they’re picking the right “cash for cars” business to sell to. Here are some things that are important to look for in “cash for cars” businesses:
- Good reviews from a reliable review provider
- Activity and presence on social media
- Many different locations
- Years of experience
Should You Sell Your Car Online and In-Person?
Deciding whether you should sell your car online or in-person depends on many different factors. It is best to do a combination of both if you want to sell your car fast or are adamant about selling your car privately. It’s important to realize the costs of each and what you can expect to pay out-of-pocket before even selling your car.
Costs of Selling a Car In-Person
How much does a car depreciate from sitting in a lot and having people touch it, kick the tires, and possibly vandalize it if you’re not careful? It’s important to take these things into account when choosing to park your car in a lot like this.
If you’re going the car show route, how much are auto show tickets? Although they tend to be rather cheap, no more than $25 a person, these can start to add up as you haul your car to each show to sell it.
Costs of Selling a Car Online
Selling a car online isn’t free either. Even though Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace offer their services for free, higher-value vehicles will have a hard time finding a buyer. That’s where specialty marketplaces come in that can cost between $50 and $100 for a classified ad.
It would be so much easier if there was a way for someone to pick up your car, give you a check, and do all the hard work for you!
Where to Sell Your Used Car? CashForCars.com!
If you’re asking yourself, “where should I sell my car?” look no further than CashForCars.com! We buy junk cars; we buy classic cars and everything in between! All it takes is 5 to 10 minutes on the phone, and you can save yourself months of searching for buyers for your used car. We will provide a fair, market-based cash offer over the phone, and schedule a pickup in 24 hours or less. Your tow driver will meet you wherever you choose and give you the check, and off goes your car!
We have over 35 years of car buying experience, thousands of 5-star reviews on Verified Reviews and TrustPilot, over 200 locations, and are active on every major social media platform! Fill out our instant online quote and see what you could get for your used car! Still wondering where to sell your used car? CashForCars.com is the answer!
Go here for any further questions about how to sell your car!
