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Pricing my used vehicle for private sale

janar99janar99 Member Posts: 2
edited March 2014 in BMW
Hi,
I am selling my car and I'm very hesitant selling it to private parties only because of security reasons. What safety procedures should I apply? What's the procedure if somebody calls wanting to see the car? How do I screen callers? I'm thinking of meeting at the mall maybe, instead of my house. Expectedly, the potential buyer might ask to drive the car - how can I make sure I'll be safe inside, or if I let him/her drive alone, that the car will be returned to me? What's the SOP's between private parties?
I've been unsuccessful in selling to "safe" people (acquaintances, office, etc); my options are now strangers and dealerships.
Thanks in advance for any reply.
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Comments

  • dmitryzdmitryz Member Posts: 14
    Hi, all.
    I'm selling my 4-door 2001 BMW 325i. Car has automatic trans., premium package, 19,000 miles, power everything, and is clean in and out.

    How would you write up an ad to make the car appealling to the buyers?

    Thanks in advance.
  • rivertownrivertown Member Posts: 928
    I've private sold many cars by running an ad, having a phone conversation, and then giving my home address if the buyer is interested. The callers, without exception, were decent folks looking for a decent price on a decent car. Unless you're selling something flashy or appealing to rough guys (motorcycle?), I don't see where you'd have any trouble.

    If you're single and female, it might help to have a guy friend record your ans machine greeting, make the initial call backs, and maybe hang around when the buyer comes to look. If you've got the car priced right (low enough), you won't need more than a day or two to sell it.
  • rroyce10rroyce10 Member Posts: 9,332
    ... Your vehicle is worth in and around the $22/$23,0 range on trade .. Sooo, down Retail Rd:

            01 4dr BMW 325i, only 19k, adult driven
            auto, prem pack, All service is complete,
            Excellent condition, non smoker, must see - must sell -
            $26,900, balance of fac warranty - call xxx xxx xxxx

             If it aint true, then don't print it ..

                    Good luck ...

                           Terry.
  • CarMan@EdmundsCarMan@Edmunds Member Posts: 38,514
    Hi janar99. I certainly can understand your concerns about having complete strangers come to your home to check out the vehicle that you are selling. One can never be too careful. You had a very good idea about meeting potential buyers at a public place, like a mall. Also, if you live alone, you may want to consider having a friend come along with you whenever you show your vehicle. The following article that is available here at Edmunds.com provides a lot of good information on how to sell used vehicles privately: 10 Steps to Selling Your Car. You definitely should check it out. If you ultimately decide that you do not want to deal with the hassle of selling your used vehicle on your own, you can always contact a local CarMax location, if there is one, to see what it would be willing to give you for your used car or truck. The prices that they pay are often fairly reasonable. Good luck and please let us know if you have any other questions.

    Car_man
    Host
    Smart Shoppers / FWI Message Boards
  • janar99janar99 Member Posts: 2
    Thanks for your tips.
    Any other suggestions out there - especially on the details of having someone drive my car? I'm thinking I'll get a pic of the person (with his permission of course).
    I guess I watch too many Law&Order and late-night Discover channel which shows a lot of crimes! That's why I'm too paranoid/safe.
    Thanks.
  • rivertownrivertown Member Posts: 928
    I just let 'em drive it, LOL. They come to look in their car, and it stays at my house while they take my car around the block.

    My guess is you'll do the public place thing. How about asking them to meet you at the library or a Kinko's - where you can make a copy of their DL and insurance card?
  • audia8qaudia8q Member Posts: 3,138
    about a year ago here in CT an off duty police office met a perspective buyer in a public parking lot to sell his car....he was carjacked and killed for his mustang.

    I can't stress enough....be careful who your meeting and where.
  • stubborn1stubborn1 Member Posts: 85
    If your phone number is not unlisted, people can use reverse phone directories on the internet to find your address. I do this to find out where the vehicle is before I make a call. If the address turns up further than I want to drive, I don't make the call. The public place still isn't a bad idea, because the people who aren't interested in buying won't find out where you live.

    Don't forget to remove credit card receipts and other personal information from the glovebox. Also, don't forget to take out your garage door opener (speaking from experience).
  • jasmith52jasmith52 Member Posts: 462
    Boy that is shocking.

    I can't see anyone being so stupid as to risk killing someone for a Mustang. It's just not worth it.

    But a Camaro, Now were talking !

    But seriously, I have sold many cars myself. If I am home I go with the driver. If it's just my wife around I tell her to just let them take the car. We'd rather lose a car (which is insured) than mess with people that we don't know.

    No car is worth getting hurt over !
  • pluto5pluto5 Member Posts: 618
    I have sold cars myself but considering the times might take the next one to a regional auto auction. True, you can get more at a private sale but it is sometimes hard to judge the person you are dealing with if you get my drift.
  • photo_guyphoto_guy Member Posts: 24
    Terry is more knowledgable than I in this area but you might want to shorten his suggested ad a bit. As written it would be 7 lines in our local paper. That is OK if you don't mind pay extra for that large of an ad, (There may be some eye catching benefit).

    If you want to trim it down and keep the same info I'd suggest the following:

    01 325i 4dr,only 19k, Ex. Cond,adult driven,AT, prem pack,all serv comp,non smoker,fact. warr.,must see, $26.9K,XXX-XXX-XXXX

    Note that BMW is not included in the ad as I assume it will be listed under a BMW section.
  • mirthmirth Member Posts: 1,212
    I think Terry advocates spending money on a bigger ad so that it stands out from the morass of other ads and catches someone's eye. Terry, feel free to correct me if I'm putting words in your mouth.
  • rroyce10rroyce10 Member Posts: 9,332
    ..... Never trip over the dollars to get to the dimes .. *the hand buys, what the eye see's .. your dead on ~ besides, half of the folks that are looking for those types are using reading glasses anyway .l.o.l.

                       Terry.
  • mirthmirth Member Posts: 1,212
    lol - another good point.
  • photo_guyphoto_guy Member Posts: 24
    Terry - Yup, I understand your point. However I think using the $ to add bold type or some other extra might make the ad stand out more than just extra text. Thoughts?
  • grandtotalgrandtotal Member Posts: 1,207
    Your joke is in extremely poor taste.

    Do you really suppose that your insurance will cover theft of your car after you willingly hand over the keys? I doubt it will.
  • rroyce10rroyce10 Member Posts: 9,332
    ... >> can't see anyone being so stupid as to risk killing someone for a Mustang. It's just not worth it.

    But a Camaro, Now were talking ! ..<< .l.o.l....

                         Terry ;-)
  • rroyce10rroyce10 Member Posts: 9,332
    .... Usually a couple of real nice stars ** at the beginning will help, but big ad's always get the nod .. folks that know these vehicles have an "idea" of the market price, so let them read through the painting, then they can stand back and think.

            What there looking at is the Sizzle .. FIRM, get's you No-place in a big fat hurry, *Must Sell* gives you a sense of urgency .. always price the vehicle waaay back of dealer prices, it's a lot easier to negotiate from $28,9 to $28,0 then to try to negotiate from $31,0 to $28,0, plus dealers are always waiting for the trade to hit the deal ..

                         Terry.
  • timadamstimadams Member Posts: 294
    >>Do you really suppose that your insurance will cover theft of your car after you willingly hand over the keys? I doubt it will. <<

    Of course it would!! You handed over the keys for a test drive, you didn't give away the car. You don't think car dealers' insurance pays when someone steals a car during a test drive. Sheessh.

    And the joke was just a joke. Lighten up.
  • janzjanz Member Posts: 129
    Several years ago, we lent our Yamaha 1100 Special motorcycle to a friend for a couple days. When he didn't return it a week later, we called the police to report it stolen. Their reply was that it was not stolen since we'd given him the keys and there was nothing they could do. When I tried to elaborate that the agreement was for couple days, and now that it was MUCH later, we no longer considered it a loan. We were told we were out of luck.

    My guess is that dealerships have an endorsement on his business ins policy because this can and does happen. In regard to a private party, it may be a different story (based on our experience.)

    (PS: The bike was found abandoned at the local mall a week later. Evidently it had stalled. Never heard from the friend again.)
  • timadamstimadams Member Posts: 294
    I have to admit that surprises me, that the police wouldn't recognize that loaning someone a vehicle for 2 days doesn't mean they get to keep it forever. Sounds like lazy cops who didn't want to bother looking for you cycle.

    I still say letting someone test drive a car for a purchase is different than giving away a car.
  • janzjanz Member Posts: 129
    was that you can't change the terms after the fact. We GAVE him the keys and our permission. Perhaps there is a slight difference here because we didn't have it well defined exactly how long he could have it. But even if we had, I doubt that it would have mattered, because WE GAVE HIM THE KEYS and permission, it was NOT stolen.

    My point is that unless you have asked you insurance if this is covered, you are making an assumption, which leads to future posts that say, "That jerk came to test drive my car, and took of with it and the Insurance co won't pay because I gave him the keys."

    Don't ASSUME.
  • timadamstimadams Member Posts: 294
    OK, where are the car insurance guys to chime in?
  • pluto5pluto5 Member Posts: 618
    Pristine Bimmer available to a good home. Qualified owners call:xxx.xxx.xxxx.
  • grandtotalgrandtotal Member Posts: 1,207
    Well, I wouldn't call, it's pretentious and doesn't quote a price.
  • pluto5pluto5 Member Posts: 618
    Including a price is a good idea IMO if it's realistic.
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 19,204
    that guy who got killed for his mustang was just a regular kid trying to sell his car.
    the 'joke' was really in bad taste and i hope you never get on the wrong end of a real situation.
    not everyone plays by the 'nice' rules.
    don't know about the 'giving someone the keys' scenario, but if you invite someone into your house, they don't have to leave. :{
    2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • mark156mark156 Member Posts: 1,915
    I've sold a couple of vehicles myself and had very pleasant experiences. The last one was my '99 Jeep Grand Cherokee LTD that I sold in 2001. I sold it to a 22 yr. old guy. I had never met the guy before but his Dad was a respected jeweler in town so I trusted him. I let him drive the Jeep to his mechanic for an "inspection" and then the guy drove it back to me after an hour or so.

    I parked the Jeep on a vacant lot as several other people had done and I received calls on it immediately. It's funny how people will seem SO interested on the phone then never show up or call back. I don't think I would make a very good car salesman because things like that would drive me crazy.

    I realize now how dangerous it could be selling a car yourself so I'm not sure how I would react if a "bad" person (my perception) came to look at my vehicle. I like to be nice and fair to everyone no matter what they look like. I guess I've been lucky in the past and have never run across such a person. I'm sure women would really need to be careful.

    Mark156
    2010 Land Rover LR4, 2013 Honda CR-V, 2009 Bentley GTC, 1990 MB 500SL, 2001 MB S500, 2007 Lincoln TC, 1964 RR Silver Cloud III, 1995 MB E320 Cab., 2015 Prevost Liberty Coach
  • mark156mark156 Member Posts: 1,915
    The color of the BMW was not mentioned. Was that done on purpose to get a call?

    Mark
    2010 Land Rover LR4, 2013 Honda CR-V, 2009 Bentley GTC, 1990 MB 500SL, 2001 MB S500, 2007 Lincoln TC, 1964 RR Silver Cloud III, 1995 MB E320 Cab., 2015 Prevost Liberty Coach
  • geobar1geobar1 Member Posts: 2
    I bought my mother in law a four door 03 Focus,SE, with A/C,all power, stereo/CD in August, and the poor lady died earlier this month. The car is a pretty tundra green, with 800 miles on it. I paid $12K with rebates, and borrowed 8K. Any suggestions on the best way to sell it? I can't keep it, but I don't want to lose my shirt.
  • jasmith52jasmith52 Member Posts: 462
    sorry to hear about your mother-in-law.

    Here's a couple of suggestions:

    1) Take the car back to the dealer where you bought it. Have your hat in your hand and just maybe someone they will take pity on you and give you a little more than you owe on it.

    2) Try to sell it yourself. However as I discovered a few years back, there isn't a big market for brand-new used cars from a private party. It may take some time for you to find a buyer.

    Either way, expect to take a big hit on the value that you can sell it for versus what you paid.
  • rroyce10rroyce10 Member Posts: 9,332
    ..... Sorry to hear about your mother in law, mine passed away about 3 years ago, so it's no fun .. if you take it to a dealer they will give you wholesale, which is money in the $8's ..

             But anyway, this should be a quick and easy sale .. a Great Ad should do it, it won't last a week ..

                
                2003 Ford Focus SE 4dr, must sell,
                family loss, auto, all power options
                like new, must see, 800 miles.!
                $10,900 call XXX XXX XXXX.

              Probably see $9,5/$10,500 for it ...

                        Sorry for the conditions ..

                            Terry.
  • jwhytlawjwhytlaw Member Posts: 4
    We are considering the purchase of a new 2003 Focus SE, manual transmission. Any thoughts from any one?
  • kmagkmag Member Posts: 98
    I looked at the Focus this spring, wanted a ZX3 badly. The looks have grown on me over the years and I really like it. I love the way it drove, very tight suspension, comfortable seats and steering wheel, attractive interior.

    I would have got one but our financial situation dictated payments<160/month and I didnt want to stretch it to 6+ years. The reliablility issues of earlier years would not worry me to a great extent, I believe the isses have been addressed. I might look for a low mileage '04 with the new timing chain engine when my Saturn turns over 100k in 4 years or so.
  • redfive2112redfive2112 Member Posts: 15
    and have had -zero- problems. I'd buy it again in a heartbeat. IMHO, if it had about 100 more horsepower and 4wd it would be the perfect car. Are you listening, Special Vehicles Team?

    -Scott
  • vikdvikd Member Posts: 187
    "...if it had about 100 more horsepower and 4wd..."

    ...then you would have a WRX...

    Regards... Vikd
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 19,204
    try to look on the bright side, she probably enjoyed those 800 miles in her new car.
    jwhitlaw - a guy at work complained that the a/c compressor ran even with just the heat or vent on, hurting his gas mileage. don't know if this is true.
    2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • redfive2112redfive2112 Member Posts: 15
    ok, so leave out the 4wd, but then it would be an srt-4. Just because someone else did it first doesn't mean they shouldn't do it.
     

    -Scott
  • vikdvikd Member Posts: 187
    ...agreed, good point. I just think Ford would have a hard time swaying somebody to their side for a product that already exists and excels in it's niche as well as the WRX does. I do think something like that from Ford, sans awd, could compete against the srt-4 though...I'd like to see that battle unfold...

    Regards... Vikd
  • redfive2112redfive2112 Member Posts: 15
    After getting burned on the T-Bird (a car everyone loved the initial concept of but nobody bought), I don't see them sinking money into a 22-25,000 dollar Focus. But I guess then it would be a Mini. :)

    Have a good weekend,

    -Scott
  • michaellnomichaellno Member Posts: 4,120
    Ford sort of already makes this car; it's just not available in the US. It's called the Focus RS, and, except for the AWD, it compares well to the WRX:

    http://www.ford.co.uk/ie/focus/foc_overview/foc_rs/-/-/-/-
  • vikdvikd Member Posts: 187
    ...in the US and does not have AWD...just a couple of minor differences...

    Regards... Vikd
  • baboo149baboo149 Member Posts: 5
    What part of the country are you in? I am looking for a Focus now, and maybe we can makea deal if you aren't too far away.
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 19,204
    '04 focus svt w/euro appearance package, sticker is 22K!
    2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    Look at his profile and piece the story together.

    BTW: Angelina Jolie is my best friend and she never hooked up with him, I just spoke with her yesteryear. :P

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • dmitryzdmitryz Member Posts: 14
  • geobar1geobar1 Member Posts: 2
  • crashtestdingocrashtestdingo Member Posts: 81
    >I just let em drive it, LOL. They come to look in their car, and
    >it stays at my house while they take my car around the block.
    (from rivertown Aug 3, 2003 11:03am )

    When he was on The Tonight Show, John Kerry told Jay Leno that once when he was selling his motorcycle, a guy drove to his place to test ride it, and made off with it. It turned out the car the guy left behind was stolen.
  • mtngalmtngal Member Posts: 1,911
    I'm getting ready to sell my 2000 Tacoma. It has 155,000 miles on it and I plan to price it accordingly. Should I mention the mileage up front in the ad (explains why it will appear cheaper than it would should be) or should I leave it out? The Recycler has a separate field where you could list it. Is it too much of a turn-off? I don't want to scare people away right off because the vehicle is in otherwise great shape. Thanks for the advice!
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Otherwise your phone will ring off the hook with bargain hunters.

    The first question they will ask..." How many miles?"

    " Well...155,000 but they are ALL freeway miles and I've changed the oil every 3000 miles"

    "Thank you"....click.

    If you state the miles the people that do call will be a lot more serious.

    And I wouldn't fiddle with a "Recycler" type of ad. Use the local newspaper for better results.

    155,000 miles on a four year old truck? WOW!!!

    Good luck!
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