How to sell your gas guzzling car. - Stock.xchnge
Sport utility and truck sales are plummeting as gas prices are exploding. How do you get rid of your large vehicle so you can buy a smaller, more fuel efficient car?
Marketing…the car dealers know all about it and so should you. If you want to sell your SUV or truck you need to get the word out, and fast. Large cars and trucks are depreciating by the day. But that doesn’t mean you can’t sell. You just need to know where to advertise.
How to Sell Your Used SUV or Truck:
- Think past the local paper. Classified ads in a major daily will cost you a fortune….money you could be spending to spruce up your car. Instead, try a weekly suburban paper or a free online auto trader. If you have a jeep to sell, especially a Wrangler, try advertising on college and university bulletin boards. Students love these small SUVs for transporting their stuff and parents like their safety and reliability. Tape a "for sale" sign on your car window. People are sometimes reluctant to advertise a phone number for the world to see. But you can buy a disposable cell phone with a temporary phone number.
- Take advantage of word-of-mouth. Nothing sells faster than people talking. Everywhere you go, everyone you run into, let them know you have a vehicle for sale. Even if you become slightly annoying to some people, what’s more important, what others think or selling your sport utility? You never know who might be looking for exactly the car you are hoping to sell. And often, folks are more comfortable buying a used car from someone they know.
- Make sure your vehicle is in impeccable condition. Wash it thoroughly inside and out. Break out the wax and make that paint shine! Also check around to see if local car washes offer detailing specials. A professionally done job will bring you the most money for your car. Even if you only spend $20 to make your vehicle sparkle, you’ll probably get at least $200 dollars more on your sale.
- Drop the price. Even if what you’re asking is just under blue book value, you may need to come down even more given all the competition out there. If you find you’re losing too much money, consider keeping the car a little while longer. Say you would lose $2,000 on a sale. You probably won’t make that up in gas savings over the next two years. Even if you bought a used compact car.
- Bottom Line: Before you sell your car, run the numbers. If you drive a lot of miles, it may be worth your while to sell, but if you drive very little and your car is newer, you might want to hold onto it. Consider public transportation or joining a carpool instead.
Copyright L. Marie Dubuque. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.
L. Marie Dubuque - Based in St. Louis, Marie Dubuque is certified as a life coach. Her latest book, Emotional Spending: How to Break the Addiction is now ...
