Do’s and Don’ts When Selling Your Car in Lafayette, LA
Selling or trading in a car can be a rollercoaster of an experience. The journey to finding the right buyer is full of pitfalls, and here at Giles Buys Cars, we want to share our do’s and don’ts for selling your vehicle. By taking the time to prepare properly, finding a great buyer and completing all the necessary paperwork to seal the deal, you’ll avoid a ton of hassle and come out of the transaction having successfully sold your vehicle for a great price. Below you’ll find our list of do’s and don’ts when selling or trading in your car.
The first step in selling your vehicle is to know its worth. Without understanding your car’s value, you may end up choosing a price at random, based on a gut feeling and the good times you had with your car. In the same way, you could accidentally underestimate your car’s worth and get paid less than it deserves. To find your vehicle’s estimated value, use a credible site such as Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds that will give you an appraisal based on year, make, model, features and mileage.
Once you receive an offer for your vehicle, take your time before deciding whether or not to accept it. While the first offer might end up being the right one, make sure you don’t say yes due to the euphoria of finally receiving an offer on your vehicle. If you receive an offer lower than your car’s estimated worth, counter with a price in line with its value and see if the buyer accepts. If not, don’t let the buyer scam you into taking less than your car is worth. Stay in control and remember: You can always walk away.
If you’re trading in, be prepared to get trade appraisals from multiple dealers to ensure you’re getting the best price for your vehicle. You may find that some dealers give you better offers than others. At Giles Buys Cars, we make it quick and easy to get a KBB Instant Cash Offer for your vehicle in minutes.
When you’re preparing your car for sale, make sure you show it off and bring out its full potential. Taking the time to wash your car, vacuum it out and remove all personal items before taking pictures will make your car shine online. You want your car to make a good first impression, so help it wow buyers by cleaning it thoroughly. Similarly, don’t forget to write a clear, complete description of your car with plenty of details if you post it online. Descriptions and photos can truly make or break a potential sale.
It seems like a good idea to get your car completely repaired before selling it, right? Well, not so much. You should definitely get your car’s oil changed, have the tires checked and make sure the battery is charged before selling. Small repairs will help your car bring in a higher price, but when it comes to major repairs or replacements (on large parts such as a transmission or engine), make sure that the cost of repairs will not outweigh the added value those repairs will bring. You don’t want to be stuck with hefty bills at the auto repair shop just to have your car sell for only slightly more than it would have without the repairs.
Don’t leave out important details about your car’s condition when selling. While you might think that omitting details will make your car look better, it will benefit you in the long run to be honest about any necessary repairs. In your online description and in-person meetings with buyers (or at the dealership if you’re trading in), spell out the condition of your car and what service needs to be done for it to run safely. Make sure your pricing reflects this reality as well. Additionally, don’t lie about having “lots of other offers” or “limited-time availability” when you actually don’t. If the truth comes out, you’ll look desperate, and even if a buyer moves forward with the deal, it might negatively affect your interactions.
Having service records ready will help your buyer feel confident in their purchase, especially if the vehicle has undergone major repairs. You can even pull your vehicle’s CarFax report to give your buyer a full picture of the car’s history.
Once you’ve found a buyer and you’re ready to make it official, don’t forget about all the necessary paperwork. The forms differ from state to state, so make sure to check with your DMV to find the forms that allow you to transfer title ownership and release you from liability once the car is legally sold to your buyer. Even if you do your end of the paperwork, you have to ensure that the buyer does their part, too — or your part will be considered invalid. Without all the paperwork being properly completed, you could be on the hook for repairs if the buyer gets into an accident in your former car. This can be avoided if you make an appointment to do the necessary paperwork together, so you can ensure that the buyer does their half. Keep in mind that selling or trading your car at a dealership removes this hassle, since all the necessary paperwork is taken care of for you.
Why Sell Your Car to Giles Buys Cars in Lafayette, LA?
Still not sure whether you should sell your car to an individual or trade it at a dealership? Check out our article on selling to an individual versus a dealership to learn more. Giles Buys Cars makes it quick and easy to get cash for your car or to trade it in for a beautiful new vehicle at one of our dealerships. We make every step stress-free, from the initial offer to the final paperwork, and by selling to us, you won’t have to worry about posting your car online, answering messages from buyers and potentially getting scammed by dishonest people. We offer protection, confidence and great prices, so don’t wait — sell your car to Giles Buys Cars today. We look forward to serving our customers from Lafayette, New Iberia, Abbeville, Youngsville and Broussard.