Take them in a rural setting, with a leafy backdrop. The title the seller produces looks sketchy. Does it need new tires? If you are needing to make the transaction right away after the test drive then meet at a bank so you can have the bank cut you a cashier's check. I do think, though, that there has been a rash of official responses, along these lines: Ballwin Police Department becomes latest safe haven for Craigslist transactions. He says that he's never had someone try to cheat him but that he's developed a "sixth sense for when someone might be shady. " When it comes to a private used car sale, check the laws in your state by visiting your DMV's website or calling your local DMV chapter. Do you want to be in the front seat with a thief behind the wheel? Used cars for sale near me under $6000. The first thing you need to do when you are looking to buy a car is to figure out your budget. Here are some tips and tricks for protecting yourself when buying a used car from Craigslist: What the law says: I'm sure you've heard of lemon laws which provide protection to consumers who buy used cars that have been misrepresented as being in good condition or otherwise fail to meet quality and performance standards.
That means that whatever condition the car is in when you receive it is your problem to deal with. For more of a breakdown on what to look for during the test drive visit our blog: What To Look for When Test Driving a Used Car. There are pluses and minuses to buying from both a dealer and a private party. The new-car dealer offered a $1, 500 trade-in for my 2003 Expedition.
If your area's Craigslist isn't very active, most of these tips apply for buying a car through the online or printed classifieds as well. Get evidence of the promises they are making. Eliminate car flippers and people who will waste your time. Use the safe spot where you will meet buyers as your Craigslist location. At the Craigslist site, after you click the "cars & trucks" tab, select "by owner" - don't buy from dealerships unless you're willing to overpay. Make sure the seller's answers are in written form, if you ever need to reference them later. How to buy a car on Craigslist. It used to be that the buyer was responsible to meet the seller at the desired location. "You can take a lot of variables out of the equation by insisting on ground rules like that, " he says.
The e-mailing is to protect you in case he throws your phone into the pond after disposing of your body. It is particularly aimed at solving the knotty problem of how to get paid. Then hand in your plates and take the receipt to your insurance agent. MORE: How to buy a used car. Here are a few tips to keep you and your money safe. "If you feel vulnerable and you're not an automotive expert, bring a friend who is. Used cars for sale near me under $10 000 dollars. Next, we get into the process as it pertains to buying a car via Craigslist. Price your car low—say, at a 20% discount to the Kelley Blue Book price. A receipt is needed to prove what you paid, when you paid it, and to verify the condition of the car. Private parties don't have the same concern. Before then, the buyer will tell you the name and location of the bank branch that will draw the check and the name of a banker who can answer questions.
Then you know that you're probably dealing with an auto salesman posing as an owner, or with a "broker" - someone who sells a small number of cars part-time for local owners who prefer not to deal with the hassle of selling. CARFAX reports sketch out a repair history, and also reveal where the vehicle came from, which can be very important if it's an older model. There is an abundance of information on user-generated discussion forums. Your mechanic can check for frame damage, paint overspray, and other signs of a crash that was not reported to an insurance company or to a state motor vehicles department (DMV). Used cars for sale near me for 2 000 dollars. When asked why online car sales attract shady types, Frank Scafidi, public affairs director of the National Insurance Crime Bureau, answered, "In a word, 'anonymity. ' The Kelley prices are a little rich, and you want your ad to attract a lot of responses. Almost all vehicles sell for less than their Kelly Blue Book value.
Also, keep an eye (or ear) out for any mechanical issues you can feel or weird noises while driving. This is your chance to answer preliminary questions before you take an hour or more to drive across town to see the car. Don't leave buyers wondering whether there is a bashed-in fender on the other side. So you're in the market for a used car and you've decided to turn to Craigslist. How to Buy a Used Car on Craigslist | Dick Hannah Dealerships. Pay special attention to listings that have promises of new or recently repaired parts. I chose the parking lot of a small-town municipal building/sheriff substation. Dealers are more likely to go out of their way to solve problems for you that may arise after your purchase, while your private seller will most likely do their best to avoid you. Don't skip this step! If the buyer makes any unusual requests or if anything makes you uncomfortable, just wait for another buyer. You're looking to buy a used car and made the decision that Craigslist is the best purchase option for you. You've thoroughly inspected the vehicle inside and out, and gone on a test drive.
If the buyer encounters a problem, you can help him. Say something ambiguous like, "if I'm going to buy it, I should be able to get the cash for you within half an hour. " Bring papers to the test drive: a print-out from Kelley showing your buyer that he's getting a bargain; photocopy of your title; two copies of a contract of sale reciting the price, your name and the prospective buyer's name. You've checked the listing for red flags. At the end of the day, you are will have to decide how much you trust the seller, but a Carfax report will at least get you started. The best course of action is to meet in a public place with a good amount of foot traffic, preferably one that may have security cameras on site. But what is the difference between buying from a dealer versus a private party? Use the issues as a point of negotiations. You don't want to take the chance that the mechanic is actually the seller's buddy who may be willing to fudge information to help a friend. How to Safely Buy a Used Car on Craigslist - LifeHack. Never have cash on you and if you can, bring a friend. The good news is that with a few precautions, you can avoid these traps. You've found the car you are looking to buy. That's right, there is almost no legal protection when you're buying from a private seller. Bring the real title, the keys and a screwdriver.
The auto sales section on Craigslist can sometimes seem like the used car showroom floor of your dreams or, more often, a vast, unrelenting junkyard. None of these by itself may be a deal-breaker, but fixing several different minor problems can often be very expensive or lead to a dissatisfying experience with the car, so by asking these kinds of questions over the phone you can weed out the ones that aren't worth your time to check out in person. There are signs of water damage in the car (new upholstery, rust under the seats, waterlines).
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