Selling a car has never been easier than it is today, thanks to the Internet. The Internet has opened up doors that no other method, for selling a vehicle, has ever been able to open. The reason for this is in the fact that there are very few people today who don’t use the Internet for one thing or another. With the number of people who get online increasing with each passing day, it is no wonder that online buying and selling has become the number one method used by those selling their cars today.

This article will explore selling a car online and through more traditional, offline methods.

The Basics

Placing a “for sale” ad online is actually quite simple and there are a number of different ways to accomplish this task when selling a vehicle. The difficulty comes when people find out that there are more ways to get money for a car than to just outright sell it. We’ll get to that in a minute but to cover the basics, make sure that you have your car ready to go (looking its best), priced well and then think about how and where to sell it.

It always helps to sell a car locally. When it’s local, people can physically come see it and test drive. This is always best, so you have to get your car out there where your ideal audience or market will see it.

Location, Location, Location!

If you have a more luxurious car, then maybe park it in a retirement community or office park area where people that can afford the car will see it. If your car is on the lower end of the scale, then park it areas where there are more apartments because a lot of your potential buyers will be in that area.

Where you can’t go wrong is places like a shopping mall or other area with all kinds of potential buyers will be. Just be careful and be sure to get permission if you actually park a vehicle for sale on commercial (private) property. If you don’t get permission (and maybe think about getting written permission), then you could get your car towed. Going with a city street is often your best bet.

Another good place might be outside a large church on a Sunday morning so that people coming to church and leaving the church will see it. I’ve done that.

Above all, think like a businessman and get your product (your car or truck) in the right place and at the right time so that you get it in front of the biggest audience of potential buyers as possible.

Online Auctions

There are more people auctioning off their vehicles today than ever before and the possibilities are incredible enough to surprise anyone.

There are a number of different benefits to selling a vehicle through an online auction. The biggest is in the fact that it is very possible to make more money than you might have ever thought to ask for in an outright sale. When you attempt to simply sell a vehicle online, you usually place a price on the ad and hope to get offers. However, when you use an online auction site to sell your vehicle, you allow people to bid against each other for a predetermined amount of time.

This might not seem like a very smart selling technique but it really is. There are ways to make sure that your vehicle doesn’t sell for any less than you are willing to take for it. When used properly, they will still allow the final selling price to get much higher than you would have expected in the first place. This particular technique is called a “reserve” and it is used for exactly that purpose. A “reserve” is a price that a seller sets into their auction telling the system that the auction will be voided unless the final price goes above that specific amount.

This is just one of the safety techniques that people who sell their cars through online auctions use to protect themselves from losing money. There is another technique that can be used when selling a car through an online auction and it involves setting a starting bid. A starting bid is simply the price that a person who is selling their vehicle would like the bids to begin at. This is an alternative for those who don’t like using “reserves” in an online auction.

You see, there are a number of different techniques that can be used when selling a vehicle through an online auction website. Each of these techniques has been set in place to help protect those who are selling their vehicles from losing money during an auction. By using these techniques, anyone can increase the possibility of making much more money than they would have ever expected. This is the main reason for the incredible increase in the number of people using online auction websites when selling their vehicles.

It isn’t difficult to find these auction sites because there are quite a few of them. The important thing to remember is that not all of them are going to produce the same results. This is where a little research can go a long way. By looking into the company running the online auction site, you increase the odds of the sale of your vehicle being a profitable sale. Online auctions can be a very valuable tool for selling vehicles when they are run by legitimate companies and when the tools offered to sellers are used properly.

Selling a Vehicle Online With Classified Ads

If an auction just sounds too risky or not your style, then you might choose to start with the more traditional method of classified ads. Places like Craig’s List, Auto Trader and other online car advertising websites is where you’ll find a lot of people looking to buy a car. It’s where people look now.

You will want to make sure you create an effective used car ad so that you say the right things and advertise your car well. We’ve got great articles here on this website that address that including this one:

How to Quickly Sell Your Used Car Online

And then here’s a good video with more tips and information:

Conclusion

Really, there are a lot of places to sell your car. The smart bet is to try to sell it both online and offline. Get your car looking its best and then get it out there. Even printing up flyers and hanging them up around town can’t really hurt. Be creative and smart about selling your car. Don’t get discouraged if you try and don’t get any interest. Don’t give up but keep trying.

Look through more articles here for even more advice on how to sell a car – there are lots. If you have a question or comment, please leave it below.

Each year, cars are replaced with newer and sleeker models than the year before. Safety features and technology become greater each year, and the used cars on the market today are not the clunky, ramblers that they once were, but very sophisticated with many great features – depending on the make and model of the vehicle, of course.

For car buyers that are interested in a great deal on an auto, they should definitely consider a used car, and there are some very good sources to purchase a used car, such as, the online auto auctions.

How to Find Online Auto Auctions

Obviously, online auto auctions are performed online, and where you will need to access to be involved in an auto auction. But, just how do you find these online auto auctions? It is quite simple, you simply browse your favorite search engine such as Yahoo or Google. The major search engines will have full listings of the online auto auctions. Simply type in your browser “online auto auctions” press click, and let the engines go to work. Within seconds you will have many results and sources to access.

A few of the online auto auctions that are reputable and are a means to get a good deal on the purchase of a used car are the following:

Car-Auction.com: Car-Auction.com is a site that is an online seized auto auction site that you will have plenty of opportunity to bid on vehicles for sale. The site has a large database of new and used makes and models of vehicles and allows you to search their database for what interests you. It provides its users with information regarding various auction sites that have what you are interested in purchasing. As with all auto auctions, the car buyer can expect to save 30 to 70 percent or more. This is a site that you will need to register in order to have full access to its advantages, but, if you are interested in purchasing an auto at a good price, it definitely is a good place to be.

Another online auto auction that you definitely will want to access is the police auto auctions that are conducted online. At the police auto auctions there are some very good bargains to be had, and some very nice vehicles, as they are vehicles that have been seized from criminals, and it isn’t unusual to find the best prices on used vehicles through these auctions.

Auction Fire is an online auction site that is no cost and offers their users links to websites where cars are up for auction. This is valuable for the bidder, as they are able to size up the vehicles in an easy way, prior to bidding on the vehicle. The site also has a message board that it uses for auction fraud alerts, which is helpful to the bidder, so that they are not scammed.

Another place that you might consider is asking your local police department if they have a website that they show the vehicles which they will be auctioning off. Many times, the local police departments have sites, which display the vehicles which will be up for auction.

eBay Motors is another auto auction site that auctions vehicles from both private parties and dealers. The advantage of eBay is that it allows their users to contact the seller and be able to ask any questions regarding the vehicle.

USA.gov/shopping/cars/cars.shtml is another site that has a variety of opportunity to purchase a vehicle at an online auction. The site lists cars from the government fleet, GSA auctions, state and local surplus property sales, and more. Once you land on the page, it will simply direct you to where you are interested in shopping for a vehicle. There are a number US Government Car Auctions happening all the time so check it out.

Tricks to Get a Good Deal at an Online Auto Auction

With the online auto auctions the bidder, most of the time, does not have the advantage of staring the vehicle or inspecting it under the hood. Therefore, it is essential to take as much precaution as possible. To know that you are purchasing a vehicle that is worth its value, then take all necessary steps, when possible, and the best advice is to get the vehicle identification number of the vehicle and perform a history check on the vehicle.

With a history check on the vehicle you will be able to find all the important information that pertains to the vehicle, such as, how many accidents it has been involved in, whether it has ever been salvaged, the number of owners the vehicle has had, past service repairs of the vehicle and so on. It is one of the most valuable documentations that used vehicle buyers can obtain and just may save you from purchasing a vehicle that is going to give you a world of trouble.

What Things to Look for Compared to Shopping in Person

Obviously, when you are shopping in person, you have the advantage of starting the engine and taking the vehicle for a test drive. You can fiddle with all the features of the vehicle and get a feel for the condition of the vehicle. When shopping online, you do not have this advantage, so it is absolutely necessary to get the VIN of the vehicle and to perform that history check on the vehicle. This is essential, and the one protectant you have that shows you the real worth of the vehicle.

Online auctions offer some great deals to be had. Take your time, approach the steps in bidding online properly, and make sure you purchase a vehicle that is worth its value.

How to Find Government Car Auctions

Each state has government car auctions; however, each state does not operate in the same way. Therefore, the first thing that is necessary is to contact your local police station to ask them where you can get a hold of government seized vehicles. This is one way to find government auctions, as the station will be able to guide you to the proper government auction houses.

Local newspapers are another source to find where and when government car auction will be and take place. Typically, the auctions are announced in the local newspaper for the area that the auctions are taking place.

Another means to finding government car auctions, is to check online. There are many online car auction services that will locate government car auctions that are being held in your area, for you. However, these services typically involve a fee, and not are a free source to obtain the information.

Various Types of Government Car Auctions:

Local police auctions: Local police car auctions are auctions that involve vehicles that have been impounded. For these types of auctions you will call your local police department and ask for the dates and details.

Federal government auctions: Federal government car auctions auction off vehicles that have been seized during criminal busts, as well as, fleet vehicles. These vehicles and auctions are consolidated under the GovSales website.

Additional government sites: There are additional government sites that help the consumer with tips on various government auctions. Guide to Federal Auctions, for example, provides various agencies that the consumer will find the auctions through as well as information on the departments’ websites. Another government site where the consumer can find information about auction sources is GSA.

Private sources: The private sources, as mentioned earlier, are online sites that are private, but provide information regarding federal and local government auto actions. Gov-Auctions provides access to both state and federal auction for a small charge.

How to Get a Good Deal at a Government Auto Auction

The trick to getting a good deal at a government auto auction is to be prepared. If you are considering bidding on a vehicle, then prior to placing the bid, inspect the vehicle. This means start it up, step on the gas, inspect the engine and listen for pings and pangs, and so on. If you do not have mechanical skills, then bring a mechanic with you to the auction. Bidding on a vehicle that looks in mint condition does not mean that it is in mint condition, and inspecting the vehicle prior to the bid is a must to ensure that you are getting your money’s worth.

Another thing about the government auto auctions is that there are vehicles up for auction that are in less than desirable shape, but, with the right attention, might be well worth the investment. If you happen to be a bidder with mechanical skills, you often times can pick up a fixer upper at a government car auction for as low as $50. That may sound insane, but it is not out of the ordinary. The vehicles do need repairs, but if you have the skill to make the repairs, provided that they are not repairs that would cost more than the vehicle’s worth, then you could walk away with a tremendous deal, and a great weekend project. For instance, if you are bidding on a vehicle in which the starter is out, has a few rips in the upholstery, and a few other minor repairs, and pick up the vehicle for $50, are able to perform the repairs yourself, you would, depending on the make and model of the vehicle, as well as, the year of the vehicle, might have purchased a very profitable vehicle.

As with all auctions, prior to a government auction, read the catalog so that you know what vehicles are being auctioned. This should be done prior to attending the auction, as it will help to keep you focused and not get swept into the adrenaline of the auction. Also, have a budget. If you know what you are bidding on, have inspected it, then set a limit, and keep to your budget, and be ready to pay for the vehicle in the event that you are the winning bidder.

Government Auto Auctions, What to Look For

When you visit a government car auction to bid on vehicles, most times they are vehicles that have been seized through drug busts or other criminal busts. Or, they may be fleet vehicles of the agency that are no longer in commission.

Government car auctions are held at different dates and locations across the United States throughout the year. Even though the government car auctions present the opportunity for fantastic deal, you still need to be careful about certain things. First, you must know the condition of the vehicle. Just because the vehicle is being auctioned off at a government auction does not mean that it is in mint condition. Some of these cars do have problems, and you must be aware of those problems, prior to placing your bid.

When you arrive at the auction to place a bid on a vehicle that you are interested in, you should arrive early. Always have your checklist in hand, which is wise to check out prior to the auction. If you have read the catalog and have found the vehicle that you are interested in then you should have the Vehicle Identification Number and have run a CARFAX report. If you did not, do it the day of the auction. Also, ask the administrator for all information about the vehicle.

Also, always be careful when bidding on a vehicle that may have the interest of the crowd. Each bid must be higher than the previous and therefore, it is easy to get swept away in the bidding momentum and you may actually end up spending more than the vehicle’s worth if you are not careful. Stick to your budget, and don’t go over.