FAQs
Getting your inventory listed on Craigslist is one of the most profitable ways to advertise your cars. It's proven that car buyers on Craigslist tend to convert much quicker than on any other classifieds. The conversion rate on Craigslist can be as high as 10%, and that's huge.
How to negotiate car price on Craigslist? ›
Negotiate the price
To negotiate the car price, start by offering 15% below the asking price or the KBB value, whichever is lower. If an inspection reveals a problem, ask the seller to deduct the cost of repairs from the car's price. Lowballing the seller — asking for more than 30% off — could leave you empty-handed.
How to confidently buy a used car? ›
How to Protect Yourself in 7 Easy Steps When Buying a Used Car
- Don't Skip the Test Drive. ...
- Check the Car's Title. ...
- Expect to Get a Free Vehicle History Report. ...
- But Don't Rely Solely on That Report. ...
- Check for Recalls. ...
- Contact the Previous Owner. ...
- Get a Mechanic's Inspection.
What should I not do when selling on Craigslist? ›
Craigslist.org offers more advice for users by suggesting that buyers and sellers should have a friend accompany you. They also urge users to never post a physical address, home phone number or e-mail address on the site. As a buyer there are particular precautions to take when arranging meetings and paying for items.
Are Craigslist deals too good to be true? ›
Too-good-to-be-true prices: If a listing offers an item at a price significantly lower than its market value, proceed with caution. Scammers often use unbelievably low prices as bait.
Is it OK to negotiate on Craigslist? ›
Rule 2 of how to negotiate on Craigslist is to get them on the phone. Haggling works best when both parties respect each other as people. Unfortunately, email makes it very easy to be perceived as just text on a screen, reducing your ability to connect and close deals.
How much is reasonable to negotiate on a used car? ›
Make a realistic offer, but one that's also bold enough to anchor the negotiation to a lower point. A savings of 5% or so below the market value (not the price they are asking) is a reasonable starting point for negotiations. Another way to look at it is to do about 15% to 25% below the maximum you're willing to pay.
How to respond to a lowball offer on Craigslist? ›
My reply is usually something like "sorry, that's just too low, my lowest is $xxx - let me know if you want it". If they fire off another low-ball, I'll say "sorry, $xxx was definitely the lowest I'll take, if you want it, great, if not, no problem.
What not to say to a used car salesman? ›
Eliminating the following statements when you buy a car can help you negotiate a better deal.
- 'I love this car! ' ...
- 'I've got to have a monthly payment of $350. ' ...
- 'My lease is up next week. ' ...
- 'I want $10,000 for my trade-in, and I won't take a penny less. ' ...
- 'I've been looking all over for this color. '
How many miles is too many for a used car? ›
What is considered high mileage on a car? Often, 100,000 miles is considered a cut-off point for used cars because older vehicles often start requiring more expensive and frequent maintenance when mileage exceeds 100,000.
As a general rule, you should assume that the average car owner puts 12,000 miles on a car each year. To determine whether a car has reasonable mileage, you can simply multiply 12,000 by its age. That means good mileage for a car that's 5 years old is 60,000.
Is it safe to show a VIN number on Craigslist? ›
You shouldn't include your VIN on any public listings or advertisements, such as Craigslist, Autotrader or eBay. This can leave you especially vulnerable to the practice of VIN cloning (see more from Rig Dig here).
What is the best way to accept payments on Craigslist? ›
Use cash — safely
If you're dealing with a local, the most secure way to pay or collect funds for a Craigslist transaction is with cash. To keep it even more secure, you can make the exchange in a safe place like your local police station or even at Acclaim FCU.
How do I sell a car on Craigslist for free near me? ›
How To Sell a Car on Craigslist
- Estimate your car's value. ...
- Gather your car's paperwork. ...
- Write a detailed, clear ad and take good pictures. ...
- Meet potential buyers. ...
- Determine a price (but be prepared to negotiate) ...
- Create a bill of sale. ...
- Notify the DMV and your insurance company. ...
- Alternatives to selling a car on Craigslist.