Selling Guide

Be concise
Try not to be too wordy in your car advertisement. Use concise language such as "reliable," "all-wheel-drive," and "driven by a non-smoker" so that the person reading your ad will get a clear picture of the life of your car. The clearer you are, the more likely you'll hold their attention long enough to really examine your ad.
Include the basics
Don't forget to fill out everything in the form when you add a new listing. To that end, our listing form requires a good deal of the information in order for the listing to be posted at all, so make sure that you have a complete list of the car's specifications, such as make, model, year, mileage, etc. before you get started.
State the mileage
Mileage is one of the first things that a buyer looks at after the price. If you do not state what the mileage is, then buyers will think that you have something to hide, so don't forget to include it.
Don't use technical language
Not everyone is as auto savvy as the next person, so try to keep your ad as non-technical as possible. Your car might have very specific features that you'd like to show off, but the average buyer is just looking for a reliable car. If you insist on including them, put them at the very end of the ad under a heading like, "Technical aspects."
Give some explanation
Don't forget that human beings will be viewing your ad, so include some of the reasons why you're selling the car. Did your family grow, so you need to get a bigger car and sell the smaller one? Are you moving and can't afford to take it with you? Be honest and forthright, people respond to that, but don't stray too far talking about personal details. Try to strike a balance between being personable and being businesslike. Buyers will judge you based on this ad.
Be open and honest
You'll hear this a great deal while you're researching how to sell your car: be honest in your ad. Don't try to hide damage or recent repairs because once the buyer starts asking those questions, you may find yourself in an awkward conversation with the other person asking, "Why wasn't this mentioned?" If you are honest in the ad about any dings or scratches, and if you list any recent repairs, then buyers will feel more confident in you. In general, honesty sells more cars, so don't try to hide things.
Avoid using excessive exclamation marks and ALL CAPS
Getting carried away with lots of exclamation marks and ALL CAPS tends to turn off buyers. When people see that, they feel like they're being yelled at, or that you're trying to hide something by distracting them with crazy punctuation and capitalization. Instead, write the ad as if you were speaking to them face-to-face, or as if they were a friend. The more careful your language, the more a buyer will read of your ad, rather than skipping over it because it seems like it was written without any thought at all.
Research prices
You want your price to be competitive, so look at other listings of cars similar to yours and figure out what the average price is. Buyers are looking at hundreds of listings, so if your asking price is higher than most others, they won't even consider your car. But don't feel like you have to ask a really low price just to compete. Decide what your minimum price is and stick to it, just make sure it's a reasonable price first.
Don't say B/O (best offer) unless you really mean it
Listing your car as B/O, or best offer, is usually a good way increase interest in your car, but don't say it unless you mean it. A negotiation can fall apart if you refuse to budge on your asking price, and buyers will feel deceived if you do not meet them halfway even though your ad implied that you would take the best offer. If you don't want to haggle, just write in the ad that you are "firm" on your price and people will get the idea.
Use detailed photos
Buyers look at hundreds of listings when they're searching for a new car, and the best way to get their attention is to have a well composed photo of your car. Take a picture during the day, but avoid glare from the sun and surrounding objects. The best angle is from the corner of the front bumper because it shows the greatest amount of the car. If you can upload more than one photo, then take pictures of the interior and any features that you're advertising as well. Even if you don't have a digital camera, you can always use a regular camera and ask for a photo CD when you have the film developed. Do NOT use a camera phone; they do not have the resolution quality required for a good photo.
Do some housecleaning
If you're about to show the car to a buyer in person, make sure that you clean out your car. Remove any and all trash, clothes, and items from the trunk, glove compartment, seats, and other small compartments. Because the buyer will most likely look through everything, you don't want to leave your car looking like a mess. Also, spend a little money getting a car wash and a wax, top off all the fluids, wipe off dust inside, clean all the inside glass, etc. Someone will give you thousands of dollars for your vehicle, so the least you can do is spend a little to get it into the best-looking shape possible. Not only that, but a buyer will be more likely to seal the deal if they can see that you've taken good care of the car.
Compile the car's records
Buyers will most likely ask to see your car's records, so be prepared to offer them. Try to gather receipts for past repairs and oil changes and any other maintenance that's been done. Showing a willingness to provide your car's full history will make a good impression and the whole experience will be much easier on both parties.
Be ready for inquiries
Once your ad is online, expect to receive inquiries almost immediately. Make sure that you're prepared for buyers calling you and asking for details on your car. Keep a list of your car's specifications and pertinent details in your wallet, purse, or pocket at all times, just in case someone calls while you're out and about. There's nothing worse than getting a call and being unable to discuss the car with an interested buyer, and it will definitely turn off the buyer if you can't answer their questions when they call you. If you don't want to provide your phone number, make sure you put an email address that you check frequently in the ad. Still, it is best to provide a phone number since a buyer is more likely to want to discuss the car with you directly.

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