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Trade-ins Can Complicate Buying A New Car

Trade-ins require an extra step when you are on-line getting your New Car pricing.  You need to go tot he same sources and get two more prices.

1. The wholesale or trade-in value of your used car
2. The retail value of your used car

The wholesale value will let you know what you should expect from the dealer if they were to purchase your car from you.  The Retail value lets you know what you should ask for your car if you are going to sell it yourself.

The dealership usually can make good money on you if you trade in a car.  Why?  Because they can use smoke and mirrors techniques when they price your trade-in and your new car.  In the end you have no idea how much you "really" received for your trade-in

You're doing business via the Internet...just don't mention that you have a trade-in.  If they ask you, just say you want to purchase the new car without a trade-in.

Many dealerships have a whole different section to handle used cars.  If you're dealing with a dealership that does it this way. just go to their used car division and tell them you want to sell them your car.  You already have the wholesale pricing from your on-line search so you'll know right away if they are offering you a fair price.

If they are, try to get it in writing.  Then, when you close the deal on your new car, just go over and sell them your used car.

Other ways of selling your used car is to go to one of the many used car dealerships you'll find around town...go to a bunch of them and see who offers you the best price.  you can be honest and tell them that you're sell your car so that you can purchase a new one.

Never, ever give the appearance that you are anxious to sell your car.  Tell them that you're not sure if you're ready to sell yours and buy a new one.  Tell them that you're just testing the waters to see if it makes sense.

Another method is to offer the car for sale your self.   You can list it on-line or in your local newspaper.  You'll get more for your car this way but it's a lot more hassle.  make sure you don't take any personal checks.  the best thing is to go to the bank with them and have them issue you a cashiers check while you're both in the bank.

Also make sure you accompany them to the Department of Motor Vehicles or where ever you change the Title in your State.  You MUST accompany them and make sure this gets done.

Twice I made this mistake.  Both times the sales were for cash and both times they promised to change the title...they never changed them.  The result was a call from the police in Monterey, California on one car and a call from the police in Nashville, Tennessee on the other car.

My son-in-law had the police call him on a car he sold that was never changed out of his name and later was reported stolen.

Here are some things you may hear when you try to sell or trade your car to a dealer...they may, at least to some extent, be true.

• New car Rebates have ruined the used car market
• We have to many of that model
• No body wants that old style
• The mileage is too high
• You car doesn't meet our minimum standards and we'll have to bring it to an auction.  (This may be true at many of the better dealerships...although many of them have a low-end used car dealership located at the other end of town)

Here are some things you can do to help increase the value of your car...

• First and most important.  Make sure it's cleaned both inside and out.  Take it to a place that does detailing and have them do a professional job.
• Have the engine steam cleaned
• Have your receipts for all service work, even oil changes...you want to be able to prove that you took good care of your car.
• I know of a guy who had a hole in is back seat...he put some dirty laundry (socks and underwear) on it.  No one cared to remove it to see if it hid anything.  (I don't recommend this...I always feel honesty is the best policy...I don't want to be cheated so I will not  cheat anyone else.)

Of course, if your car is a junker you'll just have to accept the fact and accept junker price (you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear)

Step Number Eleven...  When The New Car Salesperson is a personal Friend.