Selling a Used Car, Have a Question

[cchen]

So my mom wants me to sell her minivan, so I placed an ad in the local paper.

The van have 2 problems, one being the front left wheel bearing needs to be replaced, the second being that the rear door handle broke off.

The selling price reflects these problems and we are negotiable as well.

However, in the ad, I did not specify these problems

When people call about the car, should I tell them about the problems or wait til they come to see the car?

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: cchen
So my mom wants me to sell her minivan, so I placed an ad in the local paper.

The van have 2 problems, one being the front left wheel bearing needs to be replaced, the second being that the rear door handle broke off.

The selling price reflects these problems and we are negotiable as well.

However, in the ad, I did not specify these problems

When people call about the car, should I tell them about the problems or wait til they come to see the car?

Tell them upfront on the phone. Tell them that for $xxxxx dollars, you can give it fixed. Of course, get a quote on that first.

When someone comes to see it, make sure you've vacummed the whole thing, have all the lights on the inside on, windows cleaned, etc, just looking good.

The reason I said all the lights on is because, believe it or not, people seem to think greater of things in a way with lots of light. When we were selling our Condo, I was about 12, but I left all the lights on when people came to look, and it makes a difference between having just a few lights on and them all one. Of course, that was a Condo, this is a car, but it doesn't hurt to try!

Good luck selling it! :beer:

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: cchen
So my mom wants me to sell her minivan, so I placed an ad in the local paper.

The van have 2 problems, one being the front left wheel bearing needs to be replaced, the second being that the rear door handle broke off.

The selling price reflects these problems and we are negotiable as well.

However, in the ad, I did not specify these problems

When people call about the car, should I tell them about the problems or wait til they come to see the car?

yes you should.

but thell them the price already takes into account the problems.

 

[cchen]

Well, I'd rather sell it as is and have them fix it themselves. Less hassle for me.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: cchen
Well, I'd rather sell it as is and have them fix it themselves. Less hassle for me.

so? you still should let them know that it has problems.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

tell them up front, would you want to get lured somewhere and then find out it's a piece of poo?

 

[filmmaker]

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: cchen
Well, I'd rather sell it as is and have them fix it themselves. Less hassle for me.

so? you still should let them know that it has problems.

Exactly. Better than paying for the potential injuries after not telling them after their purchase. :Q

 

[RossMAN]

I hope you listed a high price in the paper so you can let them bargain you down.

Definitely tell them about the problems over the phone but do not over exaggerate them until they see the vehicle in person.

Also it might be good to offer to e-mail prospective buyers a free carfax report.

 

[RossMAN]

Edmunds.com Tips & Advice on how to sell a used car.