10 Steps to Selling Your Car

NAVIGATION

	Introduction
	Step 1: Know the Market
	Step 2: Price Your Car Competitively
	Step 3: Give Your Car "Curb Appeal"
	Step 4: Where to Advertise Your Car
	Step 5: Create Ads That Sell
	Step 6: Showing Your Car
	Step 7: Negotiate For Your Best Price
	Step 8: Handling Complications
	Step 9: Finalize the Sale
	Step 10: After the Sale
	Checklist

PHOTOS

(Enlarge photo)
The wording of your classified ad should be considered carefully to give your ad the best chance of tempting buyers to call you.

Selling Articles

10 Steps to Selling Your Car
Trading In Your Used Car
Edmunds.com's Quick Guide to Selling Your Car
Buying and Selling Cars on eBay

New Car Pricing

Browse By:
Hybrid
SUV
Truck
Sedan
More Types >>

Incentives & Rebates

Latest Incentives
Deals of the Month

2008 Buying Guides

Hybrid
SUV
Truck
Sedan
More Buying Guides >>

Selling Tips

10 Steps to Selling Your Car
Step 5: Create Ads That Sell
By Philip Reed, Senior Consumer Advice Editor
Email

When creating "For Sale" signs or putting a classified ad in the paper, you have an opportunity to show how eager you are to sell the car. This can be done by inserting the following abbreviations and phrases:

Must Sell!: This often means the seller is leaving town and needs to dump the car at a fire sale price.

OBO: This stands for "or best offer" and it indicates that you are willing to entertain offers below the stated price. This usually means you are eager to sell the car.

Asking price: This also communicates the feeling that you will negotiate, but it is one notch below OBO on the eagerness scale.

Firm: This word is used to rebuff attempts to negotiate. It indicates that you aren't in a hurry to sell the car — you are most interested in getting your price.

Think about what you are telling people when you phrase your ad. Little words convey a lot. Besides the price, your ad should also include the year, make, model and trim level of the car you are selling along with the mileage, color, condition and popular options.

previous | next

More Selling Articles

10 Steps to Selling Your Car
Turn your used car into cash by following these 10 simple steps to advertising, showing and selling your car.

Trading In Your Used Car
Are you thinking of trading in the next time you buy a new car? This is what the dealers will be looking at as they come up with a price for your trade-in.

Edmunds.com's Quick Guide to Selling Your Car
Selling your car today is a different experience than it was just 10 years ago, thanks to the tools available on the Internet.

Buying and Selling Cars on eBay
Buying a car on eBay Motors can save you money and be a pleasant experience — if you follow our tips and advice.


	Home \| New Cars \| Certified Cars \| Used Cars \| Car Reviews \| Tips & Advice \| Car Loans \| Auto Insurance \| Forums \| Inside Line \| Detroit Auto Show \| Auto Shows Your Account \| About Us \| Affiliate Program \| Dealer Inquiries \| Search \| Car Dealers \| Auto Repair Shops \| Should You Buy Now? \| Glossary \| Directory \| Help \| Contact Us Edmunds Inc. is hiring! Employment Opportunities © 1995-2008 Edmunds Inc. Privacy Statement \| Visitor Agreement