Questions about selling a used car on Craigslist

[disbridemimi]

Has anyone done this?

Did you ask for cash only?

How much of a hassle was it? Did you give a phone number or email addy or both?

Help me choose an asking price! According to Kelly Blue Book, the book value for this SUV in good condition is 3200 bucks(good means no mechanical issues) and in Fair condition it is 2800 value (fair=needs repairs).

It is a 1995, we have all of the service records, just got new front brakes rotors pads & the works, has all new exhaust including the catalytic converter, batteries & tires.

The A/C does not work it has a leak (so filling it with frion only makes the ac work for a short time, not worth filling) and it will need rear brakes soon. How much should I ask? I imagine people will not pay the asking price anyway, so I think I might ask like 2950 and let them offer me less due to needing the rear brakes. My best friend thinks i just shouldn't mention the brakes but i really feel like disclosing everything. I would feel bad if someone bought it and then discovered it needs a repair like that. I am following the golden rule here.

I Love this Grand Cherokee it is going to be hard to part with it. I could get the brakes fixed before I sell it, but I really feel like my mechanic overcharges me a lot. I need to find a new one. Plus if someone is handy or has a relative that could fix it they might do better than we would on the price. Thoughts?

 

[DrCavin]

I would take cash, money order, or certified check. Two schools of thought on pricing. If your willing to wait awhile, price it on the higher side, if you want it GONE today put it on the lower side.

I think the AC will be a big expense to new owner so you may want to disclose that, brakes not so much...

 

[mishasmom]

I would be careful about accepting certified checks. I've heard that people are buying cars with fake certified checks.

 

[Rence]

Be aware of the car buying scam. I know folks who got caught on this a while back and recently read an article that it is still very common.

Someone will offer to buy your car - and pay your asking price, possibly even offer you a bit more to "clinch the deal" or "to compensate you for your trouble". They then come up with some story about why they have this certified check, cashier's check, money order or whatever but it is for an amount greater than the price of the car (it is a check from their uncle, it is how they get paid at work etc. etc. etc.) So what they want you to do is to take the check, deposit it in your account and then keep the car payment but give them the difference (usually a few thousand dollars). You may even be told by your bank that the check is good and has cleared etc.

Scam is that the check is bad and it may take a few weeks for your bank to learn of this. At that point your will be liable for the check and will have to pay the bank back the full amount of the check. Your car is gone and your out a bunch of money.

There is absolutely no valid reason why anyone should have to give you a check for more than the amount of the car. If anyone proposes a scenerio where they want to give you a check and you give them change - walk away from the deal. Doesn't matter if they seem nice, if their explanation sounds good, if the bank says the check is OK etc. It is a scam - they don't want the car, they want your money - walk away.