Craiglsist Cars (2024)

FAQs

How effective is Craigslist for selling cars? ›

Getting your inventory listed on Craigslist is one of the most profitable ways to advertise your cars. It's proven that car buyers on Craigslist tend to convert much quicker than on any other classifieds. The conversion rate on Craigslist can be as high as 10%, and that's huge.

Set Your Price Range in Advance

For example, if a car has a market value of $25,000, you can start your negotiation at $23,000 or $22,000. Avoid going too much lower than the market value, as it may offend the person selling their car.

You shouldn't include your VIN on any public listings or advertisem*nts, such as Craigslist, Autotrader or eBay.

selling for $1. While some gifters decide to sell the vehicle to the recipient for $1 in hopes of avoiding gift taxes, it's not always the best idea. For one, it doesn't make the process easier: Gifters must still jump through documentation hoops to complete the transfer.

Rule 2 of how to negotiate on Craigslist is to get them on the phone. Haggling works best when both parties respect each other as people. Unfortunately, email makes it very easy to be perceived as just text on a screen, reducing your ability to connect and close deals.

Make a realistic offer, but one that's also bold enough to anchor the negotiation to a lower point. A savings of 5% or so below the market value (not the price they are asking) is a reasonable starting point for negotiations. Another way to look at it is to do about 15% to 25% below the maximum you're willing to pay.

Make a reasonable offer that reflects both the Private Party Value you found and how closely the car matches the condition the seller claimed it was. First explain how you determined your offer (unreported damage or defects, repairs you will have to pay for, missing features) and then announce your offer.

Use cash — safely

If you're dealing with a local, the most secure way to pay or collect funds for a Craigslist transaction is with cash. To keep it even more secure, you can make the exchange in a safe place like your local police station or even at Acclaim FCU.

Is It Safe To Give A Stranger My Vehicle Identification Number? Yes! Because VIN data is not public record, providing your car's VIN to a potential buyer, whether online or in person, is completely safe. A VIN number can only be used to obtain general information about the service records and history of your vehicle.

Should I give out VIN when selling a car? ›

It's safe to share your VIN with them, as it helps them to get a detailed vehicle history report. The VIN tells the other party about your car, not you. It will not give them any details about your personal life, credit cards, or anything related to your identity.

Get the VIN from the seller before you look at the car. Then run a free vehicle history report or pay for a more detailed report from a third-party company like Carfax or AutoCheck. Be aware of title issues: Make sure the title is in the name of the seller.

“Some wealthy individuals prioritize practicality and functionality over luxury,” said Loretta Kilday, senior attorney and spokesperson for Debt Consolidation Care. “They opt for reliable, well-built cars that suit their lifestyle and transportation needs rather than flashy high-end vehicles.”

But this is not quite the same as saying the majority are driving around in used (as in pre-owned) vehicles. The book reports that “nearly 37 percent” of millionaires bought their cars used.

Subtle Status. Another reason for the wealthy to forgo the purchases of luxury vehicles is a “preference for subtlety and avoiding overt displays of wealth, which can attract unwanted attention or signal affluence in ways that some wealthy individuals are uncomfortable with,” Greiner said.

Don't share personal details.

Never disclose your personal or financial information to strangers online. There is no need for your Craigslist contact to know your bank account number, home address, or date of birth. You might share your cell phone number with someone you are meeting in person, but not more.