Buying a Car on Craigslist: A Step-by-Step Guide
- The Initial Search. Surf to Craigslist.org and click the “cars+trucks” link in the “for sale” section. ...
- Examine the Listing Carefully. Once you’ve pared down your Craigslist search and a handful of classifieds have popped up matching your criteria, what next?
- Contact the Seller. Start your conversation with a simple email or text message asking if the vehicle is still available.
- Consider a Carfax Report. Before you meet in person, use the VIN to run a Carfax Vehicle History Report. ...
- Meet the Seller and Inspect the Vehicle. The inspection process should be the same as with any other vehicle purchase, though Craigslist’s anonymity and inexpensive listing process present ...
- Negotiate a Selling Price. You’ve found the ideal vehicle. The buyer assures you they have the title, or can easily get it. ...
- Making the Purchase. Once you’ve reached an agreement, it’s time to complete the final transaction. ...
What are some tips for selling a car on Craigslist?
Other things you’ll want to consider as you sell your car on Craigslist:
- If the buyer wants you to hold the car because it’s after banking hours, get a cash deposit and give them a receipt for the deposit. ...
- Meet in a highly visible public place or at your home where there are plenty of other people around for security purposes
- Don’t go for a test drive with the potential buyer. ...
What to look for when buying a car on Craigslist?
- If the ad isn't high quality and doesn't have much info that's an immediate red flag. ...
- Seller doesn't have any service records/ doesn't know the service history
- If the seller has a bad attitude/ hard to communicate with. ...
- If the seller talks too much
- If there are unmentioned problems and the seller says "it's just a sensor"
How to buy a car on Craigslist without getting scammed?
- Never give a credit card for age verification
- Don’t trust links to sites for age verification, even if they use “Craigslist” in the name
- Do not give out your personal information on an unknown website
- Meet in person to purchase, you can show them your ID at that time
Should you buy car from Craiglist?
When you're looking to buy a used car, Craigslist can be a great resource, but you need to keep your wits about you and approach all listings skeptically. And when you see the car in person, there...
How do you buy a car from Craigslist without getting scammed?
Buying a Car on Craigslist: A Guide to Avoid Getting ScammedDefine your search.Size up the car listing.Contact the seller.Meet to inspect the car.Negotiate.Exchange the money and title.Do the paperwork.
How does Craigslist work for buyers?
Listings on Craigslist are just like traditional newspaper classified ads. All transactions are between you and the seller; Craigslist is just the “middleman.” That means when you purchase an item from a Craigslist seller, expect to pick up the item in person and pay in cash.
How does buying a car from a website work?
Car buying services allow you to go online to type in information about your desired vehicle, then they search for the car, negotiate price with dealerships, and possibly even arrange to get the vehicle delivered to you.
How do you haggle a car on Craigslist?
How to negotiate for the best deal on CraigsListExpress interest. When you find something you want for sale, write a brief note asking a few questions about it–even if you already know the answer to it. ... Wait 3 to 5 days. ... Make an offer. ... Wait and Negotiate.
How do you pay on Craigslist?
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.
How do you safely buy from Craigslist?
7 Tips for Staying Safe on CraigslistMake sure the transaction is worth your time.Always use a proxy email address.Plan details in advance.Meet in public and bring a friend.Stay safe when a buyer comes to your house.Accept cash only.Trust your instincts when vetting buyers.
Is it better to buy car online or in person?
It's often faster to buy a car online. While you might be able to drive away the car from the dealership the same day, it typically takes at least an hour to get a deal. Negotiating at a dealership is more of a performance and there can be a lot of back and forth between the salesperson and their manager.
What is the best car buying site?
Best Overall Autotrader Autotrader tops our list as the best overall used car site as the most recognized car buying and selling online auto marketplace. Its huge volume of listings and advanced search tool make it the go-to place to buy and sell a car.
What are the steps to buying a car?
Here are the steps.Know Your Shopping Style.Narrow Down your Shopping List.Calculate a Price You Can Afford.Do Your Research.Know When the Price is Right.Leasing vs. Buying.Find Financing, Warranties, and Insurance.Sell or Trade Your Current Vehicle.More items...
What is considered a lowball offer on Craigslist?
A lowball offer refers to an offer that is far less than the seller's asking price or is deliberately too low, as a means of starting negotiations. To lowball also means to throw out a purposely lower than reasonable number to see how the seller will react.
How do you lowball a car?
Basically you want to try and give the impression that you're close to your maximum, so the seller is motivated to lower the price to make a deal. One way to do that is to increase your offer by smaller amounts each time. Say the asking price is $19,900 and your initial (low) offer is $14,000.
How do you respond to a low ball car offer?
Here are five tips for responding to a lowball offer:Don't be insulted. Emotion tends to drive most of our decisions; we use logic to justify them after the fact. ... Respond gracefully. ... Write a strategic counteroffer. ... Expect a counteroffer to your counteroffer. ... Negotiate other terms.
What is considered a lowball offer on Craigslist?
A lowball offer refers to an offer that is far less than the seller's asking price or is deliberately too low, as a means of starting negotiations. To lowball also means to throw out a purposely lower than reasonable number to see how the seller will react.
Does Craigslist require an account?
You can sell items on Craigslist, just like classified ads in newspapers, for free — you don't even need a Craigslist account. Make sure the Craigslist website is set to your correct city, then click the link to create a post.
What happens if you buy something on Craigslist and it doesn't work?
The short answer is YES, you can get your money back or make the seller make the item come up to snuff, legally, but, the cost of making that happen may be prohibitive in the real world.
How much should you offer on Craigslist?
DO leave room for bargaining. Decide on the lowest price you are willing to accept for an item, then price your item 10-20% higher. DON'T be afraid to say no to an offer. If someone offers you less than you think your item is worth, don't be afraid to hold out for more money.
What does it mean to buy a car on Craigslist?
Buying a car on Craigslist could mean major savings on an expensive purchase. But where do you start? Here’s seven tips on how to buy a car on Craigslist, from when you first start the search to when finally you pay taxes in the Department of Motor Vehicles office, including some negotiating tips and red flags to avoid.
How to know if you are buying a car?
Second, check that the vehicle identification number (VIN) on the title matches the one on the car, so you know you’re buying the right vehicle.
How to negotiate a car price down?
To easily negotiate the price down, offer 15% below the asking price and go from there or ask for the KBB value, whichever is lower. If an inspection turns up a problem, ask the seller to deduct the cost to fix it from the car’s price. Lowballing (offering 30% less or more) could leave you standing alone without a new car.
How to pay a seller?
To pay the seller, you could use cash or a platform like PayPal or Venmo. Be warned that those platforms do not protect or guarantee a vehicle transaction. Once you send the money, your money’s gone. Do not use gift cards, cashier’s checks, certified checks, money orders, Western Union or a similar service.
How much does a car history report cost?
The vehicle history reportwill show how many owners had the car, its maintenance record and any accidents. Reports cost about $25 to $40 from sources like Carfax and AutoCheck. If both the title and the report check out, you’ll know the car is fine in all likelihood, and can go ahead and meet the seller.
When a vehicle listing catches your eye, what should you do?
When a vehicle listing catches your eye, check the photos. They should match the description and the car should not have any obvious signs of damage.
How to get insurance before you drive off?
You should be able to do it on your phone through your auto insurance company’s app, on a website or by calling. Part of the paperwork you’ll likely have to present at the DMV includes proof of auto insurance.
What to do if your car is stolen?
Inspect the vehicle for any tell-tale signs of criminal activity such as exterior locks or ignition that look as if they have been punched or damaged. If the car only starts with an implement such as a screwdriver or the VIN plate is missing or defaced, these are all red flags that signify potentially stolen vehicles. If the seller claims that the vehicle was stolen from them and recovered, ask for a police report. If they don’t have one and can't provide it, walk away.
How to meet a car seller?
Always meet the seller at a brightly-lit and well-populated public place – ideally with security cameras – and don’t go alone. Bring a family member or friend with you, or better yet, bring your mechanic! Whoever you bring, make sure they stay focused on the mission at hand. Unless it’s your mechanic, their job is to keep an eye on the seller, not the car. Have them try keep the seller occupied while you look the vehicle over. Reverse this when you bring your mechanic: keep the seller engaged in conversation so your guy can look the car over thoroughly without interruption.
What are the scams on Craigslist?
Common craigslist car scams and red flags 1 Ads that don’t include a phone number 2 Cars that are priced way below what your research indicates their current market value should be 3 A seller who claims to be stationed overseas in the military or otherwise unavailable to meet in person 4 Sellers who demand that you use an online escrow service, which they oh-so-conveniently provide 5 Payments which must be wired to another country using Western Union and other such services 6 The seller appears to be in a hurry and/or very anxious to complete the transaction
How to verify authenticity of vehicle?
Double-check ALL documents for authenticity. Use the DMV to ensure that the vehicle belongs to the seller, comparing the VIN on the documents against the VIN on the car.
Why do people sell cars?
In the initial phone call, ask a few questions, starting with why they’re selling, and beware of elaborate stories, the most common reason honest people sell a car for is that they just got a new car and don’t want or need this one anymore.
Can you advance money before meeting a seller?
Finally, never advance any money prior to meeting the seller, and be cautious about what methods you use for paying. A cash transaction or cashier’s check is usually ideal and can avoid later problems that might occur if you use a bank transfer, credit card, or other methods to pay. When it comes to money matters, an ounce of prevention truly is worth a pound of cure.
How to finalize a car deal?
When you finalize the deal and pay for the car, be sure to: Have the seller sign over the title. Have the seller fill out a Bill of Sale. After the deal is done, go to your state’s motor vehicle registry and pay any sales tax due. You’ll also need to get your new registration and in some states, a new license plate.
What does OBO mean in a car ad?
If the ad mentions OBO (Or Best Offer), this means the seller is willing to negotiate and you should not pay full price. And if you’re selling a car, never, ever write this. It basically announces that your sales price is not serious.
Is it hard to find used cars on Craigslist?
It’s hard to find the hidden gems and there are many unscrupulous sellers. But if you know the safety measures to take before buying there are great deals to be found.
Is it safe to buy a car from a private party?
If you’re buying from a private party, this is a good idea for your personal safety as well. If you’re a woman, consider bringing a friend with you. No need to take unnecessary risks. Be sure to test drive the car. It’s a good idea to try it out on both highway and local roads.
Is Carvana safer than Craigslist?
Safer Bets: Carvana and Vroom are both safer options that Craigslist to buy a used car. Rather than buying from a private party, you are buying from an online dealership.
What to bring to check oil on a 1996 car?
Bring a flashlight, a couple of napkins to check the oil, a notepad, a pen, and if the car is a 1996 model year or newer, an OBDII reader. Also, take a floorjack if you can. Have as many of your car-inclined friends tag along as possible. The more eyes, the better. Greeting the owner correctly is important.
Can you compare a car's online description to its actual condition?
You can use it to compare the car's online description to its actual condition, noting differences to the seller to convince him or her that the original asking price does not reflect the car's true condition.
How to check the laws for a private car sale?
When it comes to a private used car sale, check the laws in your state by visiting your DMV’s website or calling your local DMV chapter. Remember to always take safeguards to protect yourself and don’t let the buyer pressure you in any way. Be prepared to negotiate and be prepared to walk away.
What to ask before inspecting a car?
Always ask important questions before you go to inspect the car. Ask if it has had repairs recently and where they were done. Ask for a copy of receipts for proof. Ask if the seller has had any issues with the car. Ask for the VIN if you want to go the extra mile and do an online check like CarFax. Make sure the seller’s answers are in written form, if you ever need to reference them later.
Why do you need a receipt for a car sale?
A receipt is needed to prove what you paid, when you paid it, and to verify the condition of the car. Make sure both you and the seller signs and dates the receipt. A receipt may make or break your case in civil court. Never pay for a private sale in cash.
What does a title show on a car?
The title shows a lien on the car whose status the seller won’t or can’t verify. There are signs of water damage in the car (new upholstery, rust under the seats, waterlines). The car has fresh paint (a sign of covering up damage after an accident).
What does "as is" mean in private car sales?
That means that whatever condition the car is in when you receive it is your problem to deal with. For the most part, used private car sales are “buyer beware”. Advertising.
Do lemon laws apply to used cars?
I’m sure you’ve heard of lemon laws which provide protection to consumers who buy used cars that have been misrepresented as being in good condition or otherwise fail to meet quality and performance standards. But did you know that lemon laws only apply to auto dealers in most states?
Can you pay for a private sale in cash?
Never pay for a private sale in cash. I know cash can be a powerful tool in price negotiations, but there is no way to track how much cash you paid and when, aside from your word. Make sure you pay in a way that’s easy to track, like PayPal or by check.
What to do if you find a deal from a private seller that seems too good to be true?
If you find a deal from a private seller that seems too good to be true, it is. Walk away.
How to test 4WD?
NOTE: To test 4wd, you'll need a dry parking lot. Put the vehicle in 4-HI, drive forward slowly, and crank the steering wheel as far as you can to the left or right. If the 4x4 is engaged, you'll feel a slight lurching as you turn. If that doesn't work (meaning you don't feel the lurching), try the same thing in 4-LO.
How long should a test drive take?
Check the A/C and heater, all the windows and locks, 4wd, etc. If it takes you less than 20 minutes to complete a test drive and check every function, you're probably doing it wrong.
Can you meet someone on Craigslist?
Meet anyone you contact via Craigslist in broad daylight if possible , and always at a very busy location. You and your friend should both be alert and should stay together.
Do you have to test drive a car before buying it?
You must test drive a used car before you buy it. But before you and your friend jump in a car with a stranger, ask to see ID, insurance, and a registration card. Make sure all the names match, that the photo matches, etc.
Can you bring cash to a bank?
Don't bring cash. Once you've decided to buy, offer to meet the seller at the bank. They must provide a clear title in their name, and you can give them cash right at the counter at the bank. You can also create a bill of sale (only the title will usually suffice for a private transaction).
Can you take possession of a vehicle after you trade in cash?
The road home. Once the cash and official paperwork have traded hands , it's up to you to take immediate possession of the vehicle . Unless previous arrangements have been made, the seller has every right to expect you'll be leaving with the vehicle either under its own power or on the bed of a trailer.
Can you restrict your search on Craigslist?
Narrow your search. Craigslist users have the option of limiting their search to include dealers, private sellers, or both. If you're the type who prefers the convenience of a one-stop shopping experience , you'll want to restrict yourself to dealer listings.
Is Craigslist a good place to sell a car?
Cruising the vehicle ads on Craigslist can be an eye-opening and sometimes overwhelming experience. It can at times resemble the Wild West of digital commerce, but that's also part of its charm. Sellers can be as vague or thorough as they wish with their item descriptions leaving it to you to connect the dots before laying down your hard-earned cash. (Very few Craigslist sellers take our advice for selling a car online .) Here are 10 tips that should help you separate fact from fiction and be satisfied with your purchase:
Can you search for a Plymouth Duster on Craigslist?
(To cast a wider net, you can also use one of the many sites that allow you to search every local Craigslist across the country.) Of course, one could argue that a life that doesn't include at least one late-night transaction involving a Plymouth Duster with sagging leaf springs, live poultry, and Cuban cigars isn't really a life worth living .
Is Craigslist negotiable?
Everything on Craigslist is negotiable. Even if a seller states that a price is firm, the very nature of Craigslist and its low, low price of free for the listings encourages ambitious pricing.
How to reply to a seller on Craigslist?
Try replying to the seller with a message sent through Craigslist anonymous secure response link that you can paste into your email to send the request to Craigslist, and then they relay it to the seller.
What should a Craigslist ad include?
An ad should include a brief description of the condition of the item, price, and seller's area location and, possibly, a phone number. Follow the seller's instructions to the buyer such as instructing you to use the secure Craigslist email inquiry, or to call a phone number.
How to protect email address from Craigslist?
Protect your email address; be anonymous at first and be secure from spammers by creating a membership in Craigslist (if you wish); that way your email is not revealed at the first level of making an inquiry.
How to sell a product that is not guaranteed?
Agree on the selling price. Advertisers fear tricks by buyers and often accept only cash. Be prepared to pay cash for your item. Agree when and where to pick up your purchase. Most sellers do not guarantee the product, and say it is "as is" and that sales are "final!": ...
Can you wire money to a seller?
Never wire or send funds to any seller. Pay with cash only.
Is Craigslist a classified site?
Have you considered Craigslist, a widely used classified-ad web page containing local postings for your individual area throughout the world? It is mostly first come first served with "cash in hand" and "as is, where is..."–like a clearance (like a garage sale). "Promises, promises" are not good enough for the seller–people do not always show up (because of distance, transportation, money and many other "stoppages").
How to test drive a car you bought off Craigslist?
How to Test Drive a Car You’re Buying Off Craigslist. The first thing when you put the car in the ignition is to check the warning lights on, including check engine, AABS, etc. Meanwhile, you may read about how long you can drive with check engine light on. Now, start the car and inspect it from outside with the hood open.
What to do if a car title is salvaged?
If the car title is salvaged or bonded and the seller did not mention it earlier, call off the transaction. Also, if there’s a lien on the title and the lienholder (bank, credit union, dealership, etc.) does not show up or invite you to their reputable office, withdraw from the deal.
What happens if a car is not worth it?
Nonetheless, if the vehicle is not worth it and below your expectation, call off the deal. Also, the seller will request your valid photo ID, typically your driver’s license. Some sellers will demand full payment before giving you the car for a test drive. Some will not demand 50% payment.
What does it mean when a car has a salvage title?
Typically, you want to buy a car with a clean title and not a salvaged title. A salvaged title simply means the car may have been involved in a flood or a crash, making it “not so“ roadworthy. Also, if there is a lien on the title, it means the seller is not the registered owner of the car.
Do you trust every CL seller?
However, you must not trust every seller. You do not have to distrust every CL seller since you are buying from them. Although it’s okay to be cautious, there are some honest sellers on there. Just that you have to manage the risk and follow your instinct.
Is it safe to buy a car on Craigslist?
Yes, it’s safe to buy a car from Craigslist, and many car owners bought their cars on Craigslist. You just have to be careful and follow the car buying rules, especially if you’re dealing with an out-of-state seller. For instance, when buying a used car, you must have it inspected by a mechanic.
Can a CL seller scam you?
Theoretically, a CL seller can scam you.
Step 1 – Search Used Cars
Step 2 – Avoid Used Car Scams
- When reviewing used car listings, be sure to follow Craigslist’s common-sense rules to avoid scammers: 1. DEAL LOCALLY WITH FOLKS YOU CAN MEET IN PERSON– follow this one simple rule and you will avoid 99% of the scam attempts on craigslist. 2. NEVER WIRE FUNDS VIA WESTERN UNION, MONEYGRAMor any other wire service – anyone who asks you to do so is a s…
Step 3 – Ask Questions and Arrange An Appointment
- Contact the seller by clicking on the email address in the listing or calling the number (if there is one). Before setting up an appointment to buy a used car, you’ll want to ask a few questions. You’ll need the answers to make an appropriate offer and asking could put you in a stronger negotiating position. Questions for the seller 1. What’s the VIN#? Use this to run a vehicle history report befo…
Step 4 – Follow These Steps Before Making An Offer
- As mentioned before, its essential to run a vehicle history report.
- Get the car inspected by a certified mechanic.
- Prove the car’s market value.
- Plan to pay with cash or find the best used car financing.
Step 5 – Closing The Deal
- When you finalize the deal and pay for the car, be sure to: 1. Have the seller sign over the title. 2. Have the seller fill out a Bill of Sale. 3. After the deal is done, go to your state’s motor vehicle registry and pay any sales tax due. You’ll also need to get your new registration and in some states, a new license plate. 4. Don’t forget to add the car to your insurance policy or get a compe…