How best to sell a car in Austin? (Howe: for sale, transfer)

[southdown]

I've done Craigslist and put a sign in my car - can anyone suggest any other good places to advertise or to sell a car in Austin?

Can anyone recommend any good dealers that are fair and reasonable?

Thank you

[Dr.Mom]

Originally Posted by southdown

I've done Craigslist and put a sign in my car - can anyone suggest any other good places to advertise or to sell a car in Austin?

Can anyone recommend any good dealers that are fair and reasonable?

Thank you

Right now I'm selling a car on ebay and it's going pretty well. The auction isn't up yet, so fingers crossed! The total selling cost is around $130, if it sells, $17 if it doesn't and I can relist for free. Of course, you can opt for a lot of bells and whistles that drive the cost up. To be safe, I'm accepting cash or Paypal and the buyer needs to pick it up or arrange for transport. Please DM me if you have any questions. Good luck!

[SurferDude]

hands down, Carmax. They will give you an offer that is good for 7 days. You can definitely get more private party, but the price offered is somewhere between selling at a traditional dealership and private party.

[readymade]

We JUST sold our (and bought another) car via Craigslist. We also put "for sale" signs on it and drove it around and got some interest that way. We sold our car to a couple who found us on Craigslist, didn't test drive it ("it looks fine!"), paid in cash, and paid what we asked for without haggling. It was awesome.

After we sold it and were planning to to buy another one, we went to Carmax on a Sunday AND IT WAS CLOSED! Apparently they are closed on Sundays, which I think is kind of crazy. So if you do sell it to them, don't go on a Sunday, heh.

[mark311]

Originally Posted by readymade

After we sold it and were planning to to buy another one, we went to Carmax on a Sunday AND IT WAS CLOSED! Apparently they are closed on Sundays, which I think is kind of crazy. So if you do sell it to them, don't go on a Sunday, heh.

Most car dealerships are closed on Sundays here. It's actually a good day to go walk around and look at the outside of the cars without having any salespeople hound you. However, I think Carmax might have their lot fenced off. I've only seen it from a distance while driving on 35.

[atxcio]

It's Texas law that car dealerships can't be open on Saturday and Sunday. Most choose Sunday to be closed, unless they do a special event and close Saturday instead.

However, to the OP -- I also sold a car on craigslist. It went smoothly. I always worry about the title being properly transferred, though.. since it's up to the purchaser to take your signed title and transfer it to them. There is a form you can send as a seller, though, to notify the (state?) that you've sold the car.

[readymade]

Originally Posted by atxcio

It's Texas law that car dealerships can't be open on Saturday and Sunday. Most choose Sunday to be closed, unless they do a special event and close Saturday instead.

Because lord knows most people don't buy stuff ON A WEEKEND! What a crazy law! Especially during this economy. How does that law make sense at all?

[Moonlady]

I've sold several cars using Autotrader. It's not cheap, but I've always gotten a fair deal so I thought it was worth the listing price. I think it was $59 the last time -there are cheaper options.

I also have a friend that works at Carmax and he told me what to expect -that seems like a decent option if you don't get any hits. I think some of it is patience. I tried craigslist - beware of the scammers. I basically said I would only deal locally and that seemed to fend them off.

[atxcio]

Oh yes, always deal locally only with craigslist and ONLY in cash. Forget cashier's checks. Wire transfer done at a bank, MAYBE.

[southdown]

Thanks all for your advice much appreciated and duly noted