Is buying a car on Craigslist a good idea?
Craigslist is a great resource to find a used car for sale if you go the private party route. Buying a car via Craigslist can seem daunting at times. Use the resources available to you (the bank, KBB, your gut, etc.) and you shouldn’t have a problem.
How do you buy a car from Craigslist without getting scammed?
Buying a Car on Craigslist: A Guide to Avoid Getting Scammed
- Define 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 do you buy off Craigslist?
Buy an Item on Craigslist
- From the Craigslist home page (www.craigslist.org), click US to see a list of states and cities with Craigslist listings and then click the name of your city.
- Go to the For Sale section and click the category you’re looking for.
- Click the link or picture for the item you’re interested in.
What should I be careful of when selling a car on Craigslist?
Don’t include your phone number on Craigslist, give out your financial information, or accept personal checks. Also, make sure that money orders are legit. When showing your car, go with someone and meet at a public place [preferably a bank parking lot]. If a deal seems shady, go with your guts and walk away from it.
Is it safe to buy off of Craigslist?
One of the most important Craigslist precautions is to be wary of scammers. In almost all cases, you are best off accepting cash for a Craigslist sale. Personal checks can bounce, and scammers can fake cashier’s checks and money orders.
What is the safest way to accept payment on Craigslist?
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.
Should I accept cashier’s check on Craigslist?
Never accept a personal or business check, cashier’s check, or money order for more than the purchase price of a product or service and agree to send part of the overpayment to someone else. Ever. Ask the buyer to issue a new check for the correct amount. Never wire money to strangers.
Does Craigslist have buyer protection?
Craigslist is not involved in any transaction and does not handle payments, guarantee transactions, provide escrow services or offer “buyer protection” or “seller certification.” Follow this one rule and avoid 99 percent of scam attempts on Craigslist.
What payment should I accept from Craigslist?
Cash or Check Paying in person with cash or a personal check are the only forms of payment that are recommended by Craigslist. Understand that Craigslist does not guarantee transactions or have any power to correct a transaction gone wrong.
How do I avoid getting ripped off on Craigslist?
6 WAYS TO AVOID GETTING SCAMMED ON CRAIGSLIST
- Deal locally. It’s always safest to finalize a transaction in person.
- Examine the product before finalizing a sale.
- Don’t accept or send a cashier’s check, certified check or money order as payment.
- Use cash — safely.
- Don’t share your personal information.
How do I verify a buyer on Craigslist?
- Talk to the person on the phone, if possible, about the deal. If you have to email them first to make the initial contact, ask them for their phone number so you can talk more about the item.
- Meet the person you’re doing business with in a public place, such as a coffee shop.
- Complete your transaction in cash.
What is the safest way to accept payment for a car?
Any type of payment is safer to accept at a familiar bank in your area. Accepting payments in a bank not only keeps you safe from attempting theft, but also provides a convenient location to verify a check is legitimate. Cash or checks can be immediately deposited for peace of mind all around.
Is Craigslist the best place to sell a used car?
For the vast majority of sellers, however, Craigslist seems to be the perfect middleman option when it comes to selling a used car. 2. Take an Abundance of Pictures The point should be stressed as a vehicle sale could be made or destroyed based on the amount and detail of the photos you take.
What should I look for when selling a used car?
Ensure you include pictures of the roof, engine, interior, odometer, and even the undercarriage. If your vehicle has been sitting for a little time before the sale, take it to a car wash, clean up the inside, even shine the wheels if you want to get it sold.
Should you repair your car before selling it as-is?
If you’re selling your vehicle “as-is” you can skip spending time or money on repairs and concentrate instead on making the vehicle as presentable as possible. A good wash and a coat of wax, even the quick spray-on type, will help your car’s exterior look its best.