Advertise Your Baby
MAGNATIZE to the world
There
are millions of car drivers out there — how do you reach the
one who wants to buy your vehicle?
Turn freeways into free advertising —The first step is to MAGNATIZE your car or truck to the public. The key to the MAGNATIZE system is that unlike hand-scrawled window signs, MAGNATIZE links your freeway-visible phone number to a custom Web listing with detailed information.
Phone number or Personal ID? — Placing your mobile/cell number on your sign allows prospects to respond immediately and directly if they see your car on the road. Using a Personal ID like “BuyMyJetta” offers more privacy. Prospects must use the Web or their iPhone to initiate contact via email or phone.
Home number — If you can't be bothered during your work day with inquiries from buyers, choose your home number. Record a message on your voice mail that states:
If you're calling for the 2008 Taurus, please leave a message. For complete details on the car, or to see a picture or to email me at work, go to www.magnatize.com. (Be sure to spell out.)
CLICK WITH THE WEBreturn to top of page
MAGNATIZE.COM — The MAGNATIZE System combines magnetic
sign advertising with the Internet. Prospective buyers who see your vehicle can get immediate
and detailed information and photos — 24 hours
a day. In effect, the system pre-qualifies buyers by supplying all
the information they need before they email or give you a call.
Other online listings — A variety of used car classifieds exist on the Web. Prices at the time of posting: AutoTrader and The Recycler are free. (The Recycler includes a free print ad but is geared to Southern California.) AutoWeb is $19.95. Autobytel is $7.95. Cars.com is $20, but is usually included free with metro newspaper classified listings.
Other online listings — A variety of used car classifieds exist on the Web.AutoTrader starts at $25.00 for 3 weeks. It offers the greatest degree of precision searching (i.e. I want a 6 cyl. SUV within 15 miles of home, less than 6 years old, 75k mileage and under $10,000.) Cars.com offers free and paid listings. Craigslist.com is free and is a good resource for buyers looking to buy directly from owners. Save time by copy/paste your Magnatize ad copy directly into the Craigslist Posting Description.
eBay — eBay Motors lets you post Local Listings for free (under 6 vehicles per year). Sellers can list their vehicle with an Auction or Fixed Price format. Unlike Local Listings, National Listing sellers must pay a “successful listing fee” if the vehicle sells: $60 for under $2000; $125 if over $2000 (see eBay for details because fees and terms change regularly)
Recycler.com — The Recycler was the original classified printed circular in California before the Web. It has been reborn as an upstart challenger to Craigslist (in most major cities) with free private party ads plus full integration with Facebook. It is also connected with a variety of print circulars.
DEVELOP A SELLING PITCHreturn to top of page
So, you're a used car salesman — Yes, it's your worst nightmare, but now you have to learn how to sell a used car — in your print ads, on the phone and in person.
Which features to push? — Low mileage, air conditioning, CD sound system, garage-kept and luxury features are at the top of the list. If your car has over 100k miles, you may consider omitting the mileage, but it will be the first question asked. If your high mileage comes from "highway miles" as opposed to stop-and-go city driving, this may be a selling point.
Details at www.magnatize.com —Be sure to include "www.magnatize.com" in your other online ads. If you've uploaded photos, say "see photos at www.magnatize.com." Include your 10-digit phone number or Personal ID.
Original owner? — As the original owner, you know the car's complete maintenance history —a big advantage over the questionable history that a dealer can offer. Even if you purchased the car with 10,000 miles and put another 65k on it, for practical purposes, you're the original owner. If you're not the original owner, you can offer a detailed Carfax report for buyer assurance (see Put Your Papers in Order).
What should I disclose? — Many people decide to sell a car when they sense expensive repairs on the horizon. Conversely, major repair investments you've made — new transmission, A/C, timing belt — are a big plus. Should you tell all? It really depends on your ethics and how up-front you want to be. Are you selling to a desperate single mom or a used car hustler? There is no "lemon law" with private party sales, so you aren't forced to disclose anything that isn't asked. Bottom line, you should never lie.