How to sell a car fast in Seattle?
August 29, 2011 5:48 PM
I have a co-worker who is moving to one of our offices overseas, semi-permanently, and needs to sell his car. The transfer happened rapidly and there were many things to take care of, one of which, selling his car, didn't get done. He's leaving day after tomorrow. He needs to sell his car before he leaves.
Any ideas on how to do this in Seattle? Are there businesses that take of of this?
Thanks
Seconding CarMax. I have sold them a car, and it was shockingly fast and easy, although I lost a little bit of cash from the sale compared with what I would have gotten from a private buyer.
posted by broadway bill at 6:15 PM on August 29, 2011
posted by broadway bill at 6:15 PM on August 29, 2011
Depending on how permanent the transfer is, he might also take it to a dealership, ask for trade-in value, and promise to buy a new car upon his return to the states.
Would recommend not asking a friend to sell the car for him (unless the friend makes an unsolicited offer and the favor is returned with a very nice thank-you gift). Selling a car for a friend is a pain in the ass (been there, done that, got the t-shirt).
posted by L'oeuvre Child at 6:19 PM on August 29, 2011
Would recommend not asking a friend to sell the car for him (unless the friend makes an unsolicited offer and the favor is returned with a very nice thank-you gift). Selling a car for a friend is a pain in the ass (been there, done that, got the t-shirt).
posted by L'oeuvre Child at 6:19 PM on August 29, 2011
No local CarMax places, but looked good. I'll pass along the Kelly suggestion. I am not even considering helping sell it!
posted by skyscraper at 6:26 PM on August 29, 2011
posted by skyscraper at 6:26 PM on August 29, 2011
He could also donate the car, and claim the value of the vehicle as a tax deduction. I believe NPR accepts vehicle donations. I'm not a tax professional, but it's an option to consider.
posted by mmmbacon at 6:55 PM on August 29, 2011
posted by mmmbacon at 6:55 PM on August 29, 2011
You won't get a great deal, but a dealership will take it off your hands within an hour.
posted by bardic at 6:59 PM on August 29, 2011
posted by bardic at 6:59 PM on August 29, 2011
Yep, that last is his last-ditch solution.
posted by skyscraper at 7:58 PM on August 29, 2011
posted by skyscraper at 7:58 PM on August 29, 2011
Actually, any used car dealership will at least consider it. They'll buy it or not buy it based on how the car fits with their inventory and whether they need more cars. Look around for used car lots that have cars similar to his already (type, age, mileage, condition). Most car lots specialize in a few kinds of cars and a certain price range (in a general sense, not brand per se), ex. low mileage late model, or higher mileage older Frankly, he won't get raked much if any more than he would if he were trading.
Lastly, if it makes you feel any better, seems like private sale buyers these days look up the book values online and unless the car's really something special, are reluctant to offer more than than $500 or so over wholesale - sometimes not even that. If he needs the cash and not the car in 48 hours or so, I'm afraid wholesaling it is the only sure thing anyway.
posted by randomkeystrike at 8:25 PM on August 29, 2011
Lastly, if it makes you feel any better, seems like private sale buyers these days look up the book values online and unless the car's really something special, are reluctant to offer more than than $500 or so over wholesale - sometimes not even that. If he needs the cash and not the car in 48 hours or so, I'm afraid wholesaling it is the only sure thing anyway.
posted by randomkeystrike at 8:25 PM on August 29, 2011
If this is a corporate transfer and it's the company's fault for the rush/chaos here, the most fair approach would be to unload it at a dealership and for the company to pay him the rough difference between the dealer's price and a reasonable blue book value for the car. Alternatively, the company might offer to purchase the car at some approximation of blue book value and to take care of the sale themselves, though they likely want nothing to do with owning the vehicle.
A last minute rush sale may well result in a lower price than one done more sensibly. It's only reasonable that the company should make him whole on this aspect of his relocation if they are the cause of the situation.
posted by zachlipton at 8:28 PM on August 29, 2011
A last minute rush sale may well result in a lower price than one done more sensibly. It's only reasonable that the company should make him whole on this aspect of his relocation if they are the cause of the situation.
posted by zachlipton at 8:28 PM on August 29, 2011
I sold a car to a dealer once -- not a trade in, just straight up drove in and walked out with a check. I got within $500 of what I expected to get from a private sale, without the hassle of dealing with weirdos, tire kickers, and flakes. There's no guarantee it will work for your friend, but it certainly can work well.
posted by Forktine at 8:30 PM on August 29, 2011
posted by Forktine at 8:30 PM on August 29, 2011
It's never taken me more than 24 hours to findna buyer on craigs kist.....
posted by oblio_one at 8:59 PM on August 29, 2011
posted by oblio_one at 8:59 PM on August 29, 2011
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posted by milkrate at 6:08 PM on August 29, 2011