Making Your Used Car Stand Out from the Crowd

So you've decided to sell your car. You jot down all of the particulars: color, mileage, trim package, 0etc. You determine a price, put a 'For Sale' sign in the window and list it in the paper or online. Then it becomes apparent... you aren't the only one selling a Jeep Wrangler.

Bill is selling his for $1800 less than yours. It's got factory rims and hasn't ever seen a coat of wax. There is one a model year newer that is going for the same price as yours, but is also straight factory. You easily have $2,000 in aftermarket goodies on your jeep, not to mention you wash it religiously every month. Unfortunately most newspapers or online websites aren't designed to show users the best value, just what's available. It's up to you to make your listing stand out.

So when writing a listing for your vehicle, consider what differentiates it from others.

Here are some examples...

Bad:      Aftermarket Tires

Good:   RUGGED RIDGE XHD WHEEL 17X9, BLACK SATIN
             AND MICKEY THOMPSON TIRES (Retail Value $2,150)

Bad:       New Bumper

Good:     FRONT DELUXE BULL BAR WINCH BUMPER
               w/ HEADLIGHT PACKAGE (Retail Value $900)

Bad:       Regular Maintenance

Good:    Meticulously maintained by a certified mechanic

Also, most online websites allow for a "short description". Consider making it compelling:
- Loads of aftermarket goodies!
- Meticulously maintained by professional.
- Mainly highway miles.

If you have spent the time and money taking care of your vehicle, don't short change yourself when it comes time to sell.

Happy Selling,

Once Driven

We just hit 140,000 followers on Facebook!

The Once Driven Facebook page reached 140k likes this week. Wow!
This is great news for buyers and sellers of used cars. Our audience is growing.

Visit the Once Driven Facebook page.

FREE Price Analysis

Every Once Driven customer receive a FREE price analysis of their used vehicle. Our team will give you an unbiased estimate of your vehicle's "Market Value" before we begin marketing it. Not knowing whether you are overpriced or under priced before selling it is one of the biggest mistakes sellers make.

There are many free services where you can perform this research yourself:

Kelley Blue Book
www.kbb.com

NADA - National Auto Dealer Association
http://www.nadaguides.com/

Need help selling your vehicle?
We can get started on your price analysis today.
Call:   (888) 941-6515

More on our services:
Sell My Used Vehicle

Once Driven
www.oncedriven.com

Interior Photos of Your Car Recommended

One simple and overlooked step in listing a vehicle for sale online is including photos of the interior of your vehicle. Some people like to snap a photo of the dashboard, specifically the odometer. While a quality view of the dashboard console is nice, zoom out a bit and get the whole console. Also snap a pic of the driver's seat, back seats and trunk. The more photos you add, the better online experience you create for a potential buyer.

GOOD PHOTOS SELL A CAR!

Once Driven's Photo Recommendations:

• Front Corner
• Back Corner
• Front Seats from Passenger Side
• Back Seats from Passenger Side
• Engine
• Trunk
• Interior Detail Shot (Optional)

Here are a few good examples from one of our customers.

This vehicle can be viewed here if you are interested:
http://www.oncedriven.com/used-car/Ford-Focus/6353709966.aspx

Should I Hide My License Plate in Photos?

The short answer:  No

The practice of blocking, hiding or obscuring the license plate of a car in pictures isn't entirely new; however, it does seem to have grown in popularity in recent years. And to be honest, we aren't entirely certain why. It's clearly being done to protect personal identity, but there is little evidence to suggest your personal information is at risk simply by displaying your license plate. In fact, don't we drive around every day with our plates exposed to the general public?

Here's our lighthearted roundup of a few methods used to achieve this level of stealth.

Daylight Savings Equals A Time To Sell.

For many, daylight savings, or 'Springing Forward' is an unwelcome loss of sleep. For others, it marks another hour of much wanted daylight. Many see this as a time to begin spending more time outside working in the yard or exercising. Others see it as the mark of the warmer season soon to come.

Much like the real estate industry, car buying and selling trends change with the onset of warmer weather. Your certain to see more real estate 'For Sale' signs popping up AND there will also be an uptick in individuals looking to buy and sell vehicles. Family vacations, spring breaks, sunny skies, and increased desire for outdoor activities are all triggers for individuals and families to contemplate purchasing a new (or new/used) vehicle.

Our suggestion is to not drag your feet. If you are looking to get into a new vehicle or simply thinking of selling an old one, now is the time. Get it on the market before the market is saturated. Give the vehicle a good cleaning, throw a sign in the window and get it listed online. As always, give us a call if youre having difficulty getting it sold.

Happy Selling!
Mike
Once Driven
888-941-6515
www.oncedriven.com

Consider Having Your Car Detailed Before Selling.

If you are selling a used car, you might want to think about having it detailed prior to selling it. Many auto spas, car washes and car dealerships will offer a "Detailing Package". Depending on where you live, this may only cost around $100-$200 for a very thorough cleaning.

Why spend money like that on a car you are selling? If you're car is older it most likely has some stains and or smells that are difficult to remove. Some of the pros will steam clean stains making your upholstery look better than it has in years. They will clean all of the dust out of the tiny nooks and crannies and make the dash and console look like new.

Think about it this way. If you are selling a vehicle for $6,000, you could get $6,500 if the interior is showroom fresh. That $100 investment could yield a $400 return. Even if it doesn't drive up the sale price, it could mean the difference in a quick sale or a sale that takes months.

Another quick tip:  Have the car detailed BEFORE you take the pictures and put it online for the world to see.