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Selling your vehicle privately can seem to be a daunting task. With a few simple rules to follow, it can however, turn into a profitable experience for both you and the buyer. Always do plenty of research regarding every step of the process and keep good records of any and all paperwork and in the end you can turn your old vehicle into cash!

The first step is to know the market. Family cars like minivans or sedans are always in high demand. People are always having children and growing their families. While these cars may not be the most exciting on the market, they are very practical to a lot of people. If you are selling a convertible or sports car, try to wait and sell it during warmer months. More people will want to look at a fun, flashy car when the sun is warm and shining and they can show it off around town. Also, do some research online and get an idea for what the average going rate is for cars similar to the one you want to sell.

A couple of useful tools online are Kelly Blue Book and Edmunds.com. These websites will help you to calculate what the fair market value for your vehicle is so you can price it accordingly. After researching what other people are selling similar cars for and getting a fair market value price for your vehicle, decide on a selling price. Make sure you leave some room for negotiating, buyers will inevitably try to get the best deal they can but you don’t want to end up taking a price lower than you really want. Also, price your vehicle carefully. People like the look of a nice round number, like “$8250”. If you price your vehicle at “47”, you could lose some potential buyers.

The next important step to take is to make sure you bump up your vehicle’s curb appeal. The first impression is a lasting impression. Take your car to an auto detailing place and have them clean it from top to bottom. Make sure everything is as clean and shiny as you can possibly get it. Remove any junk or trash from the floorboards and don't forget to empty the trunk. Also, give the car a good washing and waxing and see if there are any scratches or dings that you can easily buff out so your car is at its maximum appeal. Most buyers will decide in the first few seconds of looking at your car whether or not they are even interested in buying it. Also, consider getting a Carfax report to show buyers that the title is clean.

After you have gotten your car up and running and clean, it’s time to tackle the advertising. Newspaper ads, while a bit pricey, often get the best results. In this digital age, online ads can also be profitable. Many websites let you advertise for free and you could get some good hits off of them. Also, put the standard For Sale sign in the window of your car. This can be especially effective if you plan to continue to drive the vehicle while you are trying to sell it.

Once you have advertising out for your vehicle, be prepared for phone calls and always make the potential buyer comfortable so they will want to come out and look at the car. Also, be prepared for potential buyers to negotiate the price you have set. Try to prepare answers to questions like “What’s the best price you’ll give me” or “Would you accept (amount)?”. And finally, know your bottom line and don’t go below it; let the buyer leave and if they are truly interested, they will call you back the next day willing to pay your price.

Once you have a sale in the works, check with your local DMV to make sure that you are following all the laws regarding the sale of a vehicle. Sometimes you can also find a release of liability form to download on the DMV’s website. Record all important information about your vehicle prior to the sale, like the odometer reading and be sure to keep copies of all the paperwork dealing with the sale. And finally, once the sale has been finalized and the title was signed over to the new buyer, remember to cancel your insurance policy. You don’t want to pay insurance on the vehicle for any longer than you have to!

Scott Conklin is the president of Conklin Cars, a leading provider of Kansas Ford, Kansas Toyota, Kansas Honda, and many other Kansas cars, trucks, and SUVs.  Conklin Cars can be found online at:  ConklinCars.com

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Media from various parts of the UK are reporting increasing numbers of people falling victim to criminals using scams involving online car deals. Used car sellers have advertised to sell their cars online and then been paid with forged cash or bankers drafts, which they have discovered only after parting with the vehicle. Being offered more than than asking price should ‘ring alarm bells’, but conmen now do this on the premise that if you pass on most, but not all, of this to another person you can keep the surplus.

Would-be used car buyers, of apparently real bargain cars, have been asked to meet in quiet places and told that the seller will only take cash. Vulnerable buyers have been met at the agree place only to be robbed on their cash.

Online used car buyers and sellers need to take great care to safeguard themselves and their money from this new breed of Internet fraudster and crook.

A good basic trustworthiness checklist would start with:

• Will they give a full name in advance and carry photo ID when you meet?
• Is it possible to verify their business address?
• What telephone number can they supply for the business, other than a mobile?
• Details of buyers bank account made available to you?
• There are still risks in agreeing to a bankers draft but you can meet at your own bank and ask them to check it?
• Notes of foreign currencies, even euros, should be refused as you might be less likely to recognise forged notes.
• Finally, if meeting the buyer or seller half-way, make sure they agree to meet in a safe well lit place where plenty of people are about and take someone with you.
• If the deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

There are plenty of reputable online car firms who will sell you a car or buy one from you without risk but you do need to do your homework and check them out first. Any buyer who will not give you basic information about their name and address should considered dubious.

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The first step in debt management is understanding the real value of your disposable assets as these could go some way to eliminate liabilities. Make a list and include:

• Property investments
• Stocks & Shares
• Antiquities & collectables
• Savings accounts
• Premium Bonds
• Leisure equipments – cameras, bikes, snowboards etc.
• Cars, motorbikes, boats

Car owners can unknowingly have large amounts of equity locked up in their vehicle, even if was bought with finance or hire purchase. The asset value is the price you can get less all outstanding finance. If the car was bought on finance a long time ago you may well have paid off most of the loan. The car you drive is leased then this guide will not apply in your case. Finance companies can easily provide the total final balance of any loan on request. Even if you are in arrears with the payments, the finance company would rather you sell your car, than them have to pursue you for the money or repossess the car.

Selling a car for cash, particularly if it needs to be done quickly, often means taking less than the car is really worth. Franchised dealer sales guys only want you old car if it is swopped against a brand new model. The readership of local newspapers is now so small than few people have any hope of finding a private cash buyer for their car.

Websites such as Sellmycar4cash buy used cars to use as stock for main dealers and offer to value and buy your car quickly without any fees or risk. No car older than 7 years or with mileage higher than one hundred thousand will be valued. Get a speedy value for your old car by completing all the questions in the web form and simply wait for a call back with the price. The valuation is not agreement to sell and you can think it over before deciding. If you decide to sell you car you can call back and arrange for a viewing after which you will be paid the agree amount.