| ss=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Car | | | | vehicle (leather treatment, touch-up paint, etc.) should all |
| salespeople are trained from day one that the most | | | | be ready for the salesperson for when they stock in |
| important thing they need to do to set up a profitable | | | | their latest trade, yours. |
| car deal is to build value, especially with used cars and | | | | This gives a sense of organization and meticulous |
| trucks. They are shown ways to enhance the | | | | care that will carry over during the appraisal process. |
| consumers’ experience and to promote the | | | | The dealer will know that if you took this much care of |
| preowned vehicle in the best possible light. | | | | the car when you were getting rid of it, you probably |
| The same holds true for the consumer in regards to | | | | took great care of it when you owned it. More |
| their trade in. Just like selling preparing a house for sale, | | | | subliminal money invested into your trade. |
| preparing a car for sale can increase its value greatly. | | | | (4) Spend Up to $100 Making it Ready to Sell |
| Whether you want to take you nice, barely used car | | | | People will sometimes ask if they should get this |
| to trade it in for Oklahoma Lincoln Town Cars or you | | | | repaired or that fixed. Rarely will the cost of fixing |
| have an old beater going to San Diego Used Cars, | | | | something translate into an equal bump in trade value. |
| here are some ways to do just that. | | | | Dealerships can fix their used cars cheaper than we |
| (1) Clean It, Silly | | | | can. |
| It sounds simple, and for those who are thinking | | | | Some things you would want to consider spending |
| duh, you would be shocked to know how often | | | | money on would be an oil change and or tune-up, |
| this basic tactic is not used. | | | | wiper blades, at least a half tank of gas (again, this is |
| If possible, get it completely detailed, including | | | | for subliminal reasons), and possibly even some |
| shampooing the carpet and floor mats, waxing the | | | | luxury adds such as fuel injector cleaner. |
| exterior, and spraying odor neutralizers or using ionizers | | | | Anything too expensive — just let them know a |
| to eliminate odors (especially smoke). Most dealerships | | | | little bit about it and ask them if they think you should |
| will give a small, sometimes even subconscious boost | | | | get it fixed before trading. They will almost always say |
| to the value of a vehicle if it is lot ready when it | | | | no to this, but offering can disarm them a bit from |
| arrives. | | | | deducting too much from the value. |
| (2) Empty It Out | | | | (5) Tell the Dealer Something Wrong with the Car |
| There are articles out there that suggest not emptying | | | | The important thing to remember here is |
| a trade-in because it makes the dealer think | | | | something. You may or may not choose to |
| you’re eager to give them your vehicle. That | | | | reveal chronic problems that you’ve dealt with |
| sort of advice is absolutely ridiculous. | | | | — that part is up to you and your conscious. If |
| If you intend to trade your car, make no efforts to hide | | | | there are no major problems, find something, anything |
| the fact. There is an entire article that can be written | | | | that you can point out. |
| debunking the often implied concept of hiding your | | | | Someone saying that their trade-in is perfect is begging |
| trading intentions, but for now, please have faith that | | | | for a more thorough check in the vehicle. Mentioning a |
| letting the dealership know you are ready to trade | | | | couple of minor scratches on the passenger side, a |
| your car will give you more advantages than | | | | slight shimmy at 70 MPH, or poor reception for a |
| disadvantages. | | | | particular radio station when you get to the south-side |
| Make it easy to move out of you vehicle by | | | | of town will go a long ways in building credibility in you |
| having everything that you are not leaving with the | | | | and your trade. |
| vehicle out and waiting at home to be replaced into | | | | They will probably find these things anyway, so |
| your new car. For the items staying with your trade | | | | offering them up front makes them think, If |
| in
| | | | that’s all that’s wrong with it, this car |
| (3) Prepare a Care Package | | | | must be in great shape. |
| Have everything that is staying in the car in a bag, | | | | --- Final Thought --- |
| preferably a large plastic Ziploc bag. The | | | | Trade values are always negotiable. Do not look at it |
| owner’s manual, maintenance records, valet | | | | as a buy and trade transaction. Consider it like a seller |
| key, second key and key-fobs, and any care items | | | | to seller transaction. Just as they are selling you a new |
| you have that you won’t need in your new | | | | or used car, you are selling them your used car. |