| Conventional thinking is that it is easier to buy a vehicle | | | | (but be careful, as "can" does not mean "will"). |
| off of an individual than it is from a dealership. Fewer | | | | Condition: Most reputable car dealers will inspect their |
| hoops, fewer lies, cheaper and less hassle -- or is it? | | | | vehicles before selling them. Many smaller dealers and |
| Many car dealers are slowly, surely, and finally starting | | | | some individuals will "bandaid" fix items such as adding |
| to become more truthful in their dealings with | | | | Freon to the a/c, adding "No-Smoke" to the engine, etc. |
| customers. It isn't because they ever really wanted to. | | | | Trading: Few individuals are willing to give money or |
| The information on the Internet in this highly competitive | | | | value for a traded vehicle. In other words, if you have |
| market have forced auto dealerships to "come clean" | | | | a car, you can trade it at the dealership when you buy. |
| in many aspects of their dealings. | | | | Buying a car from an individual adds the extra step of |
| Car sellers, on the other hand, are still as up and down | | | | selling your old car. |
| as ever. There are many people who are honest and | | | | Buying Experience: Very few people look forward to |
| straightforward with selling their vehicle, just by nature. | | | | dealing with a car dealership, regardless of how good |
| Still, there are those who are taking advantage of the | | | | they are at customer service. It is an ordeal almost |
| Internet and the wealth of resources available to make | | | | without exception. Individuals are normally a handshake, |
| great money selling as an individual. | | | | count the money, sign the title, and another handshake. |
| Many "individual" sellers actually have a dealer's license | | | | Post Buying Experience: There are many horror |
| because they are selling more than the limit of cars | | | | stories on both sides for this one. Dealers can be |
| that an individual can sell in a year. These licenses are | | | | reluctant to fix a car that was sold "As-Is", while |
| not cheap. | | | | individuals are often hard to track down, plus getting |
| With that said, please erase any ideas that car dealers | | | | them to fix something, either through asking or through |
| all lie and most individuals do not. Honesty must be | | | | the legal system, is almost impossible. |
| judged on a case by case basis, so that is no longer | | | | Conclusion |
| part of the general equation. | | | | It seems like a pretty even comparison. In the end, it all |
| Advantages and Disadvantages | | | | comes down to time and patience. If you have the |
| Selection: There is no competition. It is easier to find a | | | | time to sift through the bad, check vehicles out |
| vehicle by searching dealership inventories than it is | | | | thoroughly, and wait for that perfect deal, buying from |
| from individuals. | | | | an individual may be the best bet. If you need a car |
| Price: Normally, it is less expensive to buy from a | | | | this week, don't dismiss individuals, but be wary. A car |
| individual. With no commission, no "dealer pack", and no | | | | dealer may be your only real option. |
| advertising costs, an individual can sell their car for less | | | | |