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