| When you go to buy a car there are three places you | | | | payment of $3000 or they need that for their own |
| can usually choose from. You can choose a car | | | | new car that is what they are going to try and get |
| dealership, auction or a private sale. With a private sale | | | | from you. So it pays to understand the opponent you |
| you are dealing directly with an owner that needs to | | | | have in the negotiation. Whenever you buy a used car |
| sell the car for a variety of reasons. In most cases | | | | whether it is from a dealership or a private sale you |
| they are trying to get a little more for their car than | | | | need to make sure you have fully inspected the |
| was offered at trade in for the new vehicle or they | | | | vehicle. With a private sale the person is not obligated |
| had this one sitting around for some reason. In most | | | | to tell you what is totally wrong with the vehicle. In |
| cases the private sale is going to be a move filled with | | | | other words if there is an oil leak or some other small |
| a little desperation. It is always good to approach the | | | | problem that you don't see they don't have to tell you |
| person to try and ascertain the reason they are selling. | | | | about it. Unlike a car dealership you can't ask and |
| Sometimes you may have to read between the lines, | | | | expect to see a carfax report from the owner. You |
| but most often you will find it is a move to make their | | | | can do your own search for a report, but they are not |
| life a little easier in some way. The thing you should | | | | obligated to offer you that information. What you |
| realize is that they will have done their research on the | | | | should do is ask for the owner to allow a test drive to |
| vehicle. They are going to determine whether the car | | | | your mechanic. You can both stand there while the |
| is in good or excellent shape by searching on Kelly | | | | mechanic tells you what is wrong with the car. It is |
| Blue Book. They are also going to usually determine | | | | best to choose someone you can trust, but keep the |
| the price regarding Kelly Blue Books suggestion or | | | | entire thing above board. The owner may know what |
| another consumer report that exists. In most cases | | | | is wrong with the car or suspect that the mechanic is |
| they are going to advertise the actual car price as | | | | giving you a list of false information if they rattle off |
| higher than the Blue Book price in the hopes that they | | | | too many things. The idea is to pay a fair price, but not |
| get the fair value and leave you with negotiating room. | | | | have either party scamming the other. |
| They may also have a specific amount they need | | | | Mark Robinson writes for Visit his website for |
| from the car. For instance if they are trying to | | | | information about auto loan rates. |
| purchase a new home and they need a down | | | | |