Selling Cars on EBAY

ggood · 05-09-2006, 03:09 PM

Anyone here have any experience or opinions regarding selling cars on EBAY?

I'm about to trade in my 04 Seaside Prius with Nav for a Camry hybrid, and am trying to decide whether to do a private sale. I don't really want to mess with a lot of callers and lookers, even for a $2,000 difference between trade-in and private sale value ($19,000 v. $20,975). EBAY seems like a good option. Any thoughts?

By the way, EBAY already has several 04 Prius listings.

Rancid13 · 05-09-2006, 03:51 PM

I've never sold a Prius on Ebay, but I did recently sell my 1996 Saturn on Ebay to a local buyer. I had a set Buy it Now price, which he selected, then he paid the $500 deposit via Paypal and the balance in cash upon pick-up. The entire transaction, from listing the auction to meeting with the buyer, proceeded seamlessly for me and I would do it again in an instant.

I also helped to list and sell my dad's 1989 Bronco a couple years back, again to a local buyer who paid all cash at the time of the pick-up. That transaction went smoothly as well. I helped him to create an Ebay account and was responsible for creating the listing, adding pictures, etc. All my father had to do was provide his phone # so he could make payment/pick up arrangements with the buyer.

I think it helps to have a buyer who holds up their end of the bargain and doesn't back out of the deal or try to scam the seller.

Schmika · 05-09-2006, 03:57 PM

I have had good experience on e-bay. I sold a car on ebay and was looking for a truck but found one via another web site. If you are careful...if gives you a LOT bigger audience.

Charles Suitt · 05-09-2006, 04:13 PM

18 months ago, I purchased my "slightly used" '04 Prius from an individual on eBay. It was a satisfactory transaction in every way. Both CarFAX and eBay provide some protections against fraud. The Prius had only 4,000 miles on the odometer and was virtually new having been originally bought for an elderly gentleman who passed away. There was a 6-day "bidding" period and through my use of "bid sniping" software, I successfully outbid a used car dealer and wound up paying slightly less than MSRP with my "penalty" being the 4,000 miles. CarFAX is worth the fee and I checked the VIN before parting with the Cashier's checks.

We caught a Southwest Airlines flight to the in-state city, closed the deal at Starbucks and drove her home. I have noted that some dealers will meet you at the airport or pay your cab fare to the dealership.

Mystery Squid · 05-09-2006, 04:40 PM

The Squid's Value Added:

Well, whatever you do, please look up your State's "Lemon Law" if they have one, and thoroughly understand it.

For example, here in MA, anyone who buys a used car from a non-dealership person must get it to pass MA State inspection within 7 days (assuming, of course, the buyer intends to register the vehicle in MA). If the vehicle doesn't, and the cost of the repairs to get it to pass exceed 10% of the purchase price, the buyer is entitled to a FULL refund....

I just sold my summer Mustang on craigslist.com (actually, check out craigslist.com, it's FREE, and within 48hrs, I had my car sold, cash in hand).

Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

RichBoy · 05-09-2006, 05:49 PM

why go private sale if your trading for another Toyota ? For sure the dealer is gonna snap up yor trade and have wiggle room to move on your new purchase, one way or another. another make or model, sure ebay it..but a Toyota Prius for another Toyota hybrid vehicle @ a Toyota dealership is gonna get you the best price and ease of sale than any other ( unless your dealer tries to play ya )

sub3marathonman · 05-10-2006, 11:12 AM

[quote=RichBoy @ May 9 2006, 05:49 PM) [snapback]252379[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

why go private sale if your trading for another Toyota ? For sure the dealer is gonna snap up yor trade and have wiggle room to move on your new purchase, one way or another. another make or model, sure ebay it..but a Toyota Prius for another Toyota hybrid vehicle ] a Toyota dealership is gonna get you the best price and ease of sale than any other ( unless your dealer tries to play ya )
[/b]

I tried to sell a van on eBay and didn't have any success. My friend said that I shouldn't have posted a relatively high "Buy It Now" option, because then the people thought the reserve would be overpriced and not waste any time on the auction. So the choices are either don't have a "Buy It Now," or if you do price it to just a bit higher than your reserve price. I think I set it at about 10% above, so that is too much.

Also, depending on where you live, it might be more beneficial to trade it in if you're buying another vehicle. It is something that seems lost on the car dealers, because they only look at "the book." But I am able to trade it to them for less than what I have to sell at in order to make up the sales tax difference. Of course, this does not work in California or possibly some other states, where you have to pay all the sales tax all the time.

Miss_Taz · 05-10-2006, 11:22 AM

I have bought cars/motorcycles on eBay (not Prii) in the past and had good experiences. Be very wary, though, of fake buyers, scams and escrow services.

I have also used craigslist. While it is free, easy to use and fast, it has not actually yielded a sale yet for me on anything.

Lastly, remember that whatever trade # your dealer gives you is actually compounded a bit by sales tax.

So for example, if the dealer offers you $20k as a trade-in, and your state sales tax is 6%, he is REALLY giving you $20k + $1200 = $21,200.

(This is because the trade-in # is deducted from the price of the new car prior to calculating sales tax.)

You should definitely take this into effect when comparing his offer to outside offers. I was better off trading in my 2005 Prius than selling it outright.

ohgreys · 05-10-2006, 11:52 AM

If you are selling rather than trading in, how do you get the timing right so that you aren't left without a car? The biggest reason we've always traded rather than sold is that it would be very difficult to be down a car.

ggood · 05-10-2006, 12:08 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Miss_Taz @ May 10 2006, 10:22 AM) [snapback]252772[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Lastly, remember that whatever trade # your dealer gives you is actually compounded a bit by sales tax.

So for example, if the dealer offers you $20k as a trade-in, and your state sales tax is 6%, he is REALLY giving you $20k + $1200 = $21,200.

(This is because the trade-in # is deducted from the price of the new car prior to calculating sales tax.)

You should definitely take this into effect when comparing his offer to outside offers. I was better off trading in my 2005 Prius than selling it outright.
[/b]

That's a good point I had forgotten. Since I also would have to have a computer plug repaired prior to doing a private sale, I would probably come out even at best. I also would need to pay off the car note in order to get transferrable title. A private sale is probably not worth the hassle in my case. Thanks everyone for your input.

05-09-2006, 03:51 PM	#2
Rancid13 Cool Chick with a Black Prius Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Los Alamitos, Orange County, CA Posts: 2,455 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 2	I've never sold a Prius on Ebay, but I did recently sell my 1996 Saturn on Ebay to a local buyer. I had a set Buy it Now price, which he selected, then he paid the $500 deposit via Paypal and the balance in cash upon pick-up. The entire transaction, from listing the auction to meeting with the buyer, proceeded seamlessly for me and I would do it again in an instant. I also helped to list and sell my dad's 1989 Bronco a couple years back, again to a local buyer who paid all cash at the time of the pick-up. That transaction went smoothly as well. I helped him to create an Ebay account and was responsible for creating the listing, adding pictures, etc. All my father had to do was provide his phone # so he could make payment/pick up arrangements with the buyer. I think it helps to have a buyer who holds up their end of the bargain and doesn't back out of the deal or try to scam the seller. __________________ Jennifer 2006 Black Pkg #8 w/bisque leather "Max" (Prius Maximus)

05-09-2006, 04:13 PM	#4
Charles Suitt Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 1,624 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #6 Touring Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	18 months ago, I purchased my "slightly used" '04 Prius from an individual on eBay. It was a satisfactory transaction in every way. Both CarFAX and eBay provide some protections against fraud. The Prius had only 4,000 miles on the odometer and was virtually new having been originally bought for an elderly gentleman who passed away. There was a 6-day "bidding" period and through my use of "bid sniping" software, I successfully outbid a used car dealer and wound up paying slightly less than MSRP with my "penalty" being the 4,000 miles. CarFAX is worth the fee and I checked the VIN before parting with the Cashier's checks. We caught a Southwest Airlines flight to the in-state city, closed the deal at Starbucks and drove her home. I have noted that some dealers will meet you at the airport or pay your cab fare to the dealership. __________________ Charles Suitt Dallas Texas 2007 Touring Edition (Former Prius: 2004)

05-10-2006, 11:22 AM	#8
Miss_Taz Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 153 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I have bought cars/motorcycles on eBay (not Prii) in the past and had good experiences. Be very wary, though, of fake buyers, scams and escrow services. I have also used craigslist. While it is free, easy to use and fast, it has not actually yielded a sale yet for me on anything. Lastly, remember that whatever trade # your dealer gives you is actually compounded a bit by sales tax. So for example, if the dealer offers you $20k as a trade-in, and your state sales tax is 6%, he is REALLY giving you $20k + $1200 = $21,200. (This is because the trade-in # is deducted from the price of the new car prior to calculating sales tax.) You should definitely take this into effect when comparing his offer to outside offers. I was better off trading in my 2005 Prius than selling it outright. __________________ 2006 Barcelona Red, package #8, beige leather, OEM black rear bumper protector, OEM mudflaps, OEM black all weather floor mats

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05-09-2006, 03:09 PM	#1
ggood ggood Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 1,290 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: V Package: Adv. Technology Thanks: 69 Thanked 163 Times in 112 Posts Friends: 6	Anyone here have any experience or opinions regarding selling cars on EBAY? I'm about to trade in my 04 Seaside Prius with Nav for a Camry hybrid, and am trying to decide whether to do a private sale. I don't really want to mess with a lot of callers and lookers, even for a $2,000 difference between trade-in and private sale value ($19,000 v. $20,975). EBAY seems like a good option. Any thoughts? By the way, EBAY already has several 04 Prius listings.

05-09-2006, 03:57 PM	#3
Schmika Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Xenia, OH Posts: 1,622 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I have had good experience on e-bay. I sold a car on ebay and was looking for a truck but found one via another web site. If you are careful...if gives you a LOT bigger audience.

05-09-2006, 04:40 PM	#5
Mystery Squid Junior Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 3 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Friends: 0	The Squid's Value Added: Well, whatever you do, please look up your State's "Lemon Law" if they have one, and thoroughly understand it. For example, here in MA, anyone who buys a used car from a non-dealership person must get it to pass MA State inspection within 7 days (assuming, of course, the buyer intends to register the vehicle in MA). If the vehicle doesn't, and the cost of the repairs to get it to pass exceed 10% of the purchase price, the buyer is entitled to a FULL refund.... I just sold my summer Mustang on craigslist.com (actually, check out craigslist.com, it's FREE, and within 48hrs, I had my car sold, cash in hand). Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

05-09-2006, 05:49 PM	#6
RichBoy Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 189 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	why go private sale if your trading for another Toyota ? For sure the dealer is gonna snap up yor trade and have wiggle room to move on your new purchase, one way or another. another make or model, sure ebay it..but a Toyota Prius for another Toyota hybrid vehicle @ a Toyota dealership is gonna get you the best price and ease of sale than any other ( unless your dealer tries to play ya )

05-10-2006, 11:52 AM	#9
ohgreys Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 123 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	If you are selling rather than trading in, how do you get the timing right so that you aren't left without a car? The biggest reason we've always traded rather than sold is that it would be very difficult to be down a car.