If you are looking for a second-hand car, you may wonder whether Craigslist is the best place to look. Craigslist scammers are a common occurrence. It is true that scammers are a problem, but there are ways around it – visit us!
There are a few scams that you can easily spot. There are several scams that you can easily spot.
The seller promises to ship the vehicle upon payment.
The seller asks for payment via Western Union, moneygram, postal money order etc.
The seller asks for the payment to be wired into another country.
The seller claims that they are in the military stationed overseas.
The vehicle is priced well below the book price.
The posting does not include a telephone number or, if it does, the person in question is a middleman or shopper.
Craigslist also has some downsides. The seller is not responsible for any problems that may arise during the sale. You cannot get financing from the seller.
Craigslist offers some advantages when buying a new car. Often you can find a good bargain. Craigslist has a local focus, so you can meet the seller and see the vehicle in person. Other online sites aren’t local. You can browse a large number of used vehicles without driving anywhere. Also, unlike some other websites, you don’t need to make a commitment to purchase the vehicle online. Craigslist doesn’t get involved in any transaction. This leaves you free for direct negotiation with the seller.
There are many things you can do to make the experience of buying a used car on Craigslist a positive and safe one. Make sure to get the seller’s telephone number, not just an email address. Arrange to view the vehicle during daylight hours in a place that is open to the public. The daylight will allow you to better inspect the vehicle and identify any defects. Also, if you can find the records of the car’s service, it is worth checking. Don’t bring any cash with you to the dealership when you are looking at the car. You may be walking into an attempted robbery.
Also, you should inspect the title for the used car. If the seller can’t show you a certificate, leave. It doesn’t matter what the seller tells you. Without a valid title, you won’t be able register your car or legally drive it. Verify the lien release on the title if it has one. The title must also be in seller’s name. The seller could be a shady or unlicensed dealer jumping the title. Most states make title jumping illegal. The car is likely to have been in an accident, has flooded, or has other serious issues.
Two very important steps are necessary to protect your interests, even if you don’t have a problem with the title. Get a CarFax, or AutoCheck report for the older car. These reports can tell you if a car has been flooded or salvaged. You will also be able to find out the mileage of the vehicle. Several sellers will offer you the report. If not, then you can purchase a report for less than 35 dollars. They are well worth the money.
Before you buy the car, you should have it checked by a mechanic. The mechanic will let you know if there are any current issues with the car that the seller is not aware of. After you agree on the price and decide to buy, you should get the title and a receipt.