OP. When you check KBB, what the amount difference between “Trade In” and “Private Sale”?

I would just compare all the auto buying services and forget the private party price. It isn't worth the hassle.

Carvana usually is highest and easiest process. But compare with Carmax, driveway and KBB.

Anonymous wrote:Thanks. I wasn’t planning on getting in the car for a test drive (I was going to hand over the keys and wait). Should I?

The price difference between CarMax/Carvana and private party is pretty significant.

Private party is a guide, plenty sell for less.

Anonymous wrote:You're just going to hand over the car keys to someone you don't know? Dear lord, bless your heart. SMH

Anyone with any sense knows that each party exchanges keys and vehicles during a test drive, or you ride along with the person while they are testing it out.

Anonymous wrote:I’ve never sold a car before, but I got our “third car” in the divorce settlement and I want to sell it.

I would like to sell it privately because I will get more for it, but CarMax is my fallback. I’ve done my research and have a price in mind, based on KBB.

I’ve cleaned it up and taken pictures. I took the pictures in a local parking lot (not in front of my house), and blurred the license plate. I plan to meet potential buyers in a public place like Target.

What am I forgetting? What other tips (safety and otherwise) do you have for me?

I would use a police station parking lot instead. Thieves won't be deterred by a retail parking lot at all. Odds are you won't meet a thief, but just to be on the safe side.

Perhaps have someone such as a friend come with you when you meet people.

I have sold two cars at CarMax and couldn’t believe how easy it was. And I got more than I expected both times.

Anonymous wrote:Thanks. I wasn’t planning on getting in the car for a test drive (I was going to hand over the keys and wait). Should I?

The price difference between CarMax/Carvana and private party is pretty significant.

CarMax gave us way more than the dealership was offering as a trade-in. The paperwork was very organized.

I went through this recently. Look up Autotrader and open a private seller account. I test drove a car owned by a DC public school teacher. He drove to BCC and I test drove with him in the car through the neighborhood.

Anonymous wrote:You're just going to hand over the car keys to someone you don't know? Dear lord, bless your heart. SMH

No title, no ownership.

But if someone tries to steal it that is quite a headache. Who needs it.

No, you will get a million creepy used car salesman calling you at all hours. Only give a temporary email address. Truthfully just sell it to CarMax and be done with it. Or advertise it on a college campus.

You're just going to hand over the car keys to someone you don't know? Dear lord, bless your heart. SMH

I’m a female sho sold a car privately a few years ago. I was at home and took his drivers lic before I let him drive off on a test drive.
He did test drive by himself, his car was parked so with me at the time too.
DO NOT LET SOMEONE DRIVE AWAY WITH YOUR PLATES ON THE CAR

Thanks. I wasn’t planning on getting in the car for a test drive (I was going to hand over the keys and wait). Should I?

The price difference between CarMax/Carvana and private party is pretty significant.

I got a better price from Carvana. You may get a better offer selling it privately, but Carmax and Carvana are a very hassle-free way to sell a car. And they'll pick it up from your driveway and give you a check. If you sell it privately, you still need to deal with title and a lot of other things. And do really want to get in a car with a stranger as they do a test drive? It wasn't worth it to me.

I’ve never sold a car before, but I got our “third car” in the divorce settlement and I want to sell it.

I would like to sell it privately because I will get more for it, but CarMax is my fallback. I’ve done my research and have a price in mind, based on KBB.

I’ve cleaned it up and taken pictures. I took the pictures in a local parking lot (not in front of my house), and blurred the license plate. I plan to meet potential buyers in a public place like Target.

What am I forgetting? What other tips (safety and otherwise) do you have for me?