Selling a car on Facebook can be a great way to find a buyer quickly and easily. However, there are also some common mistakes that sellers make that can jeopardize the sale or even open them up to scams. Avoiding these pitfalls is crucial for a smooth transaction when selling your car on Facebook.
Not Providing Enough Information
One of the biggest mistakes sellers make is not providing enough details about the car in their Facebook post. At a minimum, you’ll want to include the following information:
- Make, model and year of the car
- Mileage
- Exterior and interior colors
- Engine type and size
- Transmission type (automatic or manual)
- Any special features or options
- General condition of the car
- Service history
- Asking price
Providing as many details as possible will help attract serious buyers and filter out time wasters. Be upfront about any issues or defects with the vehicle as well.
Not Screening Potential Buyers
Failing to properly screen interested buyers is another common mistake sellers make. Here are some tips for vetting potential buyers:
- Ask for their full name, phone number and email address.
- Ask questions to gauge their seriousness and avoid scammers, such as “Are you able to view the car in person this week?”
- Ask if they have financing or will be paying cash.
- Ask when they hope to complete the purchase.
- Run a quick search on their Facebook profile to look for any red flags.
Taking some time to vet buyers on the front end will help avoid headaches and ensure you find a legitimate buyer.
Negotiating Over Facebook Messenger
Negotiating a car deal over Facebook Messenger often leads to confusion and misunderstandings. It’s much better to tell interested buyers to contact you directly by phone to discuss price and logistics.
Facebook Messenger negotiations can get drawn out since people don’t always respond right away. There’s more opportunity for miscommunication without hearing someone’s tone of voice. And it’s easier for buyers to disappear mid-negotiation since there’s less accountability.
Not Meeting in a Public Place
When it comes time to actually sell your car, make sure to only meet interested buyers in a safe, public location. Some good spots include:
- Bank parking lot
- Police station parking lot
- Busy shopping center parking lot
- Gas station parking area
Avoid meeting at your home or the buyer’s home, as this is less secure. Also avoid isolated areas where there aren’t many people around.
Accepting Only Cash Payment
While cash payment may seem safer, only accepting cash opens you up to additional risks. Consider accepting cashier’s checks as well. Here are some tips:
- Ask your bank to verify the cashier’s check is valid before accepting it.
- Make sure the buyer’s name is pre-printed on the check.
- Never accept a check that’s for more than the agreed upon amount.
Accepting cashier’s check or additional payment methods beyond just cash gives buyers more flexibility.
Skipping Paperwork
Failing to properly transfer the car title and file paperwork leaves you exposed. Here are some tips for safely completing paperwork:
- Fill out transfer paperwork including the title and bill of sale.
- Make copies of the buyer’s driver’s license and insurance.
- Provide documentation of service records.
- Remove your license plates.
- Cancel your insurance policy on the car only after the sale is complete.
Taking care of all paperwork properly ensures the buyer can register the vehicle and you avoid liability issues down the road.
Trusting the Buyer’s Inspection
Don’t let the buyer’s mechanic be the only one to inspect the car prior to purchase. Here’s why:
- The buyer’s mechanic may not provide an objective inspection and could downplay issues to help their customer negotiate a lower price.
- As the seller, you want documentation from your own mechanic on the vehicle’s condition to protect yourself from liability.
Allow the buyer to inspect the car, but also have your own mechanic provide an inspection report you can share with the buyer.
Handing Over Keys Before Payment
Don’t hand over the keys until you’ve received and verified payment by following these steps:
- Count cash payments carefully before providing the keys.
- Wait until the cashier’s check fully clears.
- Make sure the title transfer and bill of sale are signed.
- Keep documentation like the buyer’s driver’s license.
Following these steps avoids a buyer taking the car before properly paying.
Not Removing the Listing After Sale
Once you’ve sold your car, take down the Facebook listing immediately. Failing to do so may result in these problems:
- Scammers could use your listing to message other unsuspecting buyers.
- You’ll continue to be bombarded with inquiries about the listing.
- It may appear the car is still for sale, which causes confusion.
Promptly removing the listing helps wrap up loose ends after the sale.
Conclusion
Selling your car on Facebook comes with its share of hazards, but being aware of common mistakes like the ones outlined above will help you avoid problems. Taking the time to properly vet buyers, meet safely, handle paperwork, and remove your listing are all key to having a smooth transaction.
Exercising caution and patience will give you the best chance at maximizing your return when selling a car on Facebook.