Let's say you're in the market for a new car and you're ready to sell your old one. Unless your old auto is ready is for the landfill, however, you're faced with two logical options: selling it yourself or trading it in at trusted dealers of used cars in New Orleans and elsewhere. If you're looking for an answer, it's pretty simple: you'll never know until you try.
Of the two, trade-ins are more sought after. For one, it's much simpler; instead of posting an advertisement and dealing with prospective buyers (not to mention trying to profile them and their pockets), trading in often leads to a simple pricing agreement with a dealer like Baldwin Subaru. That's it.
If you choose to trade your car in, read on for a few tips on how to make your transaction as hassle-free as possible.
Know your vehicle's worth - Before visiting the likes of a local New Orleans used cars dealer, make sure you're going in prepared. Make sure you're diving headfirst into a deal with adequate knowledge of your car's trade-in value, which you can get an idea of from resources like the Kelley Blue Book. Edmunds.com is another valid info source, as well as AutoTrader and the National Automobile Dealers Association. Hitting a dealer with a realistic price is key to success.
Ensure the car is presentable - You don't have to go all-out and get your old car looking good for the dealer and future buyers. Simply vacuuming the floors and the trunk, as well as scrubbing the interior surfaces clean of dirt will make your car look presentable. If there are any odors inside (i.e. pet and smoke scents), you should get rid of them as well. If there are any visible damages, have them fixed immediately.
Have a roster of choices at hand - What this means is that you should take the time to visit a number of dealerships. When you do, remember to explain to each individual dealer that you wish to trade your old vehicle in, and that the money you get in return will influence your decision to buy a new car. This is a logical step in case a deal with one prospect inadvertently goes sour.
Show your records - There's a reason why you're often told to keep your car's maintenance records; you can use them in squeezing a bit more money from the trade-in. If you can prove that your car is well-taken care of, you're likely to get more money in return.
(Source: To Trade Or Not To Trade, About.com)
