We looked at buying from a dealer but their prices were so much higher PLUS we didn't want to go into debt. Once we decided to buy from an individual, the issue of finding a vehicle we both liked that ran well and didn't cost an arm and a leg was the next hurdle. We searched the local newspapers, trader magazines, and regional websites before finding our minivan at Craigslist.
Shopping Craigslist can be tricky if you've never visited the site before. Here's some tips for navigating and shopping the site.
- The site is organized by state then major cities and then further into categories and sorted by date of listing.
- You can find just about anything on Craigslist but since it's sorted by date of the listing, you may have to scroll through several days worth of listings before you find the "one" for you.
- Be sure to ask the seller lots of questions and for more pictures so you can be as sure as possible before meeting.
- A motivated seller will usually try to accomodate reasonable requests. If you're traveling quite a distance to view your potential purchase then ask to meet halfway but only if you're serious about buying the item.
- Either bring a friend with you or meet in a public place for everyone's safety. Even though the majority of sellers are good people just like you and me, there are those few bad apples. After all, YOU don't want to be the 6 o'clock news headline!
- Majority of purchases are CASH only but feel free to discuss payment options before meeting especially if you're traveling quite a distance or the item is highly valuable.
- Be prepared and bring your payment. It's very difficult for a seller to turn down a reasonable cash offer when the cash is ready to exchange hands. It's a very powerful bargaining chip.
Here's some interesting Craiglist Facts. Don't forget to check out their scams and personal safety sections for more helpful tips. And YES, they even have a blog too!
Chit Chat
