Check out the things you should and shouldn't do when selling your car.

There are a lot of horror stories you have witnessed on the news, heard from a friend and saw on social media. These horror stories started out with a seemingly innocent act of contacting a second-hand car seller on Craigslist or other online selling platforms. Then, the next thing people knew, there's a missing person report filed to the nearest station, and upon further investigation, the person turns out to be dead. Worse, murdered.

These are just some of the gruesome realities associated and worries when you put your used car for sale. Yes, of course, you can let family members purchase or your friend buy it but what if no one from them will? You need the money for a desperate cause, and you need it fast! And where do fast transactions occur? Online! There are a lot of dangers associated with transacting such high-value properties on sale with strangers you know nothing of. So, how can you sell your car and meet them securely and professionally? Here are some of the most common dos and don't of car selling brought to you by Philcarnews.com.

1. Do screen the potential buyers

When you post an item for sale in popular selling platforms such as Craigslist, a lot of interested people will leave you a message to further delve into the transaction. One way of screening out the pranksters and the sketchy ones from a legitimate buyer is to demand them to leave their home or mobile contact numbers for you to reach.

People who are interested in making the purchase will be eager to know about the state of the car and the details about it so they will not hesitate to do so. Once you obtain their mobile number, schedule a lengthy call for the terms and conditions of the transaction.

One way of screening out the pranksters and the sketchy ones from a legitimate buyer is to demand them to leave their home or mobile contact numbers for you to reach

2. Do ask questions about their needs and limitations regarding the state of the car

Once a call schedule has been decided by both parties about the car, stick to it and engage the potential buyer on the necessary information you can provide about it. Most of the time, people who don’t know anything about cars would just ask for the selling price, your location and when can he take the vehicle home. However, you can gauge their interest and sincerity to the transaction by providing at least with the current stature of your car. For example, tell them the model and what year you purchased the car, what brand is it, how long have you been using it and on what purpose do you usually utilize it.

Also, you can ask them about the nature of their function so that you can gauge on what purpose they will have this car for. For example, an office person would probably not be interested in owning an SUV. Or, inquire about their financial capabilities. In this manner, you can pick out which buyer is the most appropriate one for the transaction.

>>> Read more:

• Planning to sell your car? What are the things you need to know first?
• When Is the Best Time to Sell My Car?
• 4 types of car buyers and how to deal with them

You can ask potential buyers about the nature of their function so that you can gauge on what purpose they will have this car for

3. Do away from extremely cheap or unacceptable bargaining requests

Since the online community is never short of a whole lot of different people, there might be flippers that are interested in purchasing your car at a meager price then sell it again with a humongous mark-up. This is outright unfair.

If there are people that seem to know what they are dealing with, it’s a red flag of caution. These might be people that are hoarding off car parts from used one to turn in a profit. Stick to what your current market value. Yes, you can give a discount but at a measurable amount. Nothing too drastic that you might suffer a loss from the transaction.

4. Do agree for a test drive

Once potential buyers have been screened, it is now time to meet them for the final transactions and test drive. Since they would only want to ensure that they are purchasing something of their money’s worth, going out for a test drive is a must.

It is important to note, however, that before you let them drive your car, to have a copy of their unexpired driver's license and tell them that you'd like to be with them as a front seat passenger while the buyer drives. You wouldn’t want to let that person drive off into the sunset with an unpaid car, would you?

​​​​​​​

Once potential buyers have been screened, it is now time to meet them for the final transactions and test drive

5. Don't go into a meet-up alone

If possible, have a male member of your family or closes friends accompany you into meeting with the buyer. This will minimize the risks of having an unsafe and potentially murderous plot against you as a seller. It is better to take extra caution especially now that people always seem to have an ulterior motive with almost anybody they come across with.

6. Don’t meet in places where there is no surveillance at night time

What kind of person would agree to settle a large amount of money while in the dark? No one. Except, if you are Batman. Kidding aside, it is much better if both parties meet at a local park where people are crowding in to play and socialize with other residents. If your buyer requests you to meet at a place you are uncomfortable with, decline that request and never entertain that person again.

It is much better if both parties meet at a local park where people are crowding in to play and socialize with other residents

7. Don’t accept checks and other financial items that have the risk of "bouncing"

Once the test drive goes well and you agree to a final price point, don’t accept financial equivalents like check or money order that have the risk of being inadequate for your selling price. If possible, tell the screened potential buyers that you only accept cash or deposits straight into your bank account before you give the key and let them drive your beloved vehicle.

There are a lot of ways you can transact online without risking your life into some shady deal. After all, such online platforms exist to widen the scope of the market, bring more people in as potential customers and clientele and transact more conveniently. Rule of the thumb, if your gut says otherwise, listen to it. This precaution might save your life and your property.

>>> Click to get more helpful tips and advice for car buying and selling