Selling your car can become a potentially dangerous situation. Strangers and money, as well as the valuable vehicle that is for sale, can create a situation where safety is threatened. Earlier this year, a Melbourne man was bashed and his car stolen, when he met up with a potential buyer for his vehicle which he had advertised for sale on Gumtree.
Dangers Associated with Selling Your Car to A Private Buyer & How to Avoid Them
Carefully Screen Callers
When you receive a call from a potential buyer, ask lots of questions to get a feel as to whether they are interested in the vehicle or if something else could be up. The more you engage with the potential buyers, the more questions asked, the better feel you will get for the buyers. When receiving calls from potential buyers, if you receive a call from a blocked number then it is a good idea not to answer the call, because, If you were to talk to the person and schedule a viewing of the vehicle, there is no way to track the person. The more you talk to them, and the more information you get, the more secure the transaction will be. Also, scammers will tend to back off when they realise you are not gullible as they are looking for easy preys.
Arrange for Meetings in A Public Space & Never Go Alone
Never meet a potential buyer at your home, and never meet the person alone. Meet in a public place that is populated and well-lit. Never give out your home address. If you allow people to meet you, they’ll know if you meet after business hours, which allows strangers to know the time of day you are away from your home. Also, they could come back at a later date and cause a threat to your belongings and safety. Meet with potential buyers during the day, as broad daylight will act as a deterrent with scammers.
Be Vigilant During Test Drives
It is normal for a car buyer to want to test drive the vehicle. But, a test drive could also turn out to be a setup. Before you agree to a test drive, be sure to take a picture of the person’s id (license) and send it to your friend. It is a good idea to have someone with you, backing you in case something does go wrong. Sit in the passenger seat, and if you have to get down for some reason, make sure the engine is switched off and the keys handed over to you before you alight the vehicle.
Selling a car is risky. Private buyers are strangers, and not all strangers have the best intentions. You could find that you are meeting with a person that read the classified ad for your vehicle to scope you out and potentially cause you harm. Selling a car is often a few thousand dollars profit, and that is not worth your safety or life. Take all safety precautions when selling a car.
Car sellers that would like a safe way to sell their vehicles can get them sold with Melbourne Cars Removal. We are your cash for car buyer that is in the business of buying any make and condition of a vehicle. To get your vehicle appraised with us, give us a call at the number below or complete our online quote form.
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