While it’s tempting to simply visit your local Cave Creek Jaber’s Auto when searching for a used vehicle, it’s oftentimes not the way to get the best price. Phoenix locals, in an effort to reach more potential buyers of their used cars, are posting more and more frequently in the Craigslist Phoenix Cars section, which is good news for those looking to buy a car. Previously, dealerships like Jaber’s or Cardinale Way Mazda monopolized the section, essentially posting their entire lots on the board. While this practice is still common, more and more people are realizing they can sell their cars swiftly and easily on the website. These individual sellers are often motivated by simply wanting to make space in their driveway or else to make a little extra cash and as such they tend to be open to negotiation on a price that’s reasonable for you, and sometimes more than reasonable. It is very easy to get a car in excellent condition for little money by going through an independent seller as opposed to the larger dealership.
There exist certain perils by purchasing from someone you’ve never heard of before; scammers and deadbeats abound on the Craigslist boards, and the conscientious buyer should know what to look for in an ad. First and foremost, look for the vehicle which fits your budget and your needs. Given the number of cars on the message board, there should be quite a few that will fulfill your requirements. Once you have narrowed down your choices, pay attention to the ads themselves. Where are the cars physically located? It’s not uncommon for people living in Tuscon to post in the Phoenix section in an attempt to get more potential buyers. While this is a somewhat shady practice, it can also indicate that the buyer may be a scammer. Be wary of any ad misplaced geographically. Also, critically examine any photos. Do they appear doctored in any way? Do the depict the entirety of the car or only one side? Do they show the interior? Also, pay attention to the facts presented by the seller. Information such as mileage or whether the car is in good condition should be present in the ad, and if it is missing it may indicate something more than just a forgetful seller. Any vehicle that is registered with Carfax.com is a safe bet, as the website will tell you exactly how many owners the car has had, and whether or not the vehicle has been registered as ever having been in an accident.
After scrutinizing all of the above, the only task that remains is to call the seller and arrange a time and place where you can examine the car in person and test drive it. A legitimate seller will be more than willing to allow for this; if they seem hesitant to let you drive the vehicle, that’s a huge warning. If all goes well, you can arrange to buy the car with the seller, exchange cash for a title, and be on your way down I-17 before you know it.
