There are many reasons you might want to sell your car — you’ve probably outgrown your ride, or it’s pretty outdated and old. Whatever your reason may be, there’s no doubt that you’ll have to deal with different types of buyers.
If you’re planning to sell your car, one of the best places to do so is in a reputable car junkyard. However, there are times when you want to check out Facebook and Craigslist to see if there are potential buyers on the world wide web. But you should note that the difference between dealing with buyers and handing your car off to a credible salvage company is huge.
When you sell your car to a salvage company, you’ll get to avoid scams and get legitimate offers, allowing you to dodge fraudulent schemes prevalent in the auto market. But whether you’re selling your car online or with a dealer, here are some red flags to look out for to know if you’re being scammed.
Red Flag #1: Gives You Fake Checks and Money Orders
Unfortunately, many people have been targeted by buyers who provide fake checks and money orders. Because of this, before signing over your vehicle to the new owner, make sure that the check and money orders are validated and not fake.
These fake checks and money orders are uncommon to encounter on Craigslist and other online platforms. So if you want to avoid giving your car away for free, make sure that your money is in the bank before you sign the paperwork.
Red Flag #2: Night Hauling
Another scheme fraudulent buyers do is send a tow truck to pick up your vehicle after business hours. The driver will then provide you with a fake check or money order and take your car away.
In some cases, buyers may also promise to pay for the vehicle the next day when businesses and financial institutions are open, but once they have your car, they won’t contact you again. For this reason, ensure that you secure your payment first before you allow your vehicle to be towed.
Red Flag #3: Buying Your Car Without Seeing
When a buyer wants to buy your car without even seeing it, chances are they may be planning to scam you. This is an obvious warning sign that they may be using a fake form of payment to make this transaction and obtain private information on your end.
Even if a buyer plans to take a junk car to salvage or scrap, it’s always important that they see the car they’re getting before they purchase.
Red Flag #4: They Want to Handle All Paperwork
There’s no denying that handling paperwork is time-consuming and such a hassle. Because of this, it can be tempting to say yes to a buyer who says they’ll be glad to handle all the paperwork, saying they’ve done it a million times.
Even so, it’s crucial that you handle your paperwork and that it’s done correctly. So either you do it, or someone you trust does to ensure that proper legal steps are taken to properly hand off your car to the new owner.
The Bottom Line: It’s Worth Working With a Reliable Auto Salvage Company
Though looking for buyers online can seem pretty convenient since we’re living in a digital world. It’s always a good idea to connect with a reliable auto salvage car dealership to ensure that the buying process is legitimate and that you know your junk car is going to the right hands.
How Can We Help You?
Are you looking for a reputable Los Angeles? You’ve come to the right place.
Selling a car can be complicated since there’s so much to factor in and paperwork to consider. But here at LA Junk Car Buyers, we can help streamline your car sale. We buy thousands of cars and provide legitimate offers every single day.
Get an offer and sell your car to us right now.