Should I trade in my vehicle, or sell it privately?
Choosing which option is be for you.
A question everyone asks at some point or another in their life, should I trade in my car to the dealer or sell it privately?
There's no right or wrong answer. It will largely depend on personal circumstances and a bit of luck.
I'm going to outline some of the reasons for and against trading in your car and selling it privately.
Reasons for trading it in to the dealer:
We live in a world where convenience rules. Look at the food industry, or shopping centers. Everything is based on consumer convenience. Selling your own car can be onerous and stressful. You could get lucky and have the exact vehicle someone is looking for, listed at a very reasonable price and you get a quick sale. Odds are, that won't be the case. Selling your vehicle to a dealership is quick and easy. They can every cut you a cheque for the money right there, or you can apply your equity against the purchase of a new vehicle and reap the rewards of tax savings -- something you won't be able to do if you sell it yourself.
Save time
Guaranteed money
Tax savings
Less stress
Avoid test drives, taking phone calls, gathering necessary documents, avoid dealing with Service Ontario
Reasons to sell your vehicle privately:
Your vehicle is an asset and you want to make the most out of your assets. By selling your vehicle yourself, you maximize your opportunity of making more money vs. trading in your vehicle to a dealer. There's no middle man to contend with. Most consumers aren't going to drive a hard bargain, so long as your vehicle is represented accurately and it's being offered for a fair market price. If you do sell your vehicle yourself, you won't be able to take advantage of tax savings through the dealership -- unless you organize for a convenience deal with the buyer and the dealership where you're buying your next vehicle. You will need to be prepared to advertise your vehicle, get it cleaned up so people can view it and test drive it, handle inbound phone calls/emails, set aside time to let people view/drive your vehicle, work out pricing and complete the transaction at Service Ontario where you're doing to transfer ownership to the new buyer.
Increase profit
More control over price/negotiations
Option of a convenience deal to maximize your tax savings
There's no right or wrong answer to this question. Once you sift through the pros and cons and factor in your own lifestyle and demands on your time, you'll be in a better position to decide which avenue is truly best for you.
If you think it's time for you to sell your vehicle, or upgrade into something new(er), reach out to the sales team at Kia Sudbury (www.kiasudbury.com, 705-524-2404) and let them review the options available. You can check out our used inventory online here or our new showroom here.
By John Nicholson
