Will this be the year that you get the car you really want or need? If you've been thinking about upgrading your ride, you've probably been wondering: what’s the best way to sell a car? Is it a good idea to sell a car online? What do I need to know? Here’s an overview of... Continue Reading →
Can you pay for a car with Paypal? Or Venmo? Or Zelle?
Buying (or selling) a car is always a major transaction, because it involves a significant amount of money, as well as legal documents for transfer of ownership and for registration. It’s hard to know how to pay, especially when you’re dealing with a private seller—because there's a risk of fraud on several levels. When you’re... Continue Reading →
Used car market: following the new car scarcity trends
The pandemic has disrupted the global supply chain over the past two years, which is having ongoing impact on all sorts of products, from appliances to computers to cars. One of the component shortages affecting all three is semiconductor chips. It's created a new car shortage that's also impacting the used car market. How serious... Continue Reading →
Avoiding OfferUp scammers: how to protect yourself
Scammers are the worst. As marketplaces continue to grow their online presence, scam artists are stepping up their games (from all over the world). In 2015, 44.9%—or almost half of all consumer complaints—were related to online fraud. OfferUp, a popular site for buying and selling items has made attempts to end the trend. But lately... Continue Reading →
Kelley Blue Book and beyond: researching used car values
You’ve probably heard people refer to ‘book value’ when talking about a car’s price. The ‘book’ they’re talking about is usually the Kelley Blue Book.
The post-pandemic car market: what lies ahead?
A lot of things have changed in the car industry since the start of the pandemic. Some things will likely go back to the way they were. But a lot of new ways of doing things—that were necessary adaptations for the pandemic—may prove to be better ways, and may turn out to be permanent changes.... Continue Reading →
Car depreciation and how to beat it
A Toyota Tacoma listed for sale by owner on TRED We’ve all heard about how the second you drive off the dealer’s lot, your new car starts to depreciate. In fact, most cars lose 10% of their value on that first drive-off. That first year after buying a new car is a killer: the value... Continue Reading →
The state of the used car market: August 2020
Used cars are hot right now, and prices are high. It's a great time to sell, and can also be a good time to buy... here's what to know.
The DMV—long on wait times, short on social distance
Going to the DMV is always a hassle, and a long time out of your day, spent in a place most of us would rather not be. But now, there’s another reason not to go: the risk of being inside, in close proximity to hundreds of people, for an extended period of time. Better to... Continue Reading →
Common car scams and how to avoid them
Buying or selling a car is a big transaction—so scammers and thieves have come up with elaborate ways to exploit the process. Here are some of the most common schemes and techniques to watch out for, and the best ways to protect yourself. Title washing You may have heard the phrase “clean title” when referring... Continue Reading →