Calgary, the vibrant city nestled in the foothills of Canada's Rocky Mountains, is known not only for its breathtaking landscapes and dynamic culture, but also for its bustling automotive market. If you find yourself in the position of selling your car in Calgary, Autozen is here to be your trusted guide. Join us as we explore the various facets of selling cars in Calgary, and let us show you how Autozen can make the process easy!
Choose Your Method of Selling Your Car in Calgary
When you want to sell your car in Calgary, there are a few tried-and-true ways to get the best price with a quick sale. Let’s compare these routes to selling your car!
Selling Your Car to a Dealership
Going to a dealership is possibly the fastest way to sell your car in Calgary, but it does have its downsides.
Let’s start with the advantages. Selling your car to a dealer can be very fast; in fact, you can probably walk out the door with your cash the same day! Dealers won’t need a safety certificate or Carfax report, as their mechanics will be preparing your car for resale anyway. As well, if your car has a lien on it, the dealer is easily able to resolve that with your lender, saving you the hassle of dealing with the loan company directly. Finally, if you are intending to buy another car to replace the one you’re selling, the dealer will probably cut you a good deal because of the trade-in.
However, the reality is that the dealership needs to make a profit on your car when they resell it, so you won’t get as high a price as you might receive from a private buyer. As well, dealers are pros at negotiating, and you might find yourself agreeing to a lower price than you had hoped for.
Selling Your Car Privately in Calgary
Online platforms are a very popular way to sell used cars in Calgary, but you should look at the big picture before using this method to sell your vehicle.
Because online marketplaces have a wide reach, you have the prospect of multiple buyers showing interest in your car, which could improve your bargaining position. As well, without the dealer as a middleman, you can make more profit, with the buyer still paying a lower price than at a dealership.
On the other hand, there is a lot more work involved with selling a car privately, as you have to deal with buyers, negotiate a price, and complete the paperwork when a deal has been reached. And if you still owe money on your car, you will have to contact your lien holder and take care of paying the loan off. If you have limited free time or are not confident in working with buyers, this may be too overwhelming for you.
Selling Your Car in Calgary with Autozen
There is a new way to sell your car in Calgary that combines the best of both worlds: selling your car on our Autozen platform. You won’t have to deal with buyers, or fuss over the details of paperwork. As well, cars often sell within 48 hours through our online auctions, and you may get a better pay-out than from an individual dealer! As long as your car meets our criteria, selling your car with Autozen is a great solution to the problem of how to sell your car in Calgary!
Getting Ready to Sell Your Car in Calgary
Whichever method you decide to use for selling your car in Calgary, you do have to do some preliminary steps to ensure a fast, profitable sale. Let’s go through the list!
Determine the Fair Market Value
Research the current market value of your specific make and model in Calgary. Several online tools and resources, including Autozen’s, can help you gauge a realistic and competitive asking price for your used car. Whether you’re selling privately or to a dealer, you need to go into the process with a clear idea of how much your car is worth.
Gather Your Paperwork
Getting all your documents together before talking to buyers is a very important step. You absolutely need to have your ownership; if you can’t find it, obtain a replacement so that buyers will know that the car is yours to sell. While a safety certificate is not required to transfer ownership, when you’re selling to a private buyer it’s a great way to assure buyers that the car is in good condition. A Carfax report will provide a history of your car and indicate if there are any liens against it. Also add any warranties and maintenance records to the file.
Prepare Your Vehicle
Before listing your used car in Calgary, ensure it's in the best possible condition. Start by dealing with any mechanical issues, including worn brakes, old tires, noisy mufflers or cracked windshields, as all of these will decrease the potential selling price of your car. See if it’s worth getting scratches and dents repaired at a body shop.
Don’t neglect cosmetic fixes: vacuum and shampoo the upholstery and carpets, and polish the vinyl. Once the interior has that “new car smell”, turn your attention to the exterior. Wash and polish it to make it look its best, and then take lots of high-quality pictures to use in ads.
Selling Your Car Privately in Calgary
If you opt to sell to a dealer or on our Autozen platform, that’s basically all you have to do. However, if you’ve decided to sell your car on your own, you’re also going to have to take care of the following tasks as well.
Create an Attractive Listing
Craft a compelling and informative listing for your car. Include high-quality photos, a detailed description of the vehicle's features and condition, and any unique selling points. Be honest and transparent to build trust with potential buyers.
Advertise Strategically
Utilize online platforms such as local classifieds, automotive websites, and social media to reach a broader audience. AutoTrader, Kijiji, and Facebook Marketplace are all good choices, and it’s worthwhile to list your car on all of them to maximize the audience for your listing.
Respond Promptly to Inquiries
Be ready to respond promptly to potential buyers. Answer questions, provide additional information, and schedule test drives in a timely manner. A quick and courteous response can enhance your credibility as a seller.
Arrange for Test Drives
Schedule test drives with interested buyers in safe and public locations. Allow them to experience the car firsthand, and be prepared to address any concerns or questions they may have during the test drive.
Negotiate Effectively
Be open to negotiations but have a minimum acceptable price in mind. Be firm but fair, and be willing to compromise without going too low. Clear communication is key to a successful negotiation process.
Complete the Paperwork Properly
Ensure all necessary paperwork is completed accurately and in accordance with local regulations. In Alberta, a bill of sale is required, and a standard form is available to download from Service Alberta. Print off two so both you and the buyer have a signed copy.
Secure Payment Safely
When it comes to receiving payment, choose a secure method to avoid potential scams. Cash transactions are common, but electronic transfers or certified checks are also good options.
Finalize the Sale
Once the payment is received and all paperwork is in order, complete the sale by handing over the keys and removing your license plates. Make sure to cancel your insurance and notify the relevant authorities of the change in ownership.
Autozen: The Easiest Way to Sell Your Car in Calgary!
Let’s face it, selling your car privately can turn into a part-time job for as long as it takes you to seal a deal. On the other hand, when you list your car with Autozen, you’ll have a fast and hassle-free experience!
When you decide to sell your car with Autozen, once you’ve gathered your paperwork and fixed up your car, your job is done. An Autozen expert will come to you, inspect and test-drive your car, and take high-quality photos. And that’s the last time you see someone about your car until after it’s sold!
We’ll create your listing and add it to our next online auction. Then, dealers from across Canada will bid on your car. All you have to do is decide to accept the winning bid, and we come to pick up your car and pay you in full. We don’t even take a commission from the seller!
Have you got a great car to sell but feeling overwhelmed by the process of selling privately? Let Autozen take care of it for you instead!
