Geez, there’s just so little “real” information on open-to-the-public car auctions and the many web sites that claim you can buy cars for as little as $100 … or pay just 90% of retail. You’ve probably seen them … lots of hype.

It’s a shame they oversell themselves because there are indeed opportunities to save a lot of money.

And while I happen to be a member at four of these sites, and they’re most definitely worthwhile (some more than the others), the marketing hype can’t help but create false expectations for many people outside the industry.

And if you do a search on Google to try to find some information or reviews of these sites, it’s unlikely you’ll find anything realistic … just alot of “click here to save 90%” hoopla. I’ve tried extensively and the results have been pathetic.

But again, I’m not saying that there’s not really good deals at these auctions. There are. But they make it sound like you join today, either bid on an online auction or go to an auction this afternoon and then drive off in your beautiful 2005 Audi TT for $500 … zip, zap, zoom, you’re done.

I can tell you from experience that this just isn’t going to happen in the real world. Can you get a great deal on the Audi TT? Absolutely. But it will likely take some time and it’s not going to be practically free.

So, lets talk reality here. Auctions CAN fit into your strategy for getting a great price on a car. And these auction web sites CAN make this easier for you. But let’s look at both the pros and cons to establish realistic expectations. Then you can be in a better position to decide if this is something you’d like to pursue or not.

First of all, there aren’t a ton of open-to-the-public auctions to begin with. This means it’s likely you’re going to need at least some amount of patience. Some auctions are quarterly, some are monthly and there are a few that are weekly. They’ve got to build up an inventory of cars so it justifies the cost of putting on an auction. And this takes time.

So, unless you’re a bit lucky, you probably won’t run out to an auction to get your car this afternoon. I guess what I’m saying is it’s not like visiting as many Dealerships as you want in a single weekend.

Next is pricing. There’s going to be other shoppers bidding … maybe even some Dealers. You’re not going to get a “good”, late-model car for a few hundred dollars. That being said, it’s not unheard of to get a $20,000 car for $10,000 to $14,000 … or a $15,000 car for $7,000 to $9,000. You can indeed get excellent buys below trade-in values, and sometimes way below. But just forget about real nice cars for “under $500″, as is often the hype.

Are there cars for under $500? Of course there are. And often good buys too. But they are not the late-model cars.

Next, you may have to go a distance. The good auctions may not be right next door to you. Many auctions do not have online bidding. They’re at a physical location. So, bear in mind that it may not be be particularly convenient.

All of this being said, it is true that there are excellent, money-saving deals at public car auctions. But please be prepared to both spend some time at it and to pay more than the hype implies.earth4energy review|earth4energy review|earth4energy review

Nowadays, hundreds of articles advice people on what to look for before purchasing a new vehicle. But, very few articles advice a prospective car owner on what things he or she should avoid doing.

- Never enter a negotiation zone unprepared

Even if you know nothing about cars -or negotiation for that matter- it is in your best interest to enter the “negotiation arena” well-prepared and “armed.” Collect as much information as possible from a variety of sources and take a mechanical savvy friend along to the dealership of your choice. It is always a good idea to be able to inspect the car at the point of purchase; much better staying a bit longer at the dealership than having to call later only to learn that “this model has always experienced similar mechanical problems and you have not purchased any service-guarantee.” Do not enter the field as an amateur; especially if you are one. Compare cars and prices, decide on the maximum available budget and stay within your price range, secure your finances beforehand and never accept whatever the price-tag says. There is always room for negotiating a better deal, even if that is in a form of a rebate or a 5-year mechanical service!

- Research is not enough for your set of car keys

You can get online, you can ask around, you struggle with the information you will be able easily to retrieve for days. But that in many cases means you are left exhausted, confused and as time passes by, possible in despair. Overwhelming yourself with a plethora of data will not do you any good. Just stop to think things through before you act. No dealer will hold a gun to your head, at least not literally, since they need you more than you need them. It is the law of supply and demand they bow to, as any good salesman, which means that at this point in time you are in control. Enjoy it and never go to a dealership unprepared or simply showing that you are unsure of your final choice. There is enough “drama” in your life at the moment; you certainly not need any additional source of anxiety. Relax, take a couple of deep breaths, keep your car possible choices under the golden number two and enter the dealerships with confidence. Exactly like window shopping. You are not buying -yet- you are just looking! Ask questions, get quotes, request price offers, ask for any extra cost that might not appear on the price-tag and make clear that you are visiting other places before you conclude. You should never give the impression that you desperately need to buy the specific car you have been asking about for the last hour. Dealers are salespeople and can “smell” need and desire, miles away. Give yourself some time to see, test-drive and inspect the car(s). Even if the dealer promises you what it might seem as an incredible deal, leave the car dealership without signing any papers or leaving a down-payment; especially if that is your first day looking. Have courage and patience -attitude here is the key- and you will conquer your goal sooner than expected. That’s the spirit you should have.
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Many car buyers opt to sell their car themselves rather than haggle with the dealer over trade allowance and muddy the waters. Selling a car can be a lot of work, but there are some things you can do to make your vehicle much more marketable and get a better price.

To sell a vehicle, you will need to price it, make any necessary preparations for sale, and find a buyer. The first thing you should do is be realistic about what you have and why you are selling it. If it is on its last leg, acknowledge that and price it accordingly. However, if it is a newer car in good condition, you should take that into account as well.

In order to determine the value of your vehicle, you should consult the major online sources like Kelley Blue Book, NADA, and Edmunds. Be sure to look at trade, retail, and private party values from each source to get a well rounded idea of your vehicle’s potential value. A quick search to see what the same model is selling for in your area is another way to find a decent price for your vehicle. If you are asking several thousand more than everyone else, there should be a good reason, but you should be sure to leave some room for negotiations.

Some cars are very marketable with little or no work, but many can benefit from a little bit of maintenance or attention to appearance. Taking your vehicle to a mechanic and having a state inspection done is cheap and will ensure the buyer can license and register the vehicle without making any repairs, as well as make you aware of any issues. Many small things like squeaky brakes can leave a bad impression on potential buyers, but a mechanic can fix this with a simple cleaning. An oil change, replacing old air filters, wipers, and topping off the fluids will make your vehicle seem well maintained.

Although having your vehicle professionally detailed is not necessary, a thorough cleaning, inside and out, will help you get top dollar for your vehicle. Using Armor All on the interior and tires, replacing ugly floor mats, and applying a coat of wax will make your vehicle as attractive as possible.

It is possible to sell your vehicle by sticking a sign in the window or through personal networking, but listing your car in the local paper or an online source is probably your best bet. Remember, it only takes one curious caller to buy your car, so try to write an ad that focuses on your vehicle’s strong points like mileage, age, equipment, appearance, or reliability. Whether your contact info is for a phone number or email address, think about a quick and honest pitch for your vehicle, but remember that you cannot sell the vehicle over the phone, so try to arrange a test drive if the caller sounds promising.

If you do these things and are willing to bargain, you should not have much trouble selling your vehicle.earth4energy review|earth4energy review|earth4energy review