5 Easy Steps To Improve Your Trade In Value

Trade In Value Complaints

Being in the car business here in Bartlesville for as long as my family has, I have probably heard at one time or another, just about every complaint an auto consumer might have. And, as a community and service minded business man, I take every complaint I hear seriously. Though it may sometimes be difficult to hear people complain about something you are so proud of, it is only through listening to customer feedback that we are able to build the best dealership possible.

Of all the complaints I’ve heard in the car business the one heard most often, not specifically here at my Bartlesville dealership but at auto dealerships across the country, is that the consumer feels they do not get enough for their trade in. When people trade in their car towards the purchase of another new or used car or truck they often feel that the value of their trade as estimated by the dealership, is much less than the car is actually worth. There are a number of reasons why this is the case.

Trade In Value Factors; Honesty, Realism, and Effort

First, it is quite possible that they are dealing with a dealer who actually is offering them less than fair value for their trade in. As in any business there are some dealers out there whose ethics are always trumped by a couple of extra dollars. These short sighted business men don’t realize that to build a lasting and profitable business customer satisfaction is always the primary concern.

Second, and probably more commonly, people simply have an unrealistic opinion of what their car is worth. As I’ve mentioned in other posts, people often form very emotional bonds with their cars. These feelings they have for their car cause them to see the car differently than it would be viewd by an impartial appraiser. Because of this people often don’t notice the faults that exist in their cars or don’t realize how those faults affect the overall value of the automobile.

And third, and most commonly, people very often simply don’t put any thought into presenting their car in its best light. Remember that when you are trading in your car, you are basically selling it to the dealer. So, just as the dealer puts effort into the presentation of the cars he offers to consumers, when it comes time to trade your car in, you should put effort into making sure you put your car’s best foot, or tire, forward. By spending a small amount of money, time and/or elbow grease on your car before the trade in time comes, you can maximize the value of that trade in and lower the overall expense of the new or used car or truck you are purchasing.

Here are five simple steps you, as a consumer turned salesman, can take to make sure your car is in prime trade-in shape and to make sure you get the maximum possible trade in value out of the vehicle.

5 Steps To Optimize Trade In value

• 1.) To make sure that you aren’t dealing wiuth an unscrupulous dealer, make sure you get an idea of your cars value from a source like Kelly Blue Book before going to the dealer lot. Also remember though, just because the dealer doesn’t offer you top dollar, does not mean he or she is a swindler. Make sure you take off those rose colored glasses and take an unbiased look at the car you are trading in. You should ask the sales person to explain the trade in value you are offered to clear up any differences of opinion you may have as to the car’s value. If they are being honest in their dealings they should be able to explain the value you are being offered.
• 2.) Clean that sucker! This may seem obvious but you wouldn’t believe how many people drive up with trade ins that have cheeseburger wrappers in the floorboard and “Wash Me” etched into the sedimentary layers that have formed on the hood. After you wash it, clean it out and vacuum it, check the paint and interior for issues that can be cheaply fixed. Wax and polish out any scratches or fading. Shampoo the carpet and upholstery to remove any stains. Use a cleaning product to make all plastic and leather surfaces shine. Basically, detail it.
• 3.) You know that bumper sticker that says, “Friends help you move. Real Friends help you move bodies”. Well, while you may think its hilarious, ditch it. Make sure if its on the paint (you wouldn’t really do that would you?) you find an adhesive remover that won’t harm the car’s finish. If there are any odd odors make sure to air it out and use an air freshener. For the most part just make sure that the car is as close to its original condition as possible.
• 4.) Fix those little issues. That burnt out turn signal is a cheap fix and anything that the dealer doesn’t have to worry about repairing is something that will gain you extra trade in value. Have windshield dings and cracks repaired especially when they are often covered by insurance anyway. If your tires are balding you can even look for good deals on an inexpensive set. You should basically contrast the cost of these type of repairs against the lost value of not doing them and decide if each specific issue is a beneficial repair. There is really no hard and fast value to go by so just use your best judgement. Most of the time it will be fairly obvious.
• 5.) Lastly, make sure to gather all the maintenance and repair information you have on the vehicle. Showing the dealer that the car has been kept in top mechanical shape is a big benefit. Eliminating worries about mechanical issues that could end up costing the dealer a large investment before resale, or having to send the car to auction, will make the dealer much more comfortable with the initial investment that is the trade in value you are offered.

A Fair Trade In Value

with all these issues taken care of you should be able to expect a good trade in value for your car. Anyone in the Bartlesville or Tulsa area who is interested in a new car truck SUV or CUV take a look at my inventory and then drop me a comment through my quick quote function or come on down to the lot. You can be assured that we will offer you a fair value for your trade and a fair price for the new car or truck you are interested in.

If you want to offer advice for readers on other ways to maximize trade in values or just comment on the post feel free to leave a comment. You can also contact me with any questions you might have through the Ask Brad form.

I hope you have found this post helpful and are able to get the most value for your trade no matter where you shop for a car. Until tomorrow, have a great day!

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