When attempting to sell a used car, there are some very simple rules of marketing to follow. This, apparently, needs to be said because it’s nothing short of amazing to see some of the things people neglect when trying to convince you to buy their glaring bucket of prob – - um, I mean – - car. 
The following are obvious, but many times overlooked, and are especially important when you’re vehicle is just transportation and not a hot commodity that will be snatched up in 24 hours flat, no matter the condition.

Keep the outside of the car clean! 

Don’t purposely hot dog down dirt roads after a monsoon, then try to convince anyone that the car is well taken care of.  If it looks neglected and beat on, chances are it is, and there are many other used cars out there.  So keep it clean.  And get it washed if you know someone is coming over to see it.

Clean the inside of the car

Spend a few extra bucks, drop it on the credit card if necessary, and take the car to a full service car wash where they will thoroughly clean the car inside and out.  Many times, you are so used to seeing the dust on the gauges that you just don’t notice it anymore.  If you pay someone else to notice, you will know all has been taken car of.  The car will look and smell clean.  Smells are another thing.  Seriously, if your car smells, you probably don’t even know it. Again, let the professionals take care of the thorough cleaning, just this once, and pay them for it.  It will be worth it!

Keep the inside of the car clean!

Now keep the car clean!  No fast food bags in the car.  No gym clothes in the car.  No smoking in the car.  If you have taken the time to put your car on the market, even if all you did was put a sign in the window, you are likely hoping to sell it soon.  So just live with the inconvenience of not eating or smoking in the car, and drop the gym bag in the trunk – it’s only going to be for a short time!

Lose the pine air freshener

The pine tree shaped air fresheners are a real turn-off.  Makes you wonder what this guy is trying to cover up.  Aside from that, when the air freshener is yours, it’s kind of a quirky joke.  When it’s someone else’s, it’s a tacky stuck-in-the-70’s kind of thing that is really nasty.

Check out Craig’s List

Seriously the best, and cheapest, option out there for selling a used car.  Craigslist.com will let you post an ad for 45 days, with up to four photos attached, for free!  The website is specific to geographic area, so you’re not publishing an ad to someone in another state – unless you choose to post several ads in different geographic areas.  Since the area is specific, you know you will get responses from potential buyers right in the area, which is very convenient.  The ad’s are secure, you’re email address is blind on the ad, so you are not giving out any personal information until you are ready to show the vehicle. 

Ad Photos

For website posting, you will take photos of your car, inside and out, with a digital camera and just copy / paste them to the site.  When taking the photos, be sure car is clean, inside and out.  Choose a sunny day to take the photos.  Be aware of what is in the background of your photos, we really don’t want to see all of the junk in your garage, or the fact that you have a big hairy dog. 

Following this simple advice will take you a few steps closer to unloading your vehicle.