Auto Auctions

For a single one time flat fee of $5 you can now list your car, bike, boat or any other vehicle or vessel on live auction or classified ad globally on Real Hot Deals.

Our name says it all and we mean business. Real Hot Deals is going global. Now you can have thousands of people viewing your ad or auction live for a fraction of the complicated cost structures of eBay or Craigslist in well organized categories that is easy to read, follow and understand.

Welcome to the new Real Hot Deals

Set a competitive price.
Check out our used-car values page to find out what your car is worth.
If you're open to negotiation, determine the least amount you will accept. Based on that amount, you may want to create some cushion in your price - $500 is a good minimum.

Once you set your price, consider using the proper ad lingo to make your point:

Inserting "or best offer" (OBO) or "asking price" signals you'll consider an offer lower than the stated price. You may get more responses.
Stating your price is "firm" signals that you're sticking to your price.
Get your car ready.

Wash, wax and vacuum your car.
Wipe down the dashboard and other surfaces.
Gloss up the tires and polish the wheels.
Clean all glass inside and out, including mirrors.
Clean out any junk from inside your car and the trunk.
Replace any burned out lights or fuses.
Top off the fluids.
Gather your car's records.
A presentable maintenance log with all of your receipts, especially oil changes, can be a powerful selling tool.
Consider collecting your receipts and creating a maintenance log. If you know you had something done but can't find the receipt, log it anyway. Warranty receipts are especially important.

You can put buyers at ease by showing a copy of your car's Vehicle History Report. One of the biggest fears of used-car buyers is unwittingly buying a car that has been in a wreck. A Vehicle History Report reveals if a car was ever wrecked, whether the odometer was rolled back and other costly problems.

Post quality photos.
You don't need a digital camera. Just take your film to your local photo-processing lab and ask for a photo CD. You can easily upload photos from the CD to your ad. Or, you can turn your prints into digital pictures with a scanner.
Before you point and shoot, remember these guidelines:

Photograph your car in daylight.
Avoid reflections and shadows from the sun and trees.
Photograph your car at a front-side angle to achieve a good view of the entire car.
Park your car against a flattering backdrop.
Make sure your car is clean and neat in appearance.
If you post multiple photos, photograph the interior and any special features about your car, such as specialty tires and wheels.
Give details buyers will respond to.
With an online ad, you get to give buyers those extra details that grab their attention.
Keep in mind the first 150 characters of your description will show on your Search Results listing. Put your most important details first, so buyers see them right away.

Consider giving some of the following details:

Appeal to a buyer's lifestyle. Ex. "Van - great family car," "economy car," "excellent gas mileage makes it a great commuter car," etc.
Use key phrases that typically signal you've taken care of your car, like "one owner," "garage-kept" and "maintenance records available." But do be honest!
Mention any non-standard modifications and improvements, such as stereo, speakers and specialty wheels.
List any recent replacements, like new tires or battery.
Show your car to interested buyers.
Once you make an appointment, a buyer will most likely want to take your car for a spin.
Before the test drive, remember to:

Ask to see a valid driver's license and proof of insurance.
Let the buyer drive, but you navigate.
Have a planned route in mind that allows the buyer to experience different driving conditions.
If a buyer is very interested and wants you to hold the car, ask for a deposit and specify that it's only for a certain amount of time. Also, some buyers may want to have the car inspected by their mechanic. This is a reasonable request, but it's up to you how you want to handle it.

Negotiate a fair price.
Prepare yourself with possible responses when a buyer begins to negotiate. For example:
If a buyer mentions a scratch or ding, say it's normal wear and tear and that it's accounted for in the depreciated market value.
If a buyer makes an offer lower than your asking price, counter offer. Never seem too eager to lower your price. And don't budge beyond your minimum.
If a buyer shows you a mechanic's receipt for repairs needed on your car, take a look at the repairs. If they're warranted, consider reducing the price based on the amount needed for the repairs. If you advertised that your car is being sold "as is," then simply refer to your ad.
Finalize the sale.
Once you settle on a price, accept only cash or a cashier's check before you sign over the title. And make sure the check has cleared at the issuing bank.
Be suspicious of any buyer who offers a complicated payment arrangement that involves overpayment with a refund. This is often a sign of fraud. To learn more about spotting a scam, read our fraud awareness tips.

You should have a bill of sale ready for both parties. A bill of sale is a sales receipt that shows transfer of ownership to the buyer and contains both parties' contact information, details about the car, the agreed upon selling price and the odometer reading.

To find a bill of sale, your state motor vehicle website should offer a detailed form. If not, try an office supply store for a generic form that you can add to, if needed.

Also, check with your state's motor vehicle website to find out what the requirements are to transfer the title to the new owner. Generally, you will have to sign and date the title before turning it over to the buyer. Notifying your local motor vehicle office of the transaction and ensuring the title is correctly transferred will prevent you from being liable for any accidents.

If you still owe money on the car and a lending institution is holding the title, you can finish the sale with the buyer at the offices of the lender. Once you have the money and the loan has been paid off, sign the title to the buyer.

If the bank is out of state, you can go with the buyer to the motor vehicle office and get a temporary operating permit based on the bill of sale. Once you pay off the balance of the loan with the money from your car sale, you'll receive the title. Sign it over to the new owner and the transaction is complete.

One last thing - don't forget to cancel or transfer your insurance policy to your new car.