subject: Tactical Used Car Buying [print this page] Tactical Used Car Buying Tactical Used Car Buying
When buying a used car, there are many, many positives. There's the amazing level of customizability available when searching online, there's the amount of options out there, and there is the fact that it is essentially a buyer's market. However, there are also pitfalls that must be avoided. There are scammers out there that are waiting to take advantage of the less-informed of us, and if you don't do a bit of research before you make your purchase it's entirely possible that you'll be the target of online fraud.
When searching for a used car, you can set your own requirements and restrictions on any of the many search engines targeted at second-hand cars. Want a white sedan from 1994? Simply enter the relevant search terms. Looking for a hatchback under $10,000? That's fine! You can make sure your results match your wants and needs, and you can narrow your search as you review each listing.
Used car sales is a competitive market, and as such, the buyer is in the best position. You get to choose exactly what kind of car you want, and the seller knows that. All the seller can do is present their car and it's up to the buyer to determine whether or not it's worth buying. With a wealth of options available, there's no need to settle for something that doesn't measure up.
However, there are definitely some negatives to the process that a savvy buyer can avoid if they know what they're looking out for. Cyber-crime is rampant, and it won't take much for a scammer to take thousands of dollars from you before you even know you've been duped.
One common tactic is to coerce the buyer into sending payment via one of several dubious third-party payment schemes. If the seller asks you to pay up-front without meeting, and requests that you send money via an unknown or strange payment service such as the fake MSN Auto Protection Plan' or MSN Money' stop responding to them and report their email address to the police.
However, if you're smart and cautious, buying used cars can be a pain-free and incredibly rewarding experience. Buying used means great value, an excellent selection and the ability to research exactly what you're buying.
