If you can find a buyer fairly quickly, selling your vehicle privately is the best way to make a profit. But that鈥檚 a big 鈥榠f.鈥�
鈥淎nyone who has ever tried to sell a car online knows what a nightmare it can be. I鈥檝e heard tons of wild stories,鈥� says Danny Usher, sales manager at in Courtenay.
Selling a vehicle online? What can go wrong:
- Your vehicle may sit on your lawn for months as insurance costs add up and the value depreciates.
- Scam calls and hours wasted on potential buyers who show up late (or not at all).
- Awkward test drives with complete strangers, or anxious moments if you allow potential buyers to drive the car on their own. 鈥淥ne of our clients said someone 鈥榯est drove鈥� his $48,000 truck to move their friend to a new apartment!鈥� Usher says.
Selling a $3000 car privately isn鈥檛 too much trouble, and may be worth the effort. But vehicles valued at over $10,000 are very hard to sell on your own.
鈥淢ost people don鈥檛 have $10,000 cash on-hand. They need , and that鈥檚 a lot easier to do at a dealership,鈥� Usher says. 鈥淎 buyer also has no recourse if they purchase a vehicle privately, so it鈥檚 scary to commit,鈥� Usher says.
15 minutes to save months of hassle
Galaxy Motors started in a small lot in Victoria in 1990 and is now the largest privately owned pre-owned car dealership in British Columbia. While some of their inventory does come from dealer auctions on the mainland, about 35 per cent of their inventory is purchased directly from the public.
鈥淢any dealerships are struggling with vehicle shortages, but we鈥檝e fared better than most. That鈥檚 thanks to our loyal clients across Vancouver Island, and the positive referrals they give to family and friends.鈥�
Selling your vehicle to Galaxy Motors is simple, and only takes about 15 minutes.
- Fill out a questionnaire with information about your vehicle.
- A Galaxy sales manager will take the vehicle for a quick drive and appraisal.
- The sales manager will give you an offer, and if you鈥檙e happy with the number they鈥檒l buy it in.
- Galaxy can even cancel your insurance on the spot.
鈥淥ur cheques come from Victoria so they do take about four business days to arrive, but they never bounce. No drama, no wasted time, and no risk. It鈥檚 fast and easy,鈥� Usher says. 鈥淚f you have a car or truck that鈥檚 less than 10 years old and under 150,000 km, we鈥檙e very likely to make you an offer. Either way, 15 minutes is a small amount of time that can possibly save you months of hassle and frustration.鈥�
Visit Galaxy Motors in Courtenay at , open seven days a week. Browse their inventory of previously owned vehicles at .