Top Tips to Buy or Sell in the Online Classifieds

Are you considering using the online classifieds to buy or sell a car, or other general items? Here are a few ideas and suggestions...

One of the most effective ways of buying and selling cars, books, electrical, furniture or in fact any household or automotive item online is using online car & general classifieds. Of course classified advertising has been around for years in the offline world e.g. in your local newspaper or business directory, but has been successfully adapted for the Internet.

We're not talking about auction sites here, just the online equivalent of your traditional classified advertisement. Below are some top tips when buying and selling online using online classifieds.

Searching...

Get started by using a search engine to find a classified site in your local area. Perhaps your local town newspaper runs a site, or your local council may run a community site which includes classified advertising. If not it might be better to find a large online classified site that has various sections for different geographic areas.

What do you want to buy or sell in the classifieds?

If you are buying then you may want to start with broad terms such as "washing machine" instead of "Maytag 735L Trilogy 3-Door refrigerator." The seller might not have put the exact model number in the ad and there could be plenty of suitable products with similar features. Keep in mind this is not a product catalogue and you won't find every make and model, but you could find a bargain.

If you are selling using the online classifieds then again it's a good idea to search for a local site first, but if you're OK with delivering your item anywhere in country then your country's category on a larger site is probably your best choice. Classified ads don't always allow lot of space so make your ad grab attention e.g. "excellent working condition Maytag washing machine going cheap." You should also make sure you give as many contact details as possible.

If you are selling your car it's important that you include as many details about your car as possible. Make sure that you are listing under the right make and model and never misrepresent your car.

Be Courteous...

Try to use simple common courtesy when you're negotiating a deal. Introduce yourself, explain what you need the item for and how much you are willing to pay. This also applies if you are the seller. If a purchaser rings you and you sound annoyed, rude or defensive, it's unlikely you will make a sale. It's normal to be nervous on the phone, but being polite will keep things moving along.

Take the Middle Ground...

There are a few dangers in using the online classifieds so it is important for buyers as well as sellers build trust. Meet each other half way without arguing over who should send what first. First agree on a deposit (a percentage of the item's full price) and then agree to pay the balance when the item is delivered. Often it's easier for the buyer to pick up the item themselves.

Use Smart Adverting...

If you see a classified ad that's too good to be true then you should avoid it. Ads such as "make $250,000 a year working from home" are often scams or over exaggerated statements. If you are selling a course about making money from home don't over hype it so it reads like a scam. List it as "Proven guide to working from home."

Use Photos Effectively...

Many online classifieds allow you to upload photos of your item. This is particularly useful if you are selling your car. Be sure to upload a wide variety of top quality photos. Don't be tempted to steal images of a similar model car or other classified items. Make sure you only upload images of the actual item you are selling. It's a good idea to take photos from many different angles and try to show the item in a complimentary setting. For example, if you are selling a convertible you might want to show it on a sunny day near the ocean.

There are many ways to buy and sell, but online classifieds are an inexpensive and effective way to get results fast.