"Let the buyer beware.
" Many have probably heard this timeless maxim from friends and family with regards to large purchases.
As you shop for a used car, especially, you may tend to feel the butterflies excite more in your stomach.
Buying a new car from a trustworthy source may not cause as much anxiety because you know you are getting a strong product.
Used cars, however, may indicate that the vehicle has seen some wear and tear.
You may not know everything about the car's history, but if your budget won't allow for a newer model buying used is typically your best bet.
These day, people turn to the Internet to find used cars.
eBay has a motor vehicle section, and a number of dealerships offer methods of shopping for cars and making payments online.
Also, the tried and true method of checking the classifieds has moved online.
Craigslist, in particular, is a popular site for listing used cars for sale.
Now, Craigslist has earned quite a bit of bad publicity in recent years.
You may have heard the stories of personal encounters ending badly, and people claiming they were scammed by others selling items on the site.
To be fair, scam artists do not limit themselves to one place (other sites have similar histories), and this type of behavior certainly was invented after the Internet.
If you are interested in a car you have seen in a Craigslist listing there is a chance it is perfectly legitimate.
All the same, it is important to go into a negotiation with caution.
Whether you purchase the car from a Craigslist ad or via another source, you should definitely exercise caution.
With Craigslist, you cannot be entirely certain that the ad is properly vetted, despite warnings displayed to those who post.
Therefore, you want to be advised of the following: 1) Do not agree to meet at a person's house or have that person come to you with the car.
Keep your privacy as much as possible and agree to meet in a neutral location to have a look at the car.
2) Do not bring any money on the initial meeting.
3) Bring along a trusted friend to accompany you when you go to look at the car.
4) Ask for all paperwork connected to the car.
Be sure to also consult Blue Book values and other pricing to compare with what the owner wants.
Always go with your gut instinct when dealing with such sellers.
It's always safer to remove yourself from a potentially unsavory situation.