Sell a Boat or Car on EBay

Selling cars, boats and other vehicles such as motorcycles, trailers and RVs can be a pain in the neck. Not only is it expensive to advertise in newspapers and specialty trader type magazines, you have to deal with looky-loos and no-shows. And if you"re in an out of the way location, it"s even harder to convince a buyer to come take a look.

Thanks to eBay and eBay motors, selling cars and other vehicles has never been easier. First you must register as an eBay seller if you are not already one. The process is simple, a one time step that is both free and secure. You will need to provide eBay with your credit card and checking account info. They charge $40 to list the vehicle with additional options available as upgrades. A secondary fee kicks in if the vehicle sells, meets the reserve price or receives a bid.

Next, print out the "Sell Your Vehicle Checklist". Take this checklist out to your car and fill in the details such as the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), mileage and any special equipment such as sunroof, CD player, four wheel drive and so forth.

Take photos, preferably digital photos, for uploading to eBay. It"s important to show as much as possible about the car so be sure to photograph all four sides of the exterior, the interior, the engine, the odometer and close-ups of any dents, stains or other damage. Whether your photos are shot digitally or scanned in with a scanner, choose a small file format appropriate for the web.

Once you have all your information handy and your photos ready for uploading, it is time to create the listing. Make sure to provide as much detail as possible, the terms of the sale and an appropriate price. When listing details, include the year, make and model, engine type and transmission, condition of interior and exterior, options and packages, interior features such as leather seats, any other notable features or modifications. Let the buyers know as much as possible about the cars history and service and maintenance records. If the vehicle is still covered under any factory warranties, list that information as well.

Some cars qualify for a free short term warranty that eBay offers through the Aon Warranty Group. As you go through the process, this option may be available to you.

Next, fill out the pricing information and determine if you want to set a reserve price or a "buy it now" price. Set the terms of the sale such as the deposit amount and the payoff amount. In addition, financing is available through eBay"s financing department and eBay has partnered with an escrow company to make higher purchase prices easier to deal with.

Buyers are typically expected to make their own shipping or vehicle pickup arrangements. Be sure to specify who will pay for shipping and how the vehicle will be delivered. Let the buyer know your city and zipcode so they can make appropriate calculations. It is not uncommon for buyers to travel from far away for the right vehicle.

Now that your vehicle is listed for sale on eBay, pay attention to your email for questions from potential buyers. Answer promptly, professionally and honestly. Most transactions take place "sight unseen" so you must give as much detail as possible. No one wants to travel hundreds of miles to find out they were deceived.

If the vehicle did not sell, you can offer a "second chance" offer to other bidders for a lower price or re-list the vehicle with eBay.

Once you have closed the deal, all you need to do is collect payment, arrange for pickup/shipping as negotiated with the buyer and transfer the title. These final steps are the same as in any offline sales transaction.

Good luck and happy selling.