Selling a car to copart (cashforcars)- any experience
Discussion
Unfortunately my Kia Optima clutch went last week (automatic DCT) and the cost to repair doesn't warrant me keeping the car. Copart have given me an estimated 'up' to price to buy it as it is which seemed ok to me. However I'm aware they'll probably find lots of reasons to keep dropping the price from this starting point. Has anybody used this service and can shed any light or experience of it?
From watching videos of people buying from there, the cars are moved around via a fork lift (as most are non-runners) so if you send the car there and then decide to bring it home it might well be in worse condition than when left.
I'd be looking to get it on eBay and hope to get more than scrap value for it.
(Also, are Copart buying it, or just putting it into the auction and the 'price' quoted is their reserve/estimate?)
I'd be looking to get it on eBay and hope to get more than scrap value for it.
(Also, are Copart buying it, or just putting it into the auction and the 'price' quoted is their reserve/estimate?)
Copart have a sister/subsidiary company called cashforcars. It is them who are offering to buy the car. I will be sending them a load of pictures and the price will be agreed over the phone before they collect the vehicle. My understanding is that I will receive the money before they collect the car...it may well go to auction but the car and I will have parted ways by that point and I will have been paid for it.
I assume that copart will assess the car, and either put it through auction in the hope it makes more than they buy it from me for. Or start breaking it and selling off the spares from it. either way they would probably make money on it, I appreciate they're not in the business to lose money
What I'm trying to find out though is, once we start the phone negotiation are they going to suddenly ridiculously low ball me. They've lured me in on quite a favourable price (£2,900) based on engine running, not driving and no damage (the car has gearbox issues), but I get the feeling they're going to suddenly low ball me come genuine offer time.
I assume that copart will assess the car, and either put it through auction in the hope it makes more than they buy it from me for. Or start breaking it and selling off the spares from it. either way they would probably make money on it, I appreciate they're not in the business to lose money
What I'm trying to find out though is, once we start the phone negotiation are they going to suddenly ridiculously low ball me. They've lured me in on quite a favourable price (£2,900) based on engine running, not driving and no damage (the car has gearbox issues), but I get the feeling they're going to suddenly low ball me come genuine offer time.
Yes, the option is available to me to put the car through auction myself, and there's every chance I could get back a good amount for it (minus auction fees) but there's also a risk it could completely flop at auction. So I'm happy to take a guaranteed offer.
I just have this feeling the buyer is going to retract heavily on the original offer.
I just have this feeling the buyer is going to retract heavily on the original offer.
In your position I would be tempted to list it on eBay (auction) as a non runner and see what happens. Copart will obviously want to acquire the car at a very low price, and the person buying from eBay will surely be willing to pay more than Copart as you are cutting out the middle man, although you will potentially face more hassle on eBay. I don’t know the answer to your specific question (ie do Copart operate in a similar way to other online car buying services re reducing offers but I suspect they do), but if you are completely honest then it reduces your risk.
My gut feeling is there must be a better way to maximise your return than selling to Copart.
My gut feeling is there must be a better way to maximise your return than selling to Copart.
jackofall84 said:
Yes, the option is available to me to put the car through auction myself, and there's every chance I could get back a good amount for it (minus auction fees) but there's also a risk it could completely flop at auction. So I'm happy to take a guaranteed offer.
I just have this feeling the buyer is going to retract heavily on the original offer.
You can just then say "no thanks" I just have this feeling the buyer is going to retract heavily on the original offer.
No way I'd put it on Ebay, so much potential hassle
tim0409 said:
In your position I would be tempted to list it on eBay (auction) as a non runner and see what happens. Copart will obviously want to acquire the car at a very low price, and the person buying from eBay will surely be willing to pay more than Copart as you are cutting out the middle man, although you will potentially face more hassle on eBay. I don’t know the answer to your specific question (ie do Copart operate in a similar way to other online car buying services re reducing offers but I suspect they do), but if you are completely honest then it reduces your risk.
My gut feeling is there must be a better way to maximise your return than selling to Copart.
Forget eBay auction, a waste of time these days, some numpty will win it, then get quotes to move it, and will not bother, thats if you get that far, it may not go anywhere near any reserve, eBay auctions have had their day, classified ad is the only way to use them, but you will still get lots of time wasters. My gut feeling is there must be a better way to maximise your return than selling to Copart.
Wbac chip everything if they can , these will probably be the same, there are times when people are honest and get the figure they are quoted. Just tell them to do one if you think they are not playing fair, costs you nothing.
If Copart break even on the car, they win with the fees charged.
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