Why can’t I find a vehicle for $1000 anymore????

Why can’t I find a vehicle for $1000 anymore????

We have had quite a few people calling and coming by lately for $1000 vehicles.  Unfortunately, we just can’t find these vehicles anymore…. but why?

During the recession in 2008-2009, new car sales dramatically decreased.  Although this is 9 years ago, it has affected the number of used vehicles today. Late Model vehicles are harder to find and especially at a decent price.  Meanwhile, people are also holding onto their vehicles longer. When people purchase a vehicle, they take care of it, and are on average, keeping their vehicle for about 8 years.

Prices at the auctions have increased as well.  We ran an article last year about the hurricanes in the South causing prices of Used vehicles to increase.  Most viable used vehicles are being shipped to the Southern US to replace many of the flood damaged vehicles.  This demonstrates the law of Supply and Demand.  We have low supply of vehicles in Illinois, which leads to higher demand, which can command higher prices.  Unfortunately, for the car dealer to make money, they must price the vehicle at a price higher than what they paid at the auction.  They must recondition the vehicle, and this takes money from their profit.  Hopefully not losing money in the end.  It’s a gamble.

Programs that are paid for by the state are also causing a shortage of inexpensive vehicles.  Programs such as cash for clunkers, donating vehicles to charities, or people in California being paid to retire older vehicles. Cars we might have sold for $3,000 to $3,500 a couple years are now $5,000 to $5,500.

Now is it possible to find the $1000 vehicle on Craigslist?  The answer is yes!   But you must be an informed buyer.  You most likely will be getting a clunker!  There will most likely be body damage, no AC, interior stains, etc.  If you just need a vehicle to get you from point A to point B, and absolutely do not care what it looks like, it is possible.  Do your due diligence though, make sure that it runs!  Some vehicles to stay away from…No license plates-this means that it is not being driven, vehicles with no pictures…it is actually that bad, it broke the camera!  Vehicles with major issues. You will most likely have some repairs, but make sure that it is nothing major!  And make sure that they have a clean title!  I looked up $1000 cars on craigslist right now, and found many cars that looked ok, but after reading the descriptions-most were not running.  There were some vehicles that maybe didn’t look the greatest but were running.  Just always remember, when buying from a private party, there is no guarantee for your purchase.

AutoSmart Inc.

39 Stonehill Rd Ste E

Oswego, IL 60543

630-554-2285

Wrapping up the Chicago Auto Show

Selling your Vehicle on Consignment in Oswego IL

Selling your Vehicle on Consignment in Oswego IL

Most people understand how a traditional consignment works. You drop off whatever you want to sell at the consignment store, whether it’s furniture, a book, or an old piece of jewelry, and let the consignment shop do all of the work. Once your item sells, you receive a check equal to the sale price of your item; less the fees you pay to the consignment store.

Recently, a growing trend towards auto consignment has emerged, based on the same simple model. The hassles of private car sales make vehicle consignment well worth considering, but as you might guess, having someone sell your used car is a lot different from having someone sell your old books. To professionally market a higher priced item like a car, requires significant prep work, product knowledge, and skills to facilitate negotiations, the ability to meet buyers’ needs for financing and service contracts, and a variety of other factors that complicate the sale process.

So, with all that said, how exactly does vehicle consignment work? Upon consignment of your motorcycle, car, truck, SUV, or RV, your vehicle is inspected. If necessary, a list of any repairs or cosmetic work to improve its value will be suggested to the seller. A market value analysis of your vehicle is completed, and a recommendation of an asking price is made. 

Properly marketing your vehicle is critical to selling it quickly and at the right price. Auto consignment dealerships should have a professional customer service team that will meet all of your demands.  Some auto consignment dealers will photograph and list your car on Craigslist, Carsforsale.com, Autotrader.com, and other favorite websites that are frequented by car buyers. Some consignment dealers will offer to clean and detail services to get your vehicle showroom-ready before photographed and marketed to potential buyers.

Perhaps the biggest benefit of vehicle consignment dealers is that they handle the actual sale transaction. they usually handle all test drives, buyer inquiries, and DMV paperwork. These essential pieces to private party car sales can require a great deal of your time, and are best left to experienced consignors. Most dealerships will manage buyer negotiations, a valuable service that can be a tremendous comfort to buyers and sellers alike, as negotiating with strangers can be difficult. While some put buyers in direct contact with sellers, others act as a buffer between the two parties, making the transaction anonymous to both sides. The safest and process for the buyer and seller is to allow the consignment dealership to handle all negotiations, payment processing, and DMV paperwork.  

Safety is a key concern in private party car sales, and consignment dealers protect sellers and buyers alike. Auto Consignment offers an attractive option for vehicle owners who would like to get more money for their car than the dealer trade-in price, as the vehicle will be marketed professionally without the traditional hassle and frustration of trying to sell it yourself. 

Give us a call today, so we can give you more information about our vehicle consignment services!

AutoSmart, Inc.
39E Stone Hill Rd.
Oswego, IL 60543
630-554-2285
www.autosmartnetwork.com

AutoSmart Used Automobile Dealership in Oswego IL

At AutoSmart, we carry a great selection of quality pre-owned cars, trucks, and SUVs at competitive prices in Oswego, IL, and our knowledgeable sales team ensures that each and every one of our customers receives the high quality service that they deserve. We’re committed to providing you with a hassle-free car buying experience, while also providing you with the peace of mind that you received a fair deal on a great used vehicle. All of our used cars, trucks, and SUVs are safety-checked by ASE certified mechanics.

Whether you’re looking for your next new or used car, or a pre-owned vehicle trade-in appraisal, we are here to help! We have over 30 years of experience in the automotive industry, and our company was created to provide consumers with a hassle-free car buying experience.

We offer the best vehicle consignment service in the area. Upon consignment, we’ll inspect your vehicle and advise you if the vehicle requires any repairs or cosmetic work to improve its value. Put our extensive automotive experience and dedication to work for you!

We are highly skilled at helping our clients choose the right vehicle; whether it’s an entire fleet of vans for your business, or a safe and reliable car. We’ll locate your vehicle and negotiate with the automobile dealer, arrange for inspections, and oversee the entire vehicle purchase transaction.

We provide a full range of professional auto appearance services for our customers in Oswego Illinois, such as auto detailing, window tinting, clear bra installation, and paintless dent repair and removal. We look forward to assisting you with all of your automotive appearance needs soon, so contact us today and allow us to put our extensive experience and dedication to work for you!

AutoSmart, Inc.
39 Stone Hill Rd.
Oswego, IL 60543
(630) 554-2285

We also provide our service to customers from Oswego, Naperville, Aurora, Yorkville, Plano, Montgomery, Plainfield, Batavia, North Aurora and Sandwich, Illinois.