Almost every car holds at least some value, even the banged-up, broken-down ugly ones parked in driveways and side yards across the country. No matter how little monetary value you think your junk car holds, cash is cash, so it’s worth the small amount of legwork to find out how much you could get for it.
Here’s the thing, though—junkyards and used car dealers don’t always have the best reputation. They aren’t portrayed well in movies, and many people assume the stereotype is true. However, while some aren’t trustworthy, most vehicle junkyards are legit, licensed and reputable businesses that are honest and give fair offers.
Some junkyards do make a lot of money lying and disobeying the law, however—don’t do business with these sorts! Let’s run through five of the most common junkyard scams so you can protect yourself from shady junk car buyers in Fort Lauderdale:
- Surprise tow charges: If a legitimate junkyard dealer is truly interested in buying your junk vehicle, then they will come and pick it up—usually at no charge—and most always on the same day. Shady dealers may not inform you of a tow charge until you either get the bill or you see it subtracted from your quote. Your best bet is to ask about towing in advance, and get their response in writing.
- Pressures you to sell: A good junk car buyer won’t pressure you to sell, at all. Legit junkyards will give you a dollar amount, answer all your questions and give you all the time you need to make a decision. After all, you might not be ready to sell right then and there, or you might be waiting to hear back from other junkyards with their offers. It’s common for people to make poor decisions under pressure, which is what shady dealers bank on because they want to pay you way less than market value.
- Says your car is worthless: On the other end of the spectrum, a dishonest junk car buyer may use the “your vehicle isn’t worth anything, but we will buy it anyway” approach. This is a con nearly 100 percent of the time—especially since a majority of junk cars have value as scrap metal, at the very least.
- False incentives: Never accept non-cash incentives. No matter how great their part-cash, part-something else (like coupons or random merchandise) offer may seem, make it clear that cash is all you’re willing to walk away with.
- Payments other than cash up front: Before you agree on an offer, make sure you know how you will be paid. Cash is the safest method of payment, as checks can bounce and electronic transfer installment payments may never come. If you want to accept forms of payment other than cash, be absolutely sure they’re a reputable dealer before signing over the title and signing an agreement.
Doing your own research on a dealer is highly recommended. Remember that the best junk car buyers in Fort Lauderdale don’t haggle or rip people off. Call Junk Car Dog for easy and fast cash today!