When it’s time to get rid of your old car, there are a few options available to you. For example, you could make a car donation, or you could sell it yourself and try to make some money from it. Unfortunately, this means you are opening your door to the hagglers – those people who only see this as an opportunity to exercise their skills and get the best deal possible. And, of course, the best deal for them means less profit for you.
The Haggler Mentality
So you’ve decided to sell your car yourself, and your first customer shows up at your door to inspect the vehicle. This is fine, you’re thinking, because you haven’t noticed the glint in his or her eye. You don’t realize that the haggler is more interested in getting a good deal than a good car.
The Haggler hasn’t come to your house to see if they like your car, or if it is as reliable as you say. They are here to talk down your price. They have a strategy, and they look forward to the experience of telling their friends how much of a discount you gave them.
They will have done their research, and they will know exactly what your car should be worth. They will plan for what they consider a great deal, good deal, and mediocre deal, and if you can’t come to an agreement that is above what they consider mediocre, they will probably walk away. You might even get treated to a little bit of a show, as they make it clear that they are more than willing to walk away from their offer if you don’t meet their price.
Unless you have your own set of haggling skills, this can be a tiresome practice that won’t do anything but use up your time and drain your profits.
The Charitable Mentality
There are a lot of reasons someone might choose to donate a car to charity instead. The most obvious reason, though, is the opportunity to do something good for an organization that relies on the generosity of others.
Donating to a charity is also a very convenient way to get rid of that old car without getting caught up in the long, drawn-out process of selling it on your own. It won’t matter what condition it’s in, you can still make a donation to help a worthy organization, and you can still receive some financial benefits from the allowable tax deduction.
