What can I get for my Trade?

Welcome to our new segment, Ask a Salesperson! We want to give you an advantage when you’re in the market, so we are opening up the conversation to you! We’ll start you off with some commonly asked questions, but let us know what your concerns are and we’ll address it in a future interview.

Today, we introduce Jim “Jimmy Mac” McCormack, a 30-year veteran of the automotive industry and 10-year consecutive award winner of Salesperson of the Year at ELCO Chevrolet Cadillac.

So you want to get the most money for your trade right? Your first step, find out what it’s worth. There are many reputable sources available to you online, but Jim is here to explain some common misconceptions you need to be aware of.

Regardless of which online site you use to determine your value, you’ll run into the same questions. Year, make, model, mileage, condition, etc. After answering all the basics, you get a value(or range of values) that helps you be better prepared for a visit to the dealership.

If the value seems high to you, you might feel overjoyed! However, if the value seems too low, you might be upset with all the years you spent keeping your baby in pristine condition. Keep in mind that this number is a guide and should be used as such.

In any case, if you feel that the dealer’s value doesn’t match your expectations, ask the salesperson to fill out the guide with you online and walk you through the evaluation process. You need to feel comfortable with the explanation and what goes into getting to that trade-in value.

However, the trade-in value really only paints half the picture. You also want to focus on the difference number–which is the number you want to finance. Once you determine that, you’ll be in a better position to keep your purchase within budget and ensure a better outcome overall.

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