(OT) Selling a Car, sort of venting

"jmcquown" wrote in message

I need to sell my mother's car as part of settling her estate. (Before you
ask, I do have a realistic blue-book value on it.) I've
never sold a car outright before, only just traded mine in when
buying a new car. So I'm sort of stumped as to how to do this. (I
did say "stumped", not "stupid"!) This requires some explanation so
pardon me for the length of this post.
Nothing about living on this gorgeous island is easy. The home owners
association has very strict rules. For example, if I wanted to sell
the house (which I'm NOT doing) I couldn't put a "For Sale" sign in
my front yard. The realtor can't put a "for sale" sign in the yard,
either. They have to take photos and put them (along with an
enticing description) in those glossy real estate magazines you find
outside of grocery stores. Then you sit back and hope someone,
especially the real estate agent, cares
If I wanted to sell extraneous furniture, I'm not allowed to have a
tag sale/yard sale. Mom's lawyer said even estate sales are
prohibited by the island covenants. I can't just set it out by the
curb and hope someone who drives by will take it. (Back in Memphis,
you set something by the curb, within 30 minutes it's gone. I call
it "curbcycle".) Not just anyone can get onto the island.

At this point I should explain, the island is very secure. There's
only one way on and off, through a gate manned 24/7. They allow
known contractors in (if they've paid a fee for a pass; this includes
landscapers, plumbers, electricians, etc.) But no contractors are
allowed on the island on Sunday, period! For every other "guest",
the resident has to call the gate and say "so and so is coming to see
me". And we have to tell the guard how long they'll be here. I love
the security but this is sometimes a hassle!
And therein lies the crux of my problem. I could advertise the car
in a local newspaper. But the people who want to come look at it
would have to make an appointment with me in advance. I have to let
the gate know when they're coming. The same deal would apply if I
advertise the car on that Carmax website where you list your car. It
would be by appointment only.
I suppose I don't really have a problem with the appointment thing. I just
don't think it's very convenient for either party. I've been
taken by surprise twice in the last 5 days with phone calls from
Mom's lawyer saying "Okay, it's time to do this, you need to come in
so we can go over this paperwork." I can't very well tell the
lawyer, "Sorry, Joe Schmoe is supposed to come look at the Buick. Could
you ask the probate court for an extension on filing that?" LOL

NOTE: I don't want to take it to a "used car lot" (not that there
are any Buick dealerships within 50 miles). I'm not looking to trade
it in. And it's not my job as executrix to give a dealership a cut
of the estate, either.

I'm stumped as to the best way to sell this friggin car. (CAVEAT: I'm not
actually expecting you to have the answer, just venting LOL)

Ebay?

Seriously, e-bay sells cars. Folks bid, and the winner of the auction has to
contact you for your details. So thats only 1 person who you ever have to
deal with more than an e-mail enquiry. You can put on a reserve so that you
are guranteed your mnimum price.

E-bay charges a commision. But it offers alot of benefits too. It might
work.

If you are nervous about selling the car, you can talk to an e-bay person -
they have people secificallys et up for 'high price' items, and cars are in
that category (I know someone who works for that department in Australia).

The other option is to take it to a regular auction off the island.

Or just sell it to a car yard. You won't get a great price, but it will be
quick & easy.

Good luck,

Yowie
--
If you're paddling upstream in a canoe and a wheel falls off, how many
pancakes can you fit in a doghouse? None, icecream doesn't have bones.