Devaluing your trade... What most car dealers DON'T want you to know.

    Are you concerned about trading in your car for that much wanted upgrade? Wondering how much it will be vs how much it SHOULD be? I'm going to give you a bit of information that will hopefully help.

To put this into perspective, consider this scenario;
If you've ever sold real estate, your agent gave a "free" evaluation. They brought comps(comparisons) to show to you and proceeded to walk through your home in order to see what it offers, right? Well, hopefully that is the case but some may also have been looking for things to devalue your home. Things that you probably don't have any control over. Then you will have sat down to look at comps. Those same agents looking to "devalue" would then show you an incomplete list of homes and proceed to tell you why you need to lower you price. A good agent on the other hand, could be simply helping you to be realistic if you are overpriced. The rest are trying to get you to lower your price to where it is an easy sell. Translation; "let me sell this place cause I got bills to pay." (grammatical error intentional because that is probably how those agents talk.) Be sure the "comps" are complete and include all aspects and criteria in the market. If the "translated" version was your agent, you may want to consider a new agent because in real estate, your agent's fiduciary responsibility is to YOU, the seller.

Now, you are probably wondering what that scenario has to do with trading in your car, right? Well, the only difference is that a car salesman or "dealer" has a fiduciary responsibility to his wallet or his boss, NOT to you the person trading in the car. Other than that, pretty much the same thing. Now I'm not saying don't trade in your car, because more times than not, it does make sense due to the sales tax savings. Also the trouble of advertising, meeting potential buyers, and time. So here are a few tips when trading in your car;

• Know what your car's value before you go in for the deal. NADA is the guide that your bank or credit union is going to use and is the most reliable for accurate information.
• Search the features your car has to offer and don't forget them when it comes to negotiating. Often some of those features add value such as navigation, auto trans., etc.
• Know your cars trim level. For instance is it an S, SL, SE, (examples as each car manufacturer has their own trim level symbols). Trim level can have a significant impact on value.
• Understand the process. Know that when a dealer is walking around your car, touching the bald tire or the door ding, that touch is a subliminal message to you that this is going to hurt. Think about it... your car, he or she touches a flaw... how does that make you feel? You probably flinch or look down. That touch is for a reason. Don't be intimidated and counter back with a positive feature.

Now if the prospect of trading your car and getting exactly what you want is still a bit intimidating, look us up at Draperautos.com and we will make it simple for you.

~Gary Lauritzen, Draper Auto LLC

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My Making Decisions Resolution

Whether your new years resolution is to lose weight, eat healthy, drink less alcohol, or whatever the case may be, making decisions are the basis for nearly all change. You may say your going to do something but until you truly decide, it's just another BS resolution.

Making decisions is a skill that takes PRACTICE and many people just can't or won't do it. Accountability... maybe that will work for you but the reality is that successful people make decisions quickly, and seldom IF ever change their minds. Think about it... some of the biggest and most important decisions are made in a snap. People who are successful cease opportunity immediately when they see it or the opportunity will be gone.

Think about people you know who are accomplished at what they do. Maybe your boss or a leader in you church or community. Would you say they are good decision makers? How about someone who strolls through life like a tumble weed, blowing which ever way the wind blows... rather obvious isn't it. Seems simple no? Reality is though, we even need to decide to make decisions more quickly and PRACTICE, PRACTICE PRACTICE!

I recently had a client, not a FB friend mind you, that wanted a great deal on a certain make/model automobile. had the capacity to purchase but just could not make the decision. The client went through 3 different make/models form Infiniti to Mercedes-Benz, imposing on MANY of friends who pointed out the literally many thousands of $$$ I would be saving said client, and getting EXACTLY what they wanted right down to specifications and color. ONE AND A HALF YEAR LATER... expressing regret and still no car!

Now I'm not saying you should decide to come down here and have me find you your dream car or SUV. Getting exactly what you want is not for everyone... but if that is in your resolve, Let's BEGIN NOW by contacting me and let me know, Why Now and Why you?

Come a point in life when everything changes, or remains exactly as it is... that point is called a "decision".

~Gary, Draper Auto llc

P.S. Know anyone planning to buy a car or just trying to make change? Feel free to share or Visit us at;  Draperautos.com