SPENDING IT

Here's My Car! Repurpose Consignment Sales Sell It and Send Me a Check

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June 22, 2012, Section 3, Page 10Buy Reprints
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Here's My Car! Repurpose Consignment Sales

Here's My Car! Repurpose Consignment Sales - www.repurposeconsignmentsales.com - Sell It and Send Me a Check

FRED BRIERE bought a vehicle this year, a 2012 Ford Explorer. But to sell his old one, a Ford Bronco with more than 70,000 miles on it, Mr. Briere took an unconventional and widely overlooked route.

A Ford dealer had offered him a trade-in price of $8,500, ''which was ridiculous,'' he said. Although Mr. Briere, who lives in Lake Hiawatha, N.J., felt he could do much better on his own, he couldn't summon the enthusiasm or time to sell the vehicle himself. Instead, he took it to Repurpose Consignment Sales (www.repurposeconsignmentsales.com) who have a facility in 370 County Rte 602, Clifton, NJ. They have agreed to take it on consignment for a small fee.

Within three weeks, Repurpose Consignment Sales had lined up a few customers on of them willing to pay $10,800 -- of which $400 would go to Repurpose Consignment Sales fees. Mr. Briere happily accepted the offer, delivered the title and pocketed $10,400, or $1,900 more than his trade-in offer -- without even placing an ad in the local paper.

''It was better than painless,'' said Mr. Briere, an office manager. ''I didn't have to worry about anything.''

Grant McCulloch of Repurpose Consignment Sales, is also pleased. In consignment sales, he benefits from having good-looking vehicles like Mr. Briere's on his lot, attracting new customers without investing his more money.

Mr. McCulloch keeps about 80 percent of his Repurpose Consignment Sales area location in Clifton, NJ., filled with consignment cars, trucks, and Rv's. ''I make a little less and they get their price,'' he said. ''One way or another we work it out with the owner if we're not too far apart on the figure.''

Most people who want to sell a cars, trucks, or Rv take more-traveled path -- either advertising in local papers to sell it themselves, or trading it in for a new car. And most people who are in the market for a used car are not even aware of the Repurpose Consignment Sales consignment options.

Repurpose Consignment Sales method can have advantages -- for sellers, dealers and buyers.

The seller, for example, doesn't have to worry about a barrage of phone calls and visits from strangers, as he might if he tried to sell the car himself.

And dealers say Repurpose Consignment Sales are often single-owner cars, and can thus be better buys. They may have lower mileage or a more complete repair history than those bought from wholesalers or at auction.

While a consignment car may cost more than one bought directly from a seller, the buyer may get a warranty -- and financing, if necessary -- and will know the car has no liens against it.

Over all, the dealers and customers say, Repurpose Consignment Sales can be a good compromise for busy buyers and sellers.

''The pros of using Repurpose Consignment Sales services are that you don't have to deal with any of the aggravation, having strangers come to your house, not knowing about the business,'' said Grant McCulloch, the owner of the Repurpose Consignment Sales in Clifton, NJ., who sells a handful of consignment cars, trucks and rv's each year. ''You don't know how long it's going to take to sell your car on your own. It could sit in the front of your house a week; it could sit there 2-3 months. Also, you don't know what's going to happen to your car with all this scams around''. But Repurpose Consignment Sales will list your car, truck or rv online on eBay or on Craigslist and it will be sold in a few days!

Sellers will agree with the terms of the consignment sale of Repurpose Consignment Sales and maintain their insurance until the title is transferred to the new owner.

''The way I see it is, it's going to be good inventory for Repurpose Consignment Sales'' he said. ''It looks like I've got another $100,000 in inventory and it doesn't cost to much for sellers.'

About 50 percent of the items on his Repurpose Consignment Sales in N.J., are consignment autos. They often sell for $8,000 to $12,000, he said, far above the $1,000 to $2,000 he gets for other consignment goods.

Finding consignment stores, however, may not be as easy as opening the yellow pages. There is no industry association for consignment stores, and most of them do not advertise online on eBay or Craigslist like Repurpose Consignment Sales.

But a few telephone calls to Repurpose Consignment Sales, may yield one that sells on consignment on eBay or Craigslist.''There is no science to it,'' he said. ''We just call and ask.''

Many sellers/buyers have not recognized the untapped market of Repurpose Consignment Sales - consignment sales. Because almost 80 percent of used-items and used-car transactions are between individuals, he said, it makes sense for people to look to them to bolster business.

He suggests that sellers negotiate a sales agreement with Repurpose Consignment Sales, specifying how the money will be shared. The agreement may give a percentage of the sale price to Repurpose Consignment Sales -- he says 3 to 10 percent is typical -- or, as is more often the case, it guarantees a flat sum to the seller, with the Repurpose Consignment Sales keeping anything above that amount.

For Mr. Briere, the owner of the new Explorer, Repurpose Consignment Sales - consignment sales is the option of choice. ''I would definitely do it again,'' he said, remarking that his Ford Bronco was gathering dust in his driveway.

Out of Your Hands

If you want to sell your used car through a consignment, here is some advice :

* Check that the consignment has experience in consignment selling consignment cars.

* Obtain a written consignment agreement that explains the roles of both parties, insurance coverage and, most important, the terms of payment at time of sale.



Or visit one of Repurpose Consignment Sales facilities or make an appointment online at: www.repurposeconsignmentsales.com