What are the channels for purchasing used cars?
2 Answers
There are several channels for purchasing used cars, including storefront purchases, 4S dealerships, and repair shops. Storefront Purchase: Generally, used car dealers choose to set up stores in areas with high concentrations of used car transactions, as these locations naturally attract customers. 4S Dealership Purchase: Purchasing vehicles from new car dealerships like 4S stores. Many 4S stores claim to engage in used car businesses but actually lack the capability to purchase them. Once the used cars are acquired, they are directly transferred to the used car market, where dealers buy and resell them. Repair Shop Purchase: Repair shops, tire stores, and insurance companies are the places that interact most with car owners. Many owners decide to sell their cars due to high maintenance costs, so used car dealers maintain connections with these businesses to obtain used car sources. Online and Newspaper Information: Advertising through online and newspaper channels is relatively costly. Nowadays, there are many professional used car websites that provide information on used cars.
Looking for a used car? My last experience selling a car was quite eventful. Going directly to a 4S store is the most hassle-free option—they inspect the car and give you a quote on the spot, and you can also check out new car trade-in subsidies, though they usually lowball the price. Listing it yourself on apps like 58.com or Guazi is also a good option; just take photos and upload them, but be prepared for a flood of calls. If you need money urgently, platforms like Tiantian Paiche are great—they make an offer after you upload photos, and the deal closes super fast. You can also sell directly to dealers at local used car markets—just make sure to compare prices at a few places. Recently, I’ve noticed that selling used cars via live streams on Douyin is getting popular, but be careful to check the contract details to avoid getting scammed.
