How To Trade In Your Car Like a Pro!

“Your trade-in is worth more than just coffee money… unless you let the dealer appraise it after lunch. ☕🚗” - Chase Jordan

Got a Trade-In?

Don’t Let It Get Traded for Trash

You’re buying a car—but you’re also trying to sell one.

And if you think the dealership’s gonna give you top dollar just because you're nice… let’s just say they’ve got a comfy couch for folks like you. 🛋️

Now here’s the good news:

A car buying concierge (like Deal Guard) doesn’t just help with the new car deal—we go to war for your trade-in too. ⚔️

Let’s break it all down step by step.

Step 1: 💡 Understand the Game the Dealer Plays

Dealers are trained to separate the new car price from the trade-in value.

Why?

Because it lets them hide the real numbers.

They might offer you “$2,000 off” the new car… but lowball you $2,000 on your trade.

It’s the illusion of a deal better than David Blane. 🎩🐇

✅ Your move: Always separate the two.

Negotiate your trade like it’s its own transaction.

Because it is. Don't let them suck you into admitting you have a trade. Say, "I don't have a trade ot I might but that;s not what I'm here for. Let's stick to this sweet SUV and the out the door price."

Step 2: 📸 Do Your Homework Before You Go

Want to know what your car’s really worth?

Before stepping foot in a dealership, get online appraisals from:

• CarMax

• Carvana

• Vroom

• Local used car lots

• Facebook market place

• Anywhere yu get get a feel for the mak=rket for a car like yours.

• Avoid Kelley Blue Book Instant Cash Offer as they sell your info and you'll get 1000000345000555 calls.

✅ Your move:
Get 3–5 written offers and bring them to the table.

That’s your ammo. 🔫

Step 3: 🤥 Watch Out for The “Sight Unseen” Lie

If a dealer gives you a “rough estimate” on your trade before seeing it—run.

They’ll always adjust it down once you’re emotionally invested in the deal.

✅ Your move:
Never take a verbal trade-in value seriously until they’ve seen the car—and you’ve shopped it around. They usually high ball you to then low ball you.

Step 4: 💪 Let a Car Buying Consultant Handle It

When you hire a car buying concierge, we do the gritty work:

• We get online quotes from buyers outside the dealership network

• We pit local dealers against national chains

• We factor in reconditioning costs, demand, and seasonality

• We coach you on timing (selling a convertible in January = nope ❄️)

And yes, we sometimes sell your car separately from the purchase to get you thousands more. 💰💰

✅ Your move:
Don’t let your trade-in be an afterthought.

It’s part of the deal—and it could make or break your whole budget.

Step 5: 📉 Don’t Roll Negative Equity Into the New Loan

If your trade is worth less than what you owe, the dealer will gladly “roll it in” to your next loan like a sushi burrito of sadness. 🍣😭

✅ Your move:

• Know your loan payoff

• Know your trade-in value

• Calculate the difference

If it’s negative, pause and re-think.

Or at least know what it’ll cost you. Take your time and make the right choice.

Step 6: 🔁 Two Deals, One Strategy

Remember: the trade-in is a sale and the new car is a purchase.

Dealers blend the numbers to confuse you.

We at Deal Guard un-blend them.

✅ Your move:
Keep both deals in separate buckets—so you know the real value of each.

No fuzzy math.

Final Thoughts from Chase 🚗

Most people walk into the dealership thinking the trade-in is just “part of the process.”

But it’s actually your car.

It has real value—and if you’re not careful, they’ll scoop it up for way less than it’s worth. Fast. 🦊

At Deal Guard, we don’t just help you buy smart—we help you sell smart, too.

Let us be your car buying consultant and your trade-in guard.

Because dealerships are trained to buy low and sell high—and without a pro in your corner, they will.

👉 Tap into the trusted help at GETDEALGUARD.COM and let a car buying concierge handle both ends of the deal for you.