The Washington times., 1913-04-12
PAYS TO IMPROVE
SECONDHAND CAR
Washington Dealer Advances
Some Ideas as to How This
End May Be Conducted.

Nearly every automobile dealer has to
trade for a secondhand machine occas-
icnally, and IL it is in good shape, 1t
generally meets with a ready sale. 1t
always pays to improve the second
hand car as much as possible, and 1t
will be found that 1t can be sold for
500 or 500 more than expected IL judg-
ment is used in handling it.
One of Washington's pioneer dealers
mas advanced some ideas on the second
hand proposition. and they are worthy
the attention OF every man who Is en-
gagged in the motor car business in this
city. Among other things the dealer In
question says:
"Clean the machine thoroughly, re-
noving all dirt and grease from the
engine. gear, and wheels. II the paint
is In good shape, have painter give
the machine a good coat of varnish. but
il IL needs painting have ii done.
Have the metal work cleaned, and II
the brass is old add coat OF some new
polish.
See that the tires are repaired and
kept pumped up. Nothing adds more
depiorable look to a secondhand car
than having three out of four tires nat;
"If the car has a top and ii Is faded
a coat Of dye will do ii good II IL Is
torn. or any buttons are OF, see tnat
they are put on and that the curtains
are serviceable.
See What 1t Runs.
See that the, car will run. If the
engine requires attention don't be
afraid to do the necessary work. This
does not mean a thorough overhaul
ing, but enough work should be done
on the car until you may say truth
fully it is in good running order. Do
not dope the gears with temporary
noise eliminator. for that is an old
dodge that long since played out. The
buying public is being educated and
is looking for such tricks.
BE able to tell a customer the truth
about the car, the same as II you We're
misrepresent anything. Be able to back
up all you say. If you tell your pros
pectiye customer that you will swear
that so-and-so is In fine shape and he
rtakes the car and finds you deliberately
misrepresented 1t, he will tell all his
friends that you cannot be depended on
Keep your cars in a clean. we'll
lighted room. and keep the car or
cars. busted and presentable and ready
to run at a moments notice. If you
nave a prospect ana ne wants 70 see
the car run and you have to spend an
hour pumping tires. etc. he is liable 70
change his mind II dealer has many
secondhand cars at a time he had bet
ter detail a man or two to look after
this department; he will find that il
will pay.
Get Reputation.
Get a reputation of treating a man
fairly on a secondhand deal, and you
will find that he will send others to
you. There are a great many people
who would rather buy a good second
hand car than to buy a cheap new one
and this class of trade is generally
worth while.
Don't be afraid to tell the peopl
|, what you have for sale. Advertise 4,
the newspapers. However, make you
A few well-placed ads in two or thre'
papers will beat 200 tucked away in OBJ
scure corners. When l see a man try
fng to do business without advertising
IL reminds me of a card | saw yea
ago. Trying to do business Is like wink
ing at a girl in the dark; you may know
| what you are doing, but no one els
does.
Having handled automobiles for tel
Years and traded for a great many sec
ono-nand cars IN thht length oi tlihe'
feel that my suggestions roughly cover
the ground In conclusion, ! may sa,
that we have always made nea
profit on secondhand cars, and hav
never traded for one that was los:n;
proposition, although we allowed tn,
customer a fair price.
There is only one way to handle tn
secondhand situation-give the people
square deal II you follow this rule oil
the secondhand deals as we'll as oI
your new cars, You will have no caus'
for complaint