How to Sell Your Car Without Dealing with Endless Negotiations in Kenya

Marketing Peach

— 5 min read
How to Sell Your Car Without Dealing with Endless Negotiations in Kenya

Are you considering selling your car? Exciting, right? Until you think about negotiations… Ugh! The endless back and forth with potential buyers saying ‘bro, niko na 200k tu’, the WhatsApp chats, the feeling that you’re always not getting the best deal, or that unachezwa. We get it. It’s a draining process. 

Selling your car, however, shouldn’t feel like you’re preparing for a marathon with Eliud Kipchoge, where you know he’ll walk away with the prize money. Sure, the current market has normalised bargaining to a point where it’s expected (especially Kenyans – if they could, they’d negotiate at the supermarket!).

But what if it wasn’t like that? What if you could sell your car confidently and actually get the price you asked for? It’s possible. And the good news is, there’s a better way of negotiating. Keep reading to discover how you can do that and get what your car is truly worth.

Why is Car Negotiation a Headache?

The thought of negotiating (especially if you’ve never sold a car before) is no easy endeavour. In Kenya, it’s like art, and not one that everyone excels at, especially if you just want to sell your car. Some of the reasons why it’s tiresome are because:

  • You could waste a lot of time with the endless back-and-forth that often ends absolutely nowhere.
  • There’s always a nagging feeling that makes you think the offer you’re getting should’ve been way more – yes, the lowball offers.
  • But there is also the uncertainty of not knowing whether what you got is fair or not.
  • Stress and anxiety are also real here. There’s this pressure of wanting to “win” the negotiation and the fear of being ripped off.
  • But perhaps the scariest of all is negotiating with a “professional” – you know, that buyer who’s an expert at driving down prices, making you feel like you’ve lost even before you start negotiating.

Thankfully, you’re not alone, and Peach Cars today will help you learn how to sell your car without having to endure the endless negotiation nightmare.

Step-by-Step to Selling Your Car Without the Endless Negotiation Drama

Ready to take control of how you want to sell your car? Good. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it fearlessly:

Step 1: Research the Current Market Price of Your Vehicle

If you want to avoid the endless haggling, start by researching how much your car is really worth (based on the model, year of manufacture, the condition, vehicle history, etc). This is your power.

How do you do this? 

  • Check local listings to compare the prices of the same vehicle in the country and you will get an idea of how much it sells at.
  • Use an online valuation tool such as Peach Insight which will give you a quick and reliable estimate of your vehicle’s price.
  • To avoid those “expert negotiators” using your car’s history to lowball it, be honest about its condition. If the car is well maintained, it’ll fetch more. Make sure that you highlight any recent maintenance or upgrades.

Step 2: Make Your Car Look Nice (First Impressions Matter) 

The easiest way to attract a buyer is to make sure that your car stands out from the rest. Plus, you just might end up getting the best value through that first impression! Therefore:

  • Clean it thoroughly and to a point that it screams “I’m well-maintained”. Oh, and this is both on the outside and inside.
  • Get rid of those dents or scratches – it shows you care.
  • Take clean, clear, and detailed photos from all angles – this is what the online community relies on.
  • While at it, be upfront about any issues the vehicle has. This builds trust and reduces negotiation points later.

Step 3: Be Strategic About Your Selling

Different approaches work for different people. Therefore, be strategic in your selling. The idea is to minimise unnecessary haggling. Here’s an idea on how to do it, especially when selling privately:

  • Decide upfront how much you will sell your car (but be realistic and base it on market prices). Set a competitive but firm price leaving little room for extreme negotiations. Remember, if your price is reasonable, fewer buyers will feel the need to bargain endlessly. 
  • Be clear about your pricing policy - State in your ads that the price is based on market valuation but has a slight flexibility. By simply responding with “Thank you for your offer, but the price is based on market rates” will deter unserious buyers.
  • Consider counteroffers, especially for a buyer bargaining in good faith and is close to your price. be open to minor adjustments.

You can also opt to sell your car or through reputable car dealers. If, for example, you use Peach Cars, you get a streamlined selling process that negates the need for a negotiation! 

Peach Cars handles everything from providing a structured pricing approach, organising viewings, test drives, back and forths with buyers including conducting buyer vetting and when it’s time to close the deal, Peach Cars provides an escrowed payment system. This ensures keys and money don’t change hands until both buyer and seller are happy. 

Step 4: Master the Art of Negotiating Without Losing Control 

Unfortunately, even when you say the price is fixed, some buyers might still want to push for a lower price. It’s human nature – and frankly, a lot like the Kenyan thing to do. What does this leave you? Instead of shutting them down completely, approach your negotiation with confidence and flexibility. 

Here’s how:

  • Set a bottom price in advance - Know the lowest amount you’re willing to accept. This way, you won’t make emotional decisions on the spot.
  • Negotiate wisely - If a buyer lowballs you, counter with a reasonable price (backed by your research). Use words like: “I appreciate your offer, but similar cars in this condition sell for around KES 820,000.”
  • Be willing to walk away – If a buyer insists on unreasonable discounts, don’t feel pressured to accept. Simply say, “I appreciate your interest, but I’m confident in the price. Let me know if you reconsider.”
  • The goal is to remain in control of the situation while allowing for some flexibility. A rigid stance can turn away serious buyers, but knowing your car’s worth and handling the negotiations wisely will give you the best possible deal.

Paperwork and the Handover

Selling your car is one part, doing the paperwork is another. For a smooth handover, prepare the following documents in advance:

And guess what? Peach Cars even helps simplify the paperwork process, making the handover truly smooth. Our sales account managers handle all the paperwork on your behalf, answering all the questions related to the transaction to ensure peace of mind for both you and the buyer. 

Embrace the Easy Selling Process

The above-mentioned tips are bound to help you muster enough courage to face that skilled negotiator who could make you leave money on the table. Know your car's worth, set your terms, and say goodbye to the haggling headache. And remember, Peach Cars is here to make selling your car in Kenya easy.

If you want to skip the headache of having to do all the negotiation by yourself, consider selling your car with Peach Cars. We’ll handle everything from you, from pricing, inspection, we’ll market the car for free, prospect for buyers, vet them, organise test drives, and handle all the paperwork so you don’t have to lift a finger from start to finish and still get a fair price for your car!

Visit our website to get started on selling your car with Peach Cars and to learn more about how Peach Cars makes selling your car simple.

By Korir Issa. Issa is a Kenyan journalist and copywriter. A Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology graduate, he holds a bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communication. You can connect with him on LinkedIn.

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