What to Expect When a Buyer Comes to See Your Car

You have an offer you like. Here's exactly what happens next, from booking to getting paid.

Almost everything happens at your place. The only trip is to the bank.

Who is going to show up at my door?

Around Edmonton, it's either Hasan Tayem, who does most of our pickups, or Samir Osman, our co-owner. Samir holds our AMVIC licence, number B2036941.

You can check any Alberta buyer's licence before you open the door, including ours. Here's how to tell a licensed buyer from a curber.

Want the number for your own car? Get a free offer. It takes about a minute.

What happens before anybody comes?

Nothing gets booked until you have a number you'd accept. Then we pick a time together.

We buy every day except Sunday, because the money goes through a bank and banks are closed on Sundays. If your appointment is late in the day, ask which branch we'll use and when it closes.

What do they do when they get here?

The same five steps every time:

1. 1. Say hello.

   Nobody walks past you to start inspecting.

2. 2. Walk around the car.

   Both sides, the bumpers, corners and lights. Two or three minutes.

3. 3. Take a short drive.

   Just enough to check it drives smoothly and nothing clunks.

4. 4.Talk about the price, if needed. This happens before anything is signed.
5. 5.Do the paperwork, then go to the bank.

No hoist, no scan tool, and nobody takes the car away to look at it. If something turns up that wasn't in your description, the price gets redone on the spot. Here's why offers change.

You don't need to know how any of this works. We'll walk you through each step.

How long should I set aside?

About an hour. Plan on an hour and a half if there's a loan on the car, because of the wait at the bank.

The fastest we've done is 30 minutes, for a paid-off car that matched its description. The longest is about six hours, usually because of travel, a lender, or someone not ready to decide.

Does it all happen at my house, or do we go to the bank?

The car part happens at your place. The money part happens at a bank, usually two.

You can come with us to our bank and watch the draft being issued. Then we go to your branch so you see it deposited, since a draft can only go into an account in the name printed on it. If there's a loan, your lender is paid first and you get the rest. Read how bank drafts work before the day.

If something would make you more comfortable, ask when you book. It's much easier to arrange ahead of time.

Do I have to hand over the car that day?

Usually the car leaves with us, but it doesn't have to. Bring it up when you book.

You can also change your mind. One seller got as far as the bank, decided he'd rather finish in the morning, and we met him at 9:30 the next day. Nothing was signed, so there was nothing to undo.

What do I need to have ready?

Not much. The full paperwork list is here, but this is what needs to be in the house:

1. 1. Your registration.

   It's the document people most often can't find.

2. 2. The car registered in your own name.

   If it's in someone else's name, that has to be fixed at a registry first.

3. 3. Both owners, if there are two names on it.

   The bill of sale has two seller signature lines.

4. 4.A payout letter, if you [still owe money](/car-selling-guide/selling-a-car-with-a-loan). Your lender provides it.

5. 5. A screwdriver.

   Your plate stays with you and comes off before the car leaves.

Empty the car before the test drive. Keep your dash cam, since it doesn't add to the price, but take it out carefully. We've seen an A pillar trim come off with one and not go back in.

If you forget something small, we'll get it back to you. One seller left his AirPods by the driver's seat and had them back that afternoon.