More and more people are buying used cars instead of driving a brand-new model out of the car dealership.
Used cars are often a more affordable option for American families, but finding them… well that can be much harder.
But that’s only true if you don’t know where to look. Online websites like eBay make shopping for a new-used car quick and easy. There’s only one problem.
Does eBay ship cars?
The answer is a bit more complicated than you might think. We’ve put together this guide to help you learn how to buy cars off eBay and get them delivered to your home—no matter where you live.
So, does eBay sell and ship cars actually? Let’s get started and you’ll find out!
Does eBay Ship Cars?
Unfortunately, the short answer to this question is no. There isn’t a way for the seller to plop the car in the mail and have it delivered to the buyer’s driveway.
But that doesn’t mean shipping a car you bought on eBay is impossible. It’s just more complicated than traditional shipping methods.
We’ll get more into that later, but first, let’s talk about this commonly-asked question.
WHAT IF THE LISTING IS MARKED AS “FREE SHIPPING?”
If you’re searching for cars on eBay and come across a listing that says you can buy the car with “free shipping,” proceed with caution. Since the seller can’t ship the car, there shouldn’t be any shipping rates (or lack thereof) described in the listing anywhere.
This may have been a simple mistake on the seller’s part. On the other hand, what you’re looking at could be a scam.
Get in touch with the seller for more details if you're interested in buying the car, but make sure you stay cautious so you can recognize the scam and avoid it if necessary.
For Sellers: Do You Have to Ship Your Car to Buyers?
Not at all.
If you don’t want to worry about figuring out the shipping process, you can simply list your car for sale to local buyers. This means only people who live in the area can buy your car, and they can pick it up from your house themselves when they do.
There are pros and cons to this method.
For example, selling to local buyers is much easier. You don’t have to worry about how the car will get to the buyer. This can make it stress-free, especially if you don’t have a lot of time to spend figuring out the shipping process.
However, selling your car locally also limits the number of people who see it. If you open up the listing to long-distance buyers, you’ll have thousands (if not millions) more eyes looking at your car. This improves your chances of selling it at the rate you want, and it might leave your driveway much faster.
Buyers will have an easier time finding a car they like at an amount they can afford when they search through long-distance options, which can make your ad appeal more to more people.
For Buyers: Is Buying a Car off eBay Then Shipping It Worth the Cost (And Hassle)?
Again, searching for cars for sale in your local area might be easier, but it will severely limit your choices. It will be easier to find a car you can afford when you search for options outside your area as well.
And if you hate the idea of buying a car and shipping it, that's not your only option—though it's usually the best. You can also take a road trip and pick it up yourself or hire someone else to drive it to your house for you.
However, these methods aren’t always a good idea. Here are a few reasons you should stick to shipping your new-to-you car instead.
1. YOU’LL SAVE MONEY
If you like to travel, taking a road trip to pick up your car can be a fun adventure. Other than that, though, it will mostly be an expensive hassle. You’ll have to spend a lot of extra money on gas and, depending on how far you’re driving, hotel rooms. You may even have to take some time off work if you can’t make the trip in a weekend, meaning you’re losing even more money.
Not only that, you’ll have to bring someone else along to drive the new car back for you.
Unless you’re looking forward to the experience of it all, going that far out of your way to buy a car often isn’t worth it. You may spend more money getting there and back than you would have just buying a local car.
2. YOU’LL SAVE TIME
Do you have the time to spend driving hours away then hours back home? If you’re like most Americans, the answer to that question is a solid no. Even if you aren’t busy on the weekend, you might not want to spend your only free time stuck in the car (you do plenty of that on your commute).
Shipping the car means you can spend your free time doing what you enjoy—and getting some much-needed relaxation.
3. ENSURES THE CAR STAYS IN GOOD CONDITION
It would be a real shame to buy a car then immediately put several hundred more miles on it right away. Your new car would suddenly be covered in dirt, get plenty of wear and tear on the tires, etc.
If you want to get the most out of your new car, driving it all the way home might not be the best way to start. When you ship a car after buying it on eBay, it arrives at your home in the same condition you bought it.
4. PROTECTS YOUR INVESTMENT
Driving long distance increases your risk of getting in an accident , cracking your windshield from a kicked-up rock on the road, or sustaining any other type of damage. Shipping your car will keep it safe from these things, so you don’t have to worry about spending more money right away on repairs.
Shipping is also a much safer option than hiring someone to drive your car home for you. Unless you have a close relationship with the person, you don't know what they will do with your car during the drive. In some cases, they may even drive off with your car, meaning you'll lose a lot of money.
How to Ship an eBay Car and Who Pays for It
After buying a car from eBay, it is the buyer's responsibility to take care of the shipping process. This includes finding a company , sorting out all the details, and paying any fees required.
Make sure you keep this in mind when shopping for cars on eBay. While shipping rates are often affordable (and cheaper than any of the other methods we mentioned above), you should factor the extra price into your overall budget. Otherwise, you may end up buying a car and having to pay more money than you were expecting.
This doesn’t mean that the seller isn’t involved in the shipping process at all, though. Here’s a quick look at what both the buyer and the seller can expect when shipping a car.
FINDING A COMPANY
Before the buyer can ship the car, they have to find a car transportation company first. It’s a good idea to look up several different options and compare prices so you get the best deal. (Remember, best doesn’t always mean cheapest.)
At Nexus, we provide fast car shipping services at low rates, so you can easily find a delivery option that doesn’t put any extra strain on your bank account.
SCHEDULING THE PICKUP AND DROP OFF
This is where the seller comes into play. Though you aren’t paying for the shipment, you’ll have to be available to meet the transportation company during the pickup. Communicate with the seller to find a time that works for both of you.
MEET ANY REQUIREMENTS
The shipping company may ask you to take care of certain paperwork, provide a copy of the car keys, prepare the car in a certain way, etc. The buyer should do as much as they can to take care of this on their own, but again, the seller may have to be involved as well.
WAIT FOR YOUR CAR TO ARRIVE
Once everything is set, the company will load up the car and get on their way to your home. Talk to the company in advance about payment methods. While most will accept payment once the car reaches the final destination, you may have to give them a small amount in the beginning.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does eBay take to deliver?
Because there is no proper eBay car shipping program, eBay auto shipping times are fully dependent on the car shipping company a buyer chooses. Nexus specializes in eBay car transport and can help you get your vehicle within a week or so in most cases.
How does buying a car through eBay work?
When purchasing a vehicle through the eBay car buying service, you can bid on or outright purchase vehicles from new and used car sellers around the world. After you secure the purchase and the financing is all set, you then must find an eBay car shipping quote from a reputable vehicle transport provider like Nexus.
Can you ship a car through eBay?
There is no official eBay delivery service for cars. If you’re looking for new or used car haulers on eBay, you’re looking in the wrong spot. Use our eBay shipping cost calculator for a free quote for moving and delivering your vehicle purchase.
How much does eBay charge for shipping a car?
Does eBay sell and ship cars? While you can find some great deals with the eBay car buying service, there is no official eBay car shipping department. You’ll need to work out arrangements with a reliable third-party provider like Nexus for your eBay auto shipping needs.
How does eBay Motors shipping work?
All eBay vehicle shipping must be arranged with a separate car shipping company. Does eBay deliver cars? They don’t as a standalone provider. But, they help facilitate arrangements with top car shipping companies like Nexus Auto Transport.
Getting a New Car Where You Are
So does eBay ship cars?
No, but that doesn't mean you can't buy a car off eBay and ship it to your driveway yourself. While this takes a bit of extra work and planning, it can give you a great new car at a good deal. If you and the seller can communicate a clear plan, it will almost be as easy as traditional mail!
Looking for the best way to ship your new-to-you car?
Don’t hesitate to
get in touch
with our team at Nexus Auto Transport. We can help you get behind the wheel of your new ride as fast as possible!
