A seller who calls about their junk car has usually already decided to sell. The call decides who they sell to. Buyers who close a lot of cars aren’t smooth talkers; they’re clear, quick and easy to deal with.
Here’s a script you can use as written, or adapt to how you talk. The parts in bold are the parts to fill in.
- Answer with your name and your business.
- Ask the seven questions that set the price.
- Offer a number, and everything that comes with it.
- Book a pickup time before you hang up.
- Confirm by text so it’s on their phone.
1. Answer
Answer by the third ring, with a name. Sellers are often nervous about who’s coming to their house.
Thanks for calling [your business], this is [your name]. Are you calling about selling a car?
If you can’t answer, call back within minutes. A seller who reaches nobody usually calls the next buyer. See why missed calls cost you cars.
2. Ask the questions that set the price
Ask these before you say any number. They’re the answers that move the price, and asking them shows the seller you know what you’re doing.
Great, I can get you a price right now. What's the year, make and model?
Does it start? Does it drive?
Do you have the title, and is it in your name?
Do you have the keys?
Is it all there? Engine, transmission, wheels and tires?
Is the catalytic converter still on it?
Where's the car, and is it easy to get a truck to? What's the address?
Write the answers down as you go. On Clunqr Leads, the lead page has a spot for each and asks you the converter question on every phone lead.
3. Make the offer
Give one clear number, then everything that comes with it. Don’t make them ask.
Okay. For your 2009 Camry, I can pay you $400. That includes the tow, so there's nothing to pay us. We can pick it up tomorrow between 9 and 11, and we pay you when we get there. You'll need the title and your ID.
Then stop. Let them answer. Your price should be fair enough that you don’t need to talk them into it.
4. Handle the common objections
“I got offered more somewhere else.”
Fair enough. Did they say when they'd come, and is the tow included? Some places quote high and take money off at pickup. If you have a written offer for more, tell me what it is and I'll tell you honestly if I can do better.
If you can’t beat it, say so and stay friendly. Offers that change at the door are common, and a seller who gets burned elsewhere often calls back the buyer who was straight with them.
“Let me think about it.”
Of course. I'll text you the offer now so you have it, along with my number. It's good for the rest of the week. Can I check back with you tomorrow?
Then actually send it, and follow up. Many sellers say yes on the second or third contact. See follow-up texts that win junk cars.
“I don’t have the title.”
Don’t hang up. What’s possible depends on your state, the car’s age and whether it’s titled to them. Ask whether it was ever titled in their name and whether they can get a replacement. Our title rules by state lists what each state’s motor vehicle agency says, so you can tell them exactly what to do.
No problem, that happens a lot. In Ohio you can get a duplicate title at any county Clerk of Courts title office, with a photo ID and the fee. Once you have it, call me and we'll come the same week. I'll text you my number and the offer so you have them.
“I need it gone today.”
If you can do today, say so. Speed wins more cars than a few dollars does.
We can be there this afternoon between 3 and 5. Will you be there, with the title and keys?
“Is this a scam?”
I get it. We're [your business], and we've been buying cars here since [year]. Our driver pays you at pickup, and you don't sign the title over until you're paid. You can look us up on Google first.
Only say it if it’s true. Reviews on your Google profile do a lot of this work for you. See our Google Business Profile guide.
5. Book the pickup before you hang up
A yes without a time is a maybe. Pick a window and check the details.
Perfect. So that's tomorrow between 9 and 11 at 123 Main Street. Will you be there, or someone with the title and keys? Anything our driver should know, like a gate or where the car is parked?
6. Confirm by text
Send the offer, the time, the address and your number in a text right after the call. It’s on their phone, it shows you’re organized, and it gives them a way to reach you.
Hi Maria, this is [your name] with [your business]. Confirming $400 for your 2009 Camry, pickup tomorrow 9 to 11 AM at 123 Main St. Have the title and your ID ready. Questions? Text or call this number.
After the call
Log what happened: the offer, the answer, the time. A buyer who logs every call knows who to follow up with. On Clunqr Leads, you don’t have to open anything: when a call ends we text you, and you reply 1 350 for an offer they’re thinking about, 2 350 if they said yes, or 3 if there’s no deal. We text the seller your offer and start the follow-up for you. See how it works.
Clunqr Leads sends junk car sellers in your area to you and nobody else, $30 a lead, with an app that texts sellers, follows up on your offers and puts missed calls first. See how it works or apply for your area.
