Tips for buying a car on Google Trader Nigeria

In case you've never noticed it before, Google Trader Nigeria is a platform where a lot of Nigerians advertise stuff for free. One of the most popular places where high networth traders go to is the car section because that is where buy and sell decisions are made.

Car sellers advertise their goods on Google trader, indicating the pictures, location and the price for the car. When a potential car buyer goes to Google trader to search for cars, he sees the ads and tries to decide on which one he likes best and then contacts the seller when he decides he wants to inspect it.

You can't actually buy a car directly on Google trader but it allows you to do a sort of window shopping for cars looking at their specifications, price and location.

If you intend to buy a car using the information available on Google trader, you should exercise caution before when doing so because it is highly valued asset and most cars sell within the range of N1m.

Tips to use when buying a card via Google trader

- Location is important. The closer it is to you, the better you could be protected in case you need to meet the seller again

- Does the seller display his office address and is he a registered car dealers? If he just offers his phone number, he may just be an agent who is looking for a commission. You can still buy through him but it is better to buy directly from dealers.

- Don't make payments forward. See and inspect the car first with a machanic if possible.

- Engine condition is important. Other parts of the car may not be perfect but you should focus your inspection on how good the engine is

- Make sure the car is in the same condition as offered by the seller. Some so-called advertisers may just use a picture from the internet which could be different from what they really have

- Don't make payments in cash. Use a cheque or bank transfer and it is better to make payments to the seller's company rather than his personal account.

- Better to buy newly imported cars than Nigerian used. Unless the car is still in good condition and for a good price

- Make sure in case of ownership transfer, you get a police report and valid documents are transferred to you. A fraudulent seller could claim that you stole the car if you don't have the valid documents yet and can't prove you'd made payment for the car.

- Only meet the seller in a public place or public office where he sells cars.

Remember, Google trader Nigeria is just a place to connect buyers with sellers. The actual trade happens in the real world and so observe the same caution when trading with someone in the real world.