Frequently Asked Questions

Buying a Vehicle

Selling a Vehicle

Dealers
General

Buying a Vehicle

•   What kinds of used cars and other vehicles are found on TradeExpress.com?
TradeExpress.com has more used cars, trucks, vans, SUV’s, commercial vehicles, boats, RV’s, and motorcycles for sale in the Central & Southern California areas than any other website or print publication. Private parties, franchise dealers and independent dealers advertise these used cars and other vehicles. In order to find the “right” used vehicle, you can search by make, model, range of years and price range, as well as other keywords.
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•   Where are the used cars and other vehicles on TradeExpress.com located?
Trade Express and TradeExpress.com are the industry leaders in connecting buyers and sellers of new and used cars as well as other vehicles in the Central & Southern California areas. Although you may find a vehicle in Trade Express that is located in another part of the country, our focus is on advertising more used cars and other vehicles in the Central & Southern California areas than any other website or print publication.

When browsing for a vehicle to buy, you can supply your zip code and sort to see the used cars and other vehicles closest to your location first.
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•   Am I buying my vehicle from TradeExpress.com?
NO - TradeExpress.com and the three editions of Trade Express magazine are classified photo advertising media, which bring together buyers and sellers of used cars and other vehicles in the Central & Southern California areas. Trade Express and TradeExpress.com do not own or sell any of the used cars and other vehicles that they advertise.
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•   Do any of the used cars and other vehicles on TradeExpress.com come with a warranty?
Warranties provided by the sellers are available for many of the used cars and other vehicles on TradeExpress.com. In some cases, extended warranties on used cars and other vehicles may be purchased from third parties. Trade Express does not directly provide any warranties or guarantees. To find out more information about a specific vehicle’s warranty or warranty options, please contact the seller.
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•   Are any of the used cars and other vehicles certified?
Many of the used cars and other vehicles for sale are certified by the dealer selling the vehicle. To find out more information about a specific vehicle’s certification, please contact the seller.
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•   Do I have to register to search for a vehicle?
You do NOT have to register with TradeExpress.com in order to search for a vehicle. Registration is quick, easy and free. Registered members have access to several advanced features:

  • Buyers can save used cars and other vehicles that are of interest for longer than the current internet session (in Saved Ads in Account). This enables you to do thorough comparison shopping for as long as you need to find the “right” vehicle.
  • Sellers can place and pay for ads which will appear on TradeExpress.com, as well as in any, or all, of the three editions of Trade Express magazine.
  • Registered members can participate in online promotions and email updates on new developments at TradeExpress.com.
Go to Account to Register Now!
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Selling a Vehicle

•   What kinds of ads are available on TradeExpress.com?
For private parties, three ad packages are offered. The Enhanced Online and Print Ad Package includes running your ad in three weekly issues of any, or all, of the three editions of Trade Express magazine (with a single photo). Your ad will also appear online for three weeks (with up to 10 photos). If you only want to run your ad online, you can choose from the Enhanced Online Ad (three weeks with up to 10 photos) and Basic Online Ad (three weeks with a single photo).

For DEALERS, Trade Express advertising professionals will design a customized package of targeted online and print advertising.

Dealers in Los Angeles County, Ventura County, and Southern Santa Barbara County should call Bob Real in our commercial advertising department at 800-400-8338, or email him at BobR@TradeExpress.com.

Dealers in Northern Santa Barbara County, San Luis Obispo County, and Southern Monterey County should call Greg Deline in our commercial advertising department at 800-300-4401, or email him at GregD@TargetMediaPartners.com.
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•   How much do private party ads cost?
The Enhanced Online and Print Ad Package costs only $39 for three weeks of online plus one edition, $59 for two editions, and $79 for three editions. The Enhanced Online Ad costs $5, while the Basic Online Ad is free.
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•   What is the deadline to place my ad online?
All ads submitted online between Monday and Friday noon will be included on TradeExpress.com within 24 hours. Ads submitted online after Friday noon will appear on TradeExpress.com no later than Monday noon.
Ads placed online by Tuesday 5:00 p.m. will appear in the following Thursday and/or Friday’s issue of Trade Express magazine.
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•   How long will my ad run?
Your online ad will run for three weeks on TradeExpress.com (depending on when the ad is submitted). If you choose the Enhanced Online and Print Ad package, your ad will also run in three weekly issues of any, or all, of the three editions of TradeExpress magazine. You can renew your ad any time by logging into Account and going to the specific ad in My Ads.
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•   When does my ad go “live” online?
All ads submitted online between Monday and Friday noon will be included on TradeExpress.com within 24 hours. Ads submitted online after Friday noon will appear on TradeExpress.com no later than Monday noon.
Ads placed online by Tuesday 5:00 p.m. will appear in the following Thursday and/or Friday’s issue of Trade Express magazine.
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•   Will my online ad run in Trade Express magazine?
The Enhanced Online and Print Ad Package gives your ad the most exposure. Your ad will run in three weekly issues of any, or all, of the three editions of Trade Express magazine.
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•   How do I renew my ad?
Any ad placed online may be renewed by logging in to Account, and going to the specific ad in My Ads.
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•   Will you remind me to renew my ad?
YES - we will remind you via email 4 days before your ad expires.
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•   How do I change or cancel my ad?
Any ad placed online may be modified or cancelled by logging in to Account, and going to the specific ad in My Ads. Changes and cancellations made between Monday and Friday noon will be effective online within 24 hours. Changes and cancellations made after Friday noon will be effective no later than Monday noon. Changes and cancellations made by Tuesday 5:00 p.m. will appear in the following Thursday and/or Friday’s issue of Trade Express magazine.
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•   Do you guarantee that my vehicle will sell?
Although we strongly believe that TradeExpress.com and Trade Express magazines offer the best advertising value in the Central & Southern California areas, we cannot guarantee results.
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•   What types of payment do you accept?
We accept MasterCard, Visa, and American Express for private party ads placed online. We also accept cash, checks and money orders if you are visiting our office or mailing in payment for your ad. We do not recommend mailing cash. Please make sure to include the completed Private Party Ad Form for Ventura and Santa Barbara OR the completed Private Party Ad Form for the Central Coast Office when mailing in your payment.
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•   Is my credit card information secure?
Using your credit card at TradeExpress.com is completely safe. We use an advanced encryption technology that safeguards your personal information and ensures your privacy as it travels over the internet. We also maintain a certificate with Thawte that serves as an electronic substitute for your signature.
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•   What is your refund policy?
We are not responsible for errors made by customers. If you make an error in an ad placed online, you may correct or modify your ad by logging in to Account, and going to the specific ad in My Ads. Likewise, you may cancel any ad placed online by going to My Ads in Account. We do not issue refunds for private party ads. If we make a material error in your ad, we will give you a credit toward the purchase of future advertising.
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•   What is the best way to photograph my vehicle?
The goal of Trade Express is to help you sell your vehicle. The following tips will help you take high quality photos of your vehicle:

  • Do not shoot the shadow side of your vehicle.
  • Make sure the sun is behind you and watch out for shadows on your vehicle.
  • To help remove “glare spots” from your windows, roll them down.
  • Shoot your vehicle in the morning or late afternoon, this will reduce shadows and harsh glare.
  • Always use your flash, even in bright sunlight. (this will show more details of your vehicle.)
  • Clean your vehicle, don’t forget tire treatment.
  • Park your vehicle on clean pavement. (Special Tip: Wet the pavement.)
  • Position your vehicle in what is known as the 3/4 view.
  • Crouch down and shoot at headlight level (this makes your vehicle seem “proud”).
  • Stand back when shooting your vehicle. you do not want to “clip” off the front or back bumpers and you want to leave enough space around your vehicle so that Trade Express can crop it to size to fit the magazine format. (Example, if you fill the frame (which is typically square in shape), then when your vehicle is cropped to fit the frame of the advertisement (which is typically rectangular in shape). Your vehicle will lose its roof or tires.
  • Do not position your vehicle under a shade tree or striped canopy, this will show up as a bad paint job in the photo.
  • Your vehicle is the primary focal point of your photograph. Make sure that the backdrop is neat. You should never have anyone standing beside your car and your hood & doors should be closed.
  • Turn off your camera’s option of imprinting the date/time.
  • Set your camera to the highest quality or fine quality setting.

Photos taken with film may be scanned and uploaded, but the online photo quality may not be as good as digital photos. See the examples below:


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•   Do I have to register to sell my vehicle on TradeExpress.com?
YES - We need to be able to communicate with you if you are selling a vehicle on TradeExpress.com. Registration is quick, easy and free. Registered members have access to several advanced features:
  • Sellers can place and pay for ads which will appear on TradeExpress.com, as well as in any, or all three editions of Trade Express magazine.
  • Sellers may renew, modify or cancel ads online and will receive email renewal reminders before ads expire.
  • Buyers can save vehicles that are of interest for longer than the current internet session (in Saved Ads in Account).
  • Registered members may participate in online promotions and are entitled to receive email updates on new developments at TradeExpress.com.

Go to Account to Register Now!
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•   Why should I register?
Registering with TradeExpress.com is quick, easy and best of all FREE! Once you become a registered member, you will have access to several advanced features:

  • BUYERS can save vehicles that are of interest for longer than the current internet session (in Saved Ads in Account). This enables you to do thorough comparison shopping for as long as you need to find the “right” vehicle. BUYERS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO REGISTER.
  • SELLERS must register in order to place and pay for ads online with our simple and user friendly online ad placement form. Sellers may also save, renew, modify or cancel ads online and will receive email renewal reminders before ads expire.
  • ALL REGISTERED MEMBERS may participate in online promotions and are entitled to receive email updates on new developments at TradeExpress.com.

Go to Account to Register Now!
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Dealers
Trade Express Los Angeles, Trade Express South Coast, Trade Express Central Coast, and TradeExpress.com are the Central & Southern California area’s premier sources for photo classified automotive ads. We offer better customer service and generate better response than any other advertising source. That is why we have more local area car, pickup truck, van, SUV, commercial vehicle, boat, RV, and cycle dealers advertising with us than any other website or print publication.

We welcome inquiries from franchise and independent dealers. Trade Express advertising professionals are eager to design a customized package of targeted online and print advertising for you.

Dealers in Los Angeles County, Ventura County, and Southern Santa Barbara County should call Bob Real in our commercial advertising department at 800-400-8338, or email him at BobR@TradeExpress.com.

Dealers in Northern Santa Barbara County, San Luis Obispo County, and Southern Monterey County should call Greg Deline in our commercial advertising department at 800-300-4401, or email him at GregD@TargetMediaPartners.com.
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General
•   Who is Trade Express?
Trade Express was founded in June 1984 as the South Coast’s first classified photo advertising publication. Today Trade Express Los Angeles, Trade Express South Coast, Trade Express Central Coast, and TradeExpress.com are the Central & Southern California area’s best advertising media to connect buyers and sellers of new and used cars, pickup trucks, vans, SUVs, commercial vehicles, boats, RVs and motorcycles. New issues of Trade Express magazines are published every Thursday or Friday, and TradeExpress.com is updated daily Monday through Friday.

Trade Express is a member of Target Media Partners, one of the largest and fastest growing independent advertising publishers in the United States. For more information about Target Media Partners, please visit www.targetmediapartners.com.
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•   Where can I find copies of Trade Express magazines?
Trade Express magazines are located in racks in over 3,000 locations such as Vons, Ralphs, Albertsons, K-Mart, Blockbuster, 7-Eleven, Bally's Health Club, and other participating local restaurants, gas stations, liquor stores, and convenience stores. In addition, you can find Trade Express in hundreds of convenient street stands throughout our coverage areas. The Trade Express Central Coast edition and the Trade Express South Coast edition are distributed on Thursday mornings, while the Trade Express Los Angeles edition is distributed on Friday mornings. TradeExpress.com is updated daily.

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