FAQs
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.
•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.
•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.
•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.
•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.
•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 My Saved Vehicles in My 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 My Account to Register Now!
Selling a Vehicle
•What kinds of ads are available on TradeExpress.com?
“Value” Ads and Power Ads (up to 26 consecutive weeks) are available to PRIVATE
PARTIES. Your Ad appears
online for three weeks (with up to four photos), as well as in three weekly
issues of any, or all, of the three editions of Trade Express magazine (with a single photo).
Power Ads (up to 26 consecutive weeks) are also available to PRIVATE PARTIES. A Power Ad appears online for four weeks (with up to four photos), as well
as in four weekly issues of any, or all, of the three editions of Trade Express magazine (with
a single photo). After the first four weeks, it is the seller’s responsibility to
renew their ad for up to two weeks at a time. With each renewal. This type of ad may run for a maximum of 26 weeks. Any item other than an automobile, RV, boat or motorcycle is excluded from this offer.
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 Mike Garripee in our commercial advertising
department at 800-300-4401, or email him at MikeG@TradeExpress.com.
•How much do private party ads cost?
A Value Ad appears online for three weeks (with up to four photos), as well as in three weekly
issues of any, or all, of the three editions of Trade Express magazine (with a single photo).
A Value Ad costs only $39 for three weeks for one edition, $62 for two
editions, and $90 for all three editions.
A Power Ad appears online for four consecutive weeks with two week renewals thereafter (with up to four photos), as well
as in four weekly issues of any, or all, of the three editions of Trade Express magazine (with
a single photo). Any item other than an automobile, RV, boat or motorcycle is excluded from this offer.
A Power Ad costs only $65 for one edition, $120 for two editions,
and $159 for all three editions. There is a maximum of 26 weeks allowed for this type of ad.
•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.
•How long will my ad run?
A $39 Value Ad runs for three weeks on TradeExpress.com (depending
on when the ad is submitted) and in three weekly issues of any, or all three editions of Trade
Express magazine. A Power Ad appears online for four weeks
(with up to four photos), as well as in four weekly issues of any, or all, of the
three editions of Trade Express magazine (with a single photo). After the first four weeks,
it is the seller’s responsibility to renew their ad for up to two weeks at a time.
This ad runs for a maximum of 26 weeks.
•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.
•Will my online ad run in Trade Express magazine?
YES - To gain the most exposure for your ad, Value Published Ads will run in three weekly issues of any, or all three editions of Trade Express magazine.
•How do I renew my ad?
Any ad placed online may be renewed by logging in to My Account, and going to the
specific ad in My Ads.
•Will you remind me to renew my ad?
YES - If you give us your e-mail address when you place your ad, we will remind
you 48 hours before your ad expires.
•How do I change or cancel my ad?
Any ad placed online may be modified or cancelled by logging in to My 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.
•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.
•What types of payment do you accept?
•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.
•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 My Account,
and going to the specific ad in My Ads.
Likewise, you may cancel any ad placed online by going to My Ads in My 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.
•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:

•What if I do not have a digital camera or a scanner?
If you are unable to upload a photo of your vehicle to TradeExpress.com, you may
bring your vehicle to one of our offices and we will take a photo for you at no additional cost.
Please see Contact Us for the address and business hours of the office nearest you.
In addition Trade Express has conveniently located Photo Express Centers to have your photo taken.
Please see Contact Us for the location nearest you.
•Can I mail my ad and photos of my vehicle?
•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.
•Registered members may participate in online promotions and are entitled to receive
email updates on new developments at TradeExpress.com.
Go to My Account to Register Now!
•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 My Saved Vehicles in My 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 My Account to Register Now!
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 Mike Garripee in our commercial advertising
department at 800-300-4401, or email him at MikeG@TradeExpress.com.
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.
•Where can I find copies of Trade Express magazines?
Trade Express magazines are located in racks in over 3000 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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