Car buying service for busy shoppers

Busy professionals, families, first-time buyers and people who dislike dealership haggling.

A flat fee per car or a percentage of the amount you save the client, charged to the buyer. Some states restrict taking payments from dealers, so check before accepting any.

• Negotiating calmly
• Knowing car values and trims
• Clear communication and follow-up
• Staying organized across several clients

• Some states require a dealer or broker license to arrange vehicle sales for a fee, so check with your state before taking clients
• General liability and possibly errors and omissions insurance
• Rules on disclosing fees and any dealer payments to clients
• Never hold client deposits or title documents unless you've confirmed what the law allows
• Home occupation permit or HOA rules if clients visit or you advertise from your home address

Startup costs are typically around $600 to $3,000, depending on your insurance, website and the tools you use to search listings. These are estimates, so price out each item before you launch.

Monthly revenue is typically around $600 to $3,000, depending on how many clients you take on and the flat fee you charge. It is an estimate, and results vary with how steadily you find clients.

Some states require a dealer or broker license to arrange vehicle sales for a fee, so check with your state before taking clients. Also check insurance, fee disclosure rules, and what the law allows before holding deposits or title documents.