carsguide.com.au

Car Shortlist What's this?

Carsguide private party ads FAQ

General

Account registration

Account administration

Placing an ad

Ad deadlines

Changing my ad

Renewing my ad

Deleting or cancelling my ad

Safety and security

Payments

 

 

General

Q: Who can I contact if I experience problems or have a question, and when can I contact them?
A: The page you are currently on is a good place to start if you need help. We have tried to compile most of the frequent questions we get asked, so it’s quite likely you will find a helpful answer here. In case you don’t, please refer to our Contact us page for our contact phone numbers and a contact form. You will also find our standard business hours on this page. Please be aware that our staff only work within these business hours. This also refers to our moderation process.

Account registration

Q: Do I need to create an account with Carsguide to place an ad?
A: Yes. You will need to create an account with Carsguide if you want to place an ad. This enables us to save your work, in case you’re not able to finish your ad in one session. It is also important for your own safety and security. Once you have created an account, you can use it for to place as many ads as you like.

Q: What information do I need to create an account?
A: To create an account with Carsguide you will only need to provide a valid email address and create a password. Your password has to be between 8-20 characters long and must contain at least 1 number. Please choose an email address you use frequently, as we will use this to send you tax invoices and other important information. We take your privacy seriously and will only send you information relevant to your ad.

Account administration

Q: I've forgotten my password - what do I do?
A: Forgetting your password is not a problem. Simply click on the “Forgot your password?” link on the login screen . Then enter the email address you used when you created the account and click on the “Get new password” button. You will receive an email with a new password after a short period of time.

Q: How do I change my password?
A: You must be logged in to change your password – we want to make sure it’s really you. Then, select "Change my password" at the very top of the “Manage your ads” screen and follow the instructions on the screen.

Placing an ad

Q: What information do I need to so that I can place an ad for my car?
A: The more information about your car you can put into your ad, the more effective your ad will be with any potential buyers, so don’t hold back. However, make sure that before you even start filling out our form, you have the following items ready:
- Up to 24 digital photos of your car (from lots of different angles, both inside and outside)
- Your vehicle registration (and if you can, your Vehicle Identification Number, or VIN)
- Your current kilometre reading
- A valid credit card
- The Year, Make and Model of your car, e.g. 2007 Nissan XTrail ST-L (you’ll usually find detailed information in your car’s paperwork )
- A mobile phone to which we can send an SMS verification code for security purposes, to complete your payment.

Q: Can I place an ad over the phone that is supposed to go online?
A: Unfortunately, this is not possible. You can only place ads over the phone if they are “print only” ads. You can find the respective phone numbers at the bottom of our Contact us page. All other ads must be placed using our easy-to-use web form to place your ad .

Q: How much does it cost to place an ad?
A: The base cost of your ad will depend on the package you select. As you build your ad, you might choose to enhance your ad to attract more attention. That can sometimes incur additional costs, but we will always tell you when that happens.

Q: What is the cost per extra line added?
A: This question only applies to the newspaper part of your ad package, because our web part of the ad doesn’t incur costs for extra lines. The extra costs will depend on the publications you have selected for your newspaper part of the ad. When you add extra information, the system will calculate how much the extra information will cost you and display an updated price.

Q: How much information can I include in my newspaper ad?
A: The most important information on your car - make, model, year, kilometres, and contact info, will be automatically included in your newspaper ad. This information will never cost you any extra. If you add information on top of that and it exceeds the amount of text you purchased with your ad package, the system will calculate how much this will cost and display an updated price.

Q: What are the different ad package options?
A: Information about the different types of available packages can be found on our Carsguide website . The exact details of the ad packages will be different from region to region – that’s why we will ask you for your post code first.

Q: Where will my ad be published?
A: Web car ads will be published on the following sites:
Carsguide.com.au
Drive.com.au
For newspaper ads, your ad will be placed in the publications that are part of the ad package you purchase. You can find the information in the package description.

Q: Can I preview my ad before it is published?
A: Yes. As you build your ad, you will be able to preview it by clicking the “Preview” button where available.

Q: When will my ad be published?
A: Web parts of an ad package will be published once the ad has been through our quality assurance process – we need to make sure that it isn’t a fraudulent ad before we release it. Newspaper parts of an ad package also go through our quality assurance process, but you control when they are being printed as part of the setup process of the ad. This approval process usually takes around 1 business day. Please bear in mind that this means that ads submitted outside the business hours on Friday will not be published until the following Monday. Moderation does not take place on weekends or public holidays, or outside of our business hours.

Q. How long will it take for my ad to appear on the website?
A. All ads need to go through our quality assurance process so our staff can check to make sure they are not fraudulent. We’ll check your ad, and if it meets our standards, we’ll try to get it online by the next business day.

Q: Can I include photos in my ads?
A: Yes. You can always include up to 24 photos for a web ad, and you can also choose to include a photo for a newspaper ad if you wish. The latter might incur extra costs, depending on the ad package you choose.

Q: How difficult is it to include photos in my ad?
A: It’s actually very easy. During the process of placing your ad with our online form, there is an integrated “Photo uploader”. With this Photo uploader, you can simply choose your digital photos on your computer. You can upload either one at a time, or several at once (batch uploading). The program will take care of the resizing of the image for you. There is also an easy-to-use button to “crop” the image, in case you want to cut something out of the picture.
If you’re unsure how to use the Photo uploader at any point in time, just click on the help links that are placed close by for more information.

Q: Should I include a photo in my newspaper ad?
A: We believe that your newspaper ad will be more effective and attract more attention if you include a photo. Buyers keep telling us that the more information they can get about a car on sale, the better. However, depending on the ad package you choose, a photo might cost you a extra.

Q: Why does my newspaper ad not appear in the same classified section I selected online?
A: Although we do our best to match the classifications in the newspapers to the classification you selected online, sometimes the names of the classifications differ slightly. However, we do our best to place your ad into a sensible section of the newspapers if your selected classification is not available.

Q: Will I receive confirmation of my ad placement?
A: Yes. Once you have paid for your ad, you will receive a confirmation email which outlines the details of your ad package. It also includes a tax invoice. This confirmation email will be sent to the email address you used to create your account. Please note that this does not mean that your ad is “live” yet – at this point in time, it will be in the quality assurance queue. Once our staff has made sure it’s not a fraudulent ad and that it meets our quality control standards, it will go online.

Q: How do I view the status of my ad?
A: You must be logged in to view the status of your ad. Once you've logged in, select <link>"Manage your ads "</link> from the navigation at the top of the screen. The "Manage your ads" page will display the status of all your current ads.

Q: How will I know when my ad finishes?
A: Go to the "Manage your ads” screen to see when your ad will finish. Log in with the email address you used to create your account and your chosen password. The "Manage your ads" page will display the finish date of all your current ads under the column labelled "Progress".

Ad deadlines

Q: What is an ad deadline?
A: The “deadline” of an ad is the latest time the newspaper can accept your ad for a specific publishing date. For example, if you want to get your car ad in Friday's edition of the Daily Telegraph, you'll need to place your ad by a particular time on Wednesday. Deadlines for all newspapers can be viewed on our deadlines page, which is also accessible from the footer on every page of the ad placement process. In addition, our ad placing system will make sure that you can only select from date options that are still possible at the time of setting up your ad, so there won’t be any confusion.

Q: Is there a deadline for submitting an ad?
A: Yes. Deadlines apply for all newspaper parts of ad packages. Each newspaper has a different deadline. Deadlines for all newspapers can be viewed on our deadlines page.

Q: Where can I find out the deadlines for newspaper ads?
A: Deadlines for all newspapers can be viewed on our deadlines page.

Changing an ad

Q: What do different types of “status” mean?
A: Draft
An ad you've saved but haven't yet completed and submitted.
Submitted
A completed ad that has been submitted but not published yet, in the newspaper and/or online. You can edit or cancel the ad at this stage.
Active
A completed ad that has been published, in the newspaper and/or online. You can edit or cancel the ad at any point in this stage. Once all newspaper issues of your ad have run their course, you can also “renew” your ad. For more information about renewing, read our Renewing an ad FAQs.
Finished
The ad has finished running. You can renew the ad at any time.
Cancelled
An ad you have cancelled or an ad that has failed our quality assurance. To re-advertise, you will need to create a new ad.

Q: How do I change or update my ad?
A: Go to the "Manage your ads" screen to change or update your ad. You will be asked to log in, if you’re not logged in already. Log in with the email address you used to create your account and your chosen password. You will be able to view and select the particular ad you want to edit (most people will only have one ad to choose from). You can view details and change or update the ad, depending on its status.

Q: I've created a draft ad, why can't I see it under "Manage your ads"?
A: Our system only holds ads in draft mode for 4 weeks. Once this time frame is over, the ad gets deleted automatically. We are forced to do this to maintain a clean and reliable system. If you can’t find your ad, it might have been deleted by this mechanism.
However, if you believe that the ad should be there and it is less than 4 weeks since you created or edited your ad, call us at Carsguide for help on 1300 559 153.

Q: How do I delete a draft ad?
A: Any ads that remain uncompleted and still have a draft status after 4 weeks will be automatically deleted from the system.

Q: I've created an ad. What information can I change when my ad has been “submitted”?
A: With “Submitted” we mean the time when you have finished setting up your ad and submitted it to us, but it has not gone “live” yet (i.e. it hasn’t yet passed our quality assurance check). At this point, you can make any changes you wish to your ad, with a few exceptions when it comes to core information. For example, you cannot change the make and model of a car, because this is the basic information your whole ad is based on. Any changes to web ads are free of charge, but changes to a newspaper ad may incur additional costs or entitle you to a refund, depending on what changes you make. You will be required to pay any outstanding charges, and vice versa we will transfer any amount we owe you back onto your account automatically. The cost of your ad after the modifications will be displayed in the "Costs" section on the page where you make the changes. The changes to your ad will take effect after the ad has passed our quality assurance process.

Q: I've created an ad. What information can I change when my ad is “active”?
A: With “active” we mean that your completed ad has passed our quality assurance check and is now accessible to all on the internet. At this point, you can make any changes you wish to your ad, including adding additional components. However, you will not be able to change the make and model of your car, change when it is to be run in the newspaper or remove any layout components you previously submitted. You will be required to pay any outstanding charges or you will be automatically credited for any amount we owe you. The cost of your ad after the modifications will be displayed in the "Costs" section on the page where you make the changes. The changes to your ad will take effect after the ad has passed our quality assurance process.

Q: I have just updated my ad, why can’t I see the changes?
A: Whenever users make changes to their ads, we need to make sure that the ad still passes our quality assurance check. This means that there will be a delay between you making changes, and the changes appearing “live” on the web.

Renewing an ad

Q: What happens when I renew my ad?
A: When you renew your ad, your ad will be republished with the same information and the same ad package that you used for your initial deal. However, you can edit your ad during the renewal process – you may want to change or add some details, or lower your asking price, for example. Many ad renewals are free; you’ll only be charged for extra information or features if you’ve added these to your newspaper ad.

Q: How do I renew my ad?
A: Go to the “Manage your ads” screen. Log in with the email address you used to create the account and your chosen password. The “Manage your ads” screen will list all your ads and their current status. You can renew an ad that has a "Finished" status. You can also renew ads with an “Active” status, but only when all the newspaper ads as part of the ad package have run their course. The “Manage your ads” screen will only offer you the “Renew” option if it is available, so there won’t be any confusion.
To renew an ad, select the ad from the "Manage your ads" screen and click "Renew".

Q: How many times can I renew an ad?
A: You can renew an ad as many times as you want to. However, we would like to ask you to stop renewing it once your car has been sold.

Q: When renewing my ad, can I select a new ad package?
A: No. You will need to stick to the same ad package as in the original. However, you can update or edit your ad before renewal, and change details or add extra information or features for example. If you want to choose a different ad package, please create a new ad.

Q: How much does it cost to renew my ad?
A: Many ads can be renewed at no extra cost. Renewals of ad packages which include newspaper ads may incur a charge if any extra lines or styling has been added to the basic newspaper ad. In this case you’ll have to pay only for the cost of the extra information or features .If you’ve added a photo to your newspaper ad, for example, on renewal you’ll only have to pay for the cost of the photo. We’ll always display the cost of renewal, if any, during the renewal process.

Cancelling or deleting an ad

Q: I've sold my car - how do I cancel my ad?
A: Go to the "Manage your ads" screen to quickly and easily cancel your ad. Log in with the email address you used to create your account and your chosen password. Then choose the ad you would like to cancel and press the “Cancel” button. Web ads will be removed immediately. Newspaper ads will not appear in any subsequent issues.

Q: I cancelled my ad, do I get a refund?
A: If you cancel an ad that has a status of "Submitted", you will receive a refund for your booking. If you cancel an ad that has a status of "Active", you will not be entitled to a refund, as the ad has already been published online (and is already “live”) and put into the print queue for the newspaper ad.

Safety and security

Q: Will it be safe to sell my car online?
A: On the whole, selling a car online is an easy and safe process. But you should always beware of scammers who try to use the anonymous environment of the internet to rip people off. The Carsguide Safety centre has the latest information on how you can protect yourself against fraud, scams and rip-offs.

Q: How can I keep myself secure?
A: Keep up to date with all the latest information on fraud and scams at the Carsguide Safety centre. NEVER send money, credit card details or your account details to anyone you do not know and trust. If an offer seems too good to be true, it usually is.

Q: I’ve been contacted by someone who I think might be a fraudulent buyer – what should I do?
A: Carsguide maintains a section called Carsguide Safety centre which lists some of the more common fraud methods. If this information doesn’t help you, please give us a ring on 1800 026 705 to talk to one of our customer service representatives – they have a vast amount of knowledge in this area and will be able to help you.

Q: Why do I need to confirm my identity with an SMS verification code?
A: Carsguide asks you to confirm your identity with an SMS verification code before payment as part of our ongoing program to ensure your safety and security. This is part of a process to deter potential fraudsters and making selling and buying a car online safer.

Q: I can’t access the SMS verification code as I haven’t got a mobile phone, what can I do?
A: If you haven’t got a mobile phone to hand when you are completing the payment process for your ad, you can save a draft version of your ad, and return later when you do have access to a mobile phone. The mobile phone doesn’t have to be your own – you can send the verification code to the phone of a friend or relative, as long as you have that phone at hand when you want to complete payment. If you cannot get any access to a mobile phone, contact Carsguide by phone during business hours on 1300 559 153.

Payments

Q: How do I pay for my ad?
A: We accept payment using the following credit cards: VISA, AMEX, MasterCard and Diners. No other payment options are possible.

Q: Do you have any payment options other than credit card?
A: No. Presently, VISA, AMEX, Mastercard and Diners credit cards are the only payment options we can accept.


Q: Do I receive confirmation of my payment?
A: Yes. You will receive an email confirming your ad booking which includes a tax invoice that confirms payment for your ad.

Buy or sell a car

Find a car
Sell