Dealer trade vs. vehicle locator: which fits a franchised dealer?
What is the difference between a dealer trade and a vehicle locator? A locator finds a unit for you and bills for the search, typically about $500 a car or more. On Locates.io, the dealer trade runs through one platform: the other dealer stays anonymous until both sign, selling is free, and the buyer pays $199 per unit, one time.
How does a locator usually work?
A locator takes your request, calls around and brings back a unit, then charges a fee for the search. You depend on that person's contacts, and pricing is set one deal at a time. See what a locator costs.
How does a Locates.io trade work?
You list a unit or search for an exact build. Locates.io matches it, sets the terms and runs the paperwork, money and freight. Each dealer deals only with the Locates.io desk, which acts as the rep for both sides. Saved searches send an alert the moment a matching unit lists. See how it works.
How do the two compare?
| Topic | Vehicle locator | Locates.io trade |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to you | Set by the locator, typically about $500 a car or more | Free to sell; buyer pays $199 per unit, one time |
| Who you deal with | The locator and their contacts | Locates.io only |
| Identity | Often shared during the search | Anonymous until both dealers sign |
| Freight | Quoted separately | Estimate range, then carrier quote plus $75 a unit, locked at terms |
Which one should I use?
Use whichever gets the right unit at a known cost. If you want to know the full delivered price before you sign, and to keep your name out of the market until you commit, the platform route fits. Read the dealer-to-dealer trade checklist either way.
Where else can I read about this?
See the Chevrolet hub, the GMC hub and pricing.
FAQ
Is a dealer trade cheaper than a locator?
Selling is free, and the buyer pays $199 per unit, one time. Locator fees vary, so compare the full delivered cost of each route.
Do I pay if no deal closes?
No. The platform fee is charged only when a trade happens.
Can I talk to the other dealer?
No. All communication goes through the Locates.io desk.