IMPORTANT – On October 9th, 2023, Shift Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: SFT), a consumer-centric omnichannel retailer for buying and selling used cars, and its subsidiaries (collectively, “the Company”) filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code (“Chapter 11”) in the United States Bankruptcy Court (“the Court”) to implement an orderly wind down of its business. The Company’s two locations in Oakland, CA, and Pomona, CA, and the Company’s website have ceased operations.
Which is Better for Selling the Car?
Selling your car with Shift and Vroom is similar in many ways. Both companies offer you a free online price quote and 7 days to consider and accept your offer. With both companies, you can sell your car and receive your payment within 24 hours to 3 days.
However, some differences set these two companies apart.
Overall, Shift is the better car-buying company to sell your car to. Shift pays by a direct bank transfer, which typically takes up to 24 hours. Meanwhile, Vroom will pay by check through the mail which can take 2-3 days to arrive, and show up in your bank account. Shift also has much higher customer ratings (4.4) and more positive reviews in comparison to Vroom (1.3).
Shift Summary
- Quick 24 hour payment processing time
- Extra $200 bonus for selling your car
- 2 options for evaluating your car
- Up to 7 days to consider Shift’s offer
Vroom Summary
- Quote good for seven days or 250 miles
- Quote for your used vehicle in 30 minutes
- Straightforward selling process
- Free pick-up from your driveway
Shift vs. Vroom Comparison
| Shift | Vroom | |
|---|---|---|
| Cars accepted | Used & new cars | New, used |
| Fees | No fees | No fees |
| Requesting quotes | In-person & online application | Online application |
| Offer validity | 7 days | 7 days |
| Payments offered | Secured Automated Clearing House (ACH), or a direct bank transfer | Check |
| Payout | 24 hours after sale | 2-3 business days |
| Car pick-up | Free pick-up | Free pick-up |
| Physical locations | 183 Store Locations | Locations in lower 48 states of US |
| Turnaround time | 24 hours | 2-3 business days |
| Customer service | Email, phone | Phone |
| Reviews | 4.4 | 1.3 |
Compare to Other Car Buying Websites
Peddle
Get a legit offer in minutes – provide VIN, mileage and condition
$0 fees + you don’t have to pay for towing – Peddle will take care of it
Get paid in check during the pick up for any car (damaged, junk, wrecked)
Wheelzy
Quick car evaluation without the hassle – sell your car within 30 min
Choose a convenient date and time for free pick-up, as soon as next day
Get cash in hand the same day the Wheelzy agent picks up your car
CarBrain
Get an offer within 2 minutes and sell your damaged car within 24 hours
Free vehicle towing and no fees to getting rid of your damaged car
The tow truck driver will arrive with your check (nationwide service)
Cars Accepted
Shift accepts cars that are in drivable condition and cars that are leased. With Shift, you can sell your leased car in nearly the same way as any other financed car. Shift will evaluate your car and require a copy of your lease buyout packet.
Vroom accepts any car including new, used, and old cars, apart from leased vehicles. You can also choose to take advantage of Vroom’s trade-in option, where you can trade your car for a new car from Vroom.
Fees
Neither Shift nor Vroom charges any fees for selling your car. Both companies offer a free evaluation and online price quote for your car in minutes.
Requesting Quotes
With both Shift and Vroom, you can get free instant quotes once you submit an online application form.
Information you will need to include in a Shift application:
- Make and model of your car
- Year of manufacturing
- License plate or Vehicle Identification Number
With Vroom, you will need to provide:
- License Plate or VIN
- Trim (LE, SE, SLT, etc.)
- Exact mileage
- Vehicle condition
- Vehicle history
Offer Validity
With Shift, your offer is valid for 7 days after receiving it while with Vroom, your offer is valid for 7 days or 250 additional miles – whichever comes first.
Payments Offered
After your car passes the final inspection with Shift, you will be notified by email, and Shift will request your bank account information to make an ACH transfer.
With Vroom, once your payment is processed, you will be paid by check via overnight mail.
Shift and Vroom both offer a trade-in option and require you to drop off your car at an in-person store location.
How trading in works with Vroom:
- 1. Get an instant price for your trade-in
- 2. Find your next ride on Vroom
- 3. Apply the value of your trade-in to your purchase or down payment
- 4. Potentially save thousands in sales tax (see example)
Payout
With Shift, once the payment has been initiated the processing time can take up to 3-7 business days, depending on your bank. Meanwhile, with Vroom, your check is sent within 2-3 business days via overnight mail once the payment has been processed.
Car Pick-up
Shift and Vroom both offer free car pick-up services. With Shift, you can also drop your car off at one of their store locations. With Shift, you can also receive an evaluation of your car done at your home by a Shift associate.
Physical Locations
You can deliver your car to one of Shift’s 183 store locations. Vroom has store locations in the 48 lower states in the US.
Turnaround Time
Both Shift and Vroom offer a very quick turnaround time to sell your car. It usually takes up to 24 hours to sell your car with Shift, and 2-3 days to complete the selling process with Vroom.
Customer Service
If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact Shift customer service by:
- Phone: +1 (855) 744-1445
- Email: sell@shift.com
To contact Vroom’s customer service, you can call them at 855-524-1300.
Reviews
Shift has a 4.4-star rating on Trustpilot, while the overall Vroom rating is 1.3 stars on Trustpilot. Shift has a 3.3-star rating on BBB, while Vroom has a 1.1-star rating on BBB.
| Shift | Vroom | |
|---|---|---|
| Trustpilot | 4.4 | 1.3 |
| BBB | 3.3 | 1.1 |
Customers have praised Shift for providing excellent customer service, fair price offers to those selling cars, and being easy to use. Some customers have raised complaints about not being able to contact customer support, sales being delayed, and not receiving their payments on time.
Customers have left positive reviews about Vroom for having great deals, having an easy selling process, and honoring their price offers. Customers have complained about Vroom providing poor customer service, not returning customer phone calls, and offering very low prices for cars in good condition.
Shift & Vroom Alternatives
Peddle
Peddle Summary
- Sell used, damaged or junk car nationwide
- Get instant quote on (855) 925 4302
- Free towing within 48 hours after offer
- Receive payment upon car collection
Like Shift and Vroom, Peddle offers you an instant quote after you submit an online application form through their website. After receiving an offer, you will have 7 days to accept the offer just like with Shift and Vroom. Peddle also offers to send a representative to pick up or tow your car for free.
Peddle will hand you a check on the same day of the sale while with Shift and Vroom, you receive payment in a few hours to 3 days. In comparison to Shift and Vroom, Peddle is a much more trusted car-buying company with a 4.7-star rating on Trustpilot, and a 4.7-star rating on BBB.
Recent Peddle Offers
| Model | Year | Mileage | Offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota (Camry) | 2011 | 150,000 | $2,225 |
| Volvo (S40) | 2001 | 37000 | $430 |
| Mercedes-Benz (560) | 1991 | 92000 | $1,930 |
| BMW (528) | 2008 | 126,000 | $1,140 |
| Kia (Forte) | 2010 | 145,000 | $635 |
| Honda (CR-V) | 2011 | 67000 | $2,930 |
| Ford (Explorer Sport Trac) | 2004 | 145,000 | $1,170 |
| Oldsmobile (Alero) | 2004 | 162,000 | $400 |
| Audi (A6) | 2006 | 106,000 | $530 |
Wheelzy
Wheelzy Summary
- Wheelzy stores are open 7 days a week
- Get offer in minutes – (855) 510-1108
- Free towing of your car from your location
- Instant payment via cash or check
Similar to Shift, which uses a proprietary algorithm, Wheelzy uses AI to provide an estimated value of your car using the information you submit using the online application form.
Wheelzy accepts cars that are damaged or considered to be junk, while Shift and Vroom primarily accept cars that are used and in drivable condition.
Once you accept your price offer, a Wheelzy representative will pick up or tow your car for free, just like with Shift and Vroom.
Wheezly has a 4.8-star rating on Trustpilot, and a 3-star rating on BBB, which is much higher than Vroom.
Recent Wheelzy Offers
| Model | Year | Mileage | Condition | Offer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai (Tucson) | 2006 | 200,000 | Doesn’t start | $400 |
| Mercury (Sable Sedan) | 2003 | 150,000 | Doesn’t start | $225 |
| Mercedes-Benz (C) | 2001 | 150,000 | Starts | $222 |
| Ford (Edge) | 2010 | 200,000 | Doesn’t start | $1,200 |
| Ford (Flex) | 2009 | 150,000 | Starts | $1,000 |
| Lexus (RX) | 2002 | 300,000 | Doesn’t start | $750 |
| Chevrolet (Cobalt Sedan) | 2007 | 200,000 | Doesn’t start | $200 |
| Toyota (Corolla) | 2003 | 250,000 | Drives | $555 |
| BMW (528) | 2008 | 250,000 | Drives | $1,487 |
CarBrain
CarBrain Summary
- Call for a free quote – (844) 407-2200
- Get cash for your car in under 48 hours
- CarBrain buys cars in over 7 conditions
- Up to 7 days to accept CarBrain’s offer
CarBrain is another online platform you should visit if you’re looking to sell your car. Similar to Shift and Vroom, you can use an online form to provide details about your car and get an instant offer. The company also handles the pick-up process and paperwork if you accept it.
Compared to Vroom, CarBrain handles the process efficiently, with the sale taking only 48 hours. It also has excellent reviews, with a 4.8-star rating on Google and Trustpilot and an A+ rating on the Better Business Bureau.
Carvana
Carvana Summary
- Get an online quote within 2 minutes
- Free pickup wtihin 100 miles of a hub
- Offer valid for 7 days or 250 more miles
- Haggle-free process to sell your car
Carvana is a great way to sell your used car as long as it is in running condition and has a working odometer. This company is one of the most reliable used car dealerships in the USA and offers an instant online quote.
To get an offer you need to enter your car’s VIN or license plate number and state code.
Carvana also provides free pickup if your car is located within 100 miles of their hub, but beyond this range, you’ll have to shoulder the pickup cost.
Their unique selling proposition includes a no-obligation offer, giving you ample time – up to seven days or an additional 250 miles – to decide whether you want to accept the initial offer.
You can sell a car to Carvana if:
- It has a working odometer.
- Has no major damage.
- It is newer than 1992.
- It can be safely driven.
CarGurus
CarGurus Summary
- Receive payment within 3 working days
- Find out the market value of your car
- List your car for sale in under 5 minutes
- Up to $75,000 in protection for your sale
CarGurus is another well-trusted car-buying and selling company. It allows you to choose between two ways to sell a car. You can either get an instant cash offer and sell 100% online in a few minutes or list the car on their website and sell privately.
To get an instant cash offer:
- Enter your VIN or license plate number
- Get a cash offer in just two minutes
- Schedule pickup time
- Get paid within two business days by cash or direct deposit
If you are interested in selling your vehicle to a private buyer, you can list a car for $4.95 on the CarGurus website.
To list a car on CarGurus:
- Add your zip code
- Provide the car details (make, model, year, mileage)
- List special features
- Describe the condition and history
- Add images
- Provide your contact information
- Pay listing fee