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FAQs
Auto Focus Chicago Frequently Asked Questions
Buying a Vehicle
Selling a Car
Dealers
General
Buying a Vehicle
What kinds of vehicles are found on AutoFocusChicago.com?
AutoFocusChicago.com has more used cars, and trucks for sale in the Chicagoland area than any other website or print publication. Private parties, franchise dealers and independent dealers advertise these vehicles. In order to find the "right" used vehicle, you can search by make, model, range of years and price range, as well as trim.
Where are the vehicles on AutoFocusChicago.com located?
AutoFocus and AutoFocusChicago.com are the industry leaders in connecting buyers and sellers of new and used vehicles in the Chicagoland area. Although you may find a vehicle in AutoFocus that is located in another part of the country, our focus is on advertising more vehicles in the local Chicago area 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 vehicles closest to your location first.
Am I buying my vehicle from AutoFocusChicago.com?
NO - AutoFocusChicago.com and AutoFocus magazine are classified photo advertising media, which bring together buyers and sellers of automobiles in the greater Chicago area. AutoFocus and AutoFocusChicago.com do not own or sell any of the vehicles that they advertise.
Do any of the vehicles on AutoFocusChicago.com come with a warranty?
Warranties provided by the sellers are available for many of the vehicles on AutoFocusChicago.com. In some cases, extended warranties on vehicles may be purchased from third parties. AutoFocus 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 vehicles certified?
Many of the 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 AutoFocusChicago.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 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 AutoFocusChicago.com, as well as in the AutoFocus magazines.
- Registered members can participate in online promotions and email updates on new developments at AutoFocusChicago.com.
Go to My Account to register now!
Selling a vehicle
What kinds of ads are available on AutoFocusChicago.com?
Color Photo Ads and free online ads are available to PRIVATE PARTIES. A Color Photo Ad appears online for at least two weeks (with up to four photos), as well as in two weekly issues of AutoFocus.
For DEALERS, AutoFocus advertising professionals will design a customized package of targeted online and print advertising. Dealers should call Tony in the commercial advertising department at 888-322-5111 x35, or email him at TonyN@AutoFocusChicago.com.
How much do private party ads cost?
A Color Photo Ad starts at only $21.95 for two weeks.
What is the deadline to place my ad online?
All ads submitted online between Monday 9:00 a.m. and Friday noon will be included on AutoFocusChicago.com within 24 hours. Ads submitted online after Friday noon will appear on AutoFocusChicago.com no later than Tuesday morning.
Ads placed online by Monday 5:00 p.m. will appear in the following Friday's issue of AutoFocus magazine.
(However, we do reserve the right to modify deadlines, if needed)
How long will my ad run?
A $21.95 Color Photo Ad runs for at least two weeks on AutoFocusChicago.com (depending on when the ad is submitted) and in two weekly issues of AutoFocus magazine.
When does my ad go "live" online?
All ads submitted online between Monday 9:00 a.m. and Friday noon will be included on AutoFocusChicago.com within 24 hours. Ads submitted online after Friday noon will appear on AutoFocusChicago.com no later than Tuesday morning.
Ads placed online by Monday 5:00 p.m. will appear in the following Friday's issue AutoFocus magazine.
Will my online ad run in AutoFocus magazine?
YES - To gain the most exposure for your ad, Color Photo Ads will run in two weekly issues of AutoFocus 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 renewed 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 Tuesday morning. Changes and cancellations made by Monday 5:00 p.m. will appear in the following Friday's issue of AutoFocus magazine.
Do you guarantee that my vehicle will sell?
Although we strongly believe that AutoFocusChicago.com and AutoFocus magazine offer the best advertising value in the Chicagoland area, we cannot guarantee results.
What types of payment do you accept?
We accept MasterCard and Visa for private party ads placed online. We also accept cash, checks and money orders if you are visiting our office or mailing in payment for your ad. We do not recommend mailing cash. Please make sure to include the completed Private Party Ad Form when mailing in your payment.
Is my credit card information secure?
Using your credit card at AutoFocusChicago.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. We do not store any credit card information once payment transactions are complete.
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 best shot of your vehicle is a simple side shot taken with a digital camera - no angles, please. Also, please do not stand too close to your vehicle! A plain background such as trees or a wall will work best.
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 AutoFocusChicago.com, you may bring your vehicle to our office Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and we will take a photo for you at no additional cost. Our office is located at 221 South Mitchell Court, Suite A3, Addison, IL 60101. Map driving directions to our office using mapquest.com.
Can I mail my ad and photos of my vehicle?
You may mail photos of your vehicle, together with your payment and the completed Private Party Ad Form, to: AutoFocus, 221 South Mitchell Court, Suite A3, Addison, IL 60101.
Do I have to register to sell my vehicle on AutoFocusChicago.com?
YES - We need to be able to communicate with you if you are selling a vehicle on AutoFocusChicago.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 AutoFocusChicago.com, as well as in AutoFocus magazines.
- Sellers may renew, modify or cancel ads online and will receive email renewal reminders before ads expire.
- Buyers can save vehicles that are of interest for longer than the current internet session (in My Saved Vehicles in My Account).
- Registered members may participate in online promotions and are entitled to receive email updates on new developments at AutoFocusChicago.com.
Go to My Account to register now!
Why should I register on AutoFocusChicago.com?
Registering with AutoFocusChicago.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 AutoFocusChicago.com.
Go to My Account to register now!
Dealers
AutoFocus and AutoFocusChicago.com are Chicagoland's premier sources for classified automotive ads. We offer better customer service and generate better response than any other advertising source. That is why we have more Chicago area car and truck dealers advertising with us than any other website or print publication.
We welcome inquiries from franchise and independent dealers. AutoFocus advertising professionals are eager to design a customized package of targeted online and print advertising for you. Dealers should call Tony in our commercial advertising department at 888-322-5111 x35, or email him at TonyN@AutoFocusChicago.com.
General
Who is AutoFocus?
AutoFocus was founded in September 1996 as Chicago's first all color, classified photo advertising publication. Today AutoFocus and AutoFocusChicago.com are the best advertising source in the Chicagoland area to connect buyers and sellers of new and used cars & trucks. New issues of AutoFocus magazines are published every Friday, and AutoFocusChicago.com is updated daily Monday through Friday.
AutoFocus 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 http://www.targetmediapartners.com.
Where can I find copies of AutoFocus magazines?
AutoFocus magazines are located in racks in numerous Chicagoland locations such as Jewel, Dominick's, Blockbuster, 7-Eleven, Bally's Health Club, K-Mart, Wal-Mart, and other participating restaurants, gas stations and convenience stores. We cover metropolitan Chicago as well as the following counties: Cook, Will, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Kendall, Kenosha County.
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