My Other Life: Jan White, car lot manager

As manager of Private Party Cars, Jan White has been bringing car buyers and sellers together for the past four years. “It’s a park and sell lot, so I rent a space to the seller and hook them up with buyers. We have boats, RVs , motorcycles, ATVs, trucks, and cars,” explains White, a nail tech at Posh Salon and Spa in Reno, Nev. “I help the seller price the car correctly and assist with the paperwork. We make the for-sale signs and advertise the cars online. We even wash every car twice a week.”

The action starts after the cars are listed for sale on nine different websites. “I have witnessed three people trying to buy the same car and I’ve seen a car sell within minutes of bringing it in. Once, as the seller was trying to drive his RV onto the lot, a customer caught him and made a deal before he could get to our front office,” she says.

“I hear funny stories all the time about why they are selling — and not so funny ones too. We deal with children selling their parents’ cars after their death or when they’re simply too old to drive safely.

“It’s also rewarding to help the buyer. When someone shows interest in a car, I give them all the information I can, like how long it’s been with us, how many people have looked at the car, why the seller is selling, and most importantly the price.  “I love both my careers!” she says. “The whole world of buying and selling cars has always been an interest for me. I have purchased a couple of cars just to resell them.”