It had to happen. Just as Web sites like Edmunds.com or kbb.com reveal invoice prices and estimated resale values for vehicles, now three online services have arisen that seek to extract lessees near the end of the contracts for consumers willing to take the leases over.

The match-up services, none involving dealers, are Leasetrader.com, Leasetrading.com and swapalease.com. Each promises to perform all the paperwork, including a credit check and collection of any transfer fees required by the lessors. Each charges sellers registration fees ranging from $39.95 to $49.95, and two – Leasetrader and Swap-a-Lease – collect $24.95 from buyers as well.

The three Web sites also charge sellers transfer fees ranging from $95 to 5 percent of remaining lease payments and a flat $149 in the case of Leasetrader, which also charges buyers $149. The other sites charge buyers no transfer fee.

The market is growing slowly due to the fact that some leasing companies forbid a transfer while the contract is in effect – or insist on full payments until the end of a lease whether it’s transferred or not.

In determining cost of remaining payments to buyers, the sites act as negotiators between the buyers, sellers and lessors. Professional inspections are arranged if the buyers request them, and copies of original leases are emailed to corroborate identity of the seller.

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