I don't personally see massive dishonesty in the car business. A buyer has every possible resource to receive a good deal. Between readily published invoices and KBB I cannot imagine how anyone could walk in without a general idea of what they are doing.A car is one of the last things you can truly negotiate on. If you end up happy with the price and the dealership ends up happy with the price, I don't see the issue here. You might find out a week later you paid too much, but it is the customer's job to come in educated.And profit isn't a dirty word. People don't walk into grocery store's armed with invoices and proceed to offer 10% less then PURE COST on a can of corn. Much of the "negative stigma" you are seeing is because the dealer is just trying to protect some of their profit against EXACTLY that, a guy with an invoice trying to beat the dealer. In the supermarket profit is paid without negotiation, the store stays in business, and it's still there next week when you need to buy some steak and eggs. If the car dealership gave everyone the absolute best deal available on an equal basis, it would be out of business. Come educated and you can be the guy who saves money instead of the guy who keeps the lights on.
Good article but here are some more:1. Once you find the car you want NEVER SHOW HOW MUCH YOU LIKE IT! Act like you could walk away at any moment, and really walk away at any moment , no matter how far in they get you. Don't feel like you are obligated to buy anything just because they drew up the paperwork, if it doesn't feel right, walk away.2.Salesman have a few other lines they use like this one. Say you have picked out a Car and they start to get your information. Then they ask..." How much can you pay a month? " and you say " $300 " then they ask"...up to ? "Then you hesitate and say " uhh, $350 ?" They just got $50 out of you. By using this phrase you unkowingly let your guard down.3. The best times to buy -The end of the Month- Most dealers do not own the cars outright so they pay the manufacturer a monthly fee.The end of the Year - They are struggling to get rid of last years models.The end of the Day, during the week ( like a tuesday or wednesday ) and preferably on a rainy day. They don't want to be there anymore, make sure you take snacks or eat before hand. Do not leave because your "Deal" maybe lost when you get back. 4. Also while writing your info they use something called a four square in which they divide they price of the vehicle/ monthly payments/ down payment/ financing. They write numbers and play with it until it ends up looking like a tornado , this is done only to confuse you and not follow along. Bring your own paper, pen, and calculator to keep track.5. Also print out research on your car off of sites like edmunds.com , who show the value of the car, Rebates, and even what other people are paying for it.6. Setup calls with 3 different dealers, Call the first one and ask " How much for this car? " give them specifics , don't let them ramble on about how you should go down there and see everything.Next call the 2nd Dealer and tell them " Dealer 1 is quoting me this price, can you beat it? " They usually do.Then call the 3rd and tell them the same thing as Dealer 2. Repeat back to Dealer one to get the best price , or keep going through each dealer til you like the price. Remember you are dealing with a large business transaction, DO NOT let the dealer make you feel guilty.
exactly.edmunds is the way to go. email dealers and tell them you are going to buy car within 2 days. they will send you the lowest price available. you don't even need to move your chair.
ncinerateJan 25, 2009
I don't personally see massive dishonesty in the car business. A buyer has every possible resource to receive a good deal. Between readily published invoices and KBB I cannot imagine how anyone could walk in without a general idea of what they are doing.A car is one of the last things you can truly negotiate on. If you end up happy with the price and the dealership ends up happy with the price, I don't see the issue here. You might find out a week later you paid too much, but it is the customer's job to come in educated.And profit isn't a dirty word. People don't walk into grocery store's armed with invoices and proceed to offer 10% less then PURE COST on a can of corn. Much of the "negative stigma" you are seeing is because the dealer is just trying to protect some of their profit against EXACTLY that, a guy with an invoice trying to beat the dealer. In the supermarket profit is paid without negotiation, the store stays in business, and it's still there next week when you need to buy some steak and eggs. If the car dealership gave everyone the absolute best deal available on an equal basis, it would be out of business. Come educated and you can be the guy who saves money instead of the guy who keeps the lights on.
immatellyouwhatJan 25, 2009
Good article but here are some more:1. Once you find the car you want NEVER SHOW HOW MUCH YOU LIKE IT! Act like you could walk away at any moment, and really walk away at any moment , no matter how far in they get you. Don't feel like you are obligated to buy anything just because they drew up the paperwork, if it doesn't feel right, walk away.2.Salesman have a few other lines they use like this one. Say you have picked out a Car and they start to get your information. Then they ask..." How much can you pay a month? " and you say " $300 " then they ask"...up to ? "Then you hesitate and say " uhh, $350 ?" They just got $50 out of you. By using this phrase you unkowingly let your guard down.3. The best times to buy -The end of the Month- Most dealers do not own the cars outright so they pay the manufacturer a monthly fee.The end of the Year - They are struggling to get rid of last years models.The end of the Day, during the week ( like a tuesday or wednesday ) and preferably on a rainy day. They don't want to be there anymore, make sure you take snacks or eat before hand. Do not leave because your "Deal" maybe lost when you get back. 4. Also while writing your info they use something called a four square in which they divide they price of the vehicle/ monthly payments/ down payment/ financing. They write numbers and play with it until it ends up looking like a tornado , this is done only to confuse you and not follow along. Bring your own paper, pen, and calculator to keep track.5. Also print out research on your car off of sites like edmunds.com , who show the value of the car, Rebates, and even what other people are paying for it.6. Setup calls with 3 different dealers, Call the first one and ask " How much for this car? " give them specifics , don't let them ramble on about how you should go down there and see everything.Next call the 2nd Dealer and tell them " Dealer 1 is quoting me this price, can you beat it? " They usually do.Then call the 3rd and tell them the same thing as Dealer 2. Repeat back to Dealer one to get the best price , or keep going through each dealer til you like the price. Remember you are dealing with a large business transaction, DO NOT let the dealer make you feel guilty.
seanleeforeverJan 25, 2009
exactly.edmunds is the way to go. email dealers and tell them you are going to buy car within 2 days. they will send you the lowest price available. you don't even need to move your chair.
raiderjatt02Jan 25, 2009
I wonder how many people actually understood the joke.
Closed AccountJan 25, 2009
This reminds me of the movie Cadillac Man
mouskyJan 26, 2009
You either are satisfied with the deal and sign on the dotted line or you are not satisfied and walk away. It's not rocket science.
immatellyouwhatJan 26, 2009
OMG those assh**es were trying to make 10K off of you? And they wonder why we hate them.