Thinking of getting a new car, how to bargain and avoid dealers tricks?! Thanks!

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at
Highlighted IconHIGHLIGHTED

Pick two competing cars that you would be happy with. For example, a BMW 3 series and a Mercedes C-Class. Wait until 10 days to a week before the end of a quarter, or even better yet end of the year. Do your homework and know what the rock bottom price should be for each vehicle with the options you desire. Go into each dealer and inform the salesperson that you intend to buy one of these cars before the end of the quarter or year. Tell them what you are willing to pay. They will hem and haw and tell you that they can’t do it or need to talk to their boss, etc. Be cool and tell them to contact you if something changes. Wait until one or both Salespersons call you back. When they call you back, you know you have them. Don’t stop there. Push them for extras like free service or extended warranty. Good luck. Unleash capitalism and let the market work for you.

like

Step 1) find a car you like
Step 2) do your research on manufacturer’s costs
Step 3) ask for the car fax report if necessary
Step 4) never ever ever let them know how you plan to pay for the car. Ideally you will pay cash or put the maximum amount of money down that you can. If the salesmen is being pushy, simply state that you will discuss payment options with the financing department when the time is ready to pay. Do not let the car salesmen know what your intent is. Dealerships make money on the loan they make to you, and if you tell them you’re paying cash, suddenly they’re less willing to budge on a $750 license plate registration fee.
Step 5) ask for an itemized list for the price of the car
Step 6) thoroughly review the itemized list with prices. Ask them about each item and call them out on anything that looks ridiculous. For instance, an obscene $750 license plate registration fee. Ask for these types of charges to be removed.
Step 7) once you have negotiated down to the lowest possible price, move to the next phase of the transaction and say goodbye to the care salesmen once you have your piece of paper with pricing in hand. At no point should you have mentioned how you intend to pay for the vehicle yet. They will often try and trick you at this stage by talking about monthly payments. E.g., they will start doing some calculations saying, at 5% interest rate for 3 years, we can get your payment down to $425 per month etc. or they’ll say on a 4 year loan we can make it as little as $370 per month etc. they will do everything in their power to confuse you and our as much of your attention on a monthly price. Do not fall for it. Ask for a single total price amount for the cost of the car.
Step 8) inform the dealership that you are now ready to purchase the car in cash.

likehelpful

Thanks kpmg 1, took a screenshot so I can do exactly this!

like
Recent IconRecent

buy a Tesla. the end.

likefunny

Hertz is selling its inventory of rental cars during it bankruptcy right now. Probably the best deals you can get for a slightly used cars. Less than 10k mileage for 5k discount on 2020s

likehelpful

My only concern is the fact that some of those rentals get driven HARD and aren’t maintained as well as they should be

like

Pick two cars that you really like but make sure they’re not the same make. Go to dealership number 1, test drive, and get a feel for the car. When the salesperson goes in for the kill tell them you are very hungry and need to go to Buffalo Wild Wings. Then go to the second dealership, test drive that car, and then walk around the dealership pondering. The salespeople from both will reach out to you. By this point you should be leaning toward one of the vehicles more than the other. Now is your time to start bargaining over the price and other things. I asked for and received a bunch of free stuff like all weather mats, free maintenance, etc.

Good luck!

like

Extra key fobs, fabric/interior protection, free tires, Costco membership discount, and car cover

like

https://youtu.be/gXLScR8KYFU

funny

LOL

Always shop in your market first and then shop in a larger market for comparison...don’t be afraid to travel for a good deal

like

Don’t buy new ...but certified pre owned

Following for more advice 🙃

like

Do everything by phone or email and don’t go in until you agree on a final price out the door. Please take into consideration freight and tax when using that number. Not going into the dealership means removing any type of leverage they have. If they backpedal on what was agreed on through email, just leave.

like

Depends on what you value. My big deal was not having to go in and haggle in person for half a day. I wanted to delay with everything through email, video chat, or call (this was pre-pandemic). I found the car(s) I wanted and just emailed dealerships and went to work. Whoever played the game according to my rules got the sale. I probably left some extras on the table, but my purchase price was well below average for TrueCar.

I emailed three Honda dealerships and asked them for the best price they could get me on an Accord. They didn’t want to do anything over email but I refused to talk on the phone. The one who finally sent me the lowest number was where I went and then I negotiated lower from there.

Research, set your max price then walk away if they don't meet it. If they do then at signing tell them you want something else. ALWAYS BE PREPARED TO WALK! The dealer will screw you any time they can.

As soon as you drive off the lot the car depreciates $5k. So, take that into account on your max price.

Carvana. Filter for <10k miles. 0 headaches.

Check for employee discounts with your employer as well. You may qualify for supplier or employee pricing on some makes through work. Do not tell the sales person this until the rest of the deal is in writing. They will make offers and add in cash based on expecting you to lay sticker. Once it's all in writing show them the pricing authorization and add that discount to the total as well. If they try to renegotiate all their offers, walk out. And your best deals on new will be in about a month when model year end sales start.

Don't use a dealer. Person to person car sales are where the real deals are!

Related Posts

Please comment photos of your home office or WFH setup!

I’m finally getting my own room to convert to a home office, but I’m sick of looking at unrealistic online photos for ideas. Don’t care if your space is organized or messy or whatever, I just need practical inspiration!

likehelpful

Hi, does anyone know when an employee becomes eligible for maternity/paternity leave at either Gilead, BMS, or Merck? For NVS, it’s day 1 of employment but not sure if that’s common within the industry.

like

Hello Fishes.
I work in India as an in-house contract attorney. I want an opportunity outside my country. Is it possible to take up a job in a different country without doing any course or certification?
Please DM me for any open opportunities.

like
like

Had an interview a month back. Followed up with recruiter but no response yet. Is it safe to assume that I’m rejected?

like

Do u agree

Post Photo
funnylike

Waiting to hear back from Yale SOM for EMBA, anyone else in same boat?

like

Looking for a job change, Exp: 4.5 years
Role: Sr. CSR (Banking domain)
Current CTC : 4LPA
suggestion or any reference would be appreciated

like

Feeling grateful for FaceTime and Skype

Post Photo

Looking for Informatica developer roles, any leads would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

like

What is a normal salary for a outbound supervisor?

Heyyy new here

like

New here hoping for some likes so I can DM. Dog pic included 😊.

Post Photo
like

What is cab facility , like if my shift time is 8 to 4:30 will I get cab from both sides, also same for 12 to 8:30 shift...both sides cab is provided, free of cost.....no amount is deducted from monthly salary ...Right????

Our back to school meetings going over the data that we also went over at the end of last year, lol. Don’t get me wrong though, I love data.

Post Photo
likefunny

Do I need an AWD in Chicago or RWD will work fine? For Model 3

like

Anyone taken the business class on Air India from JFK to BOM? Worth the upgrade?

Anyone ever felt GOOD leaving a good team? Seeking ideas/advice for sendoff support. Great employee is leaving my team for a new opportunity… Bummer for us but happy for her, don’t want to be blah about it. (That said we were not super close!)

like

Any jean recommendations for tall women? Looking for something super stretchy since I basically live in leggings.

like

Additional Posts in The Work-Life Bowl

I AM LIVING WITH MY BOYFRIEND AND I JUST CLEANED THE TOILET LORD SAVE ME

funnylikeupliftinghelpful

Hi all, Spotify podcast tips for a long distance business flight? Should be educating, entertaining, and easy to listen to. TIA!

like

I want to quit so f’ing bad

likeupliftingfunny

Spent my first day of PTO trying to get a PS5. In the end I emerged triumphant!

like

My professional life at the moment is far from ideal. I’ve been on quarantine (long story, but a good one) for the last seven years. Royalties from my books don’t pay the bills. My entrepreneurial pursuits remain hampered. For the interim, I’ve been looking for a remote opportunity where I can leverage my skills in marketing, sales, social media, and elsewhere for a decent sum. I have a social media presence which, in recent years, reached millions. There has to be something exciting I can do.

like

Most "bro" and least "bro" companies?

like

How long was it till your puppy was fully potty trained? Have been on a good track but still accidents here and there

likehelpful

Am I the only one that doesn’t like the smell of essential oils? They’re always touted as refreshing, relaxing, magical, the best scent for home, etc etc. They all smell the same to me: medicinal and crunchy. Tried countless and never found one I like. Guess I’m destined to breathe in toxic artificial “midnight sands” fumes.

like

Can I get a few likes to unlock my DMs? I’m really trying to utilize what this app has to offer and not miss opportunities! Thank you!

likehelpful

Who is excited about the finale of the mandalorian?

like

Question for fathers with grown children. My dad is very much one of those who keeps all negative emotions entirely internal. His sibling just passed away. Should we as his children just show up to support him, or give him space? If we ask he'll say he's fine regardless of how he's actually doing

like

Pets! Time for an updated pet post! Show me your good boyz, fluffy gals and exotic pets!

I'll start: Gidget the labradoodle.

Post Photo
likeuplifting

The N.N.C. Federation has imposed new regulations. Please show your passport at Checkpoint. Prepare for thoroughly wash down with sanitizer mist.

Post Photo
likefunny

I had a bad dream last night that my sibling died, and I’ve come to the awful realization that as the youngest in my family, everyone will die before me and I will have to say goodbye to all of them at one point (hopefully late) in my life.

like

Came back to my parents’ house 800 miles from where I live for the quarantine. My mom’s a dentist and all of a sudden her revenue dropped to an absolute zero and she’s got bills and the clinic’s (...)

like

Looking for something to read as the weather gets cold? Follow @lonslibrary on instagram for book recommendations and reviews! I recently started the account to track books I think are worth recommending to people

like

Is 25 mbps slow for internet?

like

any other freelancers only hearing indirectly about confirmed COVID-19 cases at agencies they just wrapped up at? (but not hearing directly from the agency?! 🙄)

like

God, I miss my nice/peaceful commute home. Listening to a podcast in traffic was one of the highlights of my day

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Send download link to your phone

OR

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Messaging rates may apply

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal