Do you feel as though you are getting gypped every time you head to a dealership? Well, it’s probably because the dealer is looking out for himself and trying to get the most money for the car he’s selling. The key is to realize that the dealer is not on your side; you have to look out for your own interests. Keep reading along to learn all you can.
You do yourself a great disservice if you fail to negotiate a price lower than sticker. Don’t ever pay sticker price for a vehicle. Dealers increase the price in order to have wiggle room with the customer; use this to your advantage.
Set aside a large block of time to spend at each dealership. You don’t want to feel like you’re rushed and commit to a deal you’re not comfortable with. Keeping an afternoon open entirely is best. If time is running short, don’t hesitate to come back when it is more convenient.
If you worry about resisting strong-arm sales tactics, take a friend along on your shopping trip. Ask a loved one to help you stay strong. You should talk to your friends or family member about your budget and needs before you head out to the dealership.
Do not talk about trade-ins, down payments or incentives until after you have a firm price on the car you want. These items should all be subtracted from the rock bottom price. It is to your advantage to lock in your deal prior to discussing any extras.
Start your car shopping online. Practically all makes and models are available to you online. Learn all you can about the vehicles you are considering before you even step one foot on the car lot. You can learn everything from MPG to resale value.
Plan on going car shopping during the last week of the month. Salesman are often struggling to fulfill quotas at this time. Near the end of a calendar month, you might just catch a salesman behind on his quota and so willing to haggle you a better deal than usual.
Use caution when it comes to providing your personal information, like a social security number. Dealerships often want this information early on. If you don’t want to buy there, having multiple dealers do a credit check can harm your chance to get the best deal. Because of this, you shouldn’t provide your SSN until the deal has been hammered out.
Before you even step foot into a car dealership, you need to have a solid number in mind. Base this number on your budget and the research you have done about what a car should be worth.
Whenever you have discovered a car that interests you, ensure that you thoroughly inspect it. Are there any scratches or dents? Inspect the interior to find rips, stains or other flaws. The second you pay for the vehicle, you have also paid for its problems. This includes every imperfection that comes with it.
If you are looking for a particular model, call the dealership ahead of time to find out if they have one in stock. If you visit them, the salesperson will try his best to sell it to you. When your heart is set on something in particular — a hatchback, for example — you will be wasting your time by showing up at a dealership that cannot meet your needs. Call ahead and find out.
Look for potential rebates before looking for a car. Many dealers offer rebates at the lot to offer some incentive toward a quick sale. Dealerships that are less ethical will not mention these rebates and will sell you the car without you knowing about them.
Do not settle for the initial price offered by the dealership. It is probably not the best deal for you. You should always negotiate a better deal. So, it is important you properly use these tips.