Dealers' car buying tips

Dealers' car buying tips
ISTOCK/XESAI

Find out how to get the most value out of your purchase by side-stepping these common car dealer practices.

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That car we advertised at the unbelievable price?

That car we advertised at the unbelievable price?
ISTOCK/BARTEK TOMCZYK

It’s a stripped-down model with a manual transmission, no air-conditioning, and crank windows. But we got you in, didn’t we?

Can you name these 12 car dashboard lights?

The best time to buy is at the end of the month

The best time to buy is at the end of the month
ISTOCK/KATARZYNA BIALASIEWICZ

… and it’s best to negotiate the trade-in separately. Negotiate up from the invoice price (what we paid for the car, easy to find on the Web), not down from the sticker price.

Everybody believes his trade-in is worth more

Everybody believes his trade-in is worth more
ISTOCK/ANTONIO DIAZ

You’ve got bald tyres, chicken bones under the seats, and dust blowing from the vents, but you’re going to tell me your car is in “excellent” condition? Now who’s the pushy salesperson?

Here are 11 crazy things people have done while driving. 

Here’s how to get a great price with minimal haggling

Here’s how to get a great price with minimal haggling
ISTOCK/DRAGON IMAGES

Call and ask for the Internet manager or fleet manager.

This is what happens once I’m sitting behind the desk

This is what happens once I’m sitting behind the desk
ISTOCK/PEOPLE IMAGES

You’ll feel like I’m in control and may be willing to pay a little more. (We learn this during training.)

Ever wonder about those ads that promise a minimum $3,000 trade-in value for your clunker?

Ever wonder about those ads that promise a minimum $3,000 trade-in value for your clunker?
ISTOCK/WELCOMIA

Those dealerships also pad the sales price to make up for the difference.

How close are we to a world of self-driving cars? Find out more here. 

Every spring we have guys who show up and say they’re interested in one of our trucks and want to give it a spin

Every spring we have guys who show up and say they’re interested in one of our trucks and want to give it a spin
ISTOCK/SERHIY DIVIN

They think we don’t see the mulch on the floor when they bring it back.

Notice how many times we go back and forth to our manager?

Notice how many times we go back and forth to our manager?
ISTOCK/KZENON

The loud music, the gongs, and the blaring flat-screen TVs? All are distractions designed to help you lose track of what we’re doing with the deal.

We’re making less money on the car than you think

We’re making less money on the car than you think
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Our profit margin is typically 2 to 4 percent.

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