| Negotiating, haggling, horse trading, | | | | or with just a short visit to their lot. |
| whatever you like calling it, is | | | | They know that no matter what price they |
| essential when it comes to buying a car. | | | | quote you, if you take that price a few |
| If you don't partake, for any reason, | | | | blocks down the road to the next dealer; |
| then you'll pay more for the car than | | | | of course they'll beat that price (if |
| you had to. And don't forget, you'll be | | | | even by just a few dollars) just to get |
| paying interest throughout the life of | | | | your business. So, you can't blame them |
| your loan on an amount that could have | | | | for being a bit protective of what their |
| been lower. | | | | actual bottom line figure to you may be. |
| Negotiating the price of a car puts a | | | | But remember, you control the |
| lot of people into their uncomfortable | | | | negotiations. At some point during the |
| zone. But, it really should not; | | | | car buying process, if you are serious |
| especially today with all of the | | | | about getting your best deal, you will |
| information available to the consumer. | | | | have to sit down and tell the |
| The key to confidence and a higher level | | | | salesperson straight out that you are a |
| of comfort comes in the form of | | | | buyer and if they will work with you to |
| knowledge and research. | | | | put the deal together then a deal may |
| Let's get a bit of a jump start on your | | | | very well come together. Be very serious |
| research with some key points to keep in | | | | about this. Get the car salesperson and |
| mind when you have decided that it's | | | | the dealer excited about selling you car |
| about time to change your ride. | | | | not you getting excited about buying a |
| Since there is so much information | | | | car from them. |
| available to you, don't try to commit | | | | Once the negotiating sleeves are rolled |
| your research to memory; even if you are | | | | up, you'll want to negotiate from the |
| only considering a couple of choices of | | | | dealer invoice price up. Never, never, |
| vehicles. Take the time to organize your | | | | negotiate from the sticker price down. |
| notes into a car buying possibilities | | | | And never, never, never (notice the 3 |
| folder. Make sure that you take your | | | | nevers!) negotiate, buy, or otherwise |
| folder with you to the car dealer. Don't | | | | discuss or reveal what you'd like your |
| be embarrassed or self conscious about | | | | monthly payments to be. DON'T even |
| doing this; this is a business | | | | discuss a monthly payment range! You've |
| transaction and you should treat it as | | | | done your research. You know the |
| such. | | | | numbers. You know that if you get this |
| As a rule of thumb, car dealers have a | | | | car for that price; you'll be in budget. |
| profit margin of about 10 to 20 percent. | | | | Don't discuss this with ANYONE! |
| The 20% is theirs if you pay the sticker | | | | And finally as you move closer to |
| price and it's 10% for the car dealer if | | | | closing the car negotiating, don't pay |
| you get closer to the dealer invoice | | | | for things you don't need. Everyone at a |
| price. Keep in mind if you want a | | | | car dealership is tasked with selling |
| specific car with specific options that | | | | and making profit for the dealer. You |
| you can't find on a dealer's lot and you | | | | will, of course, have to pay for taxes, |
| order the car; you'll get exactly what | | | | registration fees, and destination |
| you want, but your ability to negotiate | | | | charges. But don't pay for additional |
| the selling price will be greatly | | | | delivery charges, handling, marketing, |
| diminished. | | | | promotional, floor charges, |
| Don't let emotions or car shopping | | | | administrative fees, or any other dealer |
| fatigue get the best of you. If you find | | | | verbiage for things they are trying to |
| the exact car that you want and are | | | | add on to the deal. And be sure to say |
| ready to become a buyer, keep you | | | | "thanks, but not thanks" to extras like |
| thinking and your emotions close to the | | | | pin stripping, rust proofing, fabric |
| vest. If you find yourself getting tired | | | | protection, paint sealant, or any thing |
| and mentally beaten down to where you | | | | else. These are just 99.44 percent pure |
| 'just want to get this over with' take a | | | | profit for the dealer. And you sure |
| break or come back another time. | | | | don't want them in your financial |
| Remember, emotionally buying a car or | | | | contract where you'll even be paying |
| buying when tired and fatigued will | | | | interest on them. |
| probably cost you money. It's important | | | | In summary, do your research and put |
| to remember that you have the ultimate | | | | your findings in a folder and use it. |
| trump card. You can always walk out of | | | | Knowledge is confidence and comfort |
| the dealership at any time. Without you | | | | level. Negotiate honestly and |
| there is no deal and car dealers | | | | reasonably. Don't toss out ridiculous |
| certainly know this. | | | | numbers and expect to be taken |
| The early part of the car buying process | | | | seriously. You want to be taken as a |
| is getting competitive prices. This may | | | | serious buyer. Don't get emotional or |
| not be as easy for you as it sounds on | | | | fatigued. If you do, take a break and |
| the surface. Selling cars is an | | | | come back later. Be prepared to spend |
| extremely competitive business for car | | | | some time and work getting your best car |
| dealers. They don't like to give out | | | | deal and a good deal you will get. |
| their 'very best price' over the phone | | | | |