A TOUGH DAY AT THE NEW CAR "STEALERSHIP"

[glowe]

Mrs. Chief and I spent 5 hours at the Dealership today picking out, driving and buying a car. After watching all the youtube car buying video's before going, there is still no real way to keep from getting hosed! I negotiated my best deal to the point where they would have let me walk out - without anymore counter offers . . .

I ordered and received a new car last year and there was absolutely no bargaining at any dealership. As a matter of fact most buyers paid over list price in more populated areas of the country. The days of bargaining are over. In a way, knowing this before I walked in, I already knew what I was going to pay. I never liked trying to "deal" with the salesman who always said I will have to talk your offer over with my Sales Manager.

I was ultimately pleased that the salesman found a factory rebate offer he could use, saving me a few thousand dollars. This was after I had already ordered my car. With supplies finally catching up to demand for some makes of cars, I still do not know if we will ever get a true deal on a new car ever again?

 

[NYlakesider]

Basically you have to change the way the sale is going, do not let the saleslug run the show.

There are up to 3 parts to a deal.

1 If applicable how much they will give you for your trade in.

2 How much they want for the car/truck you want to buy.

3 How high the rate BS the fiance guy is trying to get you along with all the junk adds ons they want to stick you with!

Those are 3 separate things and do not let them combine them or they got you. They love to tell you you can take this vechicle out of here for this number. They mix it all up and that puts them in the cat-bird seat.

One thing you always have to keep current in your mind ''You are dealing with a professional sales person/s the best you can be is a semipro with most of the people coming in as amateurs''.

Of course you got to adapt to each dealerships MO and fine tune your strategy. As for me having bought over 60 new cars and trucks I'm far from a virgin when auto dealing.

Disclaimer I have never been in a situation I had to buy this ca/truck immediately. Even if it just got totaled in a accident we have other vechicles at the house.

 

[biku324]

I buy one vehicle every 10-12 years. The last one, in 2019, I bought online from the only dealer that would give me an online price (I was in Iraq while pricing). Every dealer that refused to give me a price kept badgering me to 'come in and see their stock;' the dealer that apparently read my email top to bottom got my business even though I had to drive a couple of hundred miles. They still kept trying to sell me extras once I arrived, but I patiently said 'no' to all and they finally gave up.

 

[WR Moore]

This fits right into what biku mentioned. If you figure out what you want, look at the local purveyors website. The vehicle prices are MUCH lower than what you'll get in person. When I was looking, I found the exact car I wanted online. Went there, test drove and when the sales person started his spiel, I just mentioned the online price. He swore and walked off. Someone else did the paperwork.

We found the wife's car online, put a hold on it, then went to look & test drive. Did the deal the same day. They had added a couple of minor things like floor mats, that was OK, and tried to sell other stuff, but we didn't bite.

I'd REALLY like to see what the title paperwork they charge hundreds of dollars for is like. I refused to pay it while buying a trailer and the response was that without the paperwork, I couldn't get plates. Since the trailer was going to be farm use and never see a license plate, all I got was a certificate of origin. If I ever need to register it or get plates I guess I'll find out.

Deep in the last century I was left unattended in a sales office. I noticed a thick book that gave the dealer pricing on their vehicles. options and accessories. I quickly learned that dealer markup was around 40%. What really irked me was finding out that (at least back then) the factory paid transportation and reimbursed the dealership for dealer prep. Which, of course, they charge you for. Now, something I learned later was that most factories don't reimburse dealerships full labor costs on warranty work. Which can explain why dealerships are so reluctant to do warranty work.

 

[Onomea]

Chief, let it go. You did your best, and in the big scheme of things, it's not that important. It's in the rear view mirror and fading fast, so just encourage your wife to enjoy her new car, and cruise on down the highway.

 

[johnbeaver]

A few years back I started the search for a new vehicle. As we were down in the metropolis, lets just star at the mega dealer and see what is out there.
Found one and asked for the best price they could do. Got a price and said thanks, have just started looking and will let you know. Well that was in no way acceptable. Let me talk to my manager.
Comes back with a price of 18% lower. I said go talk to your manager again. Was a little put out with them.
Next stop was the local small town guy. Happened to have the exact same vehicle. Color and all. First price quoted was the same as the mega dealers second price.
Deal made.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Buying a new car can be painful or at least make you want to pull your hair out but I found out that if more than one person goes into a dealership;
only one is allowed to talk "Money" while the other is the "Color" person, adding this and that, to try to keep the sakes person off guard.

I don't mind paying 3% interest on a 6 year load, since I take that off the top of the price tag, first thing as I try to get a good deal.

Getting top dollor for old betsie , will hardly ever happen but 85% or more is in the ball park, if no major problems. Plus extra points if you have saved the original price sticker and contract in a envelope.

A lot of the add ons are just a way to stuff their packace with more $$$
that cost 1/3rd the price marked down, the more they can get you to get
just is more into their pockets, at the end of the sale.

Many a time I almost got a "Year old" model, with a salesman, that would not come down to my price range.
If nothing else, just tell them that it is the wrong color, to keep the ball in your court.

Even if I get the deal that I came in for, I let them know that I am still unhappy with the deal!!
Plus, I will NEVER buy a car, without a real spare tire, for Nevada hills
and back country or towing.

 

[Kevin J.]

Did they charge you for the Trucoat?

 

[DWalt]

I saw yesterday that Hertz is hemorrhaging money on their EVs and now plans to sell off even more of their EV fleet. Maybe you could get a really good deal from them on a nearly new EV without all the pain of going through a dealership.

Not sure I would accept an EV as a gift.

 

[444 Magnum]

It takes three days...

The last two vehicles I bought from a dealership each took three days to get what I considered was the "best" I could do.

This was pre-pandemic of course. I walked out two days in a row on each deal and finally shook hands on the third day. Dickering about anything from price, interest rates, oil changes, etc.

Some wouldn't take the time or trouble, I don't mind. "A penny saved is a penny earned" as Ben said.

 

[DWalt]

Some wouldn't take the time or trouble, I don't mind. "A penny saved is a penny earned" as Ben said.

Actually saving is much better than earning. You don't pay income tax or sales tax on the money that you save.

 

[ACORN]

The last two vehicles I bought from a dealership each took three days to get what I considered was the "best" I could do.

This was pre-pandemic of course. I walked out two days in a row on each deal and finally shook hands on the third day. Dickering about anything from price, interest rates, oil changes, etc.

Some wouldn't take the time or trouble, I don't mind. "A penny saved is a penny earned" as Ben said.

Some people enjoy the whole process. I had a sales rep that loved to do it. He even would do it for other people. I abhor the whole process

 

[SAFireman]

If you are a member of USAA or other credit union, they have cur buying services that do all of that for you. You tell them what you want, and your price, and they hammer out the details. This is usually free if they finance the car for you.

As for me, I get entertainment value out of torturing dealer staff. My wife brings popcorn and I bring a bank draft that is good for pretty much anything I want to buy.

 

[DWalt]

No personal experience, but I remember reading about people who you can hire to go into the dealership and negotiate for you. I don't know the fee for that.

 

[SAFireman]

If you are a member of USAA or other credit union, they have cur buying services that do all of that for you. You tell them what you want, and your price, and they hammer out the details. This is usually free if they finance the car for you.

As for me, I get entertainment value out of torturing dealer staff. My wife brings popcorn and I bring a bank draft that is good for pretty much anything I want to buy.

 

[Bald1]

I love the question “ where do u need your payment to be”? I once bought a Toyota Tacoma regular cab 4cyl 5 speed. Only options were A/C and sliding rear window. Yes it had crank up windows. The sales man asked me that question . I replied I don’t care what the payment is. He says nobody has ever told him that before. I said rates are low and it stickers under $20k. Payment is gonna be what it’s gonna be. Let’s talk about the price.

 

[Rudi]

Not sure who is hated more. Car salesmen or congress critters.

 

[Telecaster]

When I shopped for my '18 Sportage I tested the Mazda CX-5 too. All the paid shills said the Mazda was fun to drive and the Kia was mediocre. I drove the Mazda and thought Dubya Tee Eph? This is supposed to be sporty and fun? The Sportage is way more zippy and engaging, to me. But I guess I'm not one of the special people who like certain cars because the so-called experts tell them to.

 

[LVSteve]

We live in an affluent area where business owners take advantage BIG time and unfortunately they know most people will not travel very far away to save on things like a car. As many instructional video's as we watch and learn their tricks from, they can always stay a step or two ahead.

That's the game here. This is why they want to run a credit check even if you say you are paying cash. That way they get your zip code. Got a fancy golf community in your zip and the negotiating gets sticky. It doesn't help that too many of the stealerships are owned by too few umbrella companies.

The other factor in Vegas is our isolation from other population centers. they have you by the short hairs here in that respect, just like the gunstores here. It is at least 120 miles to another half serious population center (St George, UT), 200+ to CA, and 300 to Phoenix. You might find a deal in Kingman or Bullhead AZ, but don't bank on it. Buying new luxury cars in CA has become difficult. Some dealers refuse to sell to NV residents saying "it skews the market", whatever that means. I suspect it has more to do that they will never see you for service. Phoenix dealers seem much more amenable, at least on higher end used vehicles.

 

[Onomea]

When I shopped for my '18 Sportage I tested the Mazda CX-5 too. All the paid shills said the Mazda was fun to drive and the Kia was mediocre. I drove the Mazda and thought Dubya Tee Eph? This is supposed to be sporty and fun? The Sportage is way more zippy and engaging, to me. But I guess I'm not one of the special people who like certain cars because the so-called experts tell them to.

Get the CX-5 with the turbo. 0-60 in 6.1.