| Buying a car can be quite an experience. We have | | | | should take your time. Drive several vehicles on the lot. |
| purchased one used and one new car in the past | | | | Hey, drive three or four vehicles. You may only want |
| year. The used car purchase was a breeze. We | | | | one, but the salesperson will probably play with you, so |
| knew the approximate blue book value and were able | | | | enjoy yourself. This makes the dealer anxious to close |
| to get the vehicle way below that value. The | | | | a deal with you. |
| salesman was fair and never tried to lie to us. The | | | | On a side note: there are great salespeople out there. |
| dealership was easy to work with. It was the best | | | | If you find one that is willing to make the sale work for |
| transaction I've ever had in purchasing a vehicle. That's | | | | you and is honest, great for you. They are out there. |
| what works. I'll buy my next one from them. | | | | But after a run-in with three salespeople in the same |
| The second purchase was of a large pickup truck | | | | day who flat out lied to me about vehicles I had |
| (which the first dealer didn't sell). It seemed to all be too | | | | thoroughly researched, I have little hope that all are |
| smooth. We were led to believe we were being | | | | good. |
| treated above that of a normal customer (we had | | | | So don't feel bad about giving back to the salesperson |
| purchased three trucks from them, one every two | | | | what you are getting. |
| years). It was almost too much of a show -- which | | | | Leave and think it over. You may need to do some |
| makes you start to wonder. It wasn't that pleasant of | | | | more research. The dealer may want to keep you |
| an experience. And though we say we won't go back, | | | | there. Come up with a very dirty errand, like picking up |
| they are the only dealer in the state that carries | | | | manure for the garden -- so they won't try to talk you |
| exactly what we are looking for. | | | | into takng the vehicle home or on your errand. |
| So what do you do? | | | | If they try to tell you that someone else just looked at |
| Remember, you are buying the vehicle from the dealer. | | | | the car, simply take that as a ploy. They have plenty |
| They aren't doing you favors or cutting you a deal. | | | | of vehicles and if you are looking at a new car, they |
| You are buying something from them. You are the | | | | can order you one just like it. |
| one doing them a favor. You are giving them money | | | | Keep the ball in your court. Don't let them pull a credit |
| for something. | | | | check before you completely settle on the price. Don't |
| You need to have some basic knowledge before you | | | | tell them you want to trade-in a vehicle before they |
| even step onto the lot. Know how much the vehicle is | | | | give you their bottom price. We had a dealer try to |
| worth, how much the dealer paid for it and how car | | | | smudge the numbers, saying it didn't matter if the trade |
| transactions work. Read up on how salespeople use | | | | in was less, they made the rebate larger. In reality, they |
| tactics to influence your decisions. Know about the | | | | just set things to fit their price. Get the bottom price |
| financing -- run the numbers yourself. Know what fees | | | | first. |
| should and shouldn't be included. | | | | Then get your trade-in value. |
| Above all -- know that you can walk away if your | | | | Then let them run your credit report. If they want to |
| requirements aren't met. Know that you can ask for | | | | run your credit first, walk out. Just leave. There are |
| an even better price. Know what price you want to | | | | plenty of other dealers to buy a car from. |
| pay and put it on the table for negotiation. | | | | Don't take prices based on the monthly payments. |
| The internet is a valuable source of information about | | | | Look at the bottom line. Often, the dealer will move |
| new and used cars. You can also ask the help of | | | | things around to make the monthly payments look |
| someone who has purchased several vehicles | | | | attractive, but they actually cost you more. The |
| successfully. | | | | interest rate, the repayment term and the fees and |
| Remember, you are the one in control of the purchase. | | | | overall cost can all be manipulated. You could end up |
| You have the power. You have the money. When | | | | paying more through this method. |
| you start negotiating, remember, you should say "no". | | | | Read the contract thoroughly. If there is something |
| Say it often. The first offer should always receive a | | | | there that you don't want or didn't ask for, tell them no. |
| "no." Ask them to do better. The second offer should | | | | Walk away. They will fix it or lose your business. If you |
| be "no," as well. Say it until you get the price you want. | | | | feel uncertain of the contract in any way, don't sign it. |
| It takes time. I've heard of people spending 10 hours | | | | Remember, you should feel confident in your purchase. |
| negotiating a vehicle. But they got the price they | | | | Take your time and have the knowledge to support |
| wanted. | | | | your decision. It is a big one that will cost you a lot of |
| One of the biggest tips is to not shop and buy on the | | | | money. Think it over, practice saying "no," and know |
| same day. I know that is hard. My husband and I tend | | | | what you are looking for. Good luck. |
| to wander on a lot and drive off in a new vehicle. You | | | | |