| How to buy a new car, six rules that will save you big | | | | showroom and say you are working with the internet |
| bucks. | | | | salesperson. Have he or she demo the car. If it is not |
| How to buy a car rule number one...start online. | | | | the car on the ebid... run. Never buy a car from a |
| Do not even think of going straight to a dealership to | | | | dealer when they say they will have to get it from |
| buy a car. You will pay more every time. When you | | | | another dealer. The ebid should have a vin number, |
| walk on any lot and are greeted by a salesperson you | | | | make sure it is the same car. |
| have just wasted thousands of your dollars. He or she | | | | Tell him or her what you will pay. Prepare to hear a |
| you might think is a nice person is thinking of one | | | | thousand excuses of why the price is impossible, |
| thing...a fat commission at your expense. | | | | these performances are sometimes worthy of |
| Nothing illegal but it's their job to sell you a car at the | | | | Academy Awards...it is all part of the game they play. |
| highest price. Hopefully you look at it as your job to | | | | How to buy a new car rule number four...do not buy |
| spend as little as possible. It is amazing how some | | | | leave |
| folks can be intimidated by this process...don't let this be | | | | If they agree to your price fine, you got yourself a car. |
| you. | | | | But rare is the dealer who will meet your price on the |
| How to buy a new car rule number two... do your | | | | first offer. So leave...avoid the time honored practice of |
| homework online | | | | being sweated. That is when the salesperson says he |
| Start on line by checking reviews of what you are | | | | or she can't make the decision and that they will have |
| contemplating buying. They will give you reliability | | | | to see the boss. Get up and say" Call me when you |
| opinions based upon lots of testing. Check customer | | | | do". Do not stop walking. Ignore the pleading unless you |
| satisfaction and owner reviews. Decide on a model. All | | | | hear the magic words, "we'll do it". They won't... it's |
| of this can be done without making that fatal | | | | cultural, just know this going in. |
| handshake at the dealership first. Visit the brand | | | | Your price will only go one way when you leave a |
| website as well, don't expect any impartiality here just | | | | dealership and that is down every time. Time is your |
| glean some info. | | | | friend. When he or she calls, and they will call, the price |
| Decide on your model, options and go back on line and | | | | will always be better. |
| submit a request for bids. This works best in a large | | | | How to buy a new car rule number five...try to buy |
| area where there are multiple dealers, the more | | | | your car on the last day of the month |
| competition the better for you. You will be asked for | | | | For the last bit of making sure you are spending the |
| your phone number...usually not a good thing but the | | | | least amount possible buy it on the last day of the |
| people who handle internet sales are not rookies ...they | | | | month. Why? Because at midnight of the last day of |
| are usually veterans that would rather sell cars to | | | | the month the dealer pays interest on every car on |
| people who know exactly what they want. It is an | | | | the lot...it is called a floor plan. If the interest for your car |
| easy life compared to the life on the floor. You will get | | | | is $200 that's another $200 you can put in play. |
| a firm bid with all costs exposed. | | | | As the month winds down the owner is pressuring the |
| I recently went through this process, with 4 dealers | | | | general manager who in turn pressures the sales |
| competing for my business. You should get a price of | | | | manager , who in turn unloads on the sales force. |
| not much more than $1,000 over published dealer cost. | | | | Trust me you will get a call to see if they can cut a |
| It's a place to start. Be calm, you have the edge until | | | | deal before the clock strikes 12. |
| you write the check. Time is always on your side. You | | | | How to buy a new car rule number six...remember the |
| should determine what you are willing to pay, say $250 | | | | service department is separate from sales |
| over cost as an example, but pick a number after you | | | | A common ploy is if you buy the car here you will get |
| let the dealers compete against themselves. | | | | a loaner car when you come in for service or you will |
| How to buy a new car rule number three...pick only | | | | get better or faster service if you buy it here. Not true, |
| one dealer to demonstrate the product. | | | | the service department is a separate entity and has to |
| You are going to get a great price, you know that | | | | make money just like the sale force. |
| already. You don't need to visit every dealer. Tell them | | | | Imagine the service manager telling you no loaner car |
| when you call that you are planning to visit only one | | | | for your 30,000 mile service. That is a money maker |
| dealership. Just be firm and say that it will the dealer | | | | for him and he will not let you go elsewhere for your |
| with the lowest price. Of course if the salesperson | | | | service over a loaner car. Don't fall for this sales trick. |
| seems rude or short on the phone I wouldn't visit them | | | | How to buy a new car can be unpleasant if you don't |
| at all. | | | | understand the rules. Be smart save money, do it |
| Make an appointment and go see the chosen dealer. | | | | online and save thousands. |
| Watch the smiles disappear when you walk into the | | | | |