| First thing's first. The dealer will never give you fair | | | | of your trade-in with the dealer: |
| market value for your trade-in. | | | | "I could sell it myself for $200 (or another reasonable |
| If you want to get the most money for your trade-in, | | | | amount) more than you're offering". You're letting him |
| don't trade it in. Sell it yourself instead. Sure it takes | | | | know that you realize he's not giving you a fair deal. |
| more time and can be an inconvenience, that's part of | | | | "I can't take that much of a loss on this car." Again, |
| the reason the trade-in process is much easier. You're | | | | using the word "loss" paints a picture of discontent and |
| paying for the convenience when trading your car in to | | | | reminds him that he's making too much of a profit. |
| a dealer. | | | | "You'll have to do better if you want to make a deal |
| Tips on trade-in's | | | | on the new car." Yes it's supposed to be a separate |
| 1. If you owe money on a car, don't trade-in. Don't roll a | | | | transaction, but using this tactic now is quite beneficial |
| small debt into a larger debt in the way of a more | | | | to you. The most important thing the salesperson |
| expensive vehicle. | | | | wants is to get the money agreed upon for the new |
| 2. Make the trade-in a separate transaction from the | | | | or used car you've negotiated. |
| purchase of the car you are buying. | | | | "I have already been offered more for my car from |
| Remember, dealers make profits in a lot of ways | | | | another dealer." |
| including the price of the new or used car and what | | | | Somewhat risky because on the new car you're most |
| they give you for the trade-in. Tell them you're | | | | likely not comparing the same exact vehicle with the |
| undecided about whether you'll trade-in or not and | | | | exact same options from two different dealerships, |
| negotiate the price of the new car first. | | | | especially true if you're buying used. |
| 3. Think twice about donating to a charity for tax | | | | 5. Research the estimated market value. Use |
| purposes. | | | | newspaper ads., internet sites, Kelley Blue Book and |
| You used to be able to use the "blue book" value of | | | | other periodicals. Take this information with you to the |
| the car when using the donation as a tax write-off. | | | | dealership and use it when negotiating. |
| That meant that you could push or pull your wreck into | | | | If you don't have the time or the patience for selling |
| the charitable organization and estimate the value of a | | | | your current vehicle yourself when buying a |
| similar car in good condition for a tax deduction. The | | | | replacement, you'll most likely trade it in to the |
| law changed a few years ago so now it's only the | | | | dealership. |
| actual value of the wreck/car that matters. | | | | Use these tips when visiting the dealership and get the |
| 4. You become the salesperson. | | | | most value you can for your trade. |
| Use the following phrases when discussing the value | | | | |