used car dealers - how much will they knock off a car now?

redkitty_3

I'm looking to buy an Audi TT roadster (after many years in the peugeot 206!) but have never dealt with a used car dealer before. I'm not scared to haggle though! I really don't want to pay over the odds for the car as I know it'll cost me to run/insure etc etc so how much could I reasonably expect a dealer to knock off a forecourt price in the current climate? 10%? 20%? I'm a cash buyer and I know that won't help as they make more money from finance, I'd prefer to spend about 7-7.5K max but a lot of dealers have them priced at about 8-9K

Any advice/hints/experience would really be appreciated!

cyclonebri1

redkitty wrote: »

I'm looking to buy an Audi TT roadster (after many years in the peugeot 206!) but have never dealt with a used car dealer before. I'm not scared to haggle though! I really don't want to pay over the odds for the car as I know it'll cost me to run/insure etc etc so how much could I reasonably expect a dealer to knock off a forecourt price in the current climate? 10%? 20%? I'm a cash buyer and I know that won't help as they make more money from finance, I'd prefer to spend about 7-7.5K max but a lot of dealers have them priced at about 8-9K

Any advice/hints/experience would really be appreciated!

No hard and fast rules as some dealers knowingly overprice to allow punters to "win" some knockdown, (feel good factor). Others price more realistically and won't budge.

But there's never been a better buyers market than at the present so battle hard.

2 things, enlist someone who is prepared/experienced in haggling to go with you, 2 against 1 always feels better.
And ensure you research the price that similar cars are not only advertised for, but are actually selling for, very important that;)

harveybobbles

I price aggressivly from the start, so my prices are the prices I want.

People with the attitude of "I want a discount cos of the current economy" don't get very far with me.

The prices are in the screen and they pay that. If they want money knocking off then I point them towards places like CarCraft who will happily knock hundreds off, but have the car prices way OTT anyway. so you the customer think youre getting a good deal havin money knocked off. when in realisty you aint lol.

If you budget is £7500 then look for cars for that price...

sheslookinhot

You will be much better with a private sale, assuming you do all the checks.

cyclonebri1

harveybobbles wrote: »

I price aggressivly from the start, so my prices are the prices I want.

People with the attitude of "I want a discount cos of the current economy" don't get very far with me.

The prices are in the screen and they pay that. If they want money knocking off then I point them towards places like CarCraft who will happily knock hundreds off, but have the car prices way OTT anyway. so you the customer think youre getting a good deal havin money knocked off. when in realisty you aint lol.

If you budget is £7500 then look for cars for that price...

Harvey, this is exactly what I said, but you may need to move with the times, people have recently been brainwashed into "it's a buyers m....", give 'em a little carrot;)

lisaloo1977

We had someone email about one of our vehicles that is up for a touch over 12k, offering us 8k.

It does make me laugh, all this beat them down, haggle, haggle. I am not giving the cars away, i would rather set fire to it and watch it burn. :eek:

harveybobbles

Some bloke phoned me from London over the weekend asking about a Honda Accord I had on sale. I'm asking 6995 for it. He offered 6700 saying how interested he was and that he wanted the car and how I should be knocking money off for him "Cos he's in London, innit". Then he said that he'd want to pay by credoit card, so I pointed out that there would be a 2.5% charge for that! Cos that's what his bank would charge me!

Needless to say he isn't coming for the car. He said he'd phone back next week as it'll still be there cos of the recession. So I sold it to someone who came in Sunday morning.

harveybobbles

lisaloo1977 wrote: »

We had someone email about one of our vehicles that is up for a touch over 12k, offering us 8k.

It does make me laugh, all this beat them down, haggle, haggle. I am not giving the cars away, i would rather set fire to it and watch it burn. :eek:

When someone offeres me 8000 for a 10000 I tell them that if they can find one for 8000 then get me one too!

cyclonebri1

Thats what the dinosaurs thought too

2nd hand car dealers are likely to be affected more than most by the present situation, head in the sand won't work:rolleyes:, because there are so many desparate folks around that will give them the deal;)

naijapower

You need to first research the current price/value by checking various site. This would help ur haggling. Next you need to tell them how much you re prepared to pay and allow them decide. Ensure you mention you have spoken to other dealers. This would put them under pressure.
Also, i think as u re a cash buyer u ve a better advantage when haggling. The sale is guaranteed hence stand ur ground when haggling. A finance customer can be declined etc.

Lemonade_Pockets

Well i'm glad that i'm still not having to rely on sales directly for my income. However not completely out of the Fire (common Detroit you can do it....lol)

I sympathise with both sides. When i was at the sharp end you couldn't win, and i tried every pricing stratergy going.

Bump the prices up a bit and people winge saying they hate having to barter, why can't dealers just price them honestly etc.

Price them at the minimum then you get (sometimes the same f#cking) people winging that your not giving any discount. Giving it "Nobody pays asking price at car dealers etc etc".

Same with finance deals. You can't win.

Now don't get me wrong in November when i went to buy a new car from my local friendly ford dealer, i haggled like a b*stard for every scrap...but i wouldn't of been offended if they'd told me to go play on the motorway. I'd of simply seen what deals everyone else was done, then if they where the cheapest gone back to them.
As it was we got to a stage were i knew no1 would beat it so i shook their hand, and bought another one for my dad.

They key for buyers is recongnising good value when they see it and not just expecting discount as their god given right.
If you think its to expensive say so politely and if there's no deal forthcoming walk away.