why don't car dealers negotiate over phone?

harveybobbles

before I drive 150 miles to view this car would you accept that for it cos otherwise theres no point in me coming down

Well when people phone up from say 150 miles away I tell them that they are obviously phoning cos its cheap. Its the same when they turn up. I tell them that they havebnt driven all that way cos its expensive.

Also you cant do a real deal over the phone, its always easier to view the car youre looking at before weanting money knocking off. Also do your own homework and see if its well priced or not/

berniesmaster

actually, im in the same position, have found a very lovley car on internet, not having much knoledge of cars, i dident even know that prices are negotiable! and if so...how much? 5%...10% more?? even if its from a main dealer? im also not in a position to "pop up" and view the car, as its 180 miles up the road, but the dealer will deliver. so, from what i gather, its not a good idea to buy a car like this then?

harveybobbles

do your own homework and see if the price is competitve or not. If it is, then buy, if its not, then dont

mrscb

How can you make an offer on a car you havent seen or test drove?

eta...sorry Harvey,just noticed you had already posted similar

plane_boy2000

I bought and part exchanged over the phone a few years ago - very smooth transaction and the dealer in question was very pleasent. He offered me the same as the local guys would for part ex but had a cracking deal on a new car I wanted for the misses - told me he was near to the dealerships target so would let it go at cost to get his bonus from the manufacturer.
Bought car from 150 miles away to the door and when his driver arrived he checked I was happy with the car before taking payment by switch over the phone for the balance and driving away in my old car.

Nopt sure I would do it with a used motor though, but would happily do it with new again

petrolhead69

Not really because their cheap, just because the choice of certain less common cars isn`t as good in scotland as in england. when I was looking at CLK320s there were about 8 for sale in all of scotland miles over book price and only average in condition, but about 35 in york or newcastle or similar distance away. there were loads of 200s and 230s in scotland but hardly any 320s and I wanted the better engine. Same when I was looking for a cavalier turbo, awful selection in scotland, loads in the north of england and better condition. If the sellers had an attitude or didn`t want to provide a thourough description and settle on price on the phone I just didn`t bother travelling to see them.

When I sold one of my 7 series I gave an accurate description over the phone, emailled plenty of high resolution photos and agreed a price over the phone and the guy from manchester showed up right on time, only spent 10 minutes looking at the car, payed the agreed price and left. He travelled as it was the exact spec he wanted in the right colour.

I can see your point for bread and butter cars though however I think I`m not alone in saying I would never pay the advertised price for a car unless it was advertised very keenly, and then i`d be suspicious as to why it was priced too low. when selling a car I alway stick a couple of hundred on the top to give some negotiating room when the seller haggles me down. It`s not like selling beans at the supermarket, you have to haggle, it`s the law.

harveybobbles wrote: »

Well when people phone up from say 150 miles away I tell them that they are obviously phoning cos its cheap. Its the same when they turn up. I tell them that they havebnt driven all that way cos its expensive.

Also you cant do a real deal over the phone, its always easier to view the car youre looking at before weanting money knocking off. Also do your own homework and see if its well priced or not/

Jakg

Because when you turn up your opinion might change - if you turn up and dont like it, even if he knocked some off you wouldn't buy it. If you went for a drive and *loved* it the dealer would know he didn't actually need to knock any off because you'll buy it anyway...

Hintza

harveybobbles wrote: »

Whats the point in negotiationg if you cant see the car !!!!!!?

My two lease cars were leased without even test driving the model.

The last three cars I have bought unseen with a small deposit and cash on delivery.

The latest was a CAT D bought at auction unseen.

Seem to have more luck this way than the last pile of crap that I kicked the tyres on before buying....lol.

I normally ask plenty of questions and if it isn't as described then I will lose my deposit but no more.

Paul_the_Painter

Few years ago wanted a particular car (well mother did) went down to test drive at dealer, went back home, looked over the internet for prices from various on-line places. I then decided how much it was worth to me to have the supplying dealer just down the road (3 miles) decided £300. so went back to dealer with printouts etc. I was honest and said I was prepared to pay a little more than the prices I was showing him, how much would he do it for? Came in for £250 more than best on-line price. Everyone happy.

anewman

mikey72 wrote: »

So when he goes to the wall, who does the warranty, and where's the next test drive?
I'd rather pay a few quid more as well, see the car, and be on good terms if I get a problem.

In some cases if you use a broker you could even be directed to the dealer you got a test drive from to buy, so that would show them who failed to budge on price when you asked and tried to give you scare stories about the internet.

As this forum shows time and again, loyalty does not pay (maybe it does if you have money to throw away).