Tips for negotiating with car dealers

Katie-Kat-Kins

Hi Folks,

Just looking for some advice on how to get the best deal when buying a used car from a dealer. I've chosen the car so purely looking for tips on getting the best price, and how much of a discount to ask for etc.

The asking price is £6k, give or take. It is an older car and not the make that the dealer specialises in.

Thanks for reading!

Russellbc

I am in the same position, here are some tips I have picked up.

print of some adverts of competing garages or private sellers that have the same/similar car and show the dealer that the prices are lower. if they arent lower edit them and then print them out.

dont be afraid to walk away, but if you do this make sure the dealer has your number so he can contact you with a lower price

don't react to tactics like the dealer asking his boss to do you a special deal, they do this to everyone. also make it very clear you know about these tactics

"you will need to be quick, i have someone coming to buy the car tomorrow and it could be gone before you come back to buy it" inform the dealer that you wont be rushed and if it is sold before you make an offer you dont mind as there are other cars you are looking at.

also dont be suprised if he knocks over £1000 off the asking price, this does not make it a bargain, infact dont be suprised if he knocks £2000 off.

The best tip I can give you is go to other dealers and negotiate on cars that you have no interest in buying just so you can get a feel for how it is buying in a car lot.

scheming_gypsy

The best way to get a discount and freebies is to buy it on finance. If you pay a cash price that's all they get, but if you buy it on finance they make more from them.
So if you're planning on paying cash; see if there are any penalties for paying the finance off straight away (from the finance company and not the salesman), take out the finance and pay it off.

fadetogrey

Best tip I would give you is remember with the recession its a buyers market and cash is king.Whatever they say about "other interested parties" dont be afraid to walk.When you think they have reduced the price as much as they can (usually signified by the salesman in tears) then ask about extras like free servicing etc its all worth money to you and if you do walk leave your number but do NOT be tempted to ring them again as that will only seem desperate,good luck.;)

harveybobbles

"The car you are going away to have a think about today, is the car someone went way yesterday to have a think about..." is a good, if every so cheesey phrase lol.

The only real way of getting a good deal is to do your homework. If you get £1000 knocked off the screen price - ask your self why. It will probably be £2000 over priceed anyway and they knock a grand off to make you think you're getting a "good deal"

The same goes for places who offer minimum of £1500 PX, yet have their cars priced at £2000 more than the next garage.

The ONLY figure to remember (if there is a PX involved) is the cost to change.

We put a small margin on our cars and sell lots. We'd rather sell 4 cars with £700 each on them rather than one car with £1500 on it.

Don't use the "recession" word or the "economic climate" as you may find your self getting frog marched off the site. These phrases went out of fashion 18 months ago lol.

Katie-Kat-Kins

I'm unlikely to part ex the old one. It is so old and decrepit they would probably pay me to take it off their forecourt.

Parked it round the corner when viewing to avoid lowering the tone

s_b

dont go in with a red nose and large shoes
the dealer will take you for a clown

cardinalbiggles

scheming_gypsy wrote: »

The best way to get a discount and freebies is to buy it on finance. If you pay a cash price that's all they get, but if you buy it on finance they make more from them.
So if you're planning on paying cash; see if there are any penalties for paying the finance off straight away (from the finance company and not the salesman), take out the finance and pay it off.

Or make them think you are wanting finance until you have agreed a price then tell them you are paying cash.

Legally they cant change the price for cash then as it screws up the APR that you would be paying on the finance.

They of course could tell you to naff off but I doubt it. The other half just bought a new car and the showrooms have been deserted.

thegirlintheattic

Don't tell them your max price, don't act desperate - show them that you can walk away, now the stats for your car as well as common issues i.e. if the car has done 50 K tell them that you know it will need a new timing belt so you want them to take x off the price or I've seen one of these with in build sat-nav for the same price what can you throw in etc.

vax2002

Go in, let them approach you, say you are looking to buy a car for cash today but you only have a budget of XXX below what you really want, say you are looking for that model within your budget, you have found a couple but thought you would look around first, ask what he has..
Now words, CASH, Today, to be spent elsewhere whilst my stock rusts will quickly spring in to mind, he may just say, have a look at this, we could knock it down to your budget...

Sally_A

1. Have a look at their website and see what you fancy.
2. Bear in mind their mark up can be anything from 12.5% to 100% depending on the saleability of the vehicle (ie popularity, fuel consumption, tax band, brand).
3. Also, please bear in mind they have to put jam on the table.
4. Give them a call before you go, say what your budget is and state what you are after, they may want to shift something (August is a very quiet month for most).
5. Car sales with associated service and repair would be preferable, as they can pre-prep, and you would have more comeback.

If they have something on the forecourt for £5000 and you have say £4200 to spend, this will still mean a profitable sale for them, and also a change in the window display.