haggling with a used car dealer

s_b

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

You have a strange way of doing business.

25 years in the job
dont need to do test drives all day
sell proper sorted stock and people know what they want this is why i dont do haggling or very rarely but i give service and piece of mind

remember we are talking s/h here as original post not some new car emporium

s_b

fivetide wrote: »

ooowf s b that looks like three possible customers that just walked away!

5t.

tyre kickers mate
serious customers understand that im not here to sell cars my cars sell themselves (4 this week)

[Deleted User]

s_b wrote: »

this is why i dont do haggling or very rarely

You don't do haggling?

I definitely won't be buying from you.

fivetide

s_b wrote: »

people know what they want

That was the point I made. If I turn up saying "I want one of those in that colour" then the job is half done and it is down to price/fault finding.

However, if I am looking "to downsize to a hatchback" then I'd want to test drive your recommendation rather than do the figures first.

Does that make sense?

5t.

JimmyTheWig

fivetide wrote: »

That was the point I made. If I turn up saying "I want one of those in that colour" then the job is half done and it is down to price/fault finding.

However, if I am looking "to downsize to a hatchback" then I'd want to test drive your recommendation rather than do the figures first.

Does that make sense?

Makes sense. And I agree with you.
But I think what s b is saying is that he can sell two cars to the people who "want one of those in that colour" in the time it takes to sell one car to someone looking "to downsize to a hatchback". So that's the market he aims for.

He also might pick up some business from people who did a test drive at the garage down the road to decide on the model of car then come to him on the price. He doesn't lose any business to the garage down the road from people he has spent time and money on on a test drive.

Not the way I'd want to do business, but I can see why it might work as a business model.

fivetide

Totally agree Jimmy. If it works for s b and is more efficient that's good for him.

5t.

colino

Diverging away a bit, but most on here are falling into the test-drive trap. When someone test-drives a car of mine it is because it is sold and it just confirms everything they wanted or asked.
If someone asks to test drive a car because they have never had a shot of one before, I'm fortunate because there is every make and type of new ones available for just that sort a jaunt, just down the road from me in those lovely chrome and glass emporiums.
Now to test-drives, they can be hilarious and please remember this for your information, the guy sitting beside you knows his craft and he will be silent, apart from giving you directions.
You will then proceed to make a fool of yourself, over-revving the engine, kangarooing down the road and in a panic look for all the controls and switches at once.
As you will probably have only a tiny amount of experience of driving other cars, you will do this.
Equally, because it is their trade, the guy sitting beside you will not grimace, cry or tell you what to do. he will remain stoney faced and resolute. Why? Because the car has been prepped for sale. Your not going to discover anything he doesn't already know and as it takes time to immaculate a car, that is probably the one and only "test-drive" that car is gong to have. He will have sussed you, the depth of your pockets and your interest before you have even failed to adjust the seat properly.
Rarely, if ever does a test-drive end without an apology for their driving, which is manfully waved away, and a handshake to seal the deal.
If a test-drive ends with a stroke of the chin and, "I'm not sure": The trader will kick himself because he's got it wrong.
Believe me, the work from prepping the car to analysing you has all be done before that, "what about a drive?" moment.

property.advert

Must be some spineless car buyers out there who think they are somehow obliged to buy a car because they had the temerity to request a test drive.

If the numbers are ballpark and within haggling distance, then a test drive lets you know whether you like the driving position, feel of the engine, placement of the pedals etc.

However, if met with a "that's the price so like it or lump it", I'd probably let him lump it whether I wanted the car or not.

oneandonlyboy

colino...

I would want a cast iron warranty from you if i purchased a car from yourself. I will always ask for a test drive for a couple of hours without a sale man sitting next to me. The reason...so i can drive the on different roads, pull over and test every gadget, check the engine bay out once its warmed up to check for leaks etc. and to see what it would be like in my daily route of life.
If im spending 15k or so on a used car i will want to make sure im happy with it before handing over my hard saved money.

If the dealer isnt prepared to make a deal walk away leaving your details and offer, there are plenty of cars out there and unless you need a car the next day waiting will always pay off.

flea72

oneandonlyboy wrote: »

I would want a cast iron warranty from you if i purchased a car from yourself. I will always ask for a test drive for a couple of hours without a sale man sitting next to me.

i dont know of any seller that will let you have a car for a couple of hours, unless you are a longstanding customer, who is definitely going to buy. however the main problem is, most dealer insurance requires a salesperson to be present in vehicle during the test drive, especially if on trade plates.

i agree with sb. a test drive is to confirm you want the car. there is no point driving a car, unless all your other boxes are ticked, because customers are more likely to walk away over the colour or lack of cigarette lighter, than how it feels to drive.

F