Why so hard to get a deal on a new car?

cheekychappy

I have been looking for a new Citroen and am amazed how stubborn dealers are or just in denial about prices, then constant calls asking "We'd really like to win your business?"
My local dealer had to be reminded that there was a £1500 manufacturer contribution, so was trying to take me for a ride on this.
He even said he would match drivethedeals price and then proceeded to try and charge me twice for the paint colour.

Next large dealer quoted me a price that was 1.5k above list and then gave me a £1000 off if I signed today....er jog on...

Last one was yesterday, another large chain that gets bad press on here, but thought I would give them a go as they were local and the car was at the right money on the ebay advert, including the manufacturer contribution.
After the first 15 mins was trying to sell me GAP and paintguard, I said I have my own GAP and not interested in paint protection, the chap comes back (eventually) with my quotes at £1800 more than list and including the GAP and paintguard I didn't want. I said what about the price on the internet from his dealership and I had to guide him to it....cue off to the sales mangers office again....no sign of him for 20 mins, so I upped and left, only for a Hussain Bolt like sprint to catch me up in the car park, where I said I had to go to work and surely it should not take an hour and a half to buy a car at the price quoted.

Are dealers selling cars really well or does profit per unit matter more?

What am I doing wrong?

Foxy-Stoat_3

I am afraid everyone is doing it, they still believe that the UK public is dumb, unfortunately sometimes they are correct. The dealers hope that you haven't done any research or price comparisons before you enter their showroom.

TV adverts that run all the year round are full of BS too:

This i Core dual quad i5 laptop ( from a well know PC "planet" ) save £200 at only £499 and in small print "Laptop offered at the £200 increased price for 4 weeks of the year so that we can legally call it a sale and we are 100% sure no idiot will buy it for £699 but we like to advertise it as on sale"

Same is true with oak furniture adverts, upvc windows and door adverts.

Mike1966

Just keep looking and when you find the right place then pass on to others how helpfull they are.
Not all dealers are the same. And sometimes its just one particular saleperson that is being greedy when another might do a deal.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

unfortunately if your paying by cash/card full amount then they want the price its advertised for RRP, then they get sales commision for GAP and paintguard. some will even to go to the point of not selling it unless you have finance without actually saying no sale unless finance, you find yourself repeating the same thing, NO finance i'm paying by card/cash then it becomes a point of selling extra's to gain that bit of commission.

fivetide

Foxy-Stoat wrote: »

TV adverts that run all the year round are full of BS too:

This i Core dual quad i5 laptop ( from a well know PC "planet" ) save £200 at only £499 and in small print "Laptop offered at the £200 increased price for 4 weeks of the year so that we can legally call it a sale and we are 100% sure no idiot will buy it for £699 but we like to advertise it as on sale" but it was only ever at that price in one store

Same is true with oak furniture adverts, upvc windows and door adverts.

Just a quick addition for further accuracy. Couldn't agree more.

5t.

BenL

Just use drive the deal, you know what you want, you've done the research you don't need selling to by a salesperson. Cut them out and save a lot of time, money and hassle.

cheekychappy

Just put my order in through Drivethedeal whom were very knowledgeable and couldn't have been more helpful and the supplying dealer has just called and deal is done.
New car next week at 3.5k less than retail. Took the PCP to get the £1500 manufacturers contribution and the payment was £79 a month less the dealers first quote.
Just had the chap from Evans Halshaw on the phone not a happy bunny at all. Oh well !
Look forward to going into my local dealers for the 3 years free servicing...!!!

neilmcl

BenL wrote: »

Just use drive the deal, you know what you want, you've done the research you don't need selling to by a salesperson. Cut them out and save a lot of time, money and hassle.

Or use their quote as a bargaining chip at the dealership.

BenL

He tried to use it as a bargaining chip and the dealer tried to charge him for the paint twice

daveyjp

cheekychappy wrote: »

Just put my order in through Drivethedeal whom were very knowledgeable and couldn't have been more helpful and the supplying dealer has just called and deal is done.
New car next week at 3.5k less than retail. Took the PCP to get the £1500 manufacturers contribution and the payment was £79 a month less the dealers first quote.
Just had the chap from Evans Halshaw on the phone not a happy bunny at all. Oh well !
Look forward to going into my local dealers for the 3 years free servicing...!!!

Thats the way. Eventually dealers might learn that not all buyers are brain dead.

vikingaero

I buy cars for work and my extended family. I give my local dealers ONE chance to match or better DTD/internet prices. I tell them right at the start that I'm here to sign today, no GAP, no snake oil protection etc etc etc. They can get the sales manager to agree once or I walk. Any arrising around pretending to be my best mate and doing the walking to and from the managers office and I walk. I've walked loads of times and ordered online. Most of the local dealers know that I walk now.

The best bit about ordering online is that often your order isn't taken by a salesman but by a back office sales administrator who has no interesting in upselling.