Car dealership used car price hike before viewing!

AdrianC

It really doesn't matter what the number on the website or the screen is.

You look. You decide if you want. You decide what it's worth to you. If they won't sell it for that, you walk away.

That simple.

macman

What he said. They're not obliged to sell it at the advertised price anyway. Anymore than you're obliged to buy it at that price...
Your best offer should be based on a proper evaluation of what it's worth, not on whatever arbitrary figure they happen to sticker it at. Remember, it's a buyer's market.

burlington6

You don't even want to buy it at the original asking price so the rise is irrelevant

londonTiger

just walk away, they will learn their lesson for pulling this on a customer. They have incurred a hefty transportation cost and now can't see because they tried to pull a fast one.

pineapple

burlington6 wrote: »

You don't even want to buy it at the original asking price so the rise is irrelevant

Well yes it is in a way but the thought that they may have done this as a way of 'raising the bar' for a negotiating start point is a bit off putting. I suppose it comes down to how much I want that car.

pineapple

londonTiger wrote: »

just walk away, they will learn their lesson for pulling this on a customer. They have incurred a hefty transportation cost and now can't see because they tried to pull a fast one.

I have emailed them about this and the response is they have no control over what another branch charges but will honour the original price ('and some' says I). But they are picking up the car today so I would imagine they arranged it with the other branch yesterday and it seems strange that the displayed price would subsequently be changed. I suspect it's a negotiation tactic at the least.

knightstyle

Sounds like Evans Halshaw, they tried this on with us and others I know. The salesman will not be allowed to reduce the price so insist on extra on the part exchange to make up for it and refuse any extras such as extended waranty.

DoaM

And if you are able to pay the balance/total in cash, take it on finance (as long as there are no charges for paying it off early) as they'll be more willing to bring the price down ... then either cancel the finance or pay it off straight away without incurring interest charges.

pineapple

DoaM wrote: »

And if you are able to pay the balance/total in cash, take it on finance (as long as there are no charges for paying it off early) as they'll be more willing to bring the price down ... then either cancel the finance or pay it off straight away without incurring interest charges.

What a good tip!
Unfortunately my incomings and outgoings would probably rule me out of any finance deal but I did read that they actually prefer you to get finance because of the commission and if you intent to pay by cash don't bring that up till the last moment

pineapple

knightstyle wrote: »

Sounds like Evans Halshaw, they tried this on with us and others I know. The salesman will not be allowed to reduce the price so insist on extra on the part exchange to make up for it and refuse any extras such as extended waranty.

It's Pentagon.
According to online guides, selling privately my car might be worth around £1000 - or £300 part exchange. But that's the theory. I know someone who was just offered £100 for her lovely Freelander
That said there is actually someone who might be interested in buying my car privately so I'll use this.
Bottom line is I have a maximum net spend in mind - however we get to it.