new car sales tactic - good or bad

happyc84

Hi, went  for a test drive in a new car, dealer would give me a good p/x price, but couldn't say what it was as "Managers were in their weekly meeting" ,now this test drive have been arranged for a few days so details of p/x would have been know.

Left the showroom, later on pushed the salesperson for the figure, he gave the figure but then said it was only valid for the day;  this was at 3:30pm.
I said no. Was I right to say no? 

This was from a franchised main dealer.

Grumpy_chap

I think you can be fairly certain that the same deal will be available tomorrow if you return with the cheque book in hand.

To know whether you are getting a good prices, have you checked:

• Manufacturer website for standard offers on the new car?  Finance incentives?
• Online brokers for best price for the new car?
• Value of the old car (WBAC / Motorway)?

With those three bits of information, you can determine the "price to change" that you want to be paying overall.  If that "price to change" is correct, it does not matter much whether the number is achieved by discount on the new car, over-paying for the trade-in, or simply sprinkling fairy-dust and then giving you the number.

happyc84

I'd known about the wbac price. quote £x, dealer would match. It was the pressure to do the deal within the day that was weird. Anyway funny thing was wbac came back with a new price up £1.5k.

Thanks I had a cost to change in my head, so will see what happen this weekend at dealers.

Grumpy_chap

The pressure to do the deal there and then.  

Is it good or bad?  It is common.  I don't think it is good.  Obviously, for the sales representative, a deal signed stops you going elsewhere and finding better.

Maybe, as consumers, we should turn the approach on it's head.  Do the research of what a 'good' deal would look like, then present that to the Dealer and, if they don't agree, simply say "I am offering to buy at XYZ - this is only valid until 5 o'clock - call me to accept" and then walk out.

The WBAC increase on the used car offer has been oft reported of late as the values of used cars have gone silly.  I can't say myself as I've not sold anything.  There are some mentions in this thread:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6287638/car-prices-what-the/p1

scrappy_returns

Why would the deal expire? There's usually no reason, unless there's a time limited promotion. End of month etc might come into it but it's still not a reason.

Herzlos

"managers special" and deals that must be completed under pressure are just standard sales tactics.

I can't remember buying a car where the sales guy *didn't* need to go and check with his manager, otherwise known as grabbing a coffee.

The deal will almost certainly be the same or better tomorrow.

Grumpy_chap

Herzlos said:

I can't remember buying a car where the sales guy *didn't* need to go and check with his manager, otherwise known as grabbing a coffee.

While it's common, I have never understood why they leave you to walk out.  

[Deleted User]

..... so that when they ring you the next day they can continue the sales pitch, and evermore after that.
Vauxhall are great at it, numerous phone calls thereafter.
I blocked their number in the end !

marlot

Grumpy_chap said:

Herzlos said:

I can't remember buying a car where the sales guy *didn't* need to go and check with his manager, otherwise known as grabbing a coffee.

While it's common, I have never understood why they leave you to walk out.  

I walked out of a toyota dealer after they played the 'consult with the manager' rigmarole.

The next day, they phoned me and offered to bring the car to me (100 miles away).

facade

All salesmen, no matter what they are selling- cars, home improvements, double glazing etc. have to get their "special once only because you are a nice guy discount super low losing money on the deal" price authorised by their manager, and then the manager only allows that super deal for a few hours (until he sobers up?)

Salesmen must all be juniors with no authority to negotiate.....  

happyc84

Just been round to a pre-booked appointment with main dealer, no show as the salesperson had to cover for another salesperson who had covid. So waited 30 mins then left. honestly why didn't they phone me to say don't come  at that time.
Will I go back - what do you think?

You would think they don't want customers or is it just me.