Some tips for haggling

crocro

Here are some very basic tips for how to haggle when buying a car. I have never been a car dealer so some of the car dealers might want to comment. If anyone else has any tips put them in this thread.

1. Be nice and respectful. If you tell the seller that his price is wrong or that he will have to accept your offer or that you expect him to go out of business or say 'take it or leave it', then the seller will be unlikely to compromise. He is a human being and nobody reacts well to being bullied.

2. Do your research first. Find out what a similar car is being offered for elsewhere and be honest and don't quote scam carzone ads.

3. Meet the sellers face to face. Bargaining hardly ever happens on the phone or by email.

4. You must view and bargain for several cars. Setting you heart on just one is a lazy beginner's mistake. Some dealers will write you out a quote on headed paper.

5. Be ready to walk away if you can't get a fair deal.

6. Politely mention your alternatives to the seller so that he knows you may well leave if you can't reach a deal. Say something like 'I like this car your showing me but I have to admit that I have been looking at another one in XYZ that's a bit highetr mileage but a lower price.' Show your written quotes from the other dealer because customers often lie to dealers about quotes.

7. If at all possible do not trade in. It is really confusing to negotiate a buy and a sell at the same time. Sell privately first. Also try to arrange finance before going to the dealer otherwise you are negotiating on interest rates and price - too much for my little brain to handle.

8. The more time you spend with the dealer, the more he will want to do a deal with you because he has invested so much time and he wants a return.

9. Don't pretend that you are not interested in a car. If you do this the seller won't even bother negotiating with you.

10. be reasonable in your aims, new cars may only have a dealer margin of 10% so you can't expect him to order you a car from the factory below cost. 6-8% on a new car is a good discount. If a new model car is coming in then you will get a much larger discount when they clear the stock (maybe an additional 10%) eg the current avensis or golf V. However -you will pay for this later in depreciation.

11. Start by asking the seller what he can do for you on price. Then keep talking and wait for him to cut again. Refer to your alternatives and your research. Talk about how you like the car but times are hard etc. They usually cut the price more than once. Each price cut is smaller than the last and points to a final price. eg If the guy starts at 12K and right away offers you 11k and then 10.5, you can see that he is targetting towards 10K.

12. If the dealer reaches a point where he won't move on price no matter how nicely you ask or how much time you spend, then it's time to move on to other things: What's included in the guarantee, is it in writing? Ask for it to be extended. Can he do you a deal for future servicing? Get the car through its NCT? Can he throw in a set of car mats? A tank of fuel? New tyres?

13. Don't act like an expert. Keep your knowledge to yourself. Do not argue with the salesman or engage in mickey swinging. Be humble and modest and ask questions and let him talk himself into knots.

14. If you can't manage to haggle then just ask a friend to do it for you. It's much easier to negotiate on behalf of someone else.

15. Get a mechanic's report even for a cheap car - for you own safety. Show the report to the seller if there are any negatives and see if he responds with price cuts or if he will fix any problems.

16. Dress neatly as if for work. Come in on a weekday.

17. Expect to pay more for a car from an Irish dealer than for a private sale or an import - if the dealer offers a good guarantee and after sales service.

Brewster

crocro wrote: »

Here are some very basic tips for how to haggle when buying a car. I have never been a car dealer so some of the car dealers might want to comment. If anyone else has any tips put them in this thread.

1. Be nice and respectful. If you tell the seller that his price is wrong or that he will have to accept your offer or that you expect him to go out of business or say 'take it or leave it', then the seller will be unlikely to compromise. He is a human being and nobody reacts well to being bullied.

2. Do your research first. Find out what a similar car is being offered for elsewhere and be honest and don't quote scam carzone ads.

3. Meet the sellers face to face. Bargaining hardly ever happens on the phone or by email.

4. You must view and bargain for several cars. Setting you heart on just one is a lazy beginner's mistake. Some dealers will write you out a quote on headed paper.

5. Be ready to walk away if you can't get a fair deal.

6. Politely mention your alternatives to the seller so that he knows you may well leave if you can't reach a deal. Say something like 'I like this car your showing me but I have to admit that I have been looking at another one in XYZ that's a bit highetr mileage but a lower price.' Show your written quotes from the other dealer because customers often lie to dealers about quotes.

7. If at all possible do not trade in. It is really confusing to negotiate a buy and a sell at the same time. Sell privately first. Also try to arrange finance before going to the dealer otherwise you are negotiating on interest rates and price - too much for my little brain to handle.

8. The more time you spend with the dealer, the more he will want to do a deal with you because he has invested so much time and he wants a return.

9. Don't pretend that you are not interested in a car. If you do this the seller won't even bother negotiating with you.

10. be reasonable in your aims, new cars may only have a dealer margin of 10% so you can't expect him to order you a car from the factory below cost. 6-8% on a new car is a good discount. If a new model car is coming in then you will get a much larger discount when they clear the stock (maybe an additional 10%) eg the current avensis or golf V. However -you will pay for this later in depreciation.

11. Start by asking the seller what he can do for you on price. Then keep talking and wait for him to cut again. Refer to your alternatives and your research. Talk about how you like the car but times are hard etc. They usually cut the price more than once. Each price cut is smaller than the last and points to a final price. eg If the guy starts at 12K and right away offers you 11k and then 10.5, you can see that he is targetting towards 10K.

12. If the dealer reaches a point where he won't move on price no matter how nicely you ask or how much time you spend, then it's time to move on to other things: What's included in the guarantee, is it in writing? Ask for it to be extended. Can he do you a deal for future servicing? Get the car through its NCT? Can he throw in a set of car mats? A tank of fuel? New tyres?

13. Don't act like an expert. Keep your knowledge to yourself. Do not argue with the salesman or engage in mickey swinging. Be humble and modest and ask questions and let him talk himself into knots.

14. If you can't manage to haggle then just ask a friend to do it for you. It's much easier to negotiate on behalf of someone else.

15. Get a mechanic's report even for a cheap car - for you own safety. Show the report to the seller if there are any negatives and see if he responds with price cuts or if he will fix any problems.

16. Dress neatly as if for work. Come in on a weekday.

17. Expect to pay more for a car from an Irish dealer than for a private sale or an import - if the dealer offers a good guarantee and after sales service.

Point 8 is crucial, bought in Uk recently. The BMW dealership I had called into on two occassions when in UK, talking to the same salesman, was the cheapest on my car. You cant beat personal touch and getting to know a salesman. This guy had spend alot of time with me, and in the end was able to do best price.

Anan1

Brewster wrote: »

Point 8 is crucial, bought in Uk recently. The BMW dealership I had called into on two occassions when in UK, talking to the same salesman, was the cheapest on my car. You cant beat personal touch and getting to know a salesman. This guy had spend alot of time with me, and in the end was able to do best price.

Quite true. Always remember that salesmen are people.

L-M

Fair play OP, some nice points there. Anyone buying a car print this and bring it with them. It can be like a first date, you can keep nipping to the toilet to scan over your notes:D.

faceman

Id say point 7 is hardest part to do in the current climate

Yakult

Good tips op. Tho I cant haggle for crap so I get my mate to do it

Del2005

crocro wrote: »

16. Dress neatly as if for work. Come in on a weekday.

All good except this. It shouldn't make the slightest bit of difference what you are wearing and if a salesperson won't deal with you because you aren't dressed right then they don't deserve YOUR money.

L-M

Del2005 wrote: »

All good except this. It shouldn't make the slightest bit of difference what you are wearing and if a salesperson won't deal with you because you aren't dressed right then they don't deserve YOUR money.

Fair enough. Just don't bring your friends.

Quint

If it's a private sale bring cash. People cream their pants when they see cash. Well I do anyway

Del2005

Limerick man wrote: »

Fair enough. Just don't bring your friends.

Why not, we'd get a great steal:D

crocro

Del2005 wrote: »

All good except this. It shouldn't make the slightest bit of difference what you are wearing and if a salesperson won't deal with you because you aren't dressed right then they don't deserve YOUR money.

Are you trying to get the best car for your money or reward your favourite salesman with a bonus?

People who sell cars are not stictly rational in their behaviour. This can be used to your advantage. Sometimes they want to be liked even more than they want to sell a car. Showing them some respect and consideration costs nothing. I dress up to for a job interview or the bank manager or a date because I want to show that I've made an effort and that I am someone to trust.

For some reason, I find sales people offer me a better discount when I am wearing a suit. Maybe its because they have to wear suits to work and they identify with me. Maybe they think I am more likely to shop around for the market price. I don't know. There's a lot of money at stake and it's a small price to pay.

Del2005

crocro wrote: »

Are you trying to get the best car for your money or reward your favourite salesman with a bonus?

When I go to buy something I know how much I want to spend. If the salesperson won't meet me close to that I'll take my money and walk, their loss not mine.

People who sell cars are not stictly rational in their behaviour. This can be used to your advantage. Sometimes they want to be liked even more than they want to sell a car. Showing them some respect and consideration costs nothing. I dress up to for a job interview or the bank manager or a date because I want to show that I've made an effort and that I am someone to trust.

Again, you're playing to their snobbiness. If someone doesn't treat you well because of the way your dressed they don't deservse YOUR money.

When I go for a job interview I'm selling myself so have to make a good impression. Wouldn't give a toss about the bank manager. And yes.

For some reason, I find sales people offer me a better discount when I am wearing a suit. Maybe its because they have to wear suits to work and they identify with me. Maybe they think I am more likely to shop around for the market price. I don't know. There's a lot of money at stake and it's a small price to pay.

How do you know they wouldn't have given you the same discount in jeans and t-shirt?