acceptable bids

matrixroyal

Just wondering what people think is acceptable in terms of bidding.

Basically I am in the hunt for a car which ranges from €24-27k across the 4 specific cars that I have identified with different dealers.

I am in business myself and being constantly bargained down by my clients just becuase they perceive it to be a buyers market. Fair enough and I am not complaining because as least I am still busy, but that has got me thinking that if I am buying a car in bad times that I can apply the same idealogy and hopefully be on the receiving end of a good bargain for a change.

I don't want to be an asshole or anything but I really want to drive a hard bargain because these are tough times.

Should I make low bids for all 4 cars I am interested in and see if anyone bites ?
For a car priced at say 26950, what would people consider is a low bid, a fair price or just a plain insult ?

Anan1

It all depends on the real value of the car, ie how keenly priced it is to start with. No offer is an insult to a professional salesperson, they can always politely refuse.

oregano

I agree with Anan1. In the internet age most dealers are advertising their cars with approx 15% margin, of which they're willing to split up to 50:50 with the customer. If someone offers me, say, 20k for a 22grand car I will endeavour to do a deal, offer me 20 for a 24k car however and it's not a runner. That said, saying no politely isn't very hard... Remember, if the car you're interested in is advertised at 24k and is the cheapest on carzone of its type/year etc then you may get no discount, as they've advertised it at the "best price".

I get offered 50% less than my asking price regularly nowadys, but that's life in a recession...! As a self employed salesman I'd still rather have the offer and explain my pricing to the bidder on the phone or face to face rather than via email though

Re OPs initial question, at 26950 I'd need to know how keenly the car is priced in comparison to its competition before advising a "fair" bid...

Lord Trollington

Is it a new or used car your purchasing?

matrixroyal

ok, thanks for replies.
Yes it is a used car, there is an 08 car in one dealer for 26950 or an 07 car in another dealer at 23950 with similar specs. ( I have been watching both for a few weeks and both have some down by a thousand or two over the last few weeks ).