Negotiating with a car salesman!

31-07-2009 04:21PM #1

So I was just wondering how low would a salesman drop the asking price of a car?

Is there a standard set in place?
E.g. they can't go less than half price etc.

Or is it at their discretion.

Basically I'm wondering how much could I get knocked off for a car valued at €2,750

Saab Ed · 31-07-2009 04:26PM

Deleted User wrote: »

Basically I'm wondering how much could I get knocked off for a car valued at €2,750

Very little in these times. Used cars are getting hard to source and for this reason along with the fact that prices came down so much this year you wont get much of a car thats only 2750. Try for 2 grand but in fairness anything under 2500 is Okay. Whats the car. Linky!!

Seth Brundle · 31-07-2009 04:26PM

The amount would be discretionary but at the end of the day they still have to make money so there may not be too much leverage on €2750. If you got it for 2500 you are doing well IMO (~10%).

WHat condition is the car in and what price are other versions of this model selling for? Has it an NCT or tax? How much left on the tyres? What kind of written warranty is on offer?

the corpo · 31-07-2009 04:35PM

what about a car with a dealer price of 9k. much chance if offering something like 8k?

31-07-2009 04:35PM

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Renault/Clio/1.2-SPOR/200926194438557/advert?channel=CARS

I know its not very manly, but it'd do me:pac:

bazz26 · 31-07-2009 04:49PM

the corpo wrote: »

what about a car with a dealer price of 9k. much chance if offering something like 8k?

No harm in making them an offer like that, the worst thing they can say is no. That is a realistic cash offer on a €9k asking price in my books though.

TwoShedsJackson · 31-07-2009 05:21PM

Deleted User wrote: »

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Renault/Clio/1.2-SPOR/200926194438557/advert?channel=CARS

I know its not very manly, but it'd do me:pac:

They should be paying you to take that off their hands :pac:

31-07-2009 05:24PM

TwoShedsJackson wrote: »

They should be paying you to take that off their hands :pac:

No need for that now, that could be my first car your talking about!!

cpoh1 · 31-07-2009 06:48PM

the corpo wrote: »

what about a car with a dealer price of 9k. much chance if offering something like 8k?

If i was in your position i would speak to the dealer, be polite and offer him 7.5k cash and if he says no flat out give him your number and tell him the offer stands for a week. He will change his mind. If he doesn't then wait, the right caf always comes around for the right money if you are patient.

Carzone prices are seriously overinflated and not a reflection of true market value, people just arent paying those asking prices.

Henry Ford III · 01-08-2009 10:06AM

It all depends on how keenly the car is priced is day 1.

If €9k is a genuinely excellent price, offering €7.5k isn't going to get it done.

unkel · 01-08-2009 10:24AM

Deleted User wrote: »

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Renault/Clio/1.2-SPOR/200926194438557/advert?channel=CARS

I know its not very manly, but it'd do me:pac:

Looks like a lovely little car to me. The dealer says "warranty available". What's that mean? Even if you got a 6 month full warranty, €2750 seems too much. It's your first car, so you are a cash buyer (no trade in). This puts you in a strong position. Offer €2200 (show him the cash) and be firm. I'd expect to get the car for about €2300 cash...

Heroditas · 01-08-2009 11:54AM

Henry Ford III wrote: »

It all depends on how keenly the car is priced is day 1.

If €9k is a genuinely excellent price, offering €7.5k isn't going to get it done.

Exactly. The dealer may have bought it for €8k and if it's been serviced, he'll be looking to at least recoup his costs.

the corpo · 01-08-2009 01:44PM

hmm, interesting
what about something like this
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Toyota/Avensis/4-dr-1.8/200920192811678/advert?channel=CARS

says it's a demo, what does that mean?

bazz26 · 01-08-2009 07:58PM

the corpo wrote: »

hmm, interesting
what about something like this
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Toyota/Avensis/4-dr-1.8/200920192811678/advert?channel=CARS

says it's a demo, what does that mean?

To me it means that it has two previous owners, the first owner was a garage (main dealer) who used it as a demonstration model for customers to test drive. Demonstration models are usually sold on after about 2 or 3 months.

Just verify that it was indeed a ex demo model and not a hire drive.

P.C. · 01-08-2009 08:11PM

Deleted User wrote: »

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Renault/Clio/1.2-SPOR/200926194438557/advert?channel=CARS

I know its not very manly, but it'd do me:pac:

That looks like a good first car. If you can get it for under € 2 500 with a warranty, you would be doing well IMO.

Ask if the bonnet catch has been replace - I seem to remember that there was an issue with them.

vw4life · 01-08-2009 08:15PM

no matter what car(unless keenly priced),I always offer half the askin price an go from there,dont worry about hurtin the sellers feelings

bazz26 · 01-08-2009 08:19PM

I don't think you will be hurting their feelings as much as you think.

Lex Luthor · 01-08-2009 10:17PM

I was asking about a car recently priced at 23k and 18k cash would have given me the keys....

The legacy with delivery & metallic was coming in at just over 34k and I got it for 27500. Not really relevant as they have 3k discounts on them at the moment.

RLJ · 01-08-2009 10:30PM

the corpo wrote: »

hmm, interesting
what about something like this
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Toyota/Avensis/4-dr-1.8/200920192811678/advert?channel=CARS

says it's a demo, what does that mean?

i think it means it was used as a demonstration model for test drives etc. Stand to be corrected

tazire · 02-08-2009 05:15AM

got my car from 36k to 30. i think that was bout fair.

Eoin · 02-08-2009 01:19PM

TwoShedsJackson wrote: »

They should be paying you to take that off their hands :pac:

-1

Great little car those.

Myrddin · 02-08-2009 01:34PM

vw4life wrote: »

no matter what car,always offer half the askin price an go from there,dont worry about hurtin the sellers feelings

Just using this car as an example - http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200930194712514

Would you go in and offer 7k for this then? Thats one of the most ridiculous statements Ive ever read in the motors section, and Ive read quite a few. Your going to give the impression straight away that your a messer, and havnt a clue what your talking abou, let alone the actual value of the car in question. Educate yourself friend, learn to recognise a cheap car when you see it.

Saab Ed · 02-08-2009 02:13PM

vw4life wrote: »

no matter what car,always offer half the askin price an go from there,dont worry about hurtin the sellers feelings

Most car salesman will put you in the " you dont have a clue what you're doing " category if you say something like that and set out to make a kill on you ( which they will cause you dont have a clue what you're doing ) on the basis that if they dont make a kill its probably gonna be a giant waste of time talking to you in the first place.:P

But by all means do it. Atleast then we'll know you're a soft target straight away

-Chris- · 02-08-2009 06:43PM

RLJ wrote: »

i think it means it was used as a demonstration model for test drives etc. Stand to be corrected

Yep, used for test drives, driven home by the sales staff, it'll have a couple thousand kilometers on it and it'll be a grand or two cheaper.

vw4life wrote: »

no matter what car,always offer half the askin price an go from there,dont worry about hurtin the sellers feelings

As the others have said, this is poor advice.

vw4life · 02-08-2009 08:21PM

EnterNow wrote: »

Just using this car as an example - http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200930194712514

Would you go in and offer 7k for this then? Thats one of the most ridiculous statements Ive ever read in the motors section, and Ive read quite a few. Your going to give the impression straight away that your a messer, and havnt a clue what your talking abou, let alone the actual value of the car in question. Educate yourself friend, learn to recognise a cheap car when you see it.

bought and sold loads of cars over the years and you win some,you lose some,I dont have to buy any car I dont want and will walk away if the deal's not right,I've gone back to some cars a year later that are still for sale and offered less again and got the right deal

Saab Ed wrote: »

Most car salesman will put you in the " you dont have a clue what you're doing " category if you say something like that and set out to make a kill on you ( which they will cause you dont have a clue what you're doing ) on the basis that if they dont make a kill its probably gonna be a giant waste of time talking to you in the first place.:P But by all means do it. Atleast then we'll know you're a soft target straight away

what I said ^^^^^

Myrddin · 02-08-2009 09:14PM

vw4life wrote: »

bought and sold loads of cars over the years and you win some,you lose some,I dont have to buy any car I dont want and will walk away if the deal's not right,I've gone back to some cars a year later that are still for sale and offered less again and got the right deal

what I said ^^^^^

In fairness, the OP was asking for advice, not how to "win some, lose some". I stand by my saying that you will NOT buy any car today, which is keenly priced, by offering half the price. If you've seen some cars that were still in stock a year later, then they were not keenly priced to begin with. You advice is idiotic, and as above, any person selling a keenly priced car that hears your offer of half price is going to think your a time wasting fool, and in fairness I wouldnt blame them. Foolish advice for someone who is serious about buying.

vw4life · 02-08-2009 11:06PM

original post edited

EnterNow wrote: »

In fairness, the OP was asking for advice

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Renault/Clio/1.2-SPOR/200926194438557/advert?channel=CARS

that car is worth €1500 at the most,hows that for advice,sorry for upsettin you but thats just how I approach these rip-off fu*in car dealers considerin they probably allowed some poor chump €500 off an over priced car by taking that car as a trade in,fitted a timing belt and try to ask nearly €3000 for it on the forecourt

Saab Ed · 02-08-2009 11:15PM

vw4life wrote: »

that car is worth €1500 at the most,hows that for advice,sorry for upsettin you but thats just how I approach these rip-off fu*in car dealers considerin they probably allowed some poor chump €500 off an over priced car by taking that car as a trade in,fitted a timing belt and try to ask nearly €3000 for it on the forecourt

My guess is you feel ripped off by car salesmen because you dont have a realistic approach to dealing with people nevermind thoses in a specific trade. We're human too you know and the best way to get a good deal is just be nice

. Take your approach with anyone in any trade and they're just not gonna take you seriously. That will lend itself to you feeling brushed off and the argument begins. Remember if I sell something then I get paid, if I dont then I wont.....so what do you think Im trying to do!!!

B00MSTICK · 02-08-2009 11:31PM

vw4life wrote:

that car is worth €1500 at the most,hows that for advice,sorry for upsettin you but thats just how I approach these rip-off fu*in car dealers considerin they probably allowed some poor chump €500 off an over priced car by taking that car as a trade in,fitted a timing belt and try to ask nearly €3000 for it on the forecourt

I'm not sure you realise that businesses have higher overheads than you and I and actually *need* to make a profit to stay afloat. Look at how many dealers are closing.

If you want a "deal" go private. Someone of your vast experience should know that.

And tbh, if you came up to me and offered me half my asking I'd tell you to piss off in the most pleasant and polite manner possible.

OP, haggle a bit and try get a few hundred off as well as maybe a warranty thrown in too.

-Chris- · 03-08-2009 02:40AM

vw4life wrote: »

original post edited

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Renault/Clio/1.2-SPOR/200926194438557/advert?channel=CARS

that car is worth €1500 at the most,hows that for advice,sorry for upsettin you but thats just how I approach these rip-off fu*in car dealers considerin they probably allowed some poor chump €500 off an over priced car by taking that car as a trade in,fitted a timing belt and try to ask nearly €3000 for it on the forecourt

"That particular car is overpriced", that's not the same as "every car is overpriced by a factor of 2".
Your negotiation tactics are still flawed and will not be taken seriously by anyone, unless you're talking to someone who has their car overvalued by a factor of 2...

vw4life · 03-08-2009 10:02AM

right lads,I'll try again.

Alot of cars I've bought have been well overpriced,so I've sat down with the seller and started discussing the price.I start very low and,heres the important bit,GO FROM THERE,ok.I would offer that lad with the clio maybe
1200 and be happy paying 1500,is that fair enough.I dont walk up to a lad and say "nice car,give ye half the askin price,cheers".I know people gotta make a living and some sales people are just doin thier job but I'm not prepared to be ripped off and I dont mean just in the last year,I've been in the trade nearly 20 years and have easily privatly owned 50+ cars not including the ones bought to sell on at a small profit/loss

Negotiating with a car salesman!

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