Step by Step: The Car Buying Checklist
- Thread starter neoprodigy
- Start date
That could be summed up with "The car salesman is out to screw you. Get all your information from an outside source and don't discard it at the dealership."
My dad is a car salesman. They're not there to help you. They're there to sell as many cars as possible
Some aren't as bad as others and WILL work with you so they can have returning customers and they know people will talk to their friends and family. If you're too shady you will lose sales.
If you don't like the salesman you get stuck with don't be scared to ask for a different one or come back at some other time. Even go to another dealership.
Don't BROWSE. Like the article says, decide what you want BEFORE you go, that really is a main factor. If the salesman recognizes that you're undecided or can be swayed he will lead you into a poor deal. Go in, tell them exactly what you want and try to get the best deal. The salesman should actually be able to show you his paperwork. They will always lie about how much they have in a car and how much they stand to make. Some people fall for this and end up feeling like THEY are they ones trying to screw the car lot. Don't worry, the car lot won't ever actively let you take advantage of them
Either way, just be decisive. Don't let the salesman himself guide you into a purchase.
Ok that's enough from me. Just figured I'd add my 2 cents, lol.
My dad is a car salesman. They're not there to help you. They're there to sell as many cars as possible
Some aren't as bad as others and WILL work with you so they can have returning customers and they know people will talk to their friends and family. If you're too shady you will lose sales.
If you don't like the salesman you get stuck with don't be scared to ask for a different one or come back at some other time. Even go to another dealership.
Don't BROWSE. Like the article says, decide what you want BEFORE you go, that really is a main factor. If the salesman recognizes that you're undecided or can be swayed he will lead you into a poor deal. Go in, tell them exactly what you want and try to get the best deal. The salesman should actually be able to show you his paperwork. They will always lie about how much they have in a car and how much they stand to make. Some people fall for this and end up feeling like THEY are they ones trying to screw the car lot. Don't worry, the car lot won't ever actively let you take advantage of them
Either way, just be decisive. Don't let the salesman himself guide you into a purchase.
Ok that's enough from me. Just figured I'd add my 2 cents, lol.
Doing your research is the most important thing. I bought a truck last December. It is amazing how little some of the salespeople know about the vehicles they sell. You would think that they would at least do their homework and know everything about the vehicles and the incentives and rebates that their company offers, but many of them don't.
Edmonds.com is a great site for researching the vehicle you want. I learned that advertising costs vary from area to area and affect the cost of the vehicle, in other words, the vehicle price is going to be higher than Edmonds' pricing. I went through the Costco car buying program and got my truck for $500 over dealer invoice. That, and 0 percent financing that I got, made it a really good deal for me. This purchase was a very pleasant experience and far different from most of my vehicle purchases. The salesman really knew his stuff and literally went the extra mile for me in several areas. I wanted trailering mirrors on my truck, and didn't realize my truck did not have them. In his office he had a new pair of mirrors that had been taken off another truck, which he sold to me at cost. When they went to mount the mirrors, they found out the mirrors were not the right ones....so they put the correct new mirrors on and ate the price difference. I wanted running boards on the truck, and my saleman volunteered to apply for some unheard of rebate available to certain professional people. While I was willing to pay whatever, I got their best running boards for $500 thanks to the big rebate he found. The guy loves his job and really has an understanding of people. Too bad he only sells Chevys, because I'd buy my next Toyota from him in a flash.
Edmonds.com is a great site for researching the vehicle you want. I learned that advertising costs vary from area to area and affect the cost of the vehicle, in other words, the vehicle price is going to be higher than Edmonds' pricing. I went through the Costco car buying program and got my truck for $500 over dealer invoice. That, and 0 percent financing that I got, made it a really good deal for me. This purchase was a very pleasant experience and far different from most of my vehicle purchases. The salesman really knew his stuff and literally went the extra mile for me in several areas. I wanted trailering mirrors on my truck, and didn't realize my truck did not have them. In his office he had a new pair of mirrors that had been taken off another truck, which he sold to me at cost. When they went to mount the mirrors, they found out the mirrors were not the right ones....so they put the correct new mirrors on and ate the price difference. I wanted running boards on the truck, and my saleman volunteered to apply for some unheard of rebate available to certain professional people. While I was willing to pay whatever, I got their best running boards for $500 thanks to the big rebate he found. The guy loves his job and really has an understanding of people. Too bad he only sells Chevys, because I'd buy my next Toyota from him in a flash.