|
|
How To Use Priceline.com's New Car Buying ServiceApr 20 '00 Write an essay on this topic.I helped my fiancee buy a new car at priceline and the results were great! We got a new 2000 Jetta for 21,300 when the sticker read 23,000. But this process is NOT for everyone. Here are the steps to take if you are going to buy a car through priceline. First of all, you need to test drive the car to see if you like it. Because the priceline service binds you to pick up the car or at least show up at a dealership to arrange financing, you must be confident that this is the exact car that you are interested in - -down to the option level. You should then go to a third party site. Edmunds.com is the best. This way, you'll get the street price for the car. Use this as your bargaining point...This is where you want to end up. You should then go back to the dealer and let them know that you are definitely going to be buying the car and will use an online service if you feel that a better deal can be had. This may get you to the price you want -- if it is offered, TAKE IT. If not, you can then go to the site and fill in the form to name your own price for your new car. If you can get a copy of the window sticker of the exact car that you want -- do so now. As with all the other priceline sites, you need to be committed to the purchase. Priceline asks that you guarantee your purchase with a credit card. If you don't show up to pick up the car or arrange financing of the vehicle, they will collect a good faith fee of $200 from you. Make sure that you fill out the form according to the window sticker of the car that you want or priceline's site to configure the options that you'll need. Make sure that you try to widen the search for interior and exterior color combinations -- this is one of the ways you may be able to get a better deal. Next, choose how you'll be paying for the car. Most customers will be financing it, so priceline has developed a neat credit check that you can use. Just fill out the questions that you see and priceline will be able to calculate approximately what you may be asked to pay for your vehicle. Good credit will get a better financing rate, of course, but don't cheat as the numbers that the site comes back with are the same as what you will see at the dealership. Since the dealer can see your credit, its best to know what you'll be facing at the f/i desk when you are ready to get the car. Priceline calculates a street price for the car in your area -- this is usually similar to what you would find on car pricing sites. They usually price the car about 3-5% above the dealer invoice as a guide. You can use this price or you can change it to name your own price or monthly payment. Unlike some of the other priceline sites, you can't add money to your auto purchase by taking a third party offer like a credit card. I personally wish that they had this on the site, as I would definitely sign up for some things to make sure that I got my car cheaper! One of the most important things that you can do to get your car is select a few more counties where you'd be willing to pick up the car. Since I live in Rockland County, NY, I widened the search to include Westchester, Bergen County in NJ and Fairfield County in CT. The car was purchased from a dealership in Fairfield, CT -- and we NEVER would have looked there if not for priceline! You'll need to fill out the standard priceline credit card page -- and if you said that you'd pay cash for the car you must be able to do that or you'll be liable for the $200 fee. If you asked to get leasing or loan rates for your car, all you need to do is show up to arrange the financing of the car with the dealer. If you don't like the financing rates or the dealership that you are talking to, you can walk away from the deal. Priceline reps are available by phone from 9-5 Monday to Saturday. If priceline finds the car you want at the price you want to pay or the monthly payment that fits your budget, they'll get back to you within one working day. I think that this is because of the car dealers schedules, but I'm not sure. In any case, its different than the normal one hour waiting period for the other priceline products. So as always do your homework first and then go to priceline...this will make it easier to SAVE $  |
| Read all comments (2)|Write your own comment |
