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Member Advice Summary
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The Art of the Deal
by coldsteel7 | Dec 24 '99
Purchasing an automobile can be a stressful experience...especially if you are unprepared. If you purchase an automobile on impulse, you are likely to spend more. Automobile Dealers use psychology to convince you to pay more. Knowing a little bit...Return to opinion
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kissman (Reply to this comment)
by kissman
Well, I gaave you the benifit of the doubt here. I used to sell cars and to be honest there are a few things that i disagree with bbut, you did a good job getting across your point of view.
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Aug 05 '00
7:12 am PDT
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Very well said! (Reply to this comment)
by marley209
You are dead on!!!! I've been on the sucker end before, and that will never happen again. About this line:
"They are using time to their advantage, figuring the more time you have invested, the more willing you are going to be to "close the deal."
I twist this to my own advantage. The way I see it, the more time THEY have invested, the more willing THEY will be to close the deal. They can't get their time back, and their time is money when it comes to this. I have all day ;) Saved $4000 on my SUV last year!
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Jun 21 '00
6:25 am PDT
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Perfect Advise (Reply to this comment)
by DaveKrieg
I am 18 and i shopped at the dealers by myself and your advise is exactly what i went through. I knew that going by myself and being a kid that they were going to try and sucker me. Everything happened to me: the office desk, the test drive, the waiting for confirmation from a supervisor, the monthly payments, he even got me to start filling out a financing paper knowing that i wasn't 18 at the time. Fortunately, i got out of there and bought my truck elsewhere. I wish i had this advise sooner to know exactly what was going on.
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Apr 12 '00
8:23 pm PDT
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snickering (Reply to this comment)
by Minx_In_LA
My husband and I definitely enjoyed playing games with the car salesmen :) Of course, the game is over now that we use USAA's car buying service...where you deal with the fleet manager after USAA gets the best price...but anyway...
We used to "tag team" the guy. Once we were dragged in to the dreaded Office...one of us would ask questions while the other wandered around the office and touched things, or walked behind the guy, etc... kept him so nervous that he couldn't concentrate! (if there's only one of you- don't sit in the chair across from the desk. Sit ON his desk. Casually just plop a hip on one corner. That way you're looking down on him) HAHAHA :) We'd play Good Guy/Bad Guy...I'd pretend I REALLY liked the car...hubby would act like not...Then he'd really like the price we were hearing and I'd be like "no way". If the guy went to "talk to his supervisor"- BOTH OF US got up and went with him. We were like "what's your problem? Why can't we talk to him too?" That was always unnerving :)
Shucks, I kinda miss that... Maybe we'll go test drive new Beetle bugs just for old times sake...
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Mar 17 '00
11:53 am PST
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It Also Helps Not to be Desperate (Reply to this comment)
by jrk
You presented a lot of really helpful tips in this opinion. I've tried a lot of them myself, and they really do work. Never thought about the sitting on the same side of the table thing though--I like that! It also helps when the dealers are more desperate to sell than you are to buy. When I bought my last car, I still had a car that was running okay, so I had time on my side. It had been raining for every weekend that month, and the dealership was hurting for business. They tried pulling the "I'll have to check with my supervisor" routine, but I came in with a price I was willing to pay. I told the salesman I had already wasted an hour, and wasn't willing to wait any longer. When I got up to leave, both he and his "supervisor" caved. I got the car at the price I had stated I would pay from the outset. They got their sale. Everyone benefited.
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Feb 05 '00
12:58 am PST
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Buying a car (Reply to this comment)
by jbodily
Last time we purchased a vehicle the dealership was having a Midnight Madness sale. Due to my husband's work schedule, we couldn't go in to make the deal (I had test driven and looked at the cars earlier in the day) until about 11:15 pm. The sales people were tired, their spouses were calling and they just wanted to get home. It didn't take over 45 minutes and we had the car we wanted, the price we wanted and the options we wanted. Just wear 'em down!! I think they were too tired to argue with us.
We got a 1996 Dodge Caravan for $16,400.00 + tax & tags. The going price, since it was a new model year, was $19,200.00.
Jamie
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Jan 25 '00
7:33 pm PST
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Psyche me out (Reply to this comment)
by BrianCam
I have found this opinion to be mostly true. However some people may misunderstand the term "psychology" by assuming that you are saying car salespeople are real smart or something. The truth is, psychology can be as simple a thing as making the customer think he/she needs the product, or that getting it for the price he/she can afford is impossible. Psychology in sales might just as well be called deception.
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Jan 18 '00
11:31 pm PST
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Thanks (Reply to this comment)
by Hard_To_Please
I will be in the market for a new car soon and will try your suggestions. I have tried the "have a nice day" and walking out routine when refused the opportunity to talk to the manager with the pricing authority. It works!
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Jan 05 '00
6:21 pm PST
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Loved it (Reply to this comment)
by forkids
Gosh, I'm so full of comments today. But a comment to commend a good review, of course. I just finished sending this to 8 people I know. My husband included (he hates it when I do that).
Now, next step, what are the best web sites to use in helping you buy a car. Any ideas?
Thanks. Sorry to throw some research in your lap, but you present it so well.
Cheers!
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Jan 04 '00
10:37 am PST
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20/20 hindsight (Reply to this comment)
by Mrsfitts
Ok, so your review is 19 years too late for me. I had this bright Neon sign that flashed SUCKER... SUCKER.... the things they did to that young, naive girl are shameful. But, that was back when a car cost $5,000 new. My revenge... I make an aweful lot more money now. Cars cost an aweful lot more. I will never, ever buy from not only that dealership that took advantage of a young girl, but I will never buy from the Detroit Auto Maker either. I can buy almost any car I want, & they will never get my money. But, thanks for your review for all the 20-something people that are out there now.
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Dec 28 '99
8:52 pm PST
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Worth Reading (Reply to this comment)
by BrianCam
Informative and to the point. Take this advice, save money
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Dec 26 '99
10:12 pm PST
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Thanks a lot!!!! (Reply to this comment)
by PRESLEY32
What great techniques in buying a car. We will be looking so and I will definately take your advice. THANKS A BUNCH!!!!
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Dec 24 '99
9:30 pm PST
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Blue Book Schmoo Book (Reply to this comment)
by pogomom
Where were you when I bought my Cougar? You forgot to add, "Never go car shopping when you are tired, hungry and just starting a new diet!" That goes for grocery stores, too!
Thanks for a great review and some excellent tips.
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Dec 24 '99
7:39 pm PST
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A top notch epinion....well done! (Reply to this comment)
by Bonies7
REALLY enjoyed your epinion on how to effectively buy a car...well written and informative.
Thanks for taking the time to write a comprehensive overview.
My compliments...well done!
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Dec 24 '99
10:12 am PST
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