Author Topic: Dealing with used car salesmen  (Read 6614 times)

FIRE47

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Dealing with used car salesmen
« on: July 11, 2016, 10:56:44 AM »
My god I used to think it was an exaggeration and a stereotype but these guys really do seem like snakes - nothing they say seems genuine or factual and everything seems to be a trick, can't get a straight answer out of them without pulling teeth about anything.

Does anyone have any tips for dealing with these guys either with a trade or buying?

I'm not getting taken by them but at the same time my dealings are making no progress towards a fair deal either - if that is even possible with these guys.

Looking young doesn't seem to help, nor does buying a car worth less than your trade.
« Last Edit: July 11, 2016, 10:59:09 AM by FIRE47 »

NathanP

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Re: Dealing with used car salesmen
« Reply #1 on: July 11, 2016, 11:01:44 AM »
It sounds like you REALLY want the vehicle they are selling/trading. This puts you at a disadvantage.

I would simply say that you want to buy this vehicle for whatever (fair) price you are willing to pay. Leave your email address or phone number in case they change their mind.

Slee_stack

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Re: Dealing with used car salesmen
« Reply #2 on: July 11, 2016, 12:11:09 PM »
Work with an Internet Sales Manager.  If they don't have one, its probably not the type of place to be buying a car from.

Jack

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Re: Dealing with used car salesmen
« Reply #3 on: July 11, 2016, 12:15:19 PM »
Buy from a private party instead. (And sell your current car to a private party instead of trading it in.)

Otherwise, read up on negotiation tactics.

radram

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Re: Dealing with used car salesmen
« Reply #4 on: July 11, 2016, 12:20:42 PM »
Craigslist.

I look at EVERY vehicle listed when I am searching.  Sometimes I find what I am looking for in about a week.  I have also looked every day for a month before finding the first one worth looking at.

I like mileage to be around 50-70K, 4-7 years old, and around 5-7K.  I am also flexible, as long as the price flexes too.  I try to answer the following question:  Can I keep this vehicle for 1 year for every thousand dollars I spend on purchase price AND every 10000 miles I put on it.  Major repairs that come up would be added to the purchase price and the same question asked ($2000 for a new transmission on a car with 150,000 miles?   nope).

For example, I found an 8 year old ranger with 70,000 miles I purchased for $4,200.  Can I use it for 4 years and put on 40,000 miles.  Odds are good I can.  What if the truck was 15 years old? Maybe not.

$13,000 for a new Versa?  I do not think I can get 13 years of worry free driving, so no thank you.












WSUCoug1994

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Re: Dealing with used car salesmen
« Reply #5 on: July 11, 2016, 12:32:27 PM »
There is no reason to buy a used car from a dealer.  They typically "group buy" 10-20 cars at a time and the salesman will likely get to keep all of the money above a certain price.  If you are not a sucker then they figure another sucker is just down the road.  If it is at a real dealer (Chevy, Toyota, etc.) they are usually more flexible because they want the car off the lot before they sell it at a group auction and they likely stole it during the trade in process.  Like it or not the used car tactics will work most of the time.  I would simply tell them the price you are willing to pay and tell them to call you when the are ready to meet that price.  No point in going back and forth.

Like it or not the private seller is a much better route for many reasons including the lack of sophistication in negotiations on the sellers side and impatience is working in your favor. 

Drifterrider

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Re: Dealing with used car salesmen
« Reply #6 on: July 11, 2016, 12:35:51 PM »
Plan your work and work your plan.

Last October I was in the market for a used car.  Looked at the local inventory (on line).  Decided on a car based on price.  Looked up the value per KBB.  $3,700.

Went to lot.  Test drove.  Negotiated.  Didn't strike a deal.  Left.

E-mail received two days latter:  better price but not what I was willing to pay.

Negotiated.  Gave my best and final offer.  They accepted.  I bought car (on a credit card to get the cash back).

List price:  $4,100 + tax, title, and $399 Document Fee.

I offered $3,500 out the door.  The sales sheet showed $2,700 purchase price and $800 in tax, title, and "fee".  I did OK and so did they (or they wouldn't have sold it to me).




FIRE47

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Re: Dealing with used car salesmen
« Reply #7 on: July 11, 2016, 12:57:59 PM »
There is no reason to buy a used car from a dealer.  They typically "group buy" 10-20 cars at a time and the salesman will likely get to keep all of the money above a certain price.  If you are not a sucker then they figure another sucker is just down the road.  If it is at a real dealer (Chevy, Toyota, etc.) they are usually more flexible because they want the car off the lot before they sell it at a group auction and they likely stole it during the trade in process.  Like it or not the used car tactics will work most of the time.  I would simply tell them the price you are willing to pay and tell them to call you when the are ready to meet that price.  No point in going back and forth.

Like it or not the private seller is a much better route for many reasons including the lack of sophistication in negotiations on the sellers side and impatience is working in your favor.

Sounds about right - not going to bother even going in anymore email only.

So far (and I've only been at it a week):

I've seen fake listings to generate business - the cars just happened to sell "a few minutes ago" when you go in after calling about it, yet a few days later the listing is still up...
I've been told a 2012 Ford Focus is just a 2012 Mazda3 with another badge (after I said I was more interested in a Mazda3)
I was told it would cost $1,300 to do a resale detailing and that they would have to deduct it from the trade-in value - my car is perfectly fine inside
The trade in as well as the "Internet Price" forms are just a lie to get your information - when the salesman calls they seem to suddenly not know what you're talking about and you can come in to discuss it in order to get your appraisal as well as the special rate confirmed
One guy mentioned since I was sticking with my truck that I should stop by and look at the camper that was out back.

These are the guys with good online reviews and BBB so I can't imagine the bad ones.





« Last Edit: July 11, 2016, 01:00:13 PM by FIRE47 »

Bajadoc

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Re: Dealing with used car salesmen
« Reply #8 on: July 11, 2016, 02:02:30 PM »
1. Your interests are last on their list.
2. Anything they say is to get you to buy.
3. The cars are overpriced.
4. They are proffesionals and you are an amateur.
5. Your emotions get in the way.
6. Information is your friend.
7. He who cares least wins (don't fall in love with a particular car).
8. Walk away several times.
9. Your money is much more valuable than their car.
10. You control the deal because you have the money they want.
11. Always be nice and polite.

Khaetra

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Re: Dealing with used car salesmen
« Reply #9 on: July 11, 2016, 02:09:57 PM »
I guess it depends on the dealer.  If it's a buy-here-pay-here type of place then get ready for a runaround, expensive cars and hardly any negotiations.  If it's an actual dealer most will work with you.  Be very leery about CL though.  My ex bought his truck from a BHPH place listed there.  Three months later the dealer was shut down and arrested for rolling back odometers.

RobFIRE

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Re: Dealing with used car salesmen
« Reply #10 on: July 11, 2016, 03:43:36 PM »
As I've only ever bought one car I don't have much experience...but, when buying that I established the going rate online. I read the listings in detail, ignored those that were overpriced, accepted that there would be some minor issues with the car (in my particular case, that the car had failed its safety test a few months before due to two worn tyres, so the dealer only replaced them with used tyres, so I would need to replace two tyres in a few months, and that the car only had one key), made sure that the paperwork was in order (that the dealer had done an HPI check, in the UK this is a full car finance, ownership and accident history check) and bought at the price asked. So didn't have to listen to the dealer waffle on about anything, didn't have to argue over anything, one phone call, one visit for under an hour and car bought. The price was decent versus the book price. At the time I sort of needed the car fairly promptly.

If I were in a situation of not needing a car immediately, I would again establish clearly what I wanted, what I was prepared to pay, make sure I had checked the book prices and was being reasonable, and tell the dealers my requirements and price clearly, offer to pay by their preferred means, tell them to contact me when they could meet my price, walk away if that wasn't offered. If you're prepared to wait a few weeks it should be that a dealer has a car they want to shift to make a monthly/quarterly bonus target, so they will sell to you at your (reasonable) price if you make it clear you're a certain sale.

BDWW

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Re: Dealing with used car salesmen
« Reply #11 on: July 11, 2016, 03:59:12 PM »
There is no reason to buy a used car from a dealer.  They typically "group buy" 10-20 cars at a time and the salesman will likely get to keep all of the money above a certain price.  If you are not a sucker then they figure another sucker is just down the road.  If it is at a real dealer (Chevy, Toyota, etc.) they are usually more flexible because they want the car off the lot before they sell it at a group auction and they likely stole it during the trade in process.  Like it or not the used car tactics will work most of the time.  I would simply tell them the price you are willing to pay and tell them to call you when the are ready to meet that price.  No point in going back and forth.

Like it or not the private seller is a much better route for many reasons including the lack of sophistication in negotiations on the sellers side and impatience is working in your favor.

Sounds about right - not going to bother even going in anymore email only.

So far (and I've only been at it a week):

I've seen fake listings to generate business - the cars just happened to sell "a few minutes ago" when you go in after calling about it, yet a few days later the listing is still up...
I've been told a 2012 Ford Focus is just a 2012 Mazda3 with another badge (after I said I was more interested in a Mazda3)
I was told it would cost $1,300 to do a resale detailing and that they would have to deduct it from the trade-in value - my car is perfectly fine inside
The trade in as well as the "Internet Price" forms are just a lie to get your information - when the salesman calls they seem to suddenly not know what you're talking about and you can come in to discuss it in order to get your appraisal as well as the special rate confirmed
One guy mentioned since I was sticking with my truck that I should stop by and look at the camper that was out back.

These are the guys with good online reviews and BBB so I can't imagine the bad ones.

They are both based on the same platform, but a little more different than a GM style badge job.

Uturn

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Re: Dealing with used car salesmen
« Reply #12 on: July 11, 2016, 04:19:30 PM »
You deal with them the same way you deal with any salesman. 

1.  Be willing to walk
2.  Know the value of the item that you are purchasing
3.  Be willing to walk
4.  As best you can, know what they paid for that item
5.  Be willing to walk
6.  Understand that their job is to get the most for the item, your job is to get the least 
7.  Be willing to walk
8.  A fair deal is one where you get a value, they get a profit
9.  Be willing to walk
10.  It's not personal.  If it gets personal on either end, it's not a good deal

Yes, some sales people are just sleezballs.  Walk Run away from these people.  There is not an item on the planet worth dealing with a sleezball.   I worked one summer as a car salesman.  The only training they provided were tricks to keep a customer in the building.  Make it personal and keep them here until they buy. 

honeybbq

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Re: Dealing with used car salesmen
« Reply #13 on: July 11, 2016, 04:41:47 PM »
Try CARMAX.

lthenderson

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Re: Dealing with used car salesmen
« Reply #14 on: July 11, 2016, 04:58:20 PM »
Car salespeople work on commission. People who work on commission don't want to lose a sale and thus are going to be aggressive. I would suggest going after hours to look at cars and taking notes. From those notes, research value of the car at home and have your top price decided before you ever go back for the test drive and negotiation part.

If you want to guarantee poor service and paying a premium for your cars, I highly recommend only communicating by email and never develop a relationship with your local dealer. If you want great service and a lower price, I would recommend developing a relationship with your local dealer. Case in point. I have a friend manages a local dealership. Whenever someone emails them for a price, they give them the "email" price. Because it takes seconds to do so, it is usually higher than the price I get by going in and meeting face to face. All they need is one email person to accept out of the thousands of emails they get monthly to make it worth their time. When you meet face to face, they put in more effort and thus are less likely to less you walk out the door and you thus get a lower price.

I've cultivated a relationship with my local dealer for over twenty years now. I get free car washes and oil changes regularly. When looking for a specific car, be it a hard to get color/optioned new car or a used car received in trade-in, I get a call and get first dibs before it goes out on the lot. My car dealer is one of the bigger supporters for my children's school fundraisers. Three years ago he set up a fundraising event for my school. If you come in a test drive a car on a certain evening, they donate $50 to the school up to a cap.

But if you want to avoid all these benefits for the sake of not having to negotiate something face to face, by all means email random dealers to get the "best" price.

FIRE47

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Re: Dealing with used car salesmen
« Reply #15 on: July 11, 2016, 08:43:30 PM »
Car salespeople work on commission. People who work on commission don't want to lose a sale and thus are going to be aggressive. I would suggest going after hours to look at cars and taking notes. From those notes, research value of the car at home and have your top price decided before you ever go back for the test drive and negotiation part.

If you want to guarantee poor service and paying a premium for your cars, I highly recommend only communicating by email and never develop a relationship with your local dealer. If you want great service and a lower price, I would recommend developing a relationship with your local dealer. Case in point. I have a friend manages a local dealership. Whenever someone emails them for a price, they give them the "email" price. Because it takes seconds to do so, it is usually higher than the price I get by going in and meeting face to face. All they need is one email person to accept out of the thousands of emails they get monthly to make it worth their time. When you meet face to face, they put in more effort and thus are less likely to less you walk out the door and you thus get a lower price.

I've cultivated a relationship with my local dealer for over twenty years now. I get free car washes and oil changes regularly. When looking for a specific car, be it a hard to get color/optioned new car or a used car received in trade-in, I get a call and get first dibs before it goes out on the lot. My car dealer is one of the bigger supporters for my children's school fundraisers. Three years ago he set up a fundraising event for my school. If you come in a test drive a car on a certain evening, they donate $50 to the school up to a cap.

But if you want to avoid all these benefits for the sake of not having to negotiate something face to face, by all means email random dealers to get the "best" price.

Sounds great in theory but I'm not taking twenty years to get to know someone over 5-10k used car that I'll replace every 5 years or so - and that one dealer may or may not have what you need on their lot anyways - ordering something in is a sure way not to get a deal.

Personally I've had them do nothing but waste my time so far so why would I waste even more voluntarily - a personal relationship would be great I'm sure but unless you know them in advance I doubt the salesman is going to become your best friend over one 7k car. I'm calling a dealer I know personally even though they are a 1.5 hours away as I need someon I can trust.

And I never said you don't go in face to face but unless I can get some ballpark figures in advance I'm not letting them waste my time by making me sit and wait and play games where they take your keys etc sorry not interested in making friends with these guys after a week of them.



« Last Edit: July 11, 2016, 08:46:50 PM by FIRE47 »

aceyou

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Re: Dealing with used car salesmen
« Reply #16 on: July 11, 2016, 09:02:09 PM »
Craigslist.

I look at EVERY vehicle listed when I am searching.  Sometimes I find what I am looking for in about a week.  I have also looked every day for a month before finding the first one worth looking at.

I like mileage to be around 50-70K, 4-7 years old, and around 5-7K.  I am also flexible, as long as the price flexes too.  I try to answer the following question:  Can I keep this vehicle for 1 year for every thousand dollars I spend on purchase price AND every 10000 miles I put on it.  Major repairs that come up would be added to the purchase price and the same question asked ($2000 for a new transmission on a car with 150,000 miles?   nope).

For example, I found an 8 year old ranger with 70,000 miles I purchased for $4,200.  Can I use it for 4 years and put on 40,000 miles.  Odds are good I can.  What if the truck was 15 years old? Maybe not.

$13,000 for a new Versa?  I do not think I can get 13 years of worry free driving, so no thank you.

This was not a direct answer to your question, but I'll second it as the way to go.  Craigslist is awesome.  I have slightly different craigslist guidelines that I follow, but they end up getting me to the same place. I look for the vehicle that will give me the lowest combined cost annually for the following:

1.  depreciation
2.  Gas
3.  Insurance
4.  Repairs

Right now, for having two kids and being married.  I find that a 5-6k prius does the best job on this.  Technically a $500 beater would probably do it slightly better, but my wife told me that with two little kids I have to compromise and get the 5-6k prius.  I can drive it for 10 years and it'll still be worth 2k, so the depreciation is sooo low.  Because I have 5-6k pretty easily accessible, I don't need full coverage, dropping insurance a ton.  Repairs are modest and I do about 10 gallons a month for gas. 

Not saying you should get a 5-6k prius from craigslist...Just saying looking at those 4 factors is another way to gauge your deal wherever you get a car, be it from craigslist or a dealer.  If the dealer doesn't give you a price that minimizes depreciation, repairs, gas, and insurance, then GTFO and move on, it really is that simple.

lthenderson

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Re: Dealing with used car salesmen
« Reply #17 on: July 12, 2016, 09:12:52 AM »
Sounds great in theory but I'm not taking twenty years to get to know someone...

Who said it took twenty years?

I'm just saying that people treat car dealers like lepers when trying to get the best price. I never understood the logic that sending twenty emails to random dealers thinking they are going to compete to get your business. They are going to do the minimal amount of work/pricing to get your business to reflect the minimal amount of work you put into dealing with them. If you take a morning talking with them, telling them what you want, letting them work for you, developing a relationship, you will get a lot more in return. Do it several times over the next decade and you will get even more back. Do it for a couple decades and you have a friend giving you the buddy discount and first crack on hard to get vehicles.

HipGnosis

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Re: Dealing with used car salesmen
« Reply #18 on: July 12, 2016, 09:28:00 AM »

Who said it took twenty years?

...SNIP... Do it for a couple decades and you have a friend giving you the buddy discount and first crack on hard to get vehicles.
LOL  You just did (again)

acroy

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Re: Dealing with used car salesmen
« Reply #19 on: July 12, 2016, 10:07:16 AM »
I like these tips
http://www.caranddriver.com/features/car-shopping-on-the-offensive-8-aggressive-buying-tactics-feature

they worked great for purchasing the last (used) car, especially:
'Sorry, this offer expires tonight'
'I could go down the street and get the same car'
'I don’t even want all this stuff' - when declining all the crap they try to add on

Own the discussion, You have the money.

lthenderson

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Re: Dealing with used car salesmen
« Reply #20 on: July 12, 2016, 02:14:21 PM »

Who said it took twenty years?

...SNIP... Do it for a couple decades and you have a friend giving you the buddy discount and first crack on hard to get vehicles.
LOL  You just did (again)
[/quote

Sounds great in theory but I'm not taking twenty years to get to know someone...

Who said it took twenty years?

If you take a morning talking with them, telling them what you want, letting them work for you, developing a relationship, you will get a lot more in return.

You are obviously blind, ignorant or both. My apologies.
« Last Edit: July 12, 2016, 02:20:11 PM by lthenderson »

clarkfan1979

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Re: Dealing with used car salesmen
« Reply #21 on: July 12, 2016, 03:20:31 PM »
Buy from a private party instead. It will save you time and money.

BoonDogle

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Re: Dealing with used car salesmen
« Reply #22 on: July 13, 2016, 01:23:46 PM »
I would recommend emailing all the local dealerships in your area (via their website) with what you are looking for (as specific as you can get) and your price range.  Let them know to only contact you when they have something that fits what you described.  I wouldn't give them my phone number, only email.  When you find a car you like, make sure you have the carfax and if you have a local mechanic that you trust, take it to them to look over for you.  On the carfax, I would look for local vehicles that have very few owners (preferable one or two), NO accidents, and no other red flags noted.

In addition, it would be wise to keep your eye out on Craigslist, local paper, and just driving around or riding your bike to see if any private parties are selling anything you are looking for.  If you find something, again get a carfax report and take to your mechanic.

And, as said above, be knowledgeable about market values.

neo von retorch

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Re: Dealing with used car salesmen
« Reply #23 on: July 13, 2016, 01:32:52 PM »
Recent anecdote - had a 2006 sports car with 40k miles on it. KBB was $13,200 for private sale; about $12k for trade. Dealer offered less than $10k initially, but bumped that to $10,500 hurriedly as I made my prompt exit. I sold the car for $13,500 after having it on Craigslist for a week.

Less recent anecdote - traded a 2 year old car for a reasonable price (though less than I should / could have gotten privately) so I could buy a 6 year old car, and walk away with a $6000 check. But... because of that big check, I did a poor job of negotiating. I could've paid at least $500 less, and could've likely gotten $500-1000 more for the trade. (The trade was the same make as the dealer, the old used car was a different make, so they really wanted this deal.)

Earlier this week, I bought a late model vehicle with a "no-haggle" price. Insanely, the web site no-haggle price was $3k higher than the one at the dealer, but still $3k less than the blue book value. Otherwise, I'd have steered clear. This was an unusual dealership - off the beaten path, they rely on excellent internet pricing to get you there, and then they hand you the keys to whatever car you want to drive and wait patiently for you back at the dealership. It's genius, and it worked on us. We drove three vehicles and bought the third on the spot.

daverobev

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Re: Dealing with used car salesmen
« Reply #24 on: July 13, 2016, 06:37:48 PM »
I sent an email to a dealer about a car the other day, with a list of questions.

Got an email back: Please call to discuss.

No, DICK HEAD, I fucking emailed you some questions because I wanted answers VIA EMAIL. If I wanted to talk to you I would've called.

UGH. I hate it when people do that. Really makes me cross.

I get it - they can sell to me if they can talk to me. It's just so impolite.

I don't understand how these people on commission make it. Just talking to them is repugnant. Don't they know that they come across as oily?

Hate it. Biggest problem I have is that I live in a small town an hour, nearly, away from the city - I don't want to be going in to look at stuff advertised by private sellers unless I can get 3-4 of them scheduled in, and there are usually only a couple I want to look at.

But, honestly, it's a good thing, because it means I haven't bought a car.. we've just got the one between us at the moment.

I've read the email blast - list out your options, specs etc - and send it to all the dealers local to you. That really works for new cars.

Used is hard, especially here with the rust.

JamesGreene

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Re: Dealing with used car salesmen
« Reply #25 on: July 13, 2016, 06:46:30 PM »

You should buy from a private party instead of that.Otherwise, read up on negotiation tactics.

snogirl

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Re: Dealing with used car salesmen
« Reply #26 on: July 15, 2016, 08:05:29 AM »
Step one for me is to not deal with used car salesmen.
My only time was a childhood friend who owns his own used car lot business and my 80 yr old mom needed a car.
He took care of her because he knows my family and I was happy about that since I do not live near her.

Helvegen

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Re: Dealing with used car salesmen
« Reply #27 on: July 15, 2016, 10:42:47 AM »
About 9 years ago, I needed a used car. I learned very quickly not to bother with dealers. The main reason for me was the absolutely ridiculously inflated prices they charged compared to the private seller market and the quality is the same or even worse. Dealers also can't be expected to give you a reasonable history of the car. We've bought some cars off of CL from the original or second owners who kept immaculate records. Good luck finding that at a dealer who buys probably 99% of the cars on the lot at auction.


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Re: Dealing with used car salesmen
« Reply #28 on: July 15, 2016, 10:52:29 AM »

If you're buying from one of the major car dealers and not some we-tote-the-note lot... The used car salesmen are under the same pressure as the new car salesmen to sell a target number of cars each month.  The day of the month matters.  Go in on the last day of the month.  Know the top amount you want to pay on the car.  If they say no (or their counter offer is far enough away that you'll never find a comfortable middle), thank them politely for their time and leave.

Likely they won't let you get out of the room.  If you do... they'll likely contact you before the day is over if they think you are a serious buyer and your offer is anywhere near a fair price.  They'll often make deals that lose them money on one car... in order to make their monthly numbers.  They generally have a tiered system.  You have to sell X cars to get anything.  X+5 cars gets you an extra bonus.  X+10 gets you another bonus.  X+15 even more.

FIRE47

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Re: Dealing with used car salesmen
« Reply #29 on: July 15, 2016, 11:04:03 AM »
I sent an email to a dealer about a car the other day, with a list of questions.

Got an email back: Please call to discuss.

No, DICK HEAD, I fucking emailed you some questions because I wanted answers VIA EMAIL. If I wanted to talk to you I would've called.

UGH. I hate it when people do that. Really makes me cross.

I get it - they can sell to me if they can talk to me. It's just so impolite.

I don't understand how these people on commission make it. Just talking to them is repugnant. Don't they know that they come across as oily?

Hate it. Biggest problem I have is that I live in a small town an hour, nearly, away from the city - I don't want to be going in to look at stuff advertised by private sellers unless I can get 3-4 of them scheduled in, and there are usually only a couple I want to look at.

But, honestly, it's a good thing, because it means I haven't bought a car.. we've just got the one between us at the moment.

I've read the email blast - list out your options, specs etc - and send it to all the dealers local to you. That really works for new cars.

Used is hard, especially here with the rust.

Yea this is the most annoying part - I just gave up since my current car is still in great condition and has years of life left - wanted to get something better on gas and extract some equity but ah well.

I get that they need to make money and want to make a sale but if you can't even stop with the bullshit long enough for me to have an honest conversation then a deal isn't going to happen with me. I don't care if they make a couple grand off of me on my trade and purchase - but don't try to make 10k off of me on a $9,500 car by skinning me on the trade.

If I could just get a straight answer that would be enough to start a negotiation - but they never give you even a hint of useful information until you are about ready to buy and have a specific car picked out etc.

Smart consumers just arent worth these used greasballs time I've figured out - why dicker with me when you can wait till the next sucker comes in an make a few grand more.

I have a call out to the one guy I can trust and if I have to wait for something decent to come accross his lot I will - other than that these guys arent worth dealing with.
« Last Edit: July 15, 2016, 11:06:06 AM by FIRE47 »

lthenderson

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Re: Dealing with used car salesmen
« Reply #30 on: July 17, 2016, 07:52:50 AM »
I think people need to get out and travel more. I spend quite a bit of time traveling to third world countries and EVERYTHING is negotiated from daily groceries on up. I think the problem I see here is that too many people that live in this country are used to just paying full price or not buying it with absolutely no negotiating so when they get into a situation where negotiating is expected, such as buying a car, they are woefully unprepared. I'm not sure I know of a solution. Perhaps somebody should throw up a car negotiating school to educate people that it doesn't have to put the fear of god into them to talk to a car salesman. I am friends with several and they are all decent folks trying to earn a living like the rest of us.

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!