How Not To Be The Salespersons Victim When Buying A New Car
Why do most folks have a miserable time when they're buying a new car?
It's pretty simple really.
You're trying to save the most money you can when you're buying a new car - while the people selling you the car are trying to make as large a profit as they can.
Two separate goals equals....nothing but trouble.
And unless you know exactly what you're doing, you're going to lose.
Most Sales People are paid a commission of 15% - 30% of the Gross Profit on every car they sell. So, it's not to surprising that people get treated poorly....
Because the size of their paycheck is based solely on how much they can get out of you when you're buying a new car.
So, here are my Top 10 Tips for you to use when buying a new car
How To Be The Victor When Buying A New Car - Top 10 Tips
Most salespeople in the car business undergo professional training when they first enter the business. And they undergo continuous training as required by the Manufacturers or the Ownership of the Dealer Organization that employs them.
These people know what they are doing....and look for certain type of people or behaviors from folks that are buying a new car.
Here are some great tips....and examples of what they look for....and what you need to know so you're not a VICTIM
- Don't Be A Payment Buyer - A Payment Buyer reveals to the salesperson what they can afford a month. Once that figure is known, the salesperson will make sure the Deal is at, or just above the buyers stated monthly payment. The result - wasted money and more profit to the New Car Dealer and Salesperson.
- Don't Be A Trade-In Buyer - The Trade-In Buyer reveals or hints to the salesperson that if they can get enough on their trade-in, they will buying a new car. This type of buyer usually ends up over-paying for the new car because they "got what they wanted for their trade".
- Inexperienced Women Buyers and Senior Citizens - Yep, a large percentage of Salespeople drool over women and senior citizens that walk-in to their Dealerships.
Many times, their excitement, innocence or a trusting nature, label them a car buying victim. Do your homework and don't be a pushover. - Low Income Households - Many times, these folks are obviously insecure when shopping for a new car. Add a poor or marginal credit history and they're a car buying victim. If this is you, do your homework and get approved for a loan...BEFORE you ever go near a Dealership. If you need help here, see our Free guide for those with marginal, poor or bad credit - and make sure you use it when buying a new car.
- Don't Be A Difference Buyer - These folks only care about the difference between what their car (trade-in) is worth and the sale price of the New Car. They have a magic number already imbedded in their brain and they share it with the salesperson. They just gave away at least $1000 and are they are now....victims.
- Do Your Homework - Do you want to enjoy buying a new car? Then spend some time getting the answers you need.
- Research the New Car Purchase, including auto loans and auto insurance - See our Free Research Guide - The 1st Commandment for Buying A New Car
- How To Select The Best New Car - Here's some real eye-opening advice on selection when buying a new car - See the 2nd Commandment: How To Select Gold
- How To Get The Best New Car Price Without Even Trying - See how you can get the best Sale Prices when buying a new car without even leaving your Home - See the 7th Commandment: Pricing Bliss.
- Learn What Will Happen The Day You Buy A New Car....And What To Watch Out For - Make sure you don't get ripped off when buying a new car....take a look at the Buyers Guide - See the 10th Commandment: Ownership Euphoria.
- Compare Apples To Apples - Not Apples to Oranges - When you begin the process of buying a new car, I want you to remember this very important fact....
"Manufacturers and Dealers make it very difficult to compare two vehicles side-by-side."
In fact, very few even make an honest effort at making it obvious. So, make sure you know exactly what you need in a new car, truck, van or SUV before you begin to price your choices. Car Manufacturers intentionally make it confusing and time consuming to compare "apples to apples" by offering all those silly "packages".
You know what I mean - To get Air Conditioning on a car you like, you'll need to get Package ZA1 (which also gets you the "Deluxe Trim Package" - whatever that is).
To get an automatic transmission, you need Package T1A (which also gets you a "Deluxe Wheel Package").
What ends up happening is this - you end-up focusing on a really nice Sedan that's $2,170 less than the other Sedan you were considering. What a great price, you say to yourself.
Then, after spending hours-and-hours of your valuable time, you find out that the Sedan you thought was cheaper is actually more than your other choice....because it doesn't have any of the features you really want. You have to add them as accessories.
Just remember, spend a few minutes early-on when you're thinking about buying a new car so you can be sure you're comparing apples-to-apples....not apples-to-oranges. - There Is A Huge Difference Between "The Sale Price" and "The Total Price" - Here's a little game that almost 4 out of 10 New Car Dealers Play....and it's not a fun game.
When you call, e-mail or just drop by a New Car Dealership and indicate you want a sale price, you can usually get one in as little as 10 minutes.
After you get that price, you start to think to yourself, Wow - that's a pretty good price.
Then you start to get excited. You start re-arranging your schedule so you can run out to the Dealership and take that baby Home. You can't believe your luck - what a great price!
So, you get someone to watch the kids, or skip the PTA meeting and drive on over.
And when you get there........that great price isn't so great anymore.
So, what happened? Well, you asked for a Sale Price, didn't you?
Guess what....that's all you got. Just the Sale Price on that pretty new car, van, truck or SUV you liked. No taxes were calculated. No State Fee's were added.
You got what you asked for - a "Sale Price" on that car, van, truck or SUV - nothing more.
It's a lousy stunt to pull, yet Car Dealers do it every day to folks that are buying a new car.
So here's a word of advice - when you are going to be buying a new car, always, always ask for the Total Price - with all Taxes and all Fee's included. You'll never end-up being disappointed again. - Daylight Is Your Friend - Buying a new car at night is a good way to make sure....that you'll have to return to the Dealership the next day.
Why's that? Well, I'd be willing to bet that almost 30% of new cars sold every day have some type of scratch, dent or marred surface that was either done at the Factory or at the Car Dealership.
And almost 70% of us pick-up that new car at night....when you can't see a darn thing. Yes, you'll definitely get the chance to inspect the vehicle before you leave, but that's not going to help you spot anything....because it's dark outside.
And once you drive-off, the car is yours. So, if you find a small scratch, dent, or marred surface the next morning, you won't get a lot of sympathy from the New Car Dealer.
If it's possible, never take delivery of a new car when it's dark out. Only take a new vehicle home when it's Daylight. And don't let the Sales Person push you into a picking-up the car at night. It's your money - tell them when you want to finish the deal. - Never Buy A Demo - Many times, New Car Dealers will offer a Demo vehicle at a substantial discount. Sometimes the discount is so fantastic your tongue is dragging the ground.
You'll be told that the Manager or one of the Corporate Executives drove it and it's been well taken care of.
That might be true....and it might not.
More than likely, one of the young Turks that works at that particular Dealership has been driving it around town.
And for the most part, Car Sales People have extremely aggressive driving habits and the vehicle takes a beating while they're behind the wheel.
No matter what the discount might be....and no matter how "wonderful" the price might be - avoid Demo's.
Tom O'Leary is an Automotive Portfolio Analyst, Author and has been called a modern-day "Robin Hood" for his efforts in helping the Automotive Consumer.
Are You buying a new car soon? Then get the lowest new car prices without leaving your home or office - see the table below.
Buying a New Car? The Best Prices are here.
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