Negotiating for Cars over the phone is so much better...

[aphex]

So we've been looking for a new car for the soon-to-be-wifey for a short while now... Today we decided, rather than hit up the dealerships and deal with the crap (since we know what cars were looking for and no longer need a test drive), we thought we try out calling the dealerships and see what they can work through over the phone.

Now, last time I bought a car, I came armed with KBB Values, FMV Price, Invoices, etc... I brought everything including the kitchen sink, but still had to walk out a few times to get them to the price i wanted (i think I ended up $500+ under invoice) Anyway, it was still a pain.

This time, with calling, it was so much easier (granted, we havent decided on anything yet), but it was much less confrontational, and we were able to sit there on the computer and crunch the numbers and see what worked. When a dealer gave us a highball, we knew right away... Also, I was surprized how quickly many of them called back. Most dealers, as soon as we hung up, within 5-10 minutes they had "spoken to their manager" and managed to knock the price down even more.

Anyway, just thought i'd chime in as this was my first time even trying to do this over the phone. Honestly, I prefer it. Can hit up multiple dealerships in one day, AND not have to waste the ENTIRE day (which it always seems to do).

 

[Vich]

What numbers did you crunch to see what worked? Like financing and leasing? Or something else?

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: Vich
What numbers did you crunch to see what worked? Like financing and leasing? Or something else?

We were actually running both, still not sure what direction we're gonna go. One thing they technically can't do over the phone though is run a credit check.

I believe he mentioned they can do it online once we get to that point, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

 

[Fenixgoon]

what cars are you looking at? i imagine that phone/internet deals are much better since it's much harder to intimidate people when you're not face to face

 

[Sukhoi]

Originally posted by: aphex
So we've been looking for a new car for the soon-to-be-wifey for a short while now... Today we decided, rather than hit up the dealerships and deal with the crap (since we know what cars were looking for and no longer need a test drive), we thought we try out calling the dealerships and see what they can work through over the phone.

Now, last time I bought a car, I came armed with KBB Values, FMV Price, Invoices, etc... I brought everything including the kitchen sink, but still had to walk out a few times to get them to the price i wanted (i think I ended up $500+ under invoice) Anyway, it was still a pain.

This time, with calling, it was so much easier (granted, we havent decided on anything yet), but it was much less confrontational, and we were able to sit there on the computer and crunch the numbers and see what worked. When a dealer gave us a highball, we knew right away... Also, I was surprized how quickly many of them called back. Most dealers, as soon as we hung up, within 5-10 minutes they had "spoken to their manager" and managed to knock the price down even more.

Anyway, just thought i'd chime in as this was my first time even trying to do this over the phone. Honestly, I prefer it. Can hit up multiple dealerships in one day, AND not have to waste the ENTIRE day (which it always seems to do).

How exactly do you walk back in? You mean the dealer runs after you into the parking lot and tells you they'll negotiate more?

 

[Ika]

A friend of mine scored a nice deal on a new '07 Camry a couple months back (when they were really hot) by negotiating online and over the phone.

 

[gsethi]

I am also searching for a new car and am dealing with the dealers over email/phone. Its amazing on their initial offer and then when i quote them offers from other dealers, they say that they will beat them. I am talking about ~3k on the same car, same model, same exact options.

Right now, i have a quote for a 07 Honda Pilot at 25100 (~1.6k under invoice) from 2 dealers. Lets see how low I can get. I was almost ready to purchase it at 26k but decided to just offer 25.4k to another dealer and he came back with 25.3k. Gave 25.3k to the previous dealer and they came back with 25.1k. Wondering where it will end....

I was seriously shocked by some of these quotes as I had a few dealers who clearly refused me at 26.3k for the vehicle and I walked out.

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: Sukhoi

Originally posted by: aphex
So we've been looking for a new car for the soon-to-be-wifey for a short while now... Today we decided, rather than hit up the dealerships and deal with the crap (since we know what cars were looking for and no longer need a test drive), we thought we try out calling the dealerships and see what they can work through over the phone.

Now, last time I bought a car, I came armed with KBB Values, FMV Price, Invoices, etc... I brought everything including the kitchen sink, but still had to walk out a few times to get them to the price i wanted (i think I ended up $500+ under invoice) Anyway, it was still a pain.

This time, with calling, it was so much easier (granted, we havent decided on anything yet), but it was much less confrontational, and we were able to sit there on the computer and crunch the numbers and see what worked. When a dealer gave us a highball, we knew right away... Also, I was surprized how quickly many of them called back. Most dealers, as soon as we hung up, within 5-10 minutes they had "spoken to their manager" and managed to knock the price down even more.

Anyway, just thought i'd chime in as this was my first time even trying to do this over the phone. Honestly, I prefer it. Can hit up multiple dealerships in one day, AND not have to waste the ENTIRE day (which it always seems to do).

How exactly do you walk back in? You mean the dealer runs after you into the parking lot and tells you they'll negotiate more?

Yes, well one time i got to the door leading outside the dealership, the second time I was in my car and he flagged me down and talked to me through my window

 

[giantpinkbunnyhead]

Originally posted by: aphex

Originally posted by: Sukhoi

Originally posted by: aphex
So we've been looking for a new car for the soon-to-be-wifey for a short while now... Today we decided, rather than hit up the dealerships and deal with the crap (since we know what cars were looking for and no longer need a test drive), we thought we try out calling the dealerships and see what they can work through over the phone.

Now, last time I bought a car, I came armed with KBB Values, FMV Price, Invoices, etc... I brought everything including the kitchen sink, but still had to walk out a few times to get them to the price i wanted (i think I ended up $500+ under invoice) Anyway, it was still a pain.

This time, with calling, it was so much easier (granted, we havent decided on anything yet), but it was much less confrontational, and we were able to sit there on the computer and crunch the numbers and see what worked. When a dealer gave us a highball, we knew right away... Also, I was surprized how quickly many of them called back. Most dealers, as soon as we hung up, within 5-10 minutes they had "spoken to their manager" and managed to knock the price down even more.

Anyway, just thought i'd chime in as this was my first time even trying to do this over the phone. Honestly, I prefer it. Can hit up multiple dealerships in one day, AND not have to waste the ENTIRE day (which it always seems to do).

How exactly do you walk back in? You mean the dealer runs after you into the parking lot and tells you they'll negotiate more?

Yes, well one time i got to the door leading outside the dealership, the second time I was in my car and he flagged me down and talked to me through my window

LOL that happened to me once before! I love how they flip flop between "we can afford to lose your sale, your offer's too cheap" to "please save us from going under, buy this for a buck!" It really does seem that getting up from the table and walking out is a big money saver.

 

[Gravity]

I hate buying cars. I'd almost rather pay someone to do the negotiating for me. I never feel like I've gotten a good deal. Prolly why I buy used almost exclusively, owner to owner.

 

[zoiks]

I'm looking for a 2007 G35. The dealer quoted me 38500 for the sport version 6MT with the Premium,Technology and Nav packages yesterday.
Dunno if I want to get it from the dealer or whether if I should buy it from a private party a couple of months down the road.