PUrchasing strategy

[purbeast0]

while on the subject of used car prices in this thread and negotiating...

i've recently started looking at G37s and found a 2008 with 31k miles for $24k. it says that is an internet price only, and one of thep ictures shows a sticker price of like $27.5k or so. and doing some quick research on kbb it seems like the $24k is a pretty solid price.

thing is, it's been on the lot since november (according to the website). you think it would be worth trying to haggle even lower if i get serious about it?

 

[CPA]

while on the subject of used car prices in this thread and negotiating...

i've recently started looking at G37s and found a 2008 with 31k miles for $24k. it says that is an internet price only, and one of thep ictures shows a sticker price of like $27.5k or so. and doing some quick research on kbb it seems like the $24k is a pretty solid price.

thing is, it's been on the lot since november (according to the website). you think it would be worth trying to haggle even lower if i get serious about it?

Basically same thing happened to me earlier this week when I bought my used Titan. Instead of negotiating the price further, I instead negotiated my trade-in. They gave me what I wanted and I couldn't be happier.

I'm starting to find many dealerships are giving a "no-haggle" internet price. Not sure how solid that is, but I haven't had any luck bringing prices down. That said, I'm not a great negotiator.

 

[purbeast0]

Basically same thing happened to me earlier this week when I bought my used Titan. Instead of negotiating the price further, I instead negotiated my trade-in. They gave me what I wanted and I couldn't be happier.

I'm starting to find many dealerships are giving a "no-haggle" internet price. Not sure how solid that is, but I haven't had any luck bringing prices down. That said, I'm not a great negotiator.

thing is, the car i currently have for trade in is starting to have the normal wear/tear issues at 83k miles and will require some expensive maintenance soon. also, the rear bumper is cracked and my rear wiper is broken off from a snow storm.

when i took my car into the shop earlier this week, i told them not to fix anything just yet because i may get rid of it. they then told me they may be interested inp urchasing it, since they specialize in VW and i have a 20th anniversary gti. so im not sure how much they would give me compared to a trade in.

 

[WolverineGator]

OP, First let me apologize for crappy advice in your thread (EagleK's 1st post-assumes offer should include profit, but even at invoice they make a profit!) or the idea that dealers are 'desperate' to get rid of a vehicle. However, I agree with: DesiP (sell it yourself), Eos (pay cash/finance elsewhere).

Second, there are many stratagies to buy. Here is one that worked for me: www.fatwallet.com/forums/deal-discussion/505523. My new car was invoice price out-the-door. Remember, car dealers can make MORE money on used cars than new ones.

 

[purbeast0]

also to go along w/my quick story ... i may go drive up there and test drive it this weekend, and if i do, just ask them what i would get for my car, since i will have it up there with me.

 

[Cuda1447]

Ok, someone please tell me if I'm being unrealistic here. This is the email communication between myself and the GM of Sales. I feel a bit aggravated with her 'tone' via email. I may be taking it in a way not intended though, you guys tell me.

Cathy,

I appreciate the information. I was looking to spend around $25,000 on a car. Could you work with me on the price a bit?

Chad



Sorry, we will have to pass on this offer.

Can you do anything on the price? Im a really easy customer, I know exactly what I want and am willing to buy this Saturday.

At this point a few days go by with no return email from Cathy. Finally I emailed someone else at the dealership. This morning I get another email from Cathy.

Chad,

$26,950 is it, we are not going to consider the offer of $25,000.


Cathy

I let it go at this point, I'm willing to pay what they are asking. I next asked about my trade in. Initial offers were less than what I had expected and asked her to come up on the offer by about 1000 from her 'high' offer. I don't think its unreasonable, but I fear her response given the previous communication.

I just feel frustrated with this and if it wasn't that the car I wanted was so specific and hard to find, I'd just say screw it and look somewhere else. Am I being unreasonable here?

 

[ballmode]

Seems like they know you want the car and aren't willing to budge on price. I'd walk

 

[Cuda1447]

Seems like they know you want the car and aren't willing to budge on price. I'd walk

I told them I wanted the car. I thought it would make things easier. I said "Hey, I want this car. I'm willing to buy this Saturday. I'm shopping around a few options. Let me know what you can do"

I figure they'd appreciate a more direct route, rather than playing games acting like I dont know what I want. If they were nearby I'd just walk in and talk it out with them, unfortunately they are a 2 hour drive.

 

[Eos]

I'm afraid of getting the refusal to negotiate tactic, too. It seems like ballers just offer a super low amount, and the dialogue starts, as if the low price is of no concern to the dealer.

Sounds like a fairly rare vehicle. I hope you can recover and still buy it!

 

[Capt Caveman]

I told them I wanted the car. I thought it would make things easier. I said "Hey, I want this car. I'm willing to buy this Saturday. I'm shopping around a few options. Let me know what you can do"

I figure they'd appreciate a more direct route, rather than playing games acting like I dont know what I want. If they were nearby I'd just walk in and talk it out with them, unfortunately they are a 2 hour drive.

If $26.950 is supposedly a good price, coming in at $25k would tell me that you're not serious in buying the car. And if I wasn't in the mood to play games, I would have stopped the discussion also.

 

[MiataNC]

No one gets a prize for making the best deal on a car. You just have to be happy with the deal you make.

If a dealer has the exact car you want (options, color, etc.), and that car is not easy to find, you have to be prepared to pay more. The dealer can and will demand more, because of limited supply. You have no leverage over the dealer, and he does not have to sell it to you for less than he wants. You can't truly negotiate unless you are willing to walk away and get another car (even if it is another make/model).

There is no shame in paying a little more for something if it is exactly what you want.

 

[Eos]

If $26.950 is supposedly a good price, coming in at $25k would tell me that you're not serious in buying the car. And if I wasn't in the mood to play games, I would have stopped the discussion also.

So there are times where haggling is nearly worthless?

Price below invoice (aka a price the buyer is willing to pay) + dealer willing to sell = sold?

 

[xSkyDrAx]

I told them I wanted the car. I thought it would make things easier. I said "Hey, I want this car. I'm willing to buy this Saturday. I'm shopping around a few options. Let me know what you can do"

I figure they'd appreciate a more direct route, rather than playing games acting like I dont know what I want. If they were nearby I'd just walk in and talk it out with them, unfortunately they are a 2 hour drive.

The second you tell them you really want THAT car you basically given up your position of power. When they don't know if you want this car or another one from somewhere else, they gotta try and sell you their car which includes tactics like lowering the price.

If they know you're already sold on the car and just trying to pocket some extra money then they know that all they have to do really is test how much you really want it by not budging.

 

[Cuda1447]

No one gets a prize for making the best deal on a car. You just have to be happy with the deal you make.

If a dealer has the exact car you want (options, color, etc.), and that car is not easy to find, you have to be prepared to pay more. The dealer can and will demand more, because of limited supply. You have no leverage over the dealer, and he does not have to sell it to you for less than he wants. You can't truly negotiate unless you are willing to walk away and get another car (even if it is another make/model).

There is no shame in paying a little more for something if it is exactly what you want.

Although I want something specific, they also have a car that not many people are willing to buy, as is evidence by it sitting on there lot for over a month. And I am ok with walking away from the car. I don't have to have it, its just if I'm going to get something, this is what I want. I figured that gave me a bit more negotiating power, but I'm starting to think some of these dealerships aren't going to negotiate.

 

[MiataNC]

Although I want something specific, they also have a car that not many people are willing to buy, as is evidence by it sitting on there lot for over a month. And I am ok with walking away from the car. I don't have to have it, its just if I'm going to get something, this is what I want. I figured that gave me a bit more negotiating power, but I'm starting to think some of these dealerships aren't going to negotiate.

Check back on the last day of this month, and at the end of March, April, etc. If the car is still there, the dealer may be willing to meet your price.

 

[A5]

So there are times where haggling is nearly worthless?

Price below invoice (aka a price the buyer is willing to pay) + dealer willing to sell = sold?

If they price they're listing is already pretty good, then yeah haggling probably won't get you anywhere. If they won't hit the price you are willing to pay (and you believe the price you are asking for is fair and have done some research to back that up), then you just have to walk away.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Show up one day before the end of month. Make your offer (splitting the difference) and see what they do. No communication beforehand. Then be prepared to leave your number and walk away, stating your offer is good for a week. The email or phone call should come in. They have sales targets that they try to meet.