10.31.07
Top 10 Things to Never Say to a Dealer
The dealership experience can be extremely stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. You could know everything there is to know about the cars you’re considering, but that’s only a fraction of the buying process. If you want that seductive new sedan at a good price, you’re probably going to need to know what to say — and more importantly, what not to say.
Some people loathe the whole car-buying experience simply because they anticipate getting conned. A few hundred dollars isn’t a big deal on the price of a luxury car, but it’s the idea of smart shopping and that sense of getting a good deal that’s especially important. For luxury car buyers — notoriously labeled the shrewd shoppers — a good deal is icing on the cake.
“The educated consumer is the one who will drive away with the best deal and the best experience,” says Rob Gentile, director of car-buying products at Consumer Reports.
To help you take the driver’s seat in the buying experience, first learn to play the game, and you might even end up doing some smooth talking of your own.
Ready, Set, Go!
1. “I’m ready to buy now.”
This is an admission of weakness and an invitation for the dealer to throw out a price that’s slightly below the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) to see if you’ll take the bait. It shows that you’re too eager and willing to consider an offer, and it also gives salespeople the advantage by allowing them to talk you up as opposed to you talking them down. But by adding some very precise parameters, you’ll sound confident and strong from the start. Read the rest of this entry »