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When looking for a car it is important to stay
informed, do your research and know what you want
before you step foot in the dealership. Here are
some things to consider when “dealing” with a
dealership.
Remain Cool – (Show No Fear)
Don’t let a dealer know you are desperate for a new
car. If a salesperson catches wind that your old car
has died, your ability to haggle will be lost. Also
don’t let on if you “fall in love” with a car you
must have. Salespeople love customers who are
smitten and unable to haggle.
Get it in Writing
Ask the salesperson to provide a written quote
outlining how much the car will cost overall
including the trade-in value, interest, taxes and
fees. It is important to know the monthly payments,
but also to know how long you will pay and how much
you will have paid when the loan ends. Make sure you
are comparing apples to apples. A dealer may offer
lower monthly payments but amortize the loan over 40
months rather than 36 to lower the payment.
Look Beyond the
Sticker Price
The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP)
found on a vehicle’s window is not important. What
you need to know is how much the dealer paid for the
car. To find out, research what cars are selling for
after rebates and dealer incentives. Several
websites provide this information.
Run the Numbers
Check the figures yourself. Pull out a calculator
and run the numbers before you sign anything.
Don’t Get Conned at Trade-in Time
Be suspicious if a dealer offers to pay more for
your used car than you think it is worth. Some
dealers will try to “woo” you with a generous
trade-in allowance and then hide the difference in
the price of the car – inflated to make up the
difference.
Review Dealer Financing C-A-R-E-F-U-L-L-Y
Some dealers make money “selling” financing to
customers. Dealers sell a loan product to customers
(called a Retail Installment Sales Contract) then
sell the contract to a bank or other lender for a
profit. The higher the interest rate they can get
customers to pay, the more they make.
Compare Auto Insurance Prices
Dealers often have insurance agents on call, or on
staff, to help you get on the road as quickly as
possible. Look beyond this convenience to ensure you
are getting a good deal. Remember, insurance agents
work on commission, so the more insurance they sell
you, the more money they make. |
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