Things You'll Need:
- Decide what type or style vehicle is wanted.
- Determine the features you MUST have in the vehicle.
- Figure your real budget for the purchase.
- Do your homework prior to stepping into the arena.
- By searching on the internet you can find where what you want is located, the market values and other important information about the vehicle you want.
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Step 1
Ready, set, go!! Arrive at the place where the vehicle you want is located and check in with the sales department if it is a dealership or the owner if it is a private sale and let them know your here to see the vehicle that they advertised. You will be escorted to the vehicle. Note: at a dealership the common practice is to sit down and provide basic information such as name, address, telephone number. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO DISCLOSE YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER NOW FOR ANY REASON!! Until you make a buying decision and unless you are planning to use the dealerships financing sources to pay for the car there is no need for you to reveal this very personal information. The dealership can use this to "qualify" you as a buyer and then determine a plan of action to "sell" you a car~ not necessarily help you to buy one.
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Step 2
If the vehicle is worthy of your further attention make plans to have it evaluated for mechanical defects or cosmetic reconditioning. Most dealers have the expertise available to help you determine what may be needed and how much it may cost in addition to the price of the vehicle. If not in the local area there will be a facility like Midas or Mineke or a local garage who will only charge you $50.00 or less to give you the evaluation. Any dealer who refuses to allow you to do this should be considered someone not to buy a vehicle from.
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Step 3
In our state we are allowed by regulation to sell a car AS-IS/AS-SHOWN and therefore we can bottom line price the vehicle for those customers who are knowledgeable about car repairs and reconditioning. Often our trade are shown to customers exactly as they were traded with the exception of general cleaning. Because we have neighbors who can inspect, repair, recondition the vehicles within close proximity we can perform any and all of the customer required actions and price them accordingly.
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Step 4
Upon concluding that the vehicle is worthy of your money begin the negotiations with the dealer/owner. Because you did your homework before hand you have a good idea what the market value of the vehicle you want is. In the event as often times it happens you choose a vehicle you didn't do your homework on, ask the dealer to allow you use of the internet or a NADA book value guide before continuing the negotiations. Let them know you want to buy the vehicle and want to do that right now, they will bend over backwards to help you since they WANT to sell a vehicle. If you don't feel the spirit of cooperation, again you may want to consider not doing business there.
