How to Negotiate with a Car Dealer

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By eveewonder
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Negotiate with a Car Dealer Like a Pro

There are several steps to successful negotiation with a Car Dealership. You will save thousands if you use these steps to negotiate with the car salesman at the dealership when you go to buy your new car.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Confidence
Knowledge
Determination
Sense of Humor

Step 1

Prior to going to the dealership do your homework and research so you know what car you would like to buy and what price you are willing to pay.
Step 2

Be pleasant but firm with the salesman. There is no need to go to a dealership and be overly aggressive and combative. Salespeople are human too.
Step 3

Tell the salesman up front what vehicle you want and what price you will pay. Don't tell him what payment you want. Tell him or her, the price of the car is what you are willing to discuss.
Step 4

Make the salesperson try to negotiate up from your low number of the invoice price less rebates. Don’t you negotiate down from their high MSRP number.
Step 5

If you are trading in a vehicle make sure you look at the trade in values on the internet. Tell them the highest number you want for your trade. Make them negotiate down from your high number don’t let them make you try to negotiate up from their low number.
Step 6

If you will be financing a vehicle use a payment calculator prior to going to the dealership so you are well aware of what your monthly payment will look like. You can search for “auto payment calculator” to find a good tool to use on the internet.
Step 7

Make it clear to the salesman that you don't want to waste their time or yours. Tell them what you want and let them know if they can meet your price you are willing to buy if not you will be leaving. Salesman make money on the number of vehicles sold so if you make it easy for them to sell you a car they are much more willing to take a deal that may not initially make them as much profit. They will make up that loss in bonus money and by quickly making a sale with you allowing them more time to sell another vehicle.
Step 8

Don’t be afraid to ask to speak to the manager quickly if you feel the salesman or woman is reluctant to take your offer to the manager. Many salespeople are afraid or reluctant to take a low profit deal to their manager. Don’t be afraid to speak to the manager directly. In many dealerships the managers sit up in a “sales tower”. Don’t let this intimidate you.
Step 9

Remember you are in control. Don’t be intimidated but don’t be aggressive or nasty. The dealership needs to sell you a car more than you need to buy one.
Step 10

Don’t be afraid to say “thank you for your time” and walk out if you feel they are wasting your time or treating you unfairly. You can leave your phone number and tell them to call if they are interested in making the deal before you go to the next dealer.