How to Haggle With Used Car Dealers
If you do not haggle with used car dealers, you may end up paying too much. Doing price research on the car you want to buy should give you plenty of negotiating power. The Internet offers a wealth of information about pricing and easy-to-access dealer inventories. If you can't work out a good deal at one dealer, keep shopping.
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Instructions
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Shop around until you find the car you want to buy. Test drive it to make sure you are satisfied with the way it drives and that it needs no repairs.
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Do not buy on the spot. Before agreeing to purchase, research the price and the going rate for cars in the area. Go to the NADA, Edmunds and Kelley Blue Book website to determine a fair value.
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Check both the retail and trade-in amounts from all websites. The retail price is a starting point for negotiations, so start from the amount you found online to determine the right price for the vehicle. Go to the AutoTrader, AllofCraigs and eBay Motor websites to find pricing of the same makes and models.
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Compare the pricing to the Edmunds, NADA or Kelley Blue Book appraised retail values. Come up with a fair offer. This is usually $1,000 to $2,000 below suggested retail pricing. If the values you have found for similar cars are even lower, adjust the price accordingly to remain consistent with the competition.
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Call your dealer representative and tell her you would like to return to discuss numbers and hopefully make a purchase. Your readiness to buy is a strong negotiating tool. Once you are back at the dealership, ask the dealer for his best price.
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Tell the dealership you are willing to buy that day. If your representative makes an offer below the price you wanted, take it. If he cannot meet your price and you believe it is fair, walk away. The dealer may own the vehicle for too much money. If the dealer is close, but cannot reach your number, ask for the extra discount in free oil changes or servicing.
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Ask for free accessories for your vehicle, such as all-weather floor mats, or extra key and key fob. Dealers are usually able to give away items they have in stock if they cannot discount the vehicle any further.
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Tips & Warnings
During negotiations, after you ask for the dealer's best price, be silent while awaiting your dealer's price offer; let him discuss price first. Do not be rude if the offer is higher than what you believe to be a fair price after your research; simply state your offer.
If you are sure you want a vehicle that you have test driven, but need to do more price research, leave a small deposit and ask if you can return later in the day. The dealer can sell the vehicle before your return if you do not leave a deposit. Ask the dealer if he can hold the vehicle.
If you cannot easily find the car you want online for price comparisons, the vehicle may be hard to get. Uncommon vehicles are likely to sell for higher prices.
