How to know what dealer paid for the vehicle....?

Question

Want to know where to start in the haggling process so I can get a good deal and dealer gets a fair profit.

Answer 1

I use to be married to a used car dealer --- rule of thumb--- if the car is being offered at 6,000.00 the dealer got it for around 3,000.00 --- and no they aren't going haggle too much --- if you get one to settle for less than a few hundred dollars off the posted price you are doing well... If you know a good mechanic - take him/her with you to the car auction and buy your used vehicle there --- that's how I got some beautiful Eldorado's to drive ---averaged between 700 - 1000.00 dollars --- and that's for the really sharp looking cars not junky ones either! Last time I bought a used Eldorado at auction was in 2000--- with the money I saved - I was able to afford a brand new car in 2002---

Answer 2

There are many different price guide books out there... one has values for "Retail" and "Wholesale". Car lots usually pay close to the wholesale price, but not always.

My grandpa sold his old minivan and a camping trailer and was looking for a new mini van. He found a two or three year old Chevy Astro with a 11,000 sticker price.. a little out of his budget. After some haggling he got it for only $6500! The dealer said it had been on his lot too long and that was why agreed to go so low. Haggling can work!

I agree with the car auction suggestion.. but from experience be warned! There are LEMONS! and no lemon law will help you... Some of the more reputable auction places will let you test drive the vehicle a couple days before the auction.

Answer 3

Go to their website. Most manufacturers post the dealer's cost since it's widely available anyway.

The posted cost is usually higher than the true dealer cost due to factory-to-dealer incentives and dealer holdback. Holdback is a percentage of the MSRP of the vehicle (typically 3% on US cars, less on imports) that is paid to the dealer by the factory usually once per quarter.

I usually start about 5% below factory invoice and negotiate up from there. It's very possible, if you are a good negotiator, to buy a car for little if anything over factory invoice. This does not apply to vehicles that are in high demand and tight supply, such as most Toyotas (especially the Prius and RAV4) and most Hondas. Most of those sell for full MSRP and sometimes more.

Answer 4

what i would do is this research the vehicle that i wanted find out what the msrp is and keep in mind that also allows for the sales persons commission and go to the dealership check the car out that i and and when i was asked what i wanted to spend i would put off that question by saying i want to find the vehicle that is right for my needs first. test drive a few then tell them this is the one i want and i know the msrp is x amount and is what i deserve to pay not not what is on the price tag at the dealership the if they gave me a hard time i would just write down my offer for the car and my phone number and leave . I would go and do this on the last day of the month.

Answer 5

you can't!!!!!!!!!!!