How do you "talk down" a car salesmen?

Question

I hear it all the time, people make it sound so casual "oh just talk him down" and they get a better deal. But what do you actually say, especially if the car is new and has the sticker price with all of the costs right on it? When is the best time in the buying processes to start this talk?

Answer 1

After doing research on pricing and options for one particular model, I visited multiple dealers within a 45 mile radius. Inquired with each of them as to what the best deal would be, then leave and tell them i'd visit other dealerships. got a different range of responses.. one dealership was friendly and willing to work with me.. another looked into my low range bid and gave me condescending remarks when i said i'd visit another shop (which ticked me off so i cut the conversation short.. of course, the same salesman gives me a follow-up call 2 days later).

best time to do this is when you're not desperate to buy a new car..

Answer 2

You'll get some good deals during the Presidents day sales in February. Also, many dealers still have some left over 2006 cars on the lot. They are usually willing to negotiate on those models. Look in the Sunday paper. The NEW cars advertised are usually at the lowest possible price. Lower then what YOU could negotiate. They advertise so you can come in and maybe buy a higher priced model. Many times there is only one advertised car in stock Check the paper early and get to the dealer early. They usually advertise the low end model not the high end. For example, they'll advertise a 4 cylinder with steal wheel a/c power windows. They will not advertise the 6 or 8 cylinder of the same model with chrome wheels, leather, and all the upgrades. New cars (non-advertised) on the lot usually sell anywhere from $500 to $3000 off sticker depending on model and price. If the price is $25,195 tell the sales person you'll pay $22,000. He'll come back at $25,000 after speaking to the manager. Then it's your turn again. It'll go back and forth until you either except or he won't budge anymore. If you are SERIOUS tell him you will buy one TODAY at the right price. LEAVE YOUR TRADE OUT OF THE DEAL until you get the best price. Then ask what they can do on the trade. Find out the TRADE-IN value first not the RETAIL VALUE.

Answer 3

You start by knowing what the vehicle cost the dealership. This is not hard for new vehicles at all. The data is pretty much public. For used vehicles it is even easier. Purchase an NADA car guide and carry it with you on the lot. Always offer the dealer something lower than the "low retail" cost of the vehicle, and when they tell you that "they have to make some money" tell them, that you have no problem with them making a profit, but that you'll need to see proof of what they paid for the vehicle before you'll accept that as a reason to accept anything more than the "low retail" in the NADA guide. (You can get that guide at most car parts stores.) Make sure that they understand that you are shopping for value, and they will start by showing you the vehicles that they think are the best "buy" for the money.

Answer 4

I find all these answers so humorous! I sell cars for a living and get a real kick out of all these tips and tricks. Look to be quite frank we are giving the public what they have asked for! We don't and can't mark vehicles way up, the market is way too competive and customers are way too informed. Go to one of the many websites such as Auto Trader.com or cars.com. The prices you see on there are the best deal you are going to get. The one guy that reccomended using Kelly Blue Book or NADA please come see me! I would love to work off of their suggested retail prices be it low high middle or whatever. And by the way you are never going to get a dealer to show you what they paid for a used vehicle. Would you go to Wal Mart and demand to see what they paid for that DVD you are buying and offer to pay .50 over so that they can have their profit? You people have no business comprehension whatsoever! Do you realize there are transportation expenses, detailing, minor repairs, etc. etc.. What we pay for a used vehicle and what we have to sell it for just to break even are'nt even close. Look find a good salesman that you like and trust, pay a fair price for the vehicle and expect superior service after the sale. First of all you idiots that come in and offer ridiculous prices are just laughed and run off the property. You idiots that want to give what the dealer paid for the vehicle are the same ones in here getting mad because we won't repair your transimission for free a year after you bought the vehicle. Go take a Business class and learn how the real world operates!

Answer 5

Don't ever negotiate with a car salesman. they have all the time in the world and no problem wasting yours.

Go to a site like www.kbb.com and find out what the actual selling price is for the car you want.

Go to a dealer, tell them you'll pay that and nothing more. if they say anything other than "yes", politely, but firmly leave your phone number and tell them you're leaving to go to another dealer. You will buy from the first dealer who meets your price.

Negotiation with car salesmen is pointless. Name your price and leave if they won't give it to you.

Most of the time, they'll try to get you before you get to the door. Be insistent, polite, but firm. Demand that they meet your price or you'll give somebody else a shot.

Answer 6

Don't discuss what you are willing to pay per month. I am serious, side step that question everytime the salesman ask's.

If you say for example $500.00 per month,y ou will be held to that, they are gonna go into the finance manager, work the numbers as such and make you believe they cant go lower on payments or interest. They will give you some song and dance about the bank not willing to lower the interest because you didnt put enough down or your credit is not good enough for them. Tthey will work the numbers, patronize you and quote $700-$800. Now your mad at them and pissed at yourself and just as your about to walk out, they give you the let me see what else I can do song and dance, work the number and qoute you $575-650.00 which comes off as a better deal.

It is sorta ok to tell them what you might be able to work out, but don't talk payment to a salesman, save that for a finance manager. He has to work under pressure which puts you at an advantage.

Answer 7

Consumer Reports has a complete section aimed at arming you with all the information you can handle about cars, prices, and negotiating. Last time I looked, it started with a section telling you how to find out what the dealer paid, and so on, and so on.

The more you know, the better off you are.

Also, at the car dealership, you'll get to chat with a car salesman. Anytime you make an offer, he'll have to take it to a manager, then return with a yes or no. Read CR and find out how to bypass the salesman and meet the manager you have to deal with.

Good Luck

Answer 8

first of all shanem1c1 is right. I sell cars for a living. The dealerships do have to pay the workers, lights, rent, wash boys.
This is what I recommend go in find the car you want if it is used go in and say i will give you a grand over what you payed for the car. That is very fair on both parts. On a new car just watch for sales for about two months and then what ever the lowest price was on the car you wanted offer them that don't go up.

Answer 9

Go to the dealership armed with information about the car you are interested in. Get familiar with the "book value" of a car..There is a book called the Kelly Blue Book...It will show you what a car with a certain year, and number of miles will cost you..
If you are not pleased with the deal or the salesman is showing you cars out of your range and comfort..walk away.

Answer 10

i must respectfully disagree with jonny. I just bought a new truck, and basically what i did to get him way below what he wanted...i just seemed very casual...like it didn't make a difference to me whether or not i got the truck. i made him an offer, he turned it down. i made him another offer slightly higher, but not too much higher, which he also turned down. Then, i said calmy that it was all the higher i could go. I was very polite, and wrote my name and number and my offer on a piece of paper, gave it to him, shook his hand and walked out. An hour and a half later i got a call saying they accepted my offer. That's my method, i think it works pretty good.