OT: Buying A New Car Online?

JeffReef

New member
Has anyone here bought a new car online? I'm helping a family member buy a car but I'd rather not sit in the dealer's desk for 3 hours trying to negotiate. We already know what car to buy.

I know it can be done but I just don't know how.
 
I'm looking for one right now!!
Good minds think alike.
:)

#1 thing to do is walk in with CASH!!! When a cars price is $6,600 and you actually lay out $6,000 in Hundreds on the table
(I staple 10 100's together to make a thousand, it makes a huge impression with all that cash laid out like that.

I think it feeds on a brain function or something.
They are VERY inclined to want the cash NOW, and become VERY flexible on the price.
I've gotten a vehicle down $1,200 from asking price with this technique. It works very well for me.


I look on craigslist, and autotrader, sometimes ebay, and sometimes a trip to the Sierra Collage vehicle swap weekend sales.

If you are going to buy private party, go cash; no cashiers checks; no money orders, no company/person checks,
JUST PURE HARD CASH.
Speaks louder than anything else

PS I have bought my last 4 vehicles from online ads
 
Steve,
We're looking to get a brand new car. I think there is a way to submit an offer to new car dealers- I just don't know how it's done.

We're paying cash and no trade-ins. :)
 
I have done this a few times, and it has always gotten me great prices.

1. Call all the local dealers and ask for their Internet sales manager or fleet sales manager. Do not talk to a regular sales person. When you talk to the dealer, ask them for the fleet manager email address so that you can email them the exact things you want. Do not talk to them specifics about the car because you don't want them to "pressure" you. It's hard to guilt someone into purchasing a car if you don't associate them with a real person.

2. Email each of them the description of the car you want to purchase and ask for the best pricing they can get. Make sure you email everything you want because if you show up with a price and decided to add something on, they will jack up the price.

3. Now get the lowest price you have, and email all the other dealers and ask them if they can beat the price. Do not tell them who has the lowest deal.

4. Repeat step three over and over until no dealers can go any lower.

Chances are, you will get a really good price. Stacy did this with our Acura MDX, and we got an incredible deal. The whole process took two days, and she did it while at work during her break/lunch. Also helps if you purchase towards the end of the month.

Last - don't purchase from Costco or your credit union. They have decent pricing if you don't like to haggle, but they don't have the lowest price. Also make sure that you have all your financing done because you won't get a great financing deal at the dealership.

With that said - I sometime miss the old days when I would go into the dealership and haggle with them. I always considered it a exercise in mind f***. :D
Minh
 
Last edited:
Oh - if they ask you for a trade in, don't tell them that you don't have one. Just tell them that you would consider it. If anything, you can mislead them into thinking that you are going to do a trade in, but don't make any promises. Also - you can make them think that you are going to finance through them, but don't let them know. If I remember correctly, you can do all the "financing" through them, but still have 7 days to find alternative financing. So if it helps you, fill out all the finance paper. Then a few days later, go in and pay the car off in full.
 
BTW - if they try to pull the "we are selling it at cost and are not making any money" - it's a bunch of BS. A lot of dealers get rebates for cars sold. So it's possible for them to sell a car for "below invoice" and still make money. In addition, if the dealer sells more cars, they get better selections of cars in the future. Dealers also make a lot of money off from service (they are hoping you will go back to them for service) and selling used car. But always buy your car at the end of the month. I usually start negotiation about 2 days before the last day. I tell them that if we can agree on a price, I will be in before the end of the month.
 
I like your style Minh :D
After my very first white nuckled sweaty all nighter at the dealership I vowed never again. Now when Ive had to go I enjoy a good mind****'n myself ;) I'll prescout all the areas on the best prices in town for the few cars I would want. Carry $1,500 on me and tell them I'll consider buying the truck today if you take at least 2k off the bat. Like Steve says, works very well.

Agreed as well, never do a trade in unless necessary. Most dealerships cap them at $500. Shoot, California is willing to give you a $1000 for parkin it with them if it doesnt pass smog:rolleyes:

-Justin
 
Well in actuality, it is always better to walk in selling them lies as they are with you. Let them know you want financing (more money their way) and try to haggle the price down as low as possible. Know also that the prices for something new is generally overstated by about $5-$7k over. They will lower down the price if you "finance" the vehicle anyway... When you get to the price you want, let them know you are purchasing it cash... watch their jaws drop... I know because it has worked.... If you know Rod Mcfadyen he can give you pointers also Jeff. He used to be a car salesman. But mislead them as much as they mislead you.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9653713#post9653713 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TeeLapia
Well in actuality, it is always better to walk in selling them lies as they are with you. Let them know you want financing (more money their way) and try to haggle the price down as low as possible. Know also that the prices for something new is generally overstated by about $5-$7k over. They will lower down the price if you "finance" the vehicle anyway... When you get to the price you want, let them know you are purchasing it cash... watch their jaws drop... I know because it has worked.... If you know Rod Mcfadyen he can give you pointers also Jeff. He used to be a car salesman. But mislead them as much as they mislead you.

Some dealers now lie about making profits on financing- something that is very hard for me to believe. :rolleyes: I also can't stand the "let me asked my manager..." tactic. We all know they're just trying to wear you out by stalling the negotiation. I'd just rather not have to deal with this.

Who is Rob Mcfadyen? Is he from the Elsie office?

Did you get my PM from 2 days ago?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9653901#post9653901 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JeffReef
I also can't stand the "let me asked my manager..." tactic. We all know they're just trying to wear you out by stalling the negotiation.

This statement is completely untrue.

The reason there is a sales manager that the salesperson must go "check" with is:

1) most salespeople aren't knowledgable enough about credit, financing, bank guidelines or inventory.

2) market just like real estate is what affects the willingness to negotiate (deal) on a particular vehicle. Salespeople want to make that individual sale just like the customer wants to buy it. The managers job is to ensure they are getting the most for that particular vehicle in relation to the martket. If they know that by passing on a deal, they will make a $1,000 more by the car sitting on the lot for another day, then it makes sense to pass on the deal.

3) salespeople get attached and personal with their customer. By having a third party not personally involved, the manager is able to be objective and maximize profit.

The bottom line is that just like any industry where there is negotiation, the seller's job is to maximize profit and the buyer's job is to minimize profit. There is an obvious conflict of interest.

When it comes to getting a deal, there many different approaches to accomplishing this. First you must decide how low is fair. All dealers will make almost nothing on a deal. If you are a buyer that doesn't only want a fair (for both sides) but a zero margin deal than it's possible. If you just want to go home that night not wondering whether you got a deal or not that is possible to. For some reason it has become unethical to make a buck when selling a car. I mean look at the rediculous money people pay for these LE frags. A

The amount of discount on the car depends on the product. I sell cars that have between $400- $3500 margin. Domestics can have double. It all depends. Then you have rebates.
What vehicle are you looking for?


<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9650849#post9650849 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Reefugee
BTW - if they try to pull the "we are selling it at cost and are not making any money" - it's a bunch of BS. A lot of dealers get rebates for cars sold. So it's possible for them to sell a car for "below invoice" and still make money. In addition, if the dealer sells more cars, they get better selections of cars in the future. Dealers also make a lot of money off from service (they are hoping you will go back to them for service) and selling used car. But always buy your car at the end of the month. I usually start negotiation about 2 days before the last day. I tell them that if we can agree on a price, I will be in before the end of the month.


I have sold a car and actually lost monet to sell it. Dealers don't own the new cars, they finance them. There reaches a point where if the car sits on the lot long enough, it costs more by keeping it on the lot. So if they lose $100-300 it makes sense. Also it doesn't matter whether it is the end of the month.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9653713#post9653713 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TeeLapia
But mislead them as much as they mislead you.

The only reason there is any deception is because "buyers are liars" Your jobs as a customer is to get the best deal you can any way you can. We know you're lying. Customers lie 10x's moe than any salesperson. I don't need to lie to sell a car.


When it's all said and done, some dealers are willing to make less on a deal than others. Also every make and model has it's own market. The best thing to do is go online to edmunds or manufacturer's website and get an online quote from a few different dealers. Don't email them a say what's your "best price" communicate with them in a personal manner and you'll get better results. When you ask for the "best price" or "best quote" you label yourself and typically get fewer responses as you'll be ignored by a some of the dealers. We hear "whats your best price by over 75% of the customers that walk through the door. It is not the secret code to getting a deal. Everyone wants the best price and we know this. I've never had a customer walk in and say "what's your worst price" Keep in mind that usually the larger dealers are willing to make the least profit. Then there are tools like www.carsdirect.com that give you a basic idea of the deal you can get on a specific vehicle.


The most important part of buying a car is recognizing when you have a deal. So many times these days people don't know when to quit. They spend days or weeks trying to save another $100.

Finally, the key is that the best price is determined by the price you are willing to pay. The more educated you are, the better deal you'll get. You can use the tools available to educate yourself so that when you walk in you'll have a better idea of what to actaully pay for the vehicle.


If you need any tips or advice as to whether you're getting a deal, let me know.
 
Last edited:
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9650540#post9650540 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by funman1
I'm looking for one right now!!
Good minds think alike.
:)

#1 thing to do is walk in with CASH!!! When a cars price is $6,600 and you actually lay out $6,000 in Hundreds on the table
(I staple 10 100's together to make a thousand, it makes a huge impression with all that cash laid out like that.

I think it feeds on a brain function or something.
They are VERY inclined to want the cash NOW, and become VERY flexible on the price.
I've gotten a vehicle down $1,200 from asking price with this technique. It works very well for me.


I look on craigslist, and autotrader, sometimes ebay, and sometimes a trip to the Sierra Collage vehicle swap weekend sales.

If you are going to buy private party, go cash; no cashiers checks; no money orders, no company/person checks,
JUST PURE HARD CASH.
Speaks louder than anything else

PS I have bought my last 4 vehicles from online ads


These days walking up with to meet someone on craigslist is likely to get you mugged. Haven't you heard about people selling moderately priced items $500-1500 and when the person shows up they get jacked.

Also I have a few used cars on my lot that I'd love to sell and only discount $1,200. Used cars are a completely different animal. Most dealers will sell you a used car for $500-750 over their cost. It is illegal for them to lie about the cost. Usually you can get a used car for close to the private party value on KBB.com. Occassionally they can't. Sometimes you end up paying too much for a trade in because you want to make the deal on a new car. So when someone tries to buy that trade in, there is not as much room to deal.
 
try carsdirect.com Thats how we purchased my wifes last car. Bought car and financed through computer. A couple of days later, an old man delivered the car from the bay area to us. They had all the paperwork already filled out, and we just signed in a couple of places. None of the local dealers could touch the no haggle price of carsdirect.
 
This is pretty much the same technique highlighted in the book the Millionaire Next Door.

That said, most millionaires buy used cars. Usually coming off of 2 to 3 year old leases. For example, my last buy was a 3 year old well maintained car and I paid about 50% of it's original price. You'll save so much money, you'll have more for your reef!

You can find out more about the financial reasons of why not to buy new cars at http://www.daveramsey.com/

If you still want to buy a new car, many people in my area swear by http://www.cartelligent.com/ Since I have never used them, I can't personally vouch for them; but, I have never heard a complaint about them and they seem to have lots of satisfied customers.

If you want a better idea of what the dealer really paid for the car (kickbacks and everything), Consumer Reports will sell you the info. http://www.consumerreports.org/main/newaps/aps_home.jsp

Best of luck,

Roy

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9650638#post9650638 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Reefugee
I have done this a few times, and it has always gotten me great prices.

1. Call all the local dealers and ask for their Internet sales manager or fleet sales manager. Do not talk to a regular sales person. When you talk to the dealer, ask them for the fleet manager email address so that you can email them the exact things you want. Do not talk to them specifics about the car because you don't want them to "pressure" you. It's hard to guilt someone into purchasing a car if you don't associate them with a real person.

2. Email each of them the description of the car you want to purchase and ask for the best pricing they can get. Make sure you email everything you want because if you show up with a price and decided to add something on, they will jack up the price.

3. Now get the lowest price you have, and email all the other dealers and ask them if they can beat the price. Do not tell them who has the lowest deal.

4. Repeat step three over and over until no dealers can go any lower.

Chances are, you will get a really good price. Stacy did this with our Acura MDX, and we got an incredible deal. The whole process took two days, and she did it while at work during her break/lunch. Also helps if you purchase towards the end of the month.

Last - don't purchase from Costco or your credit union. They have decent pricing if you don't like to haggle, but they don't have the lowest price. Also make sure that you have all your financing done because you won't get a great financing deal at the dealership.

With that said - I sometime miss the old days when I would go into the dealership and haggle with them. I always considered it a exercise in mind f***. :D
Minh
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9654587#post9654587 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by corndogg
These days walking up with to meet someone on craigslist is likely to get you mugged. Haven't you heard about people selling moderately priced items $500-1500 and when the person shows up they get jacked.

I am always packing (a gun).
If I get an attempted mugging on a deal, I will have a confirmed death on other party. Dead men tell no lies (or truths for that matter)

I don't screw around when it comes to my safety, or my families.

My dads a peace officer for the City of Roseville, so we go to classes together sometimes. :)

I learn from the best.
 
Back
Top