There aren’t too terribly many people out there that get excited at the prospect of dealing with used-car dealerships when it comes time to purchase as their next automobile.
After all, we all have almost the exact same mental image of a used-car salesman when we think about this experience – pushy, greasy, slimy, and willing to say or do just about anything to get us to sign away our financial future for just a bit of commission – and it’s not because of our imaginations.
Sure, there are certainly a lot of very professional used-car dealerships out there willing to bend over backwards to make sure you get a great deal any reliable automobile when you decide to buy through them, but the shady used car dealerships certainly exist as well.
Here are just a few things you want to keep in mind to make sure that you always get the best deals from used-car dealerships.
Do all of your research online before ever stepping on a lot
Thanks to the power of the Internet, you can literally search all of the different used automobiles available in your local area (and outside of your local area as well) with just a few clicks of a button – all without ever having to leave the safety, security, and comfort of your own home!
And though it can be a lot of fun to actually step on a used-car lot and put your hands on the used automobiles you are considering purchasing, you’ll only want to do so after you have done as much research as humanly possible ahead of time.
Not only do you want to decide on the exact make and model used-car you are going to pursue, but you’ll also want to research what its highest available purchasing price is, what its lowest available purchasing price is, and what the overall average value for this automobile has been determined to be. This will give you tremendous power when it comes to negotiation, power that you simply would not have had otherwise.
You’ll also want to make sure that you are able to get the credit you want at the terms you are happy with, rather than going with the “preferred” lender of the used-car dealership that might end up costing you an arm and a leg in the future.
Call multiple used-car dealerships in your local area (and beyond) to shop around for the best deal
Secondly, you’re going to want to call multiple used-car dealerships in your local area to shop around for the best deal, making them aware of what you’re doing right off the bat.
This is going to tell them that you are serious about making a purchase just as soon as possible, and will also get them to cut right to the chase to give you their very best rock-bottom price on the vehicle that you are looking for. It also diffuses much of the high-pressure sales tactics they have been trained to use on everyone and anyone simply because you’re using the phone.
Never be afraid of getting up from the table and walking away
Finally, and maybe most importantly, you need to understand that you can get up and walk away from any deal at any point in time with absolutely no repercussions whatsoever. Sure, it might be difficult to let the car of your dreams slip through your fingers right now, but if it isn’t on your terms or at your specific price point you have to remember that there are always more fish in the sea.
Hopefully these tips and tricks help you when negotiating with used-car dealerships in the future!