ULPT How to get the lowest possible price from a car dealership.
Posted by Glittering-Intern656@reddit | UnethicalLifeProTips | View on Reddit | 181 comments
[removed]
Posted by Glittering-Intern656@reddit | UnethicalLifeProTips | View on Reddit | 181 comments
[removed]
UncreativeTeam@reddit
Even more unethical if you never pay them
Crow_Sign@reddit
And this is why this wouldn’t work, no one would risk that.
Dynobot21@reddit
This guy unethical’s!
Toasttoasttoast1@reddit
This guy this guys
Yaarn@reddit
The Ultra ULPT
mlaislais@reddit
What do you mean you never got the check? I sent it two weeks ago!
artfellig@reddit
markstanfill@reddit
“I left the check on your manager’s desk. Let’s conference him in right now and get to the bottom of this.”
platinum92@reddit
Former car sales here. Would not recommend this. Lots of car lots hire whoever can pass a piss test, including ex-cons, not to mention who works in the service department.
Also, you've likely given the your name, address, phone number, and social if you financed the car to this compensation. They also know where you work.
Very possible you have a salesperson really looking forward to that extra commission (most sales have a commission of $100-200) who is unafraid to "collect". Even if they don't collect directly, it's nothing to pop some tires, break a windshield and cost you more than $700 in repairs on "accidents"
Thug_Nasty2@reddit
This is spicy 🥵
matt88@reddit
This is the way
himalayangoldminer@reddit
The real way is to be patient, well qualified, know when the last day of their sales month/quarter is and be the purchase that makes them hit their quota.
Glittering-Intern656@reddit (OP)
I have often noticed that a bribe has that effect. It changes a relation." It shifts power, making the receiver obligated to the giver.
-Graham Greene.
Going at the end of the month may have given me a bigger saved amount but I was happy with my method
Waesrdtfyg0987@reddit
So then not the lowest price possible.
WolverinesThyroid@reddit
the car salesman is laughing his ass off at OP
Bright_Crazy1015@reddit
You know you've got a decent price when the finance manager is cussing the salesman saying he could just wholesale it and get more money.
AzN7ecH@reddit
The guy who played every Native character on Canadian TV gave some good advice.
sludge_dragon@reddit
I’m not sure if you’re joking, but this is a quote from the British novelist Graham Greene, from his novel The Comedians, not the actor.
CptBronzeBalls@reddit
Unethical. UNethical.
implicate@reddit
...and then steal the sales guy's wallet.
No_Improvement9734@reddit
And screw his wife!
Quintus-Sertorius@reddit
Leave a piss disc in the top drawer of his desk
Link1227@reddit
Piss balloon is more effective
litttlebats@reddit
Piss disc piss disc
Overall_Captain@reddit
Upper decker anyone?
CptBronzeBalls@reddit
Now we’re cooking with fire!
HyperactivePandah@reddit
That's how you melt the hidden piss disks.
flying_carabao@reddit
And then shit in his pants!
ratghast13@reddit
Don't forget to wrap the piss disk in a sock
twistedbrewmejunk@reddit
Man I forgot about the mythical ice piss discs…. Thank you for bringing it back
Ok-Bit4971@reddit
Yeah, they've been getting fewer mentions on this sub lately.
psychorev@reddit
Then fuck his dad
flinstoner@reddit
How is it unethical to know their business as much as they know it and to use their system for your advantage? Don't they do the same on the other side?
twistedbrewmejunk@reddit
It's the under the table bribe
Cuilen@reddit
Fir car sales, this tracks.
CptBronzeBalls@reddit
My point exactly.
withac2@reddit
Yep! And always go with one of the guys standing outside. They probably haven't hit their quota yet and they are ready to pounce on the first customer they see.
Source: was in the car business for several years.
panic_bread@reddit
How do you find out when the end of their sales period is?
keyser90@reddit
It’s right after they start a fight for no reason
MyGoalIsToBeAnEcho@reddit
Dude thats too much work just get 5 online offers on the same car and go with the cheapest.
jenniferjudy99@reddit
Often the cheapest gets sold right before you get to that dealership bc other buyers are doing the same thing. I found this out a few times one year until I was able to get a price match and $2500 off during end of the month salesmen bonus.
jenniferjudy99@reddit
I saved $2500 this way when buying my 2011 Toyota Corolla. 2 salesmen were competing for the top seller at the end of the month. Another buyer also was interested in that car. I had come in to look at an Acura but it had sold, so then I compared the price, mileage, make and model of a similar Corolla online at another dealership: it was $2500 cheaper across town. My salesman told me he’d match that price if I bought the Corolla, bc he wanted that sale to get that bonus! I test drove it and bought it, saving $2500.
Mk1996@reddit
This is the best advice. When I sold cars the end of the month was when we would be the most willing to lower prices, especially if we were close to beating other dealerships. One month on the last day at about 9:00pm we literally lost money on a car sale so that we could be the top dealership for the month in the area. This typically will only apply to new vehicles though and at dealerships for the big brands.
Outside of the obvious financial aspect the dealerships that perform best in their defined region get first pick in colors and trims so that’s where the competition comes from.
Also if you get a number from a dealership farther away from you and then go to your local dealer, you can get them to give you a better price because you would service with them.
f1ve-Star@reddit
I accidentally bought a car on this day. I did not love the car (color) so kept saying no. I ended up about a third off the price. I did need a car and at that price I could have had it repainted and still had a good deal. I didn't, but damn that was a good deal.
stonkuser@reddit
When would that be
ShadowNick@reddit
I did that last month thinking well it's 3/31 and it's technically end of the quarter. They had a new loaner truck that had a 3000 miles, a dent in the front bumper, a long scratch that covered multiple panels, and a fender flare that was clearly an indicator that they hit something when moving it like a pole or a car.
I said hey this could be fixed or give me $3000 off which is about the same price as the fixes. He said let me check with the manager and the dude comes back and goes I can do $200 less but we're not fixing it. I walked out.
peese-of-cawffee@reddit
Got lucky and bought my truck at about 8pm on on the last day of Q3 - killer deal on my trade-in, truck marked down significantly, and outstanding interest rate.
Switchbladesaint@reddit
I mean that seems reasonable and not really unethical, even if it is good advice
Low_Trust2412@reddit
I think this assumes the sales person has a lot more power than they really do. It is the sales manager that really has the juice.
WolverinesThyroid@reddit
OP is here paying the sales guy $700 all while he is laughing with his sale manager about the stupid guy who paid him extra to take a mediocre deal.
Glittering-Intern656@reddit (OP)
So reading comprehension isn't your strong suit is it bud? Let me guess, paint chips?
The salesman i worked with came in 1400 dollars under the next guys best offer. The next guys offer was within the window of what I originally planned to spend for my vehicle.
WolverinesThyroid@reddit
Right and the guys were still laughing at you because they beat other dealers lowest offer all the time. Just because you were happy paying 20k or whatever doesn't mean that it wasn't possible to get the car for 18k without paying off the salesman.
Glittering-Intern656@reddit (OP)
Sure thing champ, is not like I haven't checked the avarage selling price of the vehicle and their invoice pricing.
WolverinesThyroid@reddit
again none of that matters. But enjoy thinking you are slick. The sales manager sets the price, not the salesman.
Glittering-Intern656@reddit (OP)
Now I definitely know you have reading comprehension issues or are flat out dumb. Keep blowing dealerships, I'm sure they will take care of you
WolverinesThyroid@reddit
This thread has been great comedy of terrible negotiators thinking they are hot shit. All while they aren't getting great deals.
Glittering-Intern656@reddit (OP)
Sure thing champ
Glittering-Intern656@reddit (OP)
No, they would just convince their manager that I'm a tough sale and know what I'm doing.
Instead of the salesman working against me, he secretly works against the dealer.
ExpiredPilot@reddit
Why would he work against the dealer? The salesman makes more money the more you spend
Glittering-Intern656@reddit (OP)
Let's say he makes 200 from just selling a car and 500 from up-selling the car with the services/fees.
If he sells me the car without all the bullshit, hes still making 200+ what we get from beating the other salesman.
In my case I saved me a pretty penny and he walked away with a few extra hundred untaxed in his pocket. More than he would have made on 1 sale.
Cpnbro@reddit
Steal the car
East-Psychology7186@reddit
There isn’t much haggling from dealerships anymore especially sales person to sales person. Research online, know what the sales commission is so you can call out their bullshit. What really save money is telling them you are going to finance and get an extended warranty then when you are in the chair pull out your own financing paperwork and do not buy the warranty. They are not going to raid the price after you are already in the chair.
Dealers do not actually make profits from car sales. It’s financing, warranty and service plans that make them money.
-family runs one of the largest auto groups in Utah.
Hambone6991@reddit
Miller or Young?
zLampShade@reddit
I thought OP was saying he went to three different dealerships looking at three different cars within their budget.
He's pinning three businesses against each other.
Glittering-Intern656@reddit (OP)
Bingo.
Make them fight for that incentive sale
lsal1@reddit
So that is what you’re saying
flamingspew@reddit
My trick was walking in 7 days into pandemic lockdown. I was the only customer. Said I wanted two cars today, one for me, one for the wife. They lowered the price and upped my trade-ins before my jacket was all the way on. It was the sweetest time, before the supply chain shocks hit.
setnev@reddit
I did this with my old Fusion trade in. Right before COVID lock downs I was in an accident and my Fusion was fixed but it was marked with "Major Structural Damage" on the Carfax. No dealer would touch it or would lowball me with $4000 offers. After lock downs we were in the market for a Minivan. Bought a 2019 Grand Caravan in April 2020 for $14,999, they gave me $10500 on the Fusion (2013 Titanium with 72k). Sold the Minivan a year later in April 2021 for $23k to a dealer and pocketed the excess cash. For the next two years I purchased fixable cars at salvage auction and would fix them up to drive.
psillyhobby@reddit
A friends dad walked into a Lexus dealer on 9/11 and basically said “Let me tell you what you’re going to have to do to sell a car today”
Dick_Lazer@reddit
Oof, this one might be the most unethical of all. Imagine seeing 9/11 happen and immediately thinking how you could cash in on the tragedy.
OneIsland7672@reddit
To be fair, it’s the most literal example of the aphorism, “When there’s blood in the streets, buy.” I can think of in the US which is so rarely attacked. I imagine there were some bargains to be had in the immediate aftermath of Pearl Harbor as well and there are apocryphal humorous stories of stock brokers deciding how to play the market during the Bay of Pigs / Cuban Missile Crisis.
lewtus72@reddit
Called the Taco trade. It seems to happen every month or so..
BildoBaggens@reddit
Those are very limited time events. I benefitted from deep water horizon when RDS stock tanked.
flamingspew@reddit
I have a relative who bought $50k in stock in a company that made security doors for cockpits, one month after 9/11. They made out like bandits.
Glittering-Intern656@reddit (OP)
During the pandemic the prices were great since they wanted to get rid of vehicles due to the uncertainty of how long they would have to sit there.
Nowadays, they don't want to work with you much.
SayethWeAll@reddit
So the real unethical tip is that next time you need to buy a car, start a global pandemic first.
HitIerWasWrong@reddit
Oops, all mirror bacteria
Glittering-Intern656@reddit (OP)
Oh my way to eat a Tvirus infected bat that is releasing cordycept fungus while I dig up a black marker that causes hallucinations
snksleepy@reddit
Didnt a bunch of auto rental set their lots on fire for insurance claims?
flamingspew@reddit
I saw the moment… why i got two. Like 12G under market prices same time previous year
DumpsterAflame@reddit
I got 0% interest with only a sorta ok credit history (though my car credit history was excellent) at subaru in the first couple weeks of the lockdown.
lewtus72@reddit
So is it a good deal to take their financing with no prepayment penalty and pay it off right away?
East-Psychology7186@reddit
So long as there isn’t a penalty and you pay it off.
inn0cent-bystander@reddit
Don't forget the bullshit addons that they trick you into thinking are required like nitrogen in the tires, and whatnot.
LieutenantStar2@reddit
Legit for real sharing this. Very nicely done.
Blue_Iquana@reddit
Especially if you time it with looking at last year's model as soon as the new year is released.
Negotiate on monthly payment and lease payment. Say you are really trying to stick to the lowest monthly payment possible. It will include the purchase price.
Do this with all dealerships in your area online. Refuse to come in until they meet your price.
Pay cash at financing.
babonx@reddit
Negotiating on the monthly payment is literally the opposite of how you should negotiate. They can mess with the numbers in all kinds of creative ways if you’re only worried about the monthly payment. Only deal on the out the door price.
Bishop_Walternate@reddit
In the business a long time and I will tell you that all of this is true except for one part: if you outright lie to myself or one of my salespeople, I absolutely will raise the price or cancel the sale in the box and my GM will thank me for it. If we’re losing money on the front end of a deal with the expectation of making it back on F&I products, and then you pull the rug out, I’m certainly not going to reward you for it.
Car dealers have a reputation for dishonesty or deception — and sometimes rightfully so — but if you behave that way then all you’re doing is taking food off the table for my kids or that salesperson and you’re no better than one of the stereotypical “sleazy sales guys.”
bluecheetos@reddit
I've had new dealership owners tell me that they are lucky to break even on cash sales. Dealerships make money through the repair shop
Glittering-Intern656@reddit (OP)
And incentives. Financing through them usually gives them a nice amount.
Also the repairs through dealers are straight up highway robbery.
Scum of the earth who will try and trick customers onto purchasing overpriced parts that they don't need while charging them an arm and a leg because its OEM.
Rockauto is the best place to get your parts everyone
Glittering-Intern656@reddit (OP)
Ive seen it happen online and heard stories of finance managers burning a deal because the customer won't do their financing. If you really want to screw them, pretend you're going to finance through them. Read over your contract and if there is nothing in there that would penalize you for refinancing, then do it as soon as you can.
From my understanding, there has to be a minimum amount of payments for dealers to get their kickbacks.
I'm aware but who else to know what to say then a sales guy themselves.
lance_klusener@reddit
So , essentially, get the financing, and pay it off on day-2 ?
Glittering-Intern656@reddit (OP)
Not that soon, maybe give it 2 weeks once everything is set.
Just make sure there isnt a penalty and you will be good. The dealer will be pissed and the world will be a bit better for everyone who matters
JSchecter11@reddit
They also get more allocated from the factory based on many get financed, so they are very motivated for people to sign up for it. I also always refinance ASAP.
biggerty123@reddit
No haggling? Bs. This happens all the time.
Clovdyx@reddit
It does happen all the time, but a lot more of the large, brand-connected dealerships are moving to non-negotiable, upfront pricing on their new vehicles.
Used car places are of course entirely different.
Sartorius73@reddit
If it's Larry Miller, you can all do the world a favor and join Larry now. Is it's Ken Garff, those listening ads are stupid. But not Larry Miller level of criminal stupidity.
liftguy111@reddit
He did build a nice racetrack though.
JimmyIsbeast@reddit
What happens if i tell them i want to do financing and then show up in the chair and tell them i am going to pay cash? Would they raid the price then?
Pooled-Intentions@reddit
(Not applicable to used car purchases)
iLikeAza@reddit
Which one in Utah if you care to share?
East-Psychology7186@reddit
Just say… they aren’t old.
rockinchucks@reddit
The real unethical life pro tip for car buying is to insist on an extended warranty through your the entire sales process. Negotiate your deal however you want, but make sure they are 100% aware that you absolutely will be buying an extended warranty through them if they get you the deal you’re asking for:
Buy the car. Buy the warranty*
*In my state and many others, extended warranties have to be refundable at pro-rated rate.
The margins on service contracts are THROUGH the roof. It behooves the dealership to lose money on the car if they’re going to profit $4k on a warranty.
Buy it, wait a week and then cancel your service contract. Congratulations you just easily negotiated for less than the wholesale cost of the car.
Incarnadine_89@reddit
How do you go about canceling the service contract in your state? Do you deal with the dealership again or is it through some financing department? Or maybe just online?
SuitableExercise7096@reddit
Read the paper, it'll be right on there when you sign up for it under the cancellation clause
rockinchucks@reddit
All the service contracts are actually administered by third-party companies. Sometimes it’s through the brand you’re buying but never actually the dealership themselves. There’s always paperwork with a 1-800 number. You just call the warranty company and cancel with them directly. Keep in mind that your monthly payment you negotiated will stay the exact same. You’ll just be paid off a little bit sooner.
WolverinesThyroid@reddit
I think you are the only person here who has a real tip for car buying.
UnluckyContext47@reddit
Go to the dealership at night and spray paint it then remove it yourself after buying it at a lower rate in the morning....xylene takes it right off with microfiber....
the_siren_song@reddit
That’s fucking SMART.
Hubs and I played them off each other last time.
Me: “But my husband said…”
Him: “You know what they say. Happy wife, happy life.”
This is better.
kicaboojooce@reddit
Easiest way to get the cheapest price is from your desk chair.
Get quotes from three dealerships, use those prices against each other, it's a buyers market right now for cars, if you can buy they'll do what they can to make a sale.
Law_hacker_1000@reddit
Learn hot-wiring and wait until after they close.
justaguyfixingteeth@reddit
I always buy cars on 12/31, end of quarter, end of the year. Did my homework, set up an early appointment and tell them I have an appointment at a competing dealer in 4 hours (which) so if they want the deal, they have to "knock my socks off". First few offers, " lower my socks" but don't knock them off. Eventually we get to a number.
Oh and I never tell them my profession, just " self employed" to avoid the doctor/dentist premium.
cardboard-kansio@reddit
Maybe it's just an American thing, but why on earth would your profession even come up in a car purchase in the first place? You don't need to tell it when you buy food at a supermarket, surely? So why when you're buying a car? Either you have the cash or you don't. How odd.
justaguyfixingteeth@reddit
If they think you can afford to pay more, they charge you more, just a fact of life here.
DanGleeballs@reddit
Only in America. Never ever had that for the dozen or so cars I’ve bought.
WolverinesThyroid@reddit
It's because so many people think they are "master negotiators" but they in fact are just as bad as everyone else.
A car dealer doesn't car if you are a lawyer or a fry cook. If they think they can fuck you they will. I knew plenty of people working retail who had a loan that was significantly more than they could afford.
SuitableExercise7096@reddit
Be vauge about all personal questions.
They're only asked to use against you via manipulation later in the deal.
ESPECIALLY work, kids and religion
WolverinesThyroid@reddit
unless you are easily swayed it doesn't really matter if they say you need the big SUV for you 19 kids.
OneIsland7672@reddit
They try to get info out of you, but it’s like pulling teeth!
Few-Anywhere607@reddit
And Diabolical way to get out of paying: $800 Finders Fee Broken Down:
-$500 Mobile Advertising Fee -$50hr lose my patience talking to manager -$250 Emotionally and Physically Drained Fee
You may owe me $$
No_Arugula4195@reddit
I've heard some good stories about buying online.
Afferok@reddit
I used AI to help me negotiate my sales cycles and leveraged 0% financing. Did my research and walked away with a hell of deal
UncleCornPone@reddit
Go to your bank and get a finance quote for a car loan. Have that locked in first with the bank approval (and for the amount) printed out. Then wake up Friday and Saturday morning very early get a newspaper as soon as it comes out and find a "loss leader" advertisement. Go to that dealership literally 10 minutes before it opens and show them the ad you came in for and drive the car. It'll typically not have every bell and whistle that you want in the hopes that they can switch you to a different car same model with all the things you want. They will TELL you that you'll get a comparable deal but it aint so. You must buy the advertised stock # to get the best price (they are advertised at a loss). Buy that fucking thing. If the dealership offers a better APR % rate, fine, but usually they will only offer that while also slipping in some after market profit like alarms, service contracts, etc... skip all that shit.
10S_NE1@reddit
The best you can do is be willing to drive to several dealers and get quotes for exactly what you want. For a cash deal, they may not have much wiggle room but they have flexibility if you have a trade.
When we bought our last car, the dealer in town was sooo reluctant to give us an actual, all-in price on paper but I forced him into it. He gave us a pretty shitty offer on our trade. We then went to a small town dealer and asked for their all-in quote and he gave us much more for our trade. We asked him to throw in the floor mats package $500) and he did. We left very happy with our deal.
A few days later, the original dealer called, asking if we’d given any more thought to the car. We told him we got a better price elsewhere. He said”That wasn’t my best price - you didn’t give me a chance.” I responded “What did you think I was asking for - your worst price?”
Glittering-Intern656@reddit (OP)
Yeah, I've become more of an asshole as time goes on.
When they tell me that, I'll usually just tell them that I missed the part where that's my problem.
GeorgeWashingtonKing@reddit
Bully maguire
Glittering-Intern656@reddit (OP)
Bingo haha.
I don't want to fuck around but if they do, I won't care to give them another try.
TheEvilBlight@reddit
Reverse uno on those sales people
FUPeiMe@reddit
This is UNethical.
The revision to this: Promise him half the savings and then DON’T pay him.
Glittering-Intern656@reddit (OP)
Honestly, I could have and it is a risk but they could also blow up the deal in retaliation.
Miserably loves company so while they may lose, I would have to put it more effort again.
RedIcarus1@reddit
I’m retired from a very large, world wide automotive company. Maybe all manufacturers don’t do this, but my employer did/does.
Executive discounts get the best deals, if you’re high enough in the corporation you sometimes get free vehicles.
Employee discounts are usually set prices, and most often the price is so low the dealership makes absolutely nothing unless you buy extras or finance through them.
There used to be a program where you could get amazing deals on corporate used vehicles, but that was stopped years ago. You could get a car with less than 5,000 miles for a few thousand bucks. There were many restrictions and you often had little choice with the vehicle.
So to add a somewhat unethical tip.
While they have cracked down on employee certificate abuse (people were selling them to dealers), if you know an employee who has not used their discount recently, ask if you can use it. Family (and sometimes friends) are allowed to use the discount certificate.
GuodNossis@reddit
What’s an executive discount?
RedIcarus1@reddit
If you are an executive of the corporation that manufactures the vehicles, you get some really good benefits.
brainhack3r@reddit
There's two strategies I've used that works really well.
Use something like Carvana to get a price quote as a backup for your car. Do this BEFORE you go in but DO NOT TELL them. If they come in HIGHER than the quote, take theirs, if they come in lower, tell them you'll sell to Carvana instead. THEY DO NOT WANT YOU TO LEAVE THE DEALSERSHIP so they will just accept the Carvana quote and give you that price for your trade in.
Go in for the purchase about 2 hours BEFORE they close. Tell them you have a HARD DEADLINE to leave and do that FIRST thing. So if you go in at 7pm, and they close at 9pm, tell them you have to pick up your girl from the airport at 10pm but that gives you PLENTY of time.
This way you if they play games, and you're trying to negotiate for something, you can just, politely, say you have to leave.
Again, THEY DO NOT WANT YOU TO LEAVE because they know the probability of the sale falling through is higher.
... There ARE some things you can negotiate btw.
One thing is that if you have a pickup, and you want aftermarket rims or tires, the dealer can offer to do the swap during the sale, saving you lost money on having to resell aftermarket parts.
StitchedQuicksand@reddit
You’ll have to find a shady car sales guy. I’d laugh in your face and tell you you’re banned from the shop. I am not risking my 100k+ job for your 700 bucks.
t53deletion@reddit
In my experience, dropping in at 6pm on New Year Eve has done well. Three new cars bought at back end invoice plus 3 to 5 percent. Always paid cash. Always a loaded SUV.
Chevrolet Volvo Chevrolet
Volvo was less than an hour. The Chevrolet dealers took longer. Much longer.
YMMV
madscribbler@reddit
This is much easier to do than all this.
Negotiate down to where they will let you leave without making the sale. If they are willing to let you walk away, you have them down to their bottom price. They will never let a customer walk away otherwise, they'll keep sweeting the deal until that point.
beeg_brain007@reddit
I am in sales but different stuff in different part of earth
We have % discount and you can usually get more discounts from higher ups but there might be strings/conditions for that
Better-Salad-1442@reddit
Use cosco
retainftw@reddit
I mentioned this with the salesperson the last time I purchased a new vehicle, in 2018. He claimed that he could do better than Costco, provided I hadn't actually gone through with the whole Costco process. Is there some dealer to Costco contract that happens once that's initiated? Don't know if he was telling the truth or what the specifics actually are.
Glittering-Intern656@reddit (OP)
https://www.reddit.com/r/askcarsales/s/iMAb2CDcgc
The only useful commenter told me the same thing, which I mentioned and it help me out.
amwbam24@reddit
No that doesn't work
Glittering-Intern656@reddit (OP)
Wrap it up guys, this dude says it doesn't work so it must not. His word supersedes all common sense and greed.
NoProposal32@reddit
Not unethical.
Glittering-Intern656@reddit (OP)
https://www.reddit.com/r/askcarsales/s/Vq3G2Pt2Ci
They believe it is lmao. Only 1 person was actually helpful while everyone else just wanted to fight
useribarelynoher@reddit
dang the general attitude of those folks is that they’re basically fuming over this idea lol
Glittering-Intern656@reddit (OP)
They lack common sense.
"Oh, ill fire whoever makes that kind of deal"
No shit Sherlock
You dont announce a shady deal.
lipper2005@reddit
Now just a question. Ai’ve seen instances on here of people having to return the car bc the contract turned out to be wrong. What if that were to happen and you already gave the salesman his cash. You’d be screwed?
Glittering-Intern656@reddit (OP)
That would give me more leverage in the deal. Essentially, you fucked up and now you want me to fix your problem. Make it worth my while
Glittering-Intern656@reddit (OP)
https://www.reddit.com/r/askcarsales/s/nSNUWWFkQC
Here's the thread that got me banned. As expected, nothing but hostility and nobody really gave much me insight. Instead they just said that any salesman worth their salt wouldn't take such a deal and that they would be fired.
Salt-March3818@reddit
I really love just how much all of the managers that commented got their knickers in a twist about it while also completely missing the point. Telling you to 'buy your car like a normal person' aka "allow us to extort an unreasonable amount of money out of you to benefit me"
BrettBenn88@reddit
What I have always done is search nation wide and contact different dealers. The best thing to do is look for new stock that is from last year. Fly to wherever the car is on the money you saved and drive back. I bought both of my last cars under what the dealer paid for them so they took a loss to get them off their balance sheet. My last car I got for almost 10k under MSRP.
Wonderful_Ear_6541@reddit
I have used a car buying service for my last few purchases. I don’t think I would ever go back personally. Typically it’s a local person that just charges a flat fee to find the car/cars you are looking for and negotiate the purchase price. Was definitely a very nice service for convenience sakes and I felt like I got a fair price for the new trucks I bought. I work in construction and get very specific trucks for production vehicles so saves a ton of time in the search. Dealerships are super weird about ordering a vehicle if they have a bunch of the same vehicle on their lot.
Scottyb911@reddit
I thought about doing this for my next car (which will be for my wife). I didn’t even know it was a thing until about a year ago.
2ChicksShyOfA3Sum@reddit
Not unethical, but called the 4 dealerships around me 10 years back and said I’m buying a car today. I’m calling 4 other dealers for a price check on this car with this package. If you have the lowest price I’ll be right there.
This one dealer gave the call to some kid who actually gave me the lowest price. Easiest sell that kid ever made probably.
Turns out they had to order the car from a different dealership.it was actually a dealer I called that wasn’t the lowest price. Their loss.
Scottyb911@reddit
This is essentially how I bought my last car, but with email. It was so easy and everyone left the deal happy.
jonnyh5622@reddit
When I bought my wife’s car I feel I got a pretty good deal.
We did research on about 5-7 different listings for the same model. Just at different dealerships. I called the local dealer and set an appt for a Saturday to come look at the car. Showed up on my way home from work on a Wednesday right before closing and started talking to the rookie. Found out they’re hurting for a sale. Told them Saturday I had spoke with rookie and wanted him over whoever else.
Car was listed for $35k online out the door price (state of GA the listed out the door price has to be the true out the door price). Came preapproved. Go drive it and get to the numbers and they came back at $42k. Laughed, got up and started to leave saying I could buy the same car with a couple more bells and whistles for $33k down the road and I’m not paying $7k in “government fees” when it was listed for $35k
Manager says “if we can get down to $35 flat will you buy it?” Ended up negotiating down to $29,500. THEN he asked if I’d be trading my wife’s car in and they took a look and offered $1,500. Told them my buddy was gonna buy it for his son’s first car and he’d pay $500 more than whatever they offer but I’m not taking $1500….they ended up getting in a fake bidding war above my buddy’s top dollar for it and they ended up giving me $3750 for it. KBB they should’ve only given like $2500 max.
So I got the car for $29,500 and got $3,750 for my piece of shit car I’ve had for 6 years I bought for $10k. Then, because military exemption I didn’t even have to pay TAVT.
awkwardnubbings@reddit
Little do people realize these kinds of negotiations still work in all facets of our society on almost all people making less than livable wage. All that is required is a little friendly rapport. For anyone making more than livable wage the gift has to be worth their while to risk their career.
Dynachicter@reddit
Just purchased my dream truck brand new in late February. It was the right trim, color, and options. It’s as if I filled out the order form myself. It’s a 2026 that they received in inventory back in 09/25. So by February it was costing them money if you understand how dealer floor plans work. MSRP was $69,500. First offer was $64,500 and $21k for my trade. I just kept saying no, knowing that they wanted to sell the truck worse than I needed it. By the time I agreed to purchase it, the price was $61,400 and $24k for my trade.
Sometimes it is a matter of finding the correct situation. If a unit just came off the truck, it’s unlikely that they will work with you. 3+ months on the lot is a different story.
I worked in auto sales for a while, they trained me that my first objective is to take control of the deal and to lead it. It’s really easy to defeat that as a customer. Just say no until the terms are agreeable.
Dudebythepool@reddit
It could work or you can just have the internet sales manager at every dealership send you best prices 🤷
stoopud@reddit
I went into a car dealship and told them, " I am here to buy a car, I don't have time to play games. Give me your best price right now, if you have to talk to your manager, I will wait. But if it isn't the price I am willing to pay, I am walking out." He showed me a vehicle and I said I wanted it. He gave me an offer. It was ridiculously high. I said,"Sorry not interested" and he said,"Well, let me go talk to my manager " I walked out, him and his manager came running after me. I told them I wasn't interested and explained the price wasn't what I wanted to pay. And the manager said he could bring the price down. I told him they had a chance to make a sell but lost it as I wasn't going to buy from them due to their games. The only reason I acted like that was I had just left another dealer to price a vehicle and they had physically blocked me from leaving, wouldn't give me the full price and would only give me a monthly payment and argued with me for 2 hours, so I was done playing games.
Glittering-Intern656@reddit (OP)
https://www.reddit.com/r/askcarsales/s/zdDqpUR988
Nope.
If only it was that easy.
If you believe that, then you've never bought a car, have been scammed on all your car purchases or found a unicorn in a dealer that is honest
Dudebythepool@reddit
I literally sold cars for a year and have been friends with dealership general managers for a few decades.
Internet sales managers love dealing with people like you since they want more manufacturer spiffs vs profit per car
Glittering-Intern656@reddit (OP)
I don't know how stringent they are with their flairs over at that subreddit but if they are anything Protect and serve subreddit, you have to give proof to get a flairs.
The comment I linked you is literally from a retired director of phone sales.
Dudebythepool@reddit
Spiffs change monthly and quarterly
Internet sales don't care about profit per car
Those are your best bet if you want to negotiate
Otherwise just do x plan or something minus rebates.
My time is valuable
TearsOfChildren@reddit
My gf took her daughter to look at a car last week, she took her Jeep in as a possible trade-in. The guy tests drives it and pulls back in to the lot and the Jeep makes this horrible grinding noise like he purposely did it, he said "something seems wrong with it".
They kept her keys and literally would not give them back to her until she got really upset with them. I fucking HATE car salesmen, no one can convince me that they're not all fucking snakes.
JihadiLizard@reddit
sounds like a typical stellantis product having issues lol
Whosez@reddit
Glad to hear you got booted from askcarsales; those guys get butthurt so easily.
Donchichi007@reddit
Interesting
MacSteele13@reddit
"No."
Regardless of whatever method you use negotiating with the dealership, use this word if the deal isn't what you want.
ObsurdBadger@reddit
Dealers are easy.
Never say how you are going to pay for one, when they give you the paper with all the bullshit markup just start crossing them out with a pen and ask if they take those off you'll do it. If they say no dont say anything else, make sure they have your contact info and just walk out. Expect an email a day later.
Ive bought three cars using this method.
Outlier986@reddit
They used to have something called "ad cars/trucks" 2 or 3 vehicles priced ridiculously low in the Sunday paper. Bought my first F150 20 years ago for about $2,000 less than what 2 year old used trucks were selling for. 5 years later someone ran a red light totaled my truck, insurance paid $1,000 les than what I drove off the lot paying. Replaced it with another F150 "ad truck" but this time, Ford had incentive, extra $1,000 off for college student. Added my daughter for a cool extra $1,000 savings. Still driving the truck today! Nicely outfitted, out the door for $30K
c4pt1n54n0@reddit
The best way to buy a car is once it's just old enough that the trims and options don't matter.
Holls867@reddit
I fuckn hate buying cars.
GoodbyeHorses1491@reddit
Thanks for the tips; this is good is done in my Eastern European country of origin.
And Lol @ askcarsales pretending that they’re not a bunch of snakes in a scummy profession.
ZeroMayCry7@reddit
It’s probably one of the most insufferable subreddits with self righteous car salesmen acting like they’re saving the world with their graciousness
sidetrackNiner@reddit
I hate that it is this. When I was younger I'd never had a thought or real reason to even interact with any dealership, was never within my budget/reality. I did well overall, only buying cars I could afford (cash) and was comfortable working on(manufacturer/brand names I'll save for other subs). I did well for a long time, 20+ years. Found solid vehicles, paid cash for all of them. Then I moved up in the world a bit. Suddenly what I'm willing (and able) to pay for a vehicle isn't the same thing I'm comfortable with having (in cash) on my person, especially when meeting a stranger. Yet I'm equally put off by a dealership in general, but especially because of the weird change from cash to financing being the best angle(for the buyer) to push/exploit/not be exploited.
NurseDiesel62@reddit
Watch JC the Car Girl on TikTok...she is the BOMB
Glittering-Intern656@reddit (OP)
Just checked her out. It CJ instead of JC
Ill see more of her videos later but it doesn't surprise me how annoying stupid car dealers and their workers are.
fugsco@reddit
I made the sale deal with my kid who just started college. Any scholarships he finds and gets over $5k he gets half.
DookieDanny@reddit
Uhhhh. I cant wait for this outdated bs of useless middlemen to go the way of the dodo