Internetworkers: http://www.ibiblio.org/internetworkers/

["Colleen McCarthy" <cmccarthy1 AT nc.rr.com>]

Title: Negotiating the Price of a 2011 Camry at Fred Anderson

Thanks to everyone for so much help! 

 

One of the cars sold, and luckily, I was so busy today at work that I could not talk to the salesperson about the other.  That gave me four hours this evening to do research -- which leaves me in a *much* better position to negotiate tomorrow!

 

Thanks again for all of the advice!

 

Cheers,

Colleen

 

From: Scott Chilcote [mailto:scottchilcote AT att.net]
Sent: Thursday, August 01, 2013 2:56 PM
To: Internetworkers: http://www.ibiblio.org/internetworkers/
Cc: Colleen McCarthy
Subject: Re: [internetworkers] Negotiating the Price of a 2011 Camry at Fred Anderson

 

I also recommend reading the Consumer Reports information for the make and model you want to buy.

One of the things they warn about are refurbished flood cars.  It seems unlikely that one of these would wind up at a reputable dealer, but there are so many cars that have been flooded in recent years it pays to research the car's title. 
You can probably snap a photo of the VIN on the car(s) that you're interested in. 
Check http://www.vehiclehistory.gov/ for info on the vehicle's history.  The dealer will probably print this out for you, but you might want to check a different source as well.

Regarding dealing with the salespeople, some good advice has been given here already.  I know three people who have purchased cars recently, and here's a description of the most common sales technique I've seen.  After you have seen the car and had a test drive, you will tell the salesperson what you're interested in spending.  They will agree with you initially, but their purpose is to get you into the fancy building and sitting down. 

From then on, the real process begins.  The salesperson will begin a tactic that is intended to wear you down.  They will be as nice as can be, show you their facilities, introduce you to other nice people, show you brochures and color swatches, and swap personal stories.  But ultimately, you will discover that you have spent a very long time in their offices without getting much done.

Right about the time you start indicating you are ready to reach an agreement (or leave), the salesperson will gently push for a higher price than you stated.  They will have many reasons.  "My manager refused."  The car has feature(s) that make it worth more than you thought.  They may have someone else coming to look at it. 

Regardless, it's a ruse.  Their objective is to keep you sitting there, becoming tired, until you either cave in or get up to leave.  If you do get up to leave, they have a process for that too.  It is all scripted like reality television.  The manager calls, or he/she walks in with a counter offer.  It may be higher than your price, but it includes free floor mats or super-wax.  They want to show you a different car, which they say you will love but you won't because it's nothing like what you came to see.  What this accomplishes is to spend yet more of your valuable time.

When I bought my last car (from a Toyota dealer in Durham) they tried a different trick.  The salesperson asked me to let him show my credit card to their floor manager "just to demonstrate that I'm serious", and like a rube I agreed. 

He then walked off with the card and came back without it.  "He was on the phone, I'll check back on him in a moment."  This trick was to keep me sitting the office until they decided to return it.  Up to that moment I had been on friendly terms, but it became instantly clear that I was being suckered. 

I am certain that my face became bright red.  I stood up and said "Bring me the card immediately or you can mail it to me." 

At that moment they stopped waffling and gave me my price. 

I have long debated internally whether I should have done business with them at all after they used that tactic.  I did get what I wanted. 

I hope you get better treatment!

   Scott C.




On 08/01/2013 06:39 AM, Colleen McCarthy wrote:

Hi Folks,

I’m interested in two 2011 Camry’s for sale at Fred Anderson. 

I have only bought one car from a dealer in my life and that was in 1980.  I honestly don’t have a clue as to how to negotiate the price, warrantees, or anything else involved in the sale of a used vehicle from a dealer.

Can any of you offer any guidance?

Thanks much!

Colleen

 

-- 

Scott Chilcote

Cary, NC USA

scottchilcote AT att.net