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Smart Shopper Real-World Trade-In Values
38945 messages, Last post on Dec 07, 2009 at 7:39 AM
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Replying to: lrguy44 (Oct 27, 2009 7:16 pm) However, let's look at some of the issues: Starting with doc fees, I've read elsewhere (not here) that these can be pure profit for the dealer. A lot of dealers will negotiate a price without telling you that the doc fee (and, sometimes, other bogus fees) will be added on later. I've been told that it's pre-printed on the form and can't be removed, essentially a message to me that I should stop negotiating further. (Of course, it can be left on the form but removed from the negotiated price of the car.) One dealer also told me that if they refunded the doc fee, they would be hit with "thousands of lawsuits" from past customers who had to pay it. After a while, you get tired of hearing this stuff. Now, I think the dealer should be paid for things like acquiring the tags, including the cost of sending someone to the motor vehicle bureau. But, from what I've seen, dealers put on those charges in addition to the doc fee. Re the non-responsiveness, any company that doesn't respond to a legitimate inquiry from a potential customer doesn't deserve to get any business from that customer. Not only will I not beg for business from a non-responsive dealer (especially in these tough times); I'll also send referrals elsewhere. On the best price, I can't recall a time when I've ever bought a car based on the dealer's first offered price. If it's truly a negotiation, you never offer your bottom price at the beginning. This is Negotiation 101. If you are, indeed, a dealer and you offer your best price up front, a lot of customers are going to think you're stubborn when you say you can't take off a few more dollars. Any shrewd customer would walk if they have alternative dealers and cars in their area. On retail prices of used cars at dealerships, they are simply inflated. There's always room to go lower. I also think it's important to understand the BS that dealers still shovel in customer's faces and why some customers go into a dealership with an adversarial attitude. Recently, in negotiating for my niece's car, I was told that, "We're not making a profit on this car. We're giving you this price to build a relationship." Later, in the business manager's office as we were signing the papers, he told us that, "I always insist that my relatives and friends take the extended warranty. I want to be sure that they're protected." These kinds of remarks insult my intelligence, but I'm so anti-dealer that I smiled and shook hands with everyone and left them with a pretty nice profit at the end of the day. Finally, if you are a dealer, I'm sure you are only too happy to sell someone a car at MSRP or provide them with inflated financing if you find they haven't done their homework or can be taken for a ride. After all, you're there to get the highest price from the customer. I'm there to get the lowest price. So if you think my remarks are anti-dealer, well, you just don't get it. You won't find me in your showroom.
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Replying to: longislander1 (Oct 28, 2009 5:38 am)
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Replying to: longislander1 (Oct 28, 2009 5:38 am) Your attitude in your posting is offensive to those who are professionals and in the business for many years. I guess it is the generalization that all dealers and their products are bogus is offensive. Of course it is my job (just as it may be in your business) to maximize profits - but because of the relationships built over the years much of my business (and that of most professionals) is repeat and referral. When done right the car business is like any business. |
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Replying to: kirstie_h (Oct 28, 2009 9:43 am) |
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Replying to: longislander1 (Oct 27, 2009 1:28 pm) Why don't you give us that information and we can see if you are correct on your numbers? Contrary to your low opinion, salespeople don't get paid if they don't sell a car. If there is a way to make a sale, they will find it. Maybe you are way off on your estimation,maybe the tone of your email was wrong, maybe you really did run into a really lazy salesperson.
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Replying to: jobrien0101 (Oct 26, 2009 4:18 pm)  $13,000
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Replying to: billlee (Oct 26, 2009 7:05 pm) If the accident is on the Carfax, most places won't want to try and retail it. I'd keep after the ins co. Owning a Pontiac may make it difficult to really asses the diminished value, since the whole brand has diminshed value right now. |
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Replying to: volvomax (Oct 28, 2009 1:21 pm)
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Replying to: jayrider (Oct 28, 2009 1:32 pm) If the car is really worth $21k, fine. If it's not, then you are looking at an overallowance scenario. You just end up making the new car that much more expensive.
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Replying to: volvomax (Oct 28, 2009 3:15 pm) |
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