Comments on: Confessions of a Car Salesman http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/confessions-of-a-car-salesman.htm Building Wealth through Saving and Investing Sun, 12 Feb 2012 18:53:59 -0330 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: moncherion http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/confessions-of-a-car-salesman.htm/comment-page-2#comment-121682 moncherion Sun, 18 Sep 2011 13:34:40 +0000 http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/confessions-of-a-car-salesman.htm#comment-121682 The rule about negotiating the final price and NOT monthly payments is incredibly important but also seems pretty basic. Oddly enough though, we don’t think that way when it comes to buying homes. We got to the bank and figure out what monthly payments we can afford and then look for houses at or near that peak based on the interest rate we locked in at during pre-approval. The rule about negotiating the final price and NOT monthly payments is incredibly important but also seems pretty basic. Oddly enough though, we don’t think that way when it comes to buying homes. We got to the bank and figure out what monthly payments we can afford and then look for houses at or near that peak based on the interest rate we locked in at during pre-approval.

]]> By: Gerard http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/confessions-of-a-car-salesman.htm/comment-page-2#comment-120652 Gerard Sat, 11 Jun 2011 18:21:32 +0000 http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/confessions-of-a-car-salesman.htm#comment-120652 Jeez, sometimes I am so glad that I ride a bike... Jeez, sometimes I am so glad that I ride a bike…

]]> By: Jim Nichols http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/confessions-of-a-car-salesman.htm/comment-page-2#comment-114430 Jim Nichols Wed, 28 Jul 2010 13:31:00 +0000 http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/confessions-of-a-car-salesman.htm#comment-114430 I haven't read all the comments, but.. HOW TO BUY A NEW CAR: If you MUST have a new car, go find the exact car, AT NIGHT, on the dealership lot. Write down ALL the window-info. Then research it on edmunds.com. and determine just how much it COST the dealer. Then, decide how much you want them to "make", on you. Say $300. Go to your bank, and get a pre-buy OK from your banker, to finance it for that sum. Write a check to the dealer for that amount. NOTE: If there's a car you need to trade in, DON'T do it. Look up the True Cash Value of your car in edmunds.com, and run an ad in your local FREE paper (Thrifty Nickel, The Shopper) after you have it "detailed", and correct any glaring problems, like a missing hubcap, burnt-out headlight, etc. Sell it yourself. It'll be fun. And you'll get CASH, not an imaginary, fabricated "trade-in" value. Go into the dealership, on the LAST DAY of the MONTH (very crucial timing) and drive the car. Allow them to "do the ritual" and put on their show. When it's over, and you have their numbers in front of you, thank them, and tell them, "I've already decided what I'll pay for the car." Then, take out your pre-written check, and lay it on the desk. The salesman will look at it, and laugh. At that point, you STAND UP. He'll get excited, and say, "Wait! Sit back down. Let me go talk to my sales manager!" You may be there for a while, but, they WILL sell you the car, for your offer. They desperately need one more car "on the board" for the month. It's true. You win. I haven’t read all the comments, but..
HOW TO BUY A NEW CAR:
If you MUST have a new car, go find the exact car, AT NIGHT, on the dealership lot. Write down ALL the window-info. Then research it on edmunds.com. and determine just how much it COST the dealer. Then, decide how much you want them to “make”, on you. Say $300. Go to your bank, and get a pre-buy OK from your banker, to finance it for that sum. Write a check to the dealer for that amount.
NOTE: If there’s a car you need to trade in, DON’T do it. Look up the True Cash Value of your car in edmunds.com, and run an ad in your local FREE paper (Thrifty Nickel, The Shopper) after you have it “detailed”, and correct any glaring problems, like a missing hubcap, burnt-out headlight, etc. Sell it yourself. It’ll be fun. And you’ll get CASH, not an imaginary, fabricated “trade-in” value.
Go into the dealership, on the LAST DAY of the MONTH (very crucial timing) and drive the car. Allow them to “do the ritual” and put on their show. When it’s over, and you have their numbers in front of you, thank them, and tell them, “I’ve already decided what I’ll pay for the car.” Then, take out your pre-written check, and lay it on the desk.
The salesman will look at it, and laugh. At that point, you STAND UP. He’ll get excited, and say, “Wait! Sit back down. Let me go talk to my sales manager!” You may be there for a while, but, they WILL sell you the car, for your offer. They desperately need one more car “on the board” for the month.
It’s true. You win.

]]> By: Jim Nichols http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/confessions-of-a-car-salesman.htm/comment-page-2#comment-114429 Jim Nichols Wed, 28 Jul 2010 13:11:15 +0000 http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/confessions-of-a-car-salesman.htm#comment-114429 I read the column a few years ago. It needs to be on the front page of every Sunday paper in the nation, serialized. People have no idea. The car business is, for the most part, organized crime. And I have for years, laughed at those who're going to "save money" by buying ANY new car. Last week, I bought the kind of car you only hear about, an '88 Buick LeSabre Limited, for $500. Son took car from 83 year-old Mom, who'd been driving it for 5 years w/ no license. Like new, 102K. So...I really don't CARE what gas costs, and I get 26 mpg to boot. For the new Hybrid crowd, with their socks-under-Birkenstocks, it's more about saving the planet, than saving money. Equally misguided effort. I tried several times in the past, to get rich by selling cars...But I had a problem...I was 'too nice". My most vivid memory of "how the game works", is when in 2001, an elderly couple came in to buy a new Oldsmobile. He was a local minister, and their trade-in was only three years old. Nice car. When the dust settled from all the juggling of the fabricated numbers and the confusing paper, and the discount-to-anybody number was substituted for the "trade-in value", the slimy sales mgr. literally STOLE their nice old car. In reality, they got NOTHING for it. Zero. They cleaned it up and soon sold it for a LOT of money. And the used cars is where the heavy profit lies. NOT the new cars. But you know that. The couple headed for the door, him with his cane, and her holding onto her arm. I was the only person in that snickering, gloating group that rushed to open the door for them. The door closed behind them, and before they were even off the sidewalk and into their criminally-priced new car, the sales manager was dancing around the show room, and he yelled loudly, "We ripped their phugging THROATS out !! " There oughta' be a law... Jim Nichols Billings MT I read the column a few years ago. It needs to be on the front page of every Sunday paper in the nation, serialized. People have no idea. The car business is, for the most part, organized crime. And I have for years, laughed at those who’re going to “save money” by buying ANY new car. Last week, I bought the kind of car you only hear about, an ‘88 Buick LeSabre Limited, for $500. Son took car from 83 year-old Mom, who’d been driving it for 5 years w/ no license. Like new, 102K. So…I really don’t CARE what gas costs, and I get 26 mpg to boot. For the new Hybrid crowd, with their socks-under-Birkenstocks, it’s more about saving the planet, than saving money. Equally misguided effort.
I tried several times in the past, to get rich by selling cars…But I had a problem…I was ‘too nice”. My most vivid memory of “how the game works”, is when in 2001, an elderly couple came in to buy a new Oldsmobile. He was a local minister, and their trade-in was only three years old. Nice car. When the dust settled from all the juggling of the fabricated numbers and the confusing paper, and the discount-to-anybody number was substituted for the “trade-in value”, the slimy sales mgr. literally STOLE their nice old car. In reality, they got NOTHING for it. Zero. They cleaned it up and soon sold it for a LOT of money. And the used cars is where the heavy profit lies. NOT the new cars. But you know that.
The couple headed for the door, him with his cane, and her holding onto her arm. I was the only person in that snickering, gloating group that rushed to open the door for them.
The door closed behind them, and before they were even off the sidewalk and into their criminally-priced new car, the sales manager was dancing around the show room, and he yelled loudly, “We ripped their phugging THROATS out !! ”
There oughta’ be a law…
Jim Nichols Billings MT

]]> By: Raskulz http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/confessions-of-a-car-salesman.htm/comment-page-2#comment-114193 Raskulz Wed, 14 Jul 2010 21:05:51 +0000 http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/confessions-of-a-car-salesman.htm#comment-114193 Just a quick tid-bit im not sure if it will work, but bring your own pen to the dealership when you are going to buy. Im just thinking that when the salesman are ready to "pounce" they will hand you there pen and want you to sign without hesitation. Bringing your own pen may help you, so you can read through and make sure the salesman isnt trying to rush something past you, im sure that when you take the paper he wants you to sign and refuse the pen he will be taken back and think you are wiser than we all may be. atleast me =P a first time buyer Just a quick tid-bit im not sure if it will work, but bring your own pen to the dealership when you are going to buy. Im just thinking that when the salesman are ready to “pounce” they will hand you there pen and want you to sign without hesitation. Bringing your own pen may help you, so you can read through and make sure the salesman isnt trying to rush something past you, im sure that when you take the paper he wants you to sign and refuse the pen he will be taken back and think you are wiser than we all may be. atleast me =P a first time buyer

]]> By: Raskulz http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/confessions-of-a-car-salesman.htm/comment-page-2#comment-114192 Raskulz Wed, 14 Jul 2010 20:38:09 +0000 http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/confessions-of-a-car-salesman.htm#comment-114192 Excellent information, Im going to be buying my first car with the next year. I will take this information to help me out as i will be buying my first car brand new. Excellent information, Im going to be buying my first car with the next year. I will take this information to help me out as i will be buying my first car brand new.

]]> By: Brian http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/confessions-of-a-car-salesman.htm/comment-page-2#comment-109457 Brian Tue, 12 Jan 2010 00:15:34 +0000 http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/confessions-of-a-car-salesman.htm#comment-109457 Ahhh yes, the evil necessity of buying a car (a depreciating asset)... I know how most ppl buy their cars, I'll show you how I buy mine... Suppose you buy a $20,000 car and let's be flattering to say when you drive it off the lot it is still worth $19,000. In 5 years time, you have a car still worth 10K and you want to buy a new car. I will assume that your new car is going to cost $30,000 (inflation, next model up, etc.)... WHen you apply your 10K trade-in, you are now 5 years later needing to come up with another $20,000... Welcome to the treadmill my friends! Why don't you do this: Take your 20K and buy an investment that will appreciate in value. Then go to the bank, borrow 20K paying 6% interest only. Your payments per year are $1,200 per year (or $6,000 after 5 years). Then, in 5 years, look at your investment you've purchased that increased by 10% per year in a tax-deferred non-registered mutual fund - it's worth $32,210 (for simplicity, we will ignore capital gains taxation). Now sell your investment, pay the loan, and you have $12,210 cash. Let's summarize: Most Canadians look like this when on the treadmill - $0 cash + car +20K out of pocket... Here's the option I gave you - $12,210 cash + car + out of pocket $26K (interest payments plus your 20K to pay the bank back after 5 years)... But really, what we do is take the 20K initially and buy the car. Take the banks 20K and purchase the investment paying interest only ... When you borrow to invest, the interest is tax deductible. Assuming a 40% marginal tax bracket, your net cost is only $3,600. It's your call... Ahhh yes, the evil necessity of buying a car (a depreciating asset)… I know how most ppl buy their cars, I’ll show you how I buy mine…

Suppose you buy a $20,000 car and let’s be flattering to say when you drive it off the lot it is still worth $19,000. In 5 years time, you have a car still worth 10K and you want to buy a new car. I will assume that your new car is going to cost $30,000 (inflation, next model up, etc.)… WHen you apply your 10K trade-in, you are now 5 years later needing to come up with another $20,000… Welcome to the treadmill my friends!

Why don’t you do this:

Take your 20K and buy an investment that will appreciate in value. Then go to the bank, borrow 20K paying 6% interest only. Your payments per year are $1,200 per year (or $6,000 after 5 years). Then, in 5 years, look at your investment you’ve purchased that increased by 10% per year in a tax-deferred non-registered mutual fund – it’s worth $32,210 (for simplicity, we will ignore capital gains taxation). Now sell your investment, pay the loan, and you have $12,210 cash.

Let’s summarize:

Most Canadians look like this when on the treadmill – $0 cash + car +20K out of pocket…

Here’s the option I gave you – $12,210 cash + car + out of pocket $26K (interest payments plus your 20K to pay the bank back after 5 years)…

But really, what we do is take the 20K initially and buy the car. Take the banks 20K and purchase the investment paying interest only … When you borrow to invest, the interest is tax deductible. Assuming a 40% marginal tax bracket, your net cost is only $3,600.

It’s your call…

]]> By: James http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/confessions-of-a-car-salesman.htm/comment-page-2#comment-102032 James Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:06:34 +0000 http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/confessions-of-a-car-salesman.htm#comment-102032 Telly thats not a thing of the past when it comes to reliability about ford and toyota and honda other cars when it comes to the honda civic your smart in picking the 06 model because that one did have problems BUUUTTTT compared to the rest of the line of cars of civics all the way up to 09 and other honda makes like the fit compared to gm honda is way better on reliability thats the main reason when buying used it costs more cause your going to have fewer problems Telly thats not a thing of the past when it comes to reliability about ford and toyota and honda other cars when it comes to the honda civic your smart in picking the 06 model because that one did have problems BUUUTTTT compared to the rest of the line of cars of civics all the way up to 09 and other honda makes like the fit compared to gm honda is way better on reliability thats the main reason when buying used it costs more cause your going to have fewer problems

]]> By: Salesgal http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/confessions-of-a-car-salesman.htm/comment-page-2#comment-100084 Salesgal Tue, 18 Aug 2009 20:51:20 +0000 http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/confessions-of-a-car-salesman.htm#comment-100084 I am new in sales and I have found this article interesting. Being new to the business I have to say it was insightful to see some of the experiences people have had. Part of me was also a bit annoyed. As has been mentioned, most sales people make a percentage of the profit. So yes, the dealership makes money off a sale..shouldnt that be the case? I have been successful in the few months I have been doing this and I did not use snakey tactics to be this way. I have been completely straight forward with my customers, followed up when I said I would, and found answers to all of their questions (if I did not know them right away). We are not only trying to sell you something that we believe in (at least I know I do, my family have been GM dealers for over 50 years and I am a true GM believer), but also a service, we really ARE trying to make things as easy as possible for you (again, of course there are some salespeople that arent, but theres people who work at McDonalds that are brutal too). I know when I go to the Manager to set up a deal, the first thing out of my mouth is 'What is the best we can do for Mr/Mrs ... on stock number ...". I try to make the best deal for all parties involved. However, when I get those customers who walk in and just ACCUSE from the get go, I let them walk. I don't speak with people that way and I expect the same courtesy. I politely explain to them that the car they 'saw for 2500 cheaper' is NOT the same car, or that if it is I would be happy to work them a deal. If that's not good enough, and their mind is made up to be negative, no one has time for that. I have learned some people thrive on being miserable. That said, if you want to have a reasonable discussion (500 over cost is not reasonable...the people who got this were very lucky, or their dealership was very stupid..but nonetheless, congrats to those who achieved it) most sales people will be able to help and be more than willing to do so. At least where I am they will.. I am new in sales and I have found this article interesting. Being new to the business I have to say it was insightful to see some of the experiences people have had. Part of me was also a bit annoyed. As has been mentioned, most sales people make a percentage of the profit. So yes, the dealership makes money off a sale..shouldnt that be the case? I have been successful in the few months I have been doing this and I did not use snakey tactics to be this way. I have been completely straight forward with my customers, followed up when I said I would, and found answers to all of their questions (if I did not know them right away). We are not only trying to sell you something that we believe in (at least I know I do, my family have been GM dealers for over 50 years and I am a true GM believer), but also a service, we really ARE trying to make things as easy as possible for you (again, of course there are some salespeople that arent, but theres people who work at McDonalds that are brutal too). I know when I go to the Manager to set up a deal, the first thing out of my mouth is ‘What is the best we can do for Mr/Mrs … on stock number …”. I try to make the best deal for all parties involved. However, when I get those customers who walk in and just ACCUSE from the get go, I let them walk. I don’t speak with people that way and I expect the same courtesy. I politely explain to them that the car they ’saw for 2500 cheaper’ is NOT the same car, or that if it is I would be happy to work them a deal. If that’s not good enough, and their mind is made up to be negative, no one has time for that. I have learned some people thrive on being miserable. That said, if you want to have a reasonable discussion (500 over cost is not reasonable…the people who got this were very lucky, or their dealership was very stupid..but nonetheless, congrats to those who achieved it) most sales people will be able to help and be more than willing to do so. At least where I am they will..

]]> By: STone http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/confessions-of-a-car-salesman.htm/comment-page-2#comment-91847 STone Mon, 13 Jul 2009 17:57:09 +0000 http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/confessions-of-a-car-salesman.htm#comment-91847 I would suggest to avoid financing with the dealer if at all possible. That way, you take monthly payments out of the equation. Next, as was stated above, do your homework. Know what your trade is worth and what you want to spend on the vehicle you are looking at. We bought a new vehicle 2 years ago (used but very low kms, felt new to us:). I knew that if I sold our trade in privately, I could expect $1,500 for it. Therefore I was willing to accept anywhere from $1000 up from the dealer for the trade. Next, we found the car we wanted, it was listed at 18,900 and they told us they would give us $1,500 for the trade. I said I was happy with the trade value, but I would only pay 17,500 for the car. Salesman said he couldn't do it, so I gave him my number and said to call me if he changed his mind. 2 days later I get a call from the salesman, they wanted to keep the price at $18,900 but they would give me $3,000 for our trade in. Deal. They get to say they sold it for list price and I got the $1,500 off that I wanted. Never be afraid to walk away from the deal, the sales guy is not going to let you walk away when a deal is close, especially after they have invested time with you. I would suggest to avoid financing with the dealer if at all possible. That way, you take monthly payments out of the equation. Next, as was stated above, do your homework. Know what your trade is worth and what you want to spend on the vehicle you are looking at.
We bought a new vehicle 2 years ago (used but very low kms, felt new to us:). I knew that if I sold our trade in privately, I could expect $1,500 for it. Therefore I was willing to accept anywhere from $1000 up from the dealer for the trade. Next, we found the car we wanted, it was listed at 18,900 and they told us they would give us $1,500 for the trade. I said I was happy with the trade value, but I would only pay 17,500 for the car. Salesman said he couldn’t do it, so I gave him my number and said to call me if he changed his mind. 2 days later I get a call from the salesman, they wanted to keep the price at $18,900 but they would give me $3,000 for our trade in. Deal. They get to say they sold it for list price and I got the $1,500 off that I wanted. Never be afraid to walk away from the deal, the sales guy is not going to let you walk away when a deal is close, especially after they have invested time with you.

]]> By: FrugalTrader http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/confessions-of-a-car-salesman.htm/comment-page-2#comment-90100 FrugalTrader Thu, 02 Jul 2009 22:38:09 +0000 http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/confessions-of-a-car-salesman.htm#comment-90100 Thanks for the comment Shane. Do you have much experience in used car sales? I know that margins are slim for new cars but I've heard that used cars are more lucrative. Any ideas what kind of profit margin a typical used car would generate? Thanks for the comment Shane. Do you have much experience in used car sales? I know that margins are slim for new cars but I’ve heard that used cars are more lucrative. Any ideas what kind of profit margin a typical used car would generate?

]]> By: Shane Payne http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/confessions-of-a-car-salesman.htm/comment-page-2#comment-90098 Shane Payne Thu, 02 Jul 2009 22:08:23 +0000 http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/confessions-of-a-car-salesman.htm#comment-90098 The sales practices I have read about in some of these posts are a big part of the reason car salesmen have a bad name. I have gotten out of the business but I was in it for the last 2 years. I knew it was time for me to get out when during a time when GM was offering employee pricing plus rebates. After telling the customer what the price of a vehicle was, the customer proceeded to ask me how much more I could take off of the price. I had shown customer the invoice and the employee price and then took into account the rebates available. I am going to say the discount was somewhere in the 8k range. When I informed the customer that there was no where else to go the customer said to me, "Well you would think that the shape the manufacturer is in they would give a bigger discount". My reply made me rethink my career. My reply to customer was, "If people were more willing to pay for vehicles manufacturers would not be in the shape they are in. I have sold Ford, GM, Honda, Toyota, Nissan, and Kia. Of those manufacturers, Honda, Toyota, and Nissan are the strongest and offer the least amount of money off. The customers also have a different mindset. You pay for what you get. There is a reason the resale value is so much better. That in turn gets you a better trade in allowance. It is all linked to discounts and rebates. When I left the business I was making less than minimum wage due to the amount of hours and the lack of sales. Think about that the next time you walk onto a car lot. I am not saying take the first numbers that you get. The dealers I have worked for will usually discount a vehicle. New cars have a lot less mark up than people think. All dealers pay the same amount for the same vehicle. There is no one way to get a good deal. Do your research. There is nothing wrong with that. Dont expect to get 3k off a 15k vehicle. Certified pre owned cars are good to go with as well. You can get something with 10 k miles on it for a significantly lower price with most cars and still have a lot of warranty left. The sales practices I have read about in some of these posts are a big part of the reason car salesmen have a bad name. I have gotten out of the business but I was in it for the last 2 years. I knew it was time for me to get out when during a time when GM was offering employee pricing plus rebates. After telling the customer what the price of a vehicle was, the customer proceeded to ask me how much more I could take off of the price. I had shown customer the invoice and the employee price and then took into account the rebates available. I am going to say the discount was somewhere in the 8k range. When I informed the customer that there was no where else to go the customer said to me, “Well you would think that the shape the manufacturer is in they would give a bigger discount”. My reply made me rethink my career. My reply to customer was, “If people were more willing to pay for vehicles manufacturers would not be in the shape they are in. I have sold Ford, GM, Honda, Toyota, Nissan, and Kia. Of those manufacturers, Honda, Toyota, and Nissan are the strongest and offer the least amount of money off. The customers also have a different mindset. You pay for what you get. There is a reason the resale value is so much better. That in turn gets you a better trade in allowance. It is all linked to discounts and rebates. When I left the business I was making less than minimum wage due to the amount of hours and the lack of sales. Think about that the next time you walk onto a car lot. I am not saying take the first numbers that you get. The dealers I have worked for will usually discount a vehicle. New cars have a lot less mark up than people think. All dealers pay the same amount for the same vehicle. There is no one way to get a good deal. Do your research. There is nothing wrong with that. Dont expect to get 3k off a 15k vehicle. Certified pre owned cars are good to go with as well. You can get something with 10 k miles on it for a significantly lower price with most cars and still have a lot of warranty left.

]]> By: Craig http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/confessions-of-a-car-salesman.htm/comment-page-2#comment-90045 Craig Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:25:57 +0000 http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/confessions-of-a-car-salesman.htm#comment-90045 If you live near the border, make sure to check the price in the US, the difference can be very dramatic. Importing was easy, and warranties were honoured. If you live near the border, make sure to check the price in the US, the difference can be very dramatic. Importing was easy, and warranties were honoured.

]]> By: June 2009 Net Worth Update (+2.12%): Car Shopping Edition | Million Dollar Journey http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/confessions-of-a-car-salesman.htm/comment-page-2#comment-89855 June 2009 Net Worth Update (+2.12%): Car Shopping Edition | Million Dollar Journey Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:30:29 +0000 http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/confessions-of-a-car-salesman.htm#comment-89855 [...] With one of our cars already 8 years old, the repairs are starting to add up.  So we’re currently in the process of shopping for a good used car/compact SUV, preferably a late model that is off lease with low kilometers.  We are leaning towards foreign models (Honda/Toyota) as we have had good experiences with them in the past.  Do you have any used car buying tips?  Should I be looking at dealerships?  Or perhaps private sales are the way to go?  Here’s an article I’ve written in the past about negotiating your new car purchase. [...]

[...] With one of our cars already 8 years old, the repairs are starting to add up.  So we’re currently in the process of shopping for a good used car/compact SUV, preferably a late model that is off lease with low kilometers.  We are leaning towards foreign models (Honda/Toyota) as we have had good experiences with them in the past.  Do you have any used car buying tips?  Should I be looking at dealerships?  Or perhaps private sales are the way to go?  Here’s an article I’ve written in the past about negotiating your new car purchase. [...]

]]> By: Thicken My Wallet » Blog Archive » Effective negotiating strategies: give some to get some http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/confessions-of-a-car-salesman.htm/comment-page-2#comment-89573 Thicken My Wallet » Blog Archive » Effective negotiating strategies: give some to get some Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:57:30 +0000 http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/confessions-of-a-car-salesman.htm#comment-89573 [...] in an one-off transaction or in industries where ethics are rather loose (see buying a new car), going into negotiations with your guard up is recommended but, as a white-haired lawyer once said [...]

[...] in an one-off transaction or in industries where ethics are rather loose (see buying a new car), going into negotiations with your guard up is recommended but, as a white-haired lawyer once said [...]

]]> By: jamie http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/confessions-of-a-car-salesman.htm/comment-page-2#comment-85063 jamie Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:21:26 +0000 http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/confessions-of-a-car-salesman.htm#comment-85063 I read the whole thing. Very good job. I'm impressed. I knew a lot of this stuff, but the inner perspective was quite enlightening. I have never been a sales man. Never sold anything. My skills lie in field work for my company and I hate having to go to the company HQ for anything. Because all that is there is what you described in detail. I cannot stand it. Again, good job. I enjoyed the article. Thank you. I read the whole thing. Very good job. I’m impressed. I knew a lot of this stuff, but the inner perspective was quite enlightening. I have never been a sales man. Never sold anything. My skills lie in field work for my company and I hate having to go to the company HQ for anything. Because all that is there is what you described in detail. I cannot stand it. Again, good job. I enjoyed the article. Thank you.

]]> By: nikki http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/confessions-of-a-car-salesman.htm/comment-page-2#comment-81006 nikki Tue, 05 May 2009 16:21:36 +0000 http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/confessions-of-a-car-salesman.htm#comment-81006 i have a question i went to a dealer over a month ago and look at 2 cars i told him i may think on it and in between time im looking for something else they didnt have the car i wanted this dealer calls me everyday just about i never answer the phone he left a month of messages lol i pick up the phone i was annoyed and told him that i didnt like what he was trying to sale me and the price for the car according to the book was 2500 too much i went back right at closing time cuz i know he would be ready to go home so wont spend much time and he notice me right away havent seen me in a month only once are they suppose to call a customer like this its kinda freaking me out also he is flirting on the side but i know its all about commission for him but are they really suppose to call u like that??????? just wondering i have a question i went to a dealer over a month ago and look at 2 cars i told him i may think on it and in between time im looking for something else they didnt have the car i wanted this dealer calls me everyday just about i never answer the phone he left a month of messages lol i pick up the phone i was annoyed and told him that i didnt like what he was trying to sale me and the price for the car according to the book was 2500 too much i went back right at closing time cuz i know he would be ready to go home so wont spend much time and he notice me right away havent seen me in a month only once are they suppose to call a customer like this its kinda freaking me out also he is flirting on the side but i know its all about commission for him but are they really suppose to call u like that??????? just wondering

]]> By: FrugalTrader http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/confessions-of-a-car-salesman.htm/comment-page-1#comment-80059 FrugalTrader Wed, 29 Apr 2009 11:22:27 +0000 http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/confessions-of-a-car-salesman.htm#comment-80059 Congrats on having the courage to get yourself a better deal! What the negotiation process what you expected? Congrats on having the courage to get yourself a better deal! What the negotiation process what you expected?

]]> By: Just bought a car! http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/confessions-of-a-car-salesman.htm/comment-page-1#comment-80022 Just bought a car! Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:46:36 +0000 http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/confessions-of-a-car-salesman.htm#comment-80022 I went to 2 dealerships before making my deal tonight. And I read this article before going to the 3rd dealership. Obviously the article worked to some extent because I got the best price that I'd been offered and left feeling good about the sale (who knows if it's actually a good deal) 1. I told him I want to talk about the car before we talk about my trade in. 2. I told him all the accessories I wanted 3. After he came back with a price I lowered it by $1500 4. When he came back with a higher price I added another accessory to make up the difference 5. I got 6 years of 0% interest which was better than other dealerships (0 for 3 years) I think I did well negotiating considering I went alone and am a female (I would think men are bolder and get better deals) Unfortunately I didn't know what a stackable incentive was and I think I missed out on something there .... but you can't win them all. I went to 2 dealerships before making my deal tonight. And I read this article before going to the 3rd dealership. Obviously the article worked to some extent because I got the best price that I’d been offered and left feeling good about the sale (who knows if it’s actually a good deal)

1. I told him I want to talk about the car before we talk about my trade in.
2. I told him all the accessories I wanted
3. After he came back with a price I lowered it by $1500
4. When he came back with a higher price I added another accessory to make up the difference
5. I got 6 years of 0% interest which was better than other dealerships (0 for 3 years)

I think I did well negotiating considering I went alone and am a female (I would think men are bolder and get better deals)

Unfortunately I didn’t know what a stackable incentive was and I think I missed out on something there …. but you can’t win them all.

]]> By: al davidson http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/confessions-of-a-car-salesman.htm/comment-page-1#comment-61846 al davidson Tue, 25 Nov 2008 23:45:16 +0000 http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/confessions-of-a-car-salesman.htm#comment-61846 I always pretend I have to ask the wife's opinion...we never walk into the dealership together....and of course...Then I came back and say the wife has to be convinced..I'll be in touch...strategy always works....no pressure.. One salesman asked why I need to ask the wife...very bold...I asked why he needs to keep running to the manager's office...he was silent... I always pretend I have to ask the wife’s opinion…we never walk into the dealership together….and of course…Then I came back and say the wife has to be convinced..I’ll be in touch…strategy always works….no pressure..
One salesman asked why I need to ask the wife…very bold…I asked why he needs to keep running to the manager’s office…he was silent…

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