Tag: Car Dealerships
September 1st, 2010
Who hasnt seen that popular depiction of a car salesman as a slick, smooth-talking con artist out to sell you what seems to be a serviceable enough automobile, only to have it break down as soon as you drive off the car lot? This scenario has been used in countless movies and comic strips; unfortunately its not very funny if you are on the receiving end of a lemon.
Were certainly not suggesting that all car dealers are unscrupulous hucksters lying in white for the next pigeon to come along but the sad reality is that there are people who, while not entirely deceitful, may “neglect” to mention hidden defects or slap you with a surprise bill for “additional” costs. Understanding your rights as a consumer and learning how to negotiate from a position of strength will go a long way in helping you get the best possible automobile deal for your money.
When you are first making inquiries at various automobile dealerships for a car you wish to purchase, take the opportunity to get a feel for the salesperson at each of the particular branches; to test drive them so to speak. It is important to take this crucial step before you get into the nitty-gritty of bargaining.
Trust your instincts; is this person someone you will want to deal with for such an important transaction? Do they inspire trust in you and make you feel comfortable? You will want to deal with a person who shows genuine concern about giving you what you need yet informed enough to suggest better alternatives.
On the other hand, if a salesperson is impatient or too insistent or possibly even downright rude, walk away; you dont need the aggravation and there are certainly many much more accommodating car dealerships that will help you out.
Make sure you test-drive your potential car as much as is reasonably necessary and ask all the questions you need to know no matter how trivial; a good salesperson will know that every little question is a legitimate concern and it is reasonable to expect thoroughness on the part of a customer.
Another thing to be sure of is that the salesperson is clear and straightforward in all the aspects of the planned purchase.
Its true: a salespersons ultimate goal is to close the sale. But there are good, knowledgeable salespeople out there who will not be afraid to suggest a totally different solution even if it affects his commission.
Tags: Aggravation, Automobile Dealerships, Car Dealers, Car Dealerships, Car Lot, Car Salesman, Car Salesmen, Comic Strips, Con Artist, Depiction, Genuine Concern, Good Salesperson, Hucksters, Legitimate Concern, Nitty, Pigeon, Sad Reality, Surprise Bill, Thoroughness, Trust Your Instincts
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June 23rd, 2010
If you are thinking about buying the best luxury car your money can buy, the first question is how much money you are going to spend. When we talk about luxury cars, prices can range from the mid-30 thousands and up. Luxury cars can be classed into different levels: entry, mid, high, and ultra level luxury cars. Each level is designed for a specific type of consumer.
So where do you start looking for the best luxury car? You should first look for dealers available in your area. If you live near a big city, you should have plenty of options for luxury car dealerships. If you live in a more remote area, you will probably have more difficulty finding a local dealership, and will need to travel to your nearest metropolis. Either way, keep in mind that it will be easier in the future if you find a dealership that is close to your home or work. It will be more convenient to drop your car off for routine maintenance or service if it is close to your normal routes.
After you have checked your local area, be sure to do a lot of research on the Internet. Look for the models that your local dealerships may have available. Consider what type of luxury car might be best for you. Some cars will focus more on presenting an aura of success and wealth (like Lincoln) while others (like Subaru) target people who want a powerful engine under the hood.
Narrow down your choices, and look at the history of the models you are still considering. It is well worth buying a Consumer Reports magazine, or the annual new car buying guide, to look at that model over the last several years. Consumer Reports does a very thorough job researching the quality of the cars they review, and you can get a lot of good information on problems that model has had through the years, as well as the positive aspects of that model.
One thing to keep in mind when choosing the best luxury car for you is gas consumption. In the last year or two, this has become more of a major concern in car buying at any level. A few years ago, it was not much of a factor, which is why half the people you see driving around today own gas guzzling SUVs. There is no end in sight to rising gas prices, so try to find a car that can maintain decent gas mileage at standard city and highway speeds.
When doing your research, look at the resale value of the car. You can get that information from the Kelley Blue Book or other sources. If you really want to play the depreciation game, buy a car that is one to two years old, where the majority of the value is already lost. You will be spending a lot of money buying the best luxury car you can afford, but that’s no reason to invest poorly. Finally, consider how much money you will need to spend on routine maintenance or potential repairs. This may take some additional research, as the dealerships are not generally forthcoming with that information.
By doing your homework thoroughly, you will find the best luxury car for you. Don’t buy more than you can afford, and get the best deal you can. Enjoy the ride!
Tags: Car Buying Guide, Car Dealerships, Cars Prices, Cars Review, Choices, Consumer Reports Magazine, Gas Consumption, How Much Money, Internet Models, Last Several Years, Lincoln, Local Area, Luxury Car, Luxury Cars, Metropolis, New Car Buying Guide, Quality Cars, Routine Maintenance, Subaru, Target
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June 9th, 2010
“Car buying is, or should be, a calculated decision,”says John Mondin, an auto travel counselor with AAA. The complex and sometimes frightening process of car buying is demystified in a comprehensive guide that covers: How to choose the right car, newused car-buying strategies, getting a used car bargain,avoiding the pitfalls of leasing, how to shop for insurance.
In addition, Strategies for Smart Car Buyers includes several appendices and a variety of new material to complete the buyer’s research process, including: The acclaimed investigative series, “Confessions of a Car Salesman,” relating insider secrets in an entertaining account of two car dealerships, monthly payment charts and monthly leasing payments, expanded financing section detailing crucial contract dos and don’ts, plus additional commentary throughout text from undercover car salesman Chandler Phillips.
Online new car buying is a quick and easy way to look for a car in the privacy of one’s own home without the pressure of rash buying. Online car buying is a reality now because of the many excellent sites where you can find the car you’ve been looking for. See all the buying and selling articles you can find on avoiding scams and post-sale problems. As most of us know, used-car buying is a business wrought with scams. One of the best innovations in used car buying is the CARFAX website.
Tips
Educate yourself before buying a car, no negotiating prices without going for a test drive! Do you buy nice clothes without trying them on. Arm yourself with knowledge,with these tips, you can confidently walk into a car dealership, ready to be confronted by eager salesmen. More dealers are better: The more dealers you have in your area, the more competition for your business, the higher your odds of getting a good deal. Some helpful guidelines and car buying tips can be found at the Federal Information Center, as well as a wealth of other money related issues.
Information
The good news is that with the advent of the Internet, a world of information — never available to our parents and grandparents — is just a click away. Walking onto a dealer’s lot with no information is like walking into the lion’s den. And relying on a dealer for information is just slightly better. It levels the playing field by giving accurate information to the consumer.
You can also read up on the latest car reviews by browsing the Web as there is literally a wealth of pertinent information available online. Never discuss in a dealership what you can afford on a monthly basis; dealers can use that information to structure a car loan to meet or slightly beat your monthly-payment requirements, without addressing the more important issues: the total price of the car and the terms of the loan. To negotiate on price, you must be armed with information about the true value of the car you want with all the options you demand.
A variety of Web sites now offer detailed consumer information comparing the dealer’s invoice cost, what the dealer paid the manufacturer, against the MSRP printed on the window sticker. Important information about automobiles and fuel economy should always be considered. Some helpful guidelines and car buying tips can be found at the Federal Information Center, as well as a wealth of other money related issues. Check it out, you’ll be surprised at the valuable information you’ll find there. They combine extensive industry knowledge, dealership experience, and the power of the Internet to empower the consumer with the information they need to negotiate the best deal. They offer valuable research and information about used cars. You can find out about rebates online whereas before, unless you ask the car salesman, he wouldn’t volunteer the information to you.
Loan
You will get greater flexibility and savings by getting pre-approved for a car loan before shopping for a new or used car. And,if you decide to finance the car, find out what your monthly payment should be by shopping for a car loan before going to the dealership. You may discover that getting a loan will cost less than financing directly. If you do find a loan that you like, it’s recommended that you get approved for it before buying the car. The question you really must ask yourself at this point isn’t how much car you can afford but how much car loan you can afford. That determines how much car loan you’ll be able to cover comfortably every month for the next three to four years. The next step is to talk to your bank or credit union to find out what rates they’re currently charging on new-car loans for 36 and 48 months. There are many ways to find the best loan for you regardless of your credit standing. The prospective car buyer can also look into current interest rates on car loans ahead of time and determine which way they should proceed with regard to financing the vehicle. So be sure to follow these steps; do your research on the car, research available loan rates and programs online, check your impact on your insurance, and then reach a dealer about the car you want.
Final Thoughts
The world of car buying is changing rapidly. Online new car buying is a quick and easy way to look for a car in the privacy of one’s own home without the pressure of sales people pushing you into rash buying. The key to successful car buying is to meet your wants and needs within your budget.
Tags: Aaa, Appendices, Auto Travel, Avoiding Scams, Car Buying Tips, Car Dealership, Car Dealerships, Comprehensive Guide, Confessions Of A Car Salesman, Federal Information Center, Insider Secrets, Investigative Series, New Car Buying, Payment Charts, Pitfalls, Right Car, Salesmen, Smart Car Buyers, Strategies For Smart Car Buyers, Travel Counselor
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April 28th, 2010
Car dealerships are just like any other business in that they are responsible for generating an operating profit. And like any other businesses there are those that attempt to do so upfront and straight forward and… those that are… well… less than straightforward.
Without a doubt the best chance that you have to avoid contributing exorbitant amounts to a car dealers gross profit is for you to get your research and financing in line prior to ever setting foot on the dealership. And quite frankly, for the vast majority who has some sort of access to the World Wide Web, there is no excuse not to get yourself up to speed.
Once you are ready to go… go slowly. When it comes to putting together your deal at the car dealership, speed is not your ally. Car dealers and sales people are in-depth at putting deals together at a rapid pace… and ringing up big profit numbers… stay calm, deliberate, and focused.
Dont crank up the negotiations on your first trip to a dealership. Take some time to familiarize yourself with the people and the surroundings. Get a feel for what type of person your potential sales person is. Remember, this is about your comfort level… not theirs.
Dont go for the Spot Delivery. A spot delivery is when the dealer allows you to take the car as yours before they have definitively procured your financing. This can be exceptionally devastating if you have traded in your car to them only to find out a couple days later that the dealer either hasnt been able to get you financed or can only get you financed at a very high interest rate. Dont put yourself in this position.
Know your budget before you go shopping… and stick to it. Dont tell or otherwise give the sales person any idea of what your budget is. They dont need to know this. And never shop and buy your car by negotiating a monthly payment; youll pay more than you needed.
Dont proceed if you are not comfortable with any of the proceedings. Without you, there is no deal. You have the ultimate VETO power, so use it if you feel hurried, confused, or otherwise uncomfortable at all.
And finally, and this is a very important point to remember, the selling price of the new car isnt where the dealer makes the most profit.
The financing and the trade-in (when they resell your old car) are two additional profit departments for the dealership. Also, all those add-ons and warranties that the dealership will offer you the opportunity to purchase also include a rather large profit margin for the dealer.
Car dealerships are sales centers. They are in business to not only sell you a car but anything else they can possibly offer and entice you with as well. Do your research on the car you are thinking about, the financing options available to you outside the dealership, and know the market value of your trade (if applicable)… then take your time to find the best deal you can putting all these together.
Tags: Ally, Car Dealers, Car Dealership, Car Dealerships, Couple Days, Doubt, Excuse, Exorbitant Amounts, First Trip, Gross Profit, High Interest Rate, Negotiations, Operating Profit, Proceedings, Rapid Pace, Sales Person, Spot Delivery, Surroundings, Survivors, World Wide Web
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