Tips to successfully haggle at a car dealership

[debtfreeme]

In 2001 I bought a new car using Yahoo! Autos. Basically I put in my specs and several dealers gave me their offers (this was for a new car) and I could make them bid against each other without leaving my home. They don't seem to do that anymore, sadly.

Actually there are multiple places that can do this for free. But I just emailed the dealer directly. saved the middle man. It is pretty easy to do that with the internet sales divisions at every dealer.

Also, if buying used get it inspected by a mechanic you choose before you buy. If they refuse, WALK AWAY.

[travelsav]

Decide what you want to buy first.
In my case I narrowed it down to 2 vehicles (2 different manufacturers).
I googled all the dealers within 75 miles.
Sent an email (usually they have link on website) with request for their best quote for the particular vehicle I was looking for.
If I got an e-mail back saying "please come in...blah, blah, blah", I replied back that I do not live near this dealer, I need their best price, otherwise I cannot commit to driving all that distance.
Once all the quotes come in, narrow it down to the best 3 and send them a reply, thanking them for the quote and letting them know you will be visiting the 3 best quotes on (insert day here), then leave them hanging.
If they are really hungry for a sale, they will pursue it harder & you will sometimes get an even lower counter offer.
Once you are onsite, and comfortable with an offer, then you can try & get the 'throw-ins' like mats, extra oil changes, carwashes & etc. Usually if they see you are serious, those things are such little cost to the dealership, they will throw them in to seal the deal.

[tzsgti]

I'm going to need to get a new car in the next few months. by "new" I mean new for me, not an actual new car, but I am a little scared and intimidated going to a dealership to try and get one at a fair price. I've never haggled before and I'm not sure I can do a good job at it. On the other hand, I don't want to pay more than I have to for a car. What haggling tips do you have for a novice looking to buy a car?

Do your research. If you show you have done your research they will usually not screw with you. Also remember that most car dealerships make a lot more money on used cars then new ones. The Margin is much higher and they markup cars through the wazoo. There is usually a lot of room to negotiate. And remember the number one tip for negotiating, BE READY TO WALK OUT

[Goldy1]

I traded in a car last year to buy a new. Dealers from different locations offered me 3500 to $7000 for my car to trade in(this is knowing what I was buying). I am serious. Obviously I traded it in for the highest price. IT was unreal and very frustrating but I was scared to sell my car at home for safety reasons.

[FireBal989]

Research the invoice price of a new car or the trade-in value of a used vehicle and negotiate based on those prices. As a previous poster said, always be ready to walk out if they are really trying to swindle you and won't lower the price even though you know what the actual value of the vehicle.

If they bring out the "four square sheet," tell them that you've going to walk out unless they put it away. That sheet is designed to swindle you out of your money!

[cris22]

Look for people who wants to sell a rush car. This will give you chances to get the care as low as you desire and you know how to haggle right.

[willuc8]

Here's a tip: don't show neediness.

[ideasonfinancing]

The first thing to remember is never to trust the “Employee of the Month”. They received the award because they got more than the needed payment from their clients.

The trick is not to show you are interested. If you cannot really pull it off, then, know the average or the below the average costs for cars.