| So let's spend some time talking about something | | | | make and model you want. Don't sweat options |
| that we can all relate to: buying a car. It's all good | | | | and maintenance packages right now - just pick a |
| and fine to talk about negotiating concepts, but | | | | car! |
| buying a car is when the (pardon the pun) rubber | | | | 3. Research How Much This Car Should Cost:Ah, |
| really hits the road. Nobody that I know ever | | | | isn't living in the 21st Century grand? Thanks to |
| looks forward to the whole process of buying a | | | | the power of the Internet you can go online and |
| car. | | | | quickly find out how much your dealer paid for. A |
| Although they want a car, they don't want the | | | | great place to start is If you need to understand |
| hassle that they have to go through to get one. | | | | the difference between Manufacturer's Suggested |
| For the purposes of this discussion, we won't care | | | | Retail Price, Dealer Invoice price, etc., then |
| if you are looking for a new or a used car - the | | | | checkout an excellent overview at WikiAnswers. |
| process is basically the same. Let's see if we can | | | | Once you know what a reasonable price is, then |
| make things just a bit easier for you the next | | | | you are ready to negotiate. |
| time you need to go car shopping: | | | | 4. Own The Stage: When you go to a car dealer |
| | | | to start negotiating, it is as though you are |
| 1. Determine Your Schedule: This will set the tone | | | | walking onto a stage. This is one of the reasons |
| for the whole car buying process: how much time | | | | that so many people fear buying a car - they've |
| do you have before you need to have a car? | | | | got stage fright. Ideally you want the salesperson |
| The more time that you have before you need | | | | to be eager to talk to you so you should do you |
| to make a decision, the more power you have. If | | | | best to set things up in your favor. We all know |
| you currently have a car to drive or if you walk | | | | that car dealers want to move as much |
| bike/run everywhere and can keep doing so, then | | | | inventory as possible before the end of the |
| you are (another pun) in the driver's seat. You | | | | month/year. If you can wait until that time is |
| can take your time in selecting the brand, model, | | | | drawing close, then you'll improve your position. No |
| and sales location that you want to buy from. If | | | | matter what, make sure that you have all the |
| things aren't going your way at any time, you can | | | | time in the world to talk to the car dealer |
| just stop the process and restart it whenever it | | | | because that will put you in control of the |
| suits you. On the other hand, if your clunker just | | | | discussion. The salesperson won't have the same |
| gave up the ghost and you really need a new set | | | | amount of time and so you'll be in control. |
| of wheels, like yesterday, then you have less | | | | 5. The Last Word Said Is The Most |
| negotiating power, but you can maximize what | | | | Important:Realize that even after you've reached |
| power you do have. You do this by spending | | | | a fair price for your car, the salesperson is still |
| more time on the car search right now and doing | | | | participating in the negotiating game - it's not over |
| your research throughly and moving quickly. If | | | | yet. You need to stay awake and engaged |
| you spend more time now, then you'll have all of | | | | because this is where the money can slip out of |
| the information that you need and you can lead | | | | your wallet / purse. Taxes, documentation, dealer |
| the negotiations. | | | | prep are all negotiable items and the salesperson |
| 2. Find Out What You Want:Negotiations can't | | | | is going to want to present them to you as fixed |
| start until you decide exactly what you want. If | | | | items. Don't give up now! |
| you already know, then great move on to the | | | | No matter what information I can pass on to you, |
| next step. If you don't know, then this is the time | | | | buying a car will always be an experience that |
| to do some off-line research and then go do | | | | causes emotions to run high simply due to the |
| some test driving. No matter what the "helpful" | | | | amount of money that is involved. If you follow |
| salesperson says, keep in mind that you are not a | | | | these simple steps, you can at least be more |
| car buyer right now - you are a car researcher | | | | calm and focus on achieving the outcome that will |
| and so your one and only job is to decide what | | | | make you a happy driver for years to come. |