The thought of buying a car sometimes invokes the negative image of a fast-talking car salesman trying to sell you a lemon. The reality is that there are tips on dealing with salesmen and buying a car that can help you utilize the salesman's services to get the deal you need. The key is knowing when to listen to a car salesman and when to feel confident in your own information.
Be Concise
Car salesmen attempt to put together a sales pitch that appeals to your emotions rather than your needs. That is why they try to get you to talk about yourself, according to the financial experts on the Motley Fool website. Only offer information that is pertinent to the purchase of the vehicle. Any personal information that is not relevant to the sale needs to be kept to yourself. Do not allow the salesman to get you buying on emotion rather than need.
Test Drive Advice
The test drive is a time when the car salesman will try to get you worked up about buying the vehicle and get important information from you, according to the consumer website CarBuyingTips.com. Some consumers get a bit excited when it is time for the test drive and the car salesman will try to boost the enthusiasm by playing on that emotion. Do not show any increased emotion prior to the test drive. Remain calm and stay focused on determining if this is the car for you. During the test drive, if the salesman feels it is going well, he will try to get you to talk about a trade-in, a down payment and the monthly payments you feel you can afford. Avoid giving this information until you are ready to talk about the deal. When you are driving, you are focused on the road and not thinking about what you are saying. If the salesman tries to talk to you during the test drive, ask him to allow you to safely drive the car and focus on the vehicle rather than discussing the sales agreement.
Focus on You
Automotive journalist Chandler Phillips wrote a series of essays for Edmunds.com entitled "Confessions of a Car Salesman." In it, Phillips reveals the many secrets of being a car salesman and how car salesmen operate. One of the things that Phillips emphasized throughout the essays is that the car salesman is only focused on what is best for him, so you should focus on what is best for you. The car salesman will tell you he is on your side, say some things that may lead you to believe he is trying to get you the best deal and give you the impression he is fighting his manager to get you the best deal. In reality, the car salesman is trying to get you put up on the board as a sale. If he can make extra money by getting you to use a particular lender, he will push you in that direction. Granted, not every car salesman operates this way. Phillips found out that many do act like this. Rather than trying to determine which salesman is genuine and which is out for themselves, your best bet is to focus on getting the best deal for you and not worrying about what is best for the salesman.
Don't Go Alone
As the negotiations move along with a car salesman, it can sometimes be difficult for you to remain objective. If you become fixated on a car, you may be willing to take a deal that is not in your best interest. Always take a friend with you that understands how to negotiate and is not afraid to speak up. Be prepared to listen to that friend no matter how badly you want the vehicle. Your friend could wind up saving you hundreds, and possibly thousands, of dollars.
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