how do you haggle car prices

[huntandjeep]

What's your guys tips on haggling the price of cars. Looking at new ( to me) trucks and I'm tired of paying what the dealership wants instead of what I want. Any help . Thanks Allen

[jackelope]

I'd do it all online. Make an educated offer for what you feel the vehicle is worth based on other price comparisons. Don't even go to the dealer. Do it all online. If you get close but not close enough for you and you can stand not getting that particular vehicle.....back away for a day or 2. A lot of times, they'll come back and sell for what you want to pay.

[Woodchuck]

Cash in hand will make them listen to your offer a lot closer. 

[Bill W]

go thru Costco to the dealers they recommend.  Low prices and no haggling required.

[Skillet]

That only works if it is a "buy here pay here" outfit.  Most of the time if they can get you into financing of their own design, the bigger lots will just sell your contract off for another premium.  If you came into a name-brand dealer with cash, they may be interested about what's in that briefcase handcuffed to your arm, but it won't change the pricing at all.   

What will REALLY get you the best deal is if you bring in your own pre-approved credit union financing, do your homework on the vehicles you are interested in, know what the private party sales are for the same rigs on Craigslist, and don't talk about your trade in (if you have one) until you have negotiated the price of the deal without the trade.  Dealers HATE that... 

[jackelope]

Cash in hand will make them listen to your offer a lot closer. 

I disagree. I  think dealers(new/used dealerships anyway) like to be able to sell financing too. They'll make money in the "back screen" that way. Cash deal removes that ability. I think some cash shows them you're serious, but all cash is a loser for the dealer....especially with the competition the online market gives them. It favors the customer greatly.

[jackelope]

go thru Costco to the dealers they recommend.  Low prices and no haggling required.

That works really well, but for new cars only.

[BigD]

My best tip is it' OK to walk away and not buy, shake their hand and tell them thanks for their time, a lot of people can't do that.

[BigD]

Credit, or cash I don't give them that info until we are ready to sign something.

[Bean Counter]

Be patient and look at a private party. it takes more patience because you have to wait longer, but people are just looking to unload a car. When you go to Bob's Auto Lot or the Stealership, you're giving money to someone looking to unload a car AND make a profit.

when shopping, the biggest tip I can say is to look mostly disinterested. Don't get overly excited and act like you aren't sold on the car. You can do this without lying to them, which I find disingenuous ("Oh well I've got somebody else offering me the same truck for $1,000 less" etc). 

You can nitpick about faults on the vehicle, but there is a tasteful and a distasteful way to do this. I learned this the hard way ("Well if you don't like it, don't buy it!").

If you have a good relationship with a mechanic they should be willing to put it up on the rack and take a look underneath, for little or not cost.

Best wishes.

[3nails]

tag

[Special T]

First rule of haggling Your price can go up but not down. You can say NO as many times as you want but YES only once.

IMO you can often get a better "deal" on CL but have to have cash, be patient and pay for the rig to be looked over, or bring a Mech with you... Thats what i do since my bro is a Mech... If you require financing may as look at car lots, pre approved with your financing at the end of the month. 

[BigD]

When they ask you what your price range is, absolutely don't inform them.

[Heredoggydoggy]

Never act like "I gotta have this vehicle."  Give them a lowball offer to start.  You can always go up, but not down.... 

[mountainman]

Locally, with the Town auto group (who I have done alot of work for in the past, bought many vehicles, maybe 8-10 over the years) and who I make friends with and refer anyone looking for a new/used vehicle...I tell them my offer, always accepted, and most of the time they volunterally offer half off most vehicles!! Since being close to the program, I know what kind of markup they have and usually they want to move more by the end of the month, so that is when I shop! Great customer service and great guys also!!