COSTCO Auto Program?

[b23]

The two best negotiating tools you have are your own two feet.  If you think they can do better on the price, the only way you'll know is if you stand up, tell them thank you for their time and proceed to walk out.  If they can do better, they'll stop you and adjust the price, if they can't, for whatever reason, they'll let you walk.  The last vehicle I bought was Dec. 2013, they stopped me 4 different times and made their price better before they let me leave.  Then they called me two days later and I negotiated the install of my TRD supercharger. 

Far to often people get emotionally attached or frustrated with the stealerships BS and submit to a deal that typically isn't very good, except for them.  I always give myself lots of time so I can play their little games.  I let them think I can barely afford to pay attention.  They don't need to know where you work or if you have a two income family or if your kids go to private or public school.  They ask you all those personal questions to get a sense of what they think you can afford, not because they want to be your pal and invite you over for dinner.  ALWAYS believe they can do BETTER on the price, whether they really can or not doesn't matter, just always assume they can. 

[h20hunter]

Disclaimer: I'm in the car business....parts guy.....so just trying to help out.

Here is what I think is one of the best things about the program. In a way, it protects people from themselves as well. What I mean is it allows them to get a good fixed price on a unit before even walking in. You can talk for a long time about dealer holdback, dealer incentives, back end gross, and all the other ways dealers stay in business. Dealers are after all a for profit business and the different levels of profit go to various places. For example holdback....sales departsment don't make their money there....that is dealer bottom line. Finance.....for those that don't have financing lined up..yep...you may be paying an extra 1% because the dealer hung your paper at 5% and you agreed to 6%. Sales doesn't get that cut...it goes to the finance folks in the box. Warranties...same thing. It all has its quirks.

That being said, not all dealers are "stealerships". Sadly, there are plenty that play games and b.s. people around and it sucks. I've seen it and agree, its a pain. If you educate yourself first, know your options, know your financing, don't allow yourself to be upsold or talked into what you didn't plan for, can get fair trade in value for a trade, and pay what the Costco Program has set you will have done OK. Could you do better? Sure, a bit. It depends on your time spent working at it and what your end goal is.

Also, keep in mind. There may be a time where your dealer can be your saviour. For example....if you have a good relationship with your dealer, especially your service department, it can pay you back and then some. I've seen many examples of this. Weekly I see vehicles that are juuuusst past warranty, maybe even a year out. They have good service history and next thing you know "goodwill warranty" is stepping in and they are taken care of.

Not all dealers are out to get you. All dealers are looking to make a profit, gotta be done. Carry on.

[h20hunter]

Another thing.....even us parts guys can help you out. Guy called today...nice guy ove the phone. Asked for a quote on two knock sensors and wire harness. I'm looking them up and he asks if we have an old man military discount this weekend. I chuckled, asked what that discount typically was....he said he "reckoned"...kid you not.....that it was either 10 or 15%. We settled on 15% for the old man military discount.

My point is dealerships and the staff there will often treat you just as you treat us. When asked properly I've never said no to a discount. When treated like I'm dishonest I wouldn't budge and would let you walk and not miss a beat.