"7 ways dealers make you pay extra"
 

A good article with some information on what to watch out for at dealers. A few of these really sounded familiar from my own car buying experiences. Especially the dealer adding a bunch of sh*t you don't need to make the price higher. Like the BMW i looked at that was priced at about 37k. After all the BS the dealer added it was 43k.

http://autos.yahoo.com/consumerrepor...NwYXktZXh0cmE-


Your goal is to get the best car at the best price. The dealers goal should be to help you do this, but too often its simply to make as much profit as they can. As a smart shopper, you need to know the common strategies that dealerships use to pad their bottom line--from tricky negotiating tactics to trying to sell you unnecessary extras--and how to avoid playing their game. Consumer Reports auto-test staff, which buys more than 50 vehicles a year, has had hundreds of dealership experiences. Following are some of the most common things you could encounter and CRs advice on how to avoid falling prey to them.


1 Mixing Negotiations

Mixing negotiations. Salespeople like to combine the vehicle price, trade-in, and/or financing negotiation, often asking you what you can afford to pay per month. This gives them more latitude to provide a favorable figure in one area while inflating figures in other areas. In the end, this could cost you more overall.

Avoid this trap by negotiating one thing at a time, starting with the price of the car. Approach this as if you were paying cash, with no trade-in. To get the best deal, you should go in with a starting price thats based not on the vehicles sticker price but on how much the dealer paid for it. The dealer invoice price is commonly available on Web sites and in pricing guides, but that isnt necessarily what the dealer paid. Behind-the-scenes bonuses, such as dealer incentives and holdbacks, give the dealer more profit margin--sometimes thousands of dollars--which gives you more room to haggle. To help, Consumer Reports New Car Price Reports (available via ConsumerReports.org) includes the CR Bottom Line Price, which is the dealer invoice minus any incentives, holdbacks, or rebates. A reasonable starting price is 4 to 8 percent over the CR Bottom Line Price, depending on how much demand there is for the model.

Make it clear to the salesperson that you want the lowest possible markup over your starting price, and that youll visit other dealerships selling the same vehicle and will buy from the one with the best price.

Once youve settled on a price, discuss financing and any trade-in separately. This makes it easier to get the best deal at every step of the transaction.


2 0 down, 0 interest, 0 payments for 1 year

0 down, 0 interest, 0 payments for one year. This may sound good, but there are downsides that can cost you money. After the first year, you still owe all the monthly payments youve delayed, often at a higher-than-necessary interest rate. In short, you end up owing much more than the sticker price on a vehicle that is now a used car.

Consider this kind of deal carefully. No down payment, for instance, means youll have to finance more, which makes the monthly payments higher and increases the amount you pay in interest over the life of the loan. Be sure you know what the interest rate will be after the first year, and compare with rates that are currently available. Keep in mind that many buyers dont qualify for zero-percent loans and other low rates. Knowing the current rates can also help you avoid being talked into a rate thats higher than what you could get elsewhere.


3 The leasing game

The leasing game. Many leasing customers assume that the monthly payment the salesperson quotes is a nonnegotiable figure. Thats not true. The figure is often based on a vehicles sticker price with no discount, and can be negotiated just as if you were buying the car. In fact, to keep the transaction simple, you can negotiate the vehicle price before mentioning that you want to lease.

Other negotiable lease items include the down payment, annual mileage limit, and purchase-option price. Just as when buying, you can have dealers compete against each other, giving your business to the one that offers you the best deal.


4 Financing and your credit score

Financing and your credit score. Dealers like to arrange the financing for your vehicle because it gives them another source of profit. But the interest rate they offer may be higher than you could get elsewhere. Dont make financing a purchase-time decision. Before visiting the dealership, make sure you know how youll pay for the vehicle. Call ahead to find out what the dealers rate is, and compare it with what you could get from banks, credit unions, or other lending institutions. If you are preapproved for a loan, you can keep the financial arrangements out of the negotiations.

Remember that your credit score will affect what interest rate youre offered, so its good to know it in advance. Ideally, check your credit score a couple months before buying the car so that you have time to correct any errors in your report.

Knowing your credit score can also protect you if a disreputable dealer tries to give you a higher interest rate than you deserve. Any score over 700 should ensure you the lowest rates. A report with a credit score costs $15 or less at each of the major credit bureaus: Equifax, www.equifax.com, 800-685-1111; Experian, www.experian.com, 888-397-3742; and TransUnion, www.transunion.com, 800-888-4213.


5 Loading on the options

Loading on the options. Salespeople will sometimes try to make up for a low price on a vehicle by talking you into a lot of optional equipment. Do your homework, so you know what options you want and which you can live without. Many options are available separately, but others can only be bought as part of a package. Consider these carefully. Option packages can make you pay for features you dont need to get a few you want. Its best to choose a vehicle trim level that gives you most of the options you want, then add other options separately. If a model doesnt have the features at the price you want, consider another.

Remember that you can negotiate the price of options. Various Web sites and Consumer Reports New Car Price Reports give you dealer invoice price for all available options.


6 Extras you don't need

Extras you dont need. Another profit source for dealers is extras such as rustproofing, fabric protection, paint sealant, and etching your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on windows to deter thieves. Sometimes, these types of charges will simply appear on your bill of sale without anyone having mentioned them to you. Dont waste your money. What could cost the dealer about $90 can cost you $1,000 or more.

Vehicle bodies are already treated to protect against rust. Upholstery is typically treated at the factory, or you can do it yourself with a can of spray-on fabric protectant. Paint sealants and waxes are available for under $15 at any auto-parts store or supermarket. Some states do require dealers to offer VIN etching, but none require that you buy it from them. If you want VIN etching, you can do it yourself with a $25 kit.

Dealer prep fees--such as checking tire pressure--should be included in the purchase price, not listed as extras. If these items are on your bill of sale, refuse to pay for them.


7 The question of extended warranties

The question of extended warranties. At some point in the buying process, the dealerships financing manager will try to sell you an extended warranty, which can cost hundreds of dollars. Consumer Reports does not recommend buying an extended warranty unless you plan on keeping a trouble-prone vehicle for an extended time after the original warranty runs out. Most manufacturer warranties are sufficient, with bumper-to-bumper coverage of at least three years or 36,000 miles and powertrain coverage thats often longer. If you want an extended warranty, ones offered by the auto manufacturer are typically better than those offered by third-party companies.

Some disreputable dealers may tell you that you must buy an extended warranty because the bank requires it. In fact, lenders typically dont require it, and making you pay for one under these pretenses is illegal in some states.

excellent post.

Good info, THX.

Thats helps alot, Thanks!

The members here ROCK :headbang:

Hopefully this article should be written about ALL businesses and not just the auto industry. How would it work when other industries worked and made little or no money because of articles like this? It would be nice to go into a restaurant and get the filet mignon for the price of a burger, or lobster for the price of a fish stick. God forbid the dealer makes a little money. No wonder the auto industry is in trouble. Profit is NOT a dirty word.

In fact, the article is saying that shoppers are stupid and can't make decisions on their own. If you can't understand clearly how to buy a car, stay out of the showroom or have a lawyer read all of the fine print before you sign it.

Sorry, but I really like you buddy...






I am married so don't even think it! :drinking:

Keep on selling and making money. :thumbup:

Thanks for that!! Awesome info!!!

:word:

This is ground control to MajorTom, Commencing countdown, engines on. Sorry I couldn't resist. Still rockin' there in STL with KSHE-95 and Sweetmeat?

Very good info. that all informed buyers should know. Thanks!

I agree with you 100%. I don't believe the article is necessarily saying people are stupid and incapable of making decisions. Most people are simply lazy, particularly when it comes to any activity that requires thinking. This article and others like it are not even close to the source of any problems with auto manufacturers or dealerships though, it's simply one of the symptoms of a poorly educated population.

:word: This article has good advice, and the theme is that people need to take the initiative and make things happen for themselves. Without this article, a lot of would-be ignoramuses can go into dealerships with some knowledge of the process that costs them more than the need to spend. :thumbsup: This is a great find.

It's good advice but it's all stuff that anyone paying attention should easily be able to see if it's a good or bad deal, with the possible exception of number six. Personally I doubt many people that actually read and remember the stuff from that article when they buy a car (or anything else) were likely to fall for any of those tricks to begin with.

1 - Common sales trick for cars and other purchases with negotiable prices. It's also one of those sneaky tricks that gives car sales the bad rep it has IMO, but anyone spending tens of thousands of dollars should be aware of what they are doing and calculate that the sellers idea of a bargain isn't necessarily the same as the buyers idea of a bargain.

2 - Typical credit trick, falling for it is pure shortsighted greed on the part of the buyer. This one is even easier to spot, just run the numbers and see if this is a good or bad deal.

3 - Again this shouldn't happen to anyone (except maybe at Saturn ;) ), it doesn't take much logic or research to realize that leases are just as negotiable as purchases. This isn't even the dealer doing something at all bad, they are normally asking for what amounts to list price and the customer is happily accepting.

4 - Again common sense that anyone making a large purchase does if they aren't being lazy.

5 - This is just standard advice for any purchase, pay attention to what you are buying. Salesmen like to sell you stuff you don't need so pay a little attention.

6 - The exact nature of this one varies dealer to dealer, some places simply offer straight forward dealer options (normally very overpriced but not always). Some other dealers try to pressure or sneak this crap in after the negotations are completed. I think this can be the slimiest trick on the list, the way some dealers do it they should be tossed in jail for fraud IMO. They are the minority but there's enough of them that almost everyone knows someone that's been tricked by some variation of this.

7 - Another one that's not car specific, always be careful of extended warranties as they are always designed to make the seller money and can have large seller markups. The only time I see a problem on this is when the dealer represents an aftermarket warranty as an extended factory warranty. This is something that somone paying attention should notice but it's still a nasty trick that should never be pulled by a business worth buying from.

appearance protection?
 

my dealer said I have to purchase"appearance protection" package @ $1,695.00! I said no. they say mandatory? I don't see that on my contract! Anyone else having this issue? It sounds like an add on that I do not need or want. Any comments? thanks!:mad0260:

NOT!:bs:

8 Ways Customers Try To Fool Car Salespeople : 1.)Don't tell them your trading till the last minute,then complain they take too long to get numbers. 2.)Lie about wanting to leave and pick-up you sick grandmother,then go shop at another store.3.)Start asking "what's the price and note" on the lot.4.)Threaten them with "your my first stop ,buddy".5.)Be as disrespectful to them as you like,they don't have feelings.6.)Be sure to talk on your cell phone while on the lot.7.) Go to the closest dealership and spend a couple hours with the salesman,with no intentions of buying,use them for amunition at your dealership.8.) Tell them about the horrible experience at their dealership,make him wonder why you are there.Really,this is in fairness to all.Salesman know what customers are up to.They do it everyday,customers do it every few years. I'm just making a point.I can take it when people do this to me (and they have) can consumers understand why we are defensive sometimes. :yikes:

I don't hold it against dealerships that they want to make money. Just be honest about it. Tell me that this is what the car is worth to your company. Don't try to get the extra profit by tricking me.

So RPO thinks the 18/19 year old girl who walks into the showroom and drives out with a lease for a car and paid MSRP and " extras" should have brought a lawyer with her?

I have seen countless grads buy a car and be a "victim" of all the 7 listed. Then when the car is repossessed the dealer sell it again, and the 1st buyers credit is screwed for 7 years.

And there are lots of people who ate all but one bite and send it back as "cold" or "not what I expected" in the hospitality industry. Usually the waitress has more training than the car salesman, and deals with it much better.

So far we don't need a lawyer to read the menu.

Yea that's one of the extra's. Tell them no.

Especially if the car is not in there make ready yet you can stop it.

Some dealers add that BS kit to all of their cars, some add to a certain percentage, and the honest dealers don't even offer it. You may have a tough time arguing that with some sales people, so ask to talk to the manager. They know it is BS and not needed, let them know what they need to do to sell you a car.

Do you seriously expect us to have any sympathy for dealerships? Seriously? I'm not against them making a profit but so many of them are so completely worthless that there is no way they are going to get my support.

There are exceptions to the rule, but those are the ones where most of these rules don't apply (I personally support them trying to add features to the car if the buyer can afford it, that's not sneaky at all, as well as any other obvious ways to try to get the sale higher).

+1

Im not in the business anymore, but I feel you on all that.

People like to spew out BS about "if they gave us a good price, we'd be back, that's how you get customers". YA RIGHT! #1 on the OP list says it all. It's all about the $$. "Make it clear to the salesperson that you want the lowest possible markup over your starting price, and that youll visit other dealerships selling the same vehicle and will buy from the one with the best price."

Customers are ALWAYS willing to sell out for the lowest possible price, I've seen people shopping the price difference of $50!!

I love how people read that crap and think suddenly they are the worlds best negotiator. Nothing worse then when you are trying to work with someone and they think they are smart by picking out a car and negotiating a price.

BIG CLUE FOR THE COMMON BUYER. a good salespro will ask if you are payign cash or financing for a reason. We have all spent hours with someone who thought they were clever by lying to us about paying cash and negotiated a sales price. then when you go to finish the deal and they "decide" to finance and we lose the deal because they're payments are 70/mnth more then they could afford and you just blew most of your saturday with the new found negotiation king.

hate to break it to you people, but your average customer is 10 times worse than your average salespro.

:character0293:Aye pre approved hardass with terminator like skills = walking on water
Walking in blind = under water with salesman walking on water

I am the salesmen worst nightmare. The used car TERMINATOR..

Bad offer detected - Response 1. "F*** you ********"....:middlefinger:

(little Arnold joke).

I own a business. The last thing I expect is for my customers to be experts on my industry, and I don't take advantage of their ignorance to increase my profit margin. If thats what you feel you have to do to make a living then maybe your in the wrong business. You are a role model for GM and these shady practices reflect poorly on the entire company.

The price for all of our pre-ordered cars should already have been discussed prior to even ordering. It's kind of hard to bargain for a better price on a car that the dealer knows you've already ordered, and that they all know the first ones out will be a hot commodity.

I'm paying cash for the car, but don't expect them to sell it for under MSRP. I only asked to insure MSRP or lower, which was agreed to upfront. Plus I trust them on their word since I've bought many cars from the same dealer and have become fairly good friends with my same dealer for almost 20 years now.

I'm thinking one way to "Save" some money is on the "Trade-in". If you know it's worth $1,000- try and go for $1,600-- or something higher. You already know the base price is MSRP, so this is one way around getting the car for less and still heed to the MSRP price already agreed to.

The only "Extra" I bought when I got the 2008 SS Impala was the oil change/tire rotation one for $500. But it is the everyday driver. Won't even need that on the Camaro.

I don't have a problem paying MSRP, I think this car is worth every penny of it. My dealer agreed to sell the car to me for MSRP so no problem there for me, but my dealer does try to add things like extended warranties, undercoating, interior protection, ect...And they do it in the Finance office just like an article I read said they would. Not this time, I'm coming prepared.:D

Extended warranties,life and disability insurance,gap insurance,etc. are in some state offered to customers by law.In other words if I don't offer you gap insurance and you total your car but didn't get offered you'd be pissed ,so would I.It's another part of the buying process,as much as we don't like it.To the dealership that tricks customers ,look at Bill Heard,he thought he was to big for his britches,where's he at? In the car shopping experience the most you can hope for,find a courteous and helpful salesman,find a vehicle you like,get a fair price and be respected after the sale.

:iono:I'm confused... You're either sending mixed messages or you missed the point of this thread. I absolutely want to see the dealership make good money. Just don't want VIN etching when I never asked for it. (please offer it to me first)

Your following two posts are EXACTLY what this post is about and what we wish to avoid no matter what the industry. Being informed is what any smart buyer does, and I do appreciate what you have done for this forum. You are one of the VERY BEST out there... I just think you missed this one, probably due to all the complaining you must obviously deal with all the time. Please dont' take this the wrong way... I was just suprised by your answer.

I'm paying MSRP which should be a fair deal for all and I sincerly hope you can make a few bucks and get the volume to really make a difference in your business.

If dealers have already agreed to sell the car at MSRP, why should there be any negotiations going on? I can understand if they try to add other things that are not needed and I know that i wouldn't stand for such things myself. For the dealers, you guys have so much ammunition to use against the buyer (by this I mean years of experience doing your job :wave:), I think it would be fair for the buyers to bring some ammo of their own. I don't think that they are trying to tell you how to do your job, they are just trying to get the best deal. :chevy:

Ok, this is a little off-topic and maybe I am retarded, but what is the purpose of VIN etching? I dont understand how it deters thieves...

+1

some states it is law that you must be offered certain services to customers.

Car buyers just seem to like being upset about whatever a dealership does. We get complaints from people about being offer or recomment insurances/warranties/etc. and then we have threads from car buyers upset because the dealership doesn't recommend certain mainetenence issues (tire rotations)/etc.. People are LUCKY to be getting MSRP right now and we have ton's of threads complaining of dealerships not accepting disounts and such. It's damned if you do, damned if you don't.

The dealerships never seem to do the right thing in the eyes of car buyers.

:word:


I don't think it's an issue with either salepros or buyers as a whole being bad it's just a simple issue really, "Most people are stupid." That's all.

Okay, so one thing we can all agree upon is that in many cases the car selling/buying experience is an adversarial one. If you're a buyer, it's the dealer's fault. If your a car salesman, it's the buyer's fault. Both sides lie. It's all a matter of perspective. Which leads us to the question, who is responsible for creating this monster? I believe that it is partially the manufacturer's fault but mostly the dealer's fault.

Ask yourself these questions:
1. Why doesn't the invoice reflect the true cost of the vehicle? I would bet that the restaurant's invoice for the filet is exactly what the restaurant pays. Who are they trying to fool with a false invoice?
2. Why didn't the "No Dicker Sticker" ever catch on? Why is the dealer so eager to "negotiate"?
3. Who advertises great deals only to change the story when you walk in the showroom? Who puts those ridiculous ads on Sunday morning TV?
4. Who experiences high turnover rates?
5. Dealer Principles tend to be wealthy individuals. Many dealers have built beautiful facilities. How have they managed this on such small margins?
6. Why are there so many dealer locations?

It seems to me that reforming the selling/buying experience would only benefit the dealer.... unless they're hiding something...

Having said all that, dealers have the right to make as much as they can, although they should do so honestly. And buyers have the right to negotiate the best deal that they can for themselves, also honestly. But it'll NEVER happen... LOL :bonk:

Considering your reasons 5 and 6, I'd say they don't need any additional benefit.

My best friend did it the way I wish I could do it. He knew what he wanted, and he called dealers for bids on it. The dealer who gave him the lowest bid got the sale. It was a quick, no-BS sale for them, and he got the best price. They made a moderate profit and didn't have to waste an extra minute on him.

order info
 

please help where are you getting all your order info.I have a 2ss/rs/m6/infero orange on order since 2/23/09 and can't find out a del date

Use the PM system, or (this is nuts hang on!!!).....

Search.