Why Car Dealers Steer You Away From the Web

Reader Comments

Back to blog

Unbelievable, but your post opened in me new ideas

tramodol of AL 9:36AM December 18, 2009

Your message raises contradictions in my head

facebok of AL 12:06PM October 31, 2009

Always thought that your blog is one of the best in my bookmarks, and once again saw this

macafee of AL 11:08AM October 21, 2009

Your post carries a hidden washed away, I just know it

wallmart of AL 6:22PM October 20, 2009

As I read this, I was thinking "WOW! Has no-one heard of Carmax"? They have great used cars and a great friendly staff. And don't even talk about their selection. It's awesome and wide. They have the no haggle pricing, high quailty cars, low pressure staff, and no tricks. People, if you have not tried them you should. If you only want to buy new, they have some lots that sell new, but most of them are pre owned. If you don't at least try them, your loss. You might even wanna try my salesperson she was great...Michelle W. I met other salespeople like Jocelyn and Imani because they are all so friendly there. Sales may be down but Carmax looks to be still rolling.

Sheryl of SC 1:28PM September 29, 2009

JOLBFX

Aefilqgn of MT 8:46PM July 15, 2009

I have cash to buy, tired of the haggling.

Deryl Watson of MN 1:39PM January 25, 2009

My biggest complaint is that almost all dealers I have seen locally will not simply state the actual price of the vehicle on their website or on the car at the dealership. Most dealers only list the monthly payment so they can disguise hidden fees to make more money and get kickbacks from the finance companies.

What if someone has their own financing or better yet, intends to pay cash? Believe it or not, some of us are smart enough to save up our money to buy something rather than depending on credit.

I see it like this... NO PRICE, NO DEAL.

David Simms of WV 9:13AM December 11, 2008

Although you appear to be polite, which is appreciated, my experience with car dealers is that if I supply them with my phone number, the high pressure calls never end. I want a new vehicle, but get high pressure rap at every dealership. I am an extremely busy white-collar worker, and barely have enough time to do what must be done in my life. The very last thing I am going to do is spend time being subjected to high pressure nonsense. I won't buy under those circumstances. I know the vehicle, trim level, and options packackages I want. I went to a couple of dealerships to make sure they knew I was "real", and got cards from the salesperson I met. I then tried to conduct the final sales negotiations over the web to keep time to a minmum. Just to be clear here, I have excellent credit and was planniong on guying the vehicle I want outright anyway (i.e., this is not being written buy someone who has hidden financial issues or other blocks). I can't get a straight quote (answer) from anyone, even though they already know I am an actual buyer. All I get is the vague answers that might apply to any vehicle (I ask about specific vehicles, and have included the VIN and their stock number in the emails). Sorry, I just can't muster sympathy for the dealers. I have tried to be square, I get nonsense back.

Dallas Truck Buyer of TX 4:37PM September 23, 2008

Go to the manufacturer's website, enter your zip code & configure the car with the package you want. Print out the pages that describe the package & MSRP. THEN, go to Kbb.com, Cars.com & Edmunds.com. Go through the same steps configuring the same car with the same package for each. If the MSRP matches, then you will see that the Dealer Invoice, MSRP AND THE TYPICAL PRICE FOR THE SAME CAR YOU WANT ACTUALLY SELLS FOR IN YOUR AREA!!!

You could not ask for better information!! Unbiased numbers about what a car really sells at!!!

How can a dealership argue that you should pay more AND how can YOU argue you should pay less. The dealership has this information too! It's the same as looking at comparable home prices for a neighborhood. Once you know the numbers, it's easy to decide if you are being treated fairly.

If you are looking for a Nissan GTR or a Prius & the usual price is %5k over MSRP, then guess what that's what you have to pay! If on the other hand you want a Corolla, then offering the dealer a little below invoice will probably get you the car you want without much hassle.

The Fear of Negotiating comes from ignorance not stupidity. Stupid people tend to be happy; they don't know any better.

G of VA 11:26PM September 17, 2008

Add Your Thoughts
Your comment will be posted immediately, unless it is spam or contains profanity. For more information, please see our Comments FAQ.

Back to blog

Rick Newman

Rick Newman

The global economy is mysterious, even scary. Chief Business Correspondent Rick Newman connects the dots. In addition to his writing for U.S. News, Rick is the co-author of two books: Firefight: Inside the Battle to Save the Pentagon on 9/11, and Bury Us Upside Down: The Misty Pilots and the Secret Battle for the Ho Chi Minh Trail.


Read Rick's latest blog entries here.

advertisement

advertisement