Top Ten Things Not To Do If You Go Into a Car Dealer

~ John W. Howell
Photo by Obi on Unsplash

 

Here is a list authored by Marie Ann Bailey  and me. It was posted on January 14, 2014. Since there is still a need to go to a car dealer, it may be helpful

Top Ten Things Not To Do If You Go Into a Car Dealer

10.  If you go into a car dealer, make sure you really want to buy a car. If you don’t, at best, you may walk away from a car that you fell in love with but can’t afford. At worst, you might end up paying for that car for the rest of your life.

9.  If you go into a car dealer, do not say anything regarding your like or dislike of a car. If you do, at best, you will tip your hand. At worst, you may end up with the one you dislike since it is priced so well.

8.  If you go into a car dealer, do not drink a big gulp before arriving. If you do, at best, you may need to interrupt your negotiations at a bad time. At worst, the sales rep may detect your uneasiness, interpret it as a sign of weakness, and hammer the negotiations until you agree to everything just so you can make a break for the bathroom.

7.  If you go into a car dealer, do not wear any clothing with designer labels. If you do, at best, you will impress everyone in the showroom. At worst, you may pay thousands more for a car than the people at JCP.

6.  If you go into a car dealer, do not bring the children. If you do, at best, they will get hyped up on the sugary donuts the salespeople will feed them. At worst, the kids will want to sit in your lap just as you try to negotiate a good deal and tell the salesperson that you are just kidding.

5.  If you go into a car dealer, do not park your car where it can be seen. If you do, at best, the condition will tip off the salesperson as to your trade-in before the deal. At worst, the salesperson will get a heads-up on how badly you need transportation.

4.  If you go into a car dealer, do not accept anything to eat or drink if offered. If you do, at best, you’ll take on extra calories you don’t need. At worst, you may feel you owe the dealership something, and you don’t want to get talked into a thousand-dollar cup of coffee.

3.  If you go into a car dealer, do not sign anything before you read it. If you do, at best, you may have some expensive surprises when the car is delivered. At worst, you may have sold your home for a dollar.

2.  If you go into a car dealer, do not demand to see the manager if you’re unhappy with the deal the salesperson is offering. If you do, at best, you may be embarrassed to learn that the salesperson is the manager. At worst, the employees will use the videotape of you ranting at the company party as the leading entertainment.

1.  If you go into a car dealer, do not even think of special ordering a car. If you do, at best, you may end up paying too much. At worst, you may be riding around in something that lost fifty percent of its value the minute you drove it off the lot, since Habanero Orange is not everyone’s favorite color.

90 thoughts on “Top Ten Things Not To Do If You Go Into a Car Dealer”

  5. I really love #1. There are more and more ‘lemons,’ ‘limes,’ and ‘tangerines’ driving around these days, and while I generally like the colors, they do look utterly on on four wheels.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Based upon a recent experience (with this and previous experience buying a car, you already know you will pay for at point of purchase so you already tell them you do not need financing), if you have a limited amount of time and they assure you that they will get you out on time. DO NOT BELIEVE THEM They must make extra commission if they can hold you hostage for at least two hours. I was promised we would be done by 4, which was 90 minutes away. We did not leave until 5–no reason, or apology, just because they could.

    Liked by 1 person

      1. My husband leased a car once and found out what I had suspected, at the end of the lease, you had not trade-in so you had to get the subsequent car from scratch. We were both still working and needed two cars, so it may depend upon what your driving requirement are. I had an uncle who was in insurance and probably was able to write the trade of his new cars off (after reading your comment, I am wondering if the cars were leased since he always had a fairly new car.)

        Liked by 1 person

  12. Love the habenaro orange comment – I’ve seen a few cars that color! Also, special ordering a car can take months, by which time the price will have increased since you’re into the next year or you get a year old car!

    Great advice all around!

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Shopping for a new car is almost as miserable as going to the DMV, John. Both can eat up a whole lot of time, cost you an arm and a leg, and leave you feeling like you caught the short end of the stick. Well written, my friend.

    Liked by 1 person

  16. Whaddya mean? I have habanero orange plates . . . .

    I noticed a couple of olive green cars lately. Hmm. But pretty soon half the cars in Phoenix will be Waymos which are all white and then nobody will need a car dealership!

    Liked by 1 person

  19. All good advice but this one : 3.  If you go into a car dealer, do not sign anything before you read it. If you do, at best, you may have some expensive surprises when the car is delivered. At worst, you may have sold your home for a dollar.

    Is especially important. If you are honest yourself it is easy to believe others are as well, but people will try to take advantage of you. Don’t take anyones word for anything. Don’t be lazy, read it, and make sure you get a copy.

    Like

  21. We just bought a new car for my wife on Friday. After she finds what she wants, I step in to handle the negotiations. It’s like playing poker. I’ve learned not to rush the process. It can take several days, but they always call back, especially when they think they’re about to lose the sale to someone else. I’m a fanatic about research, to the point that one could question whether all my extra time is warranted, but I always save a few thousand dollars in the end.

    Liked by 1 person

  24. Fortunately, I’ve only been to a car dealer once in my life, when I was 19 and bought my first & only new car, a 1970 Ford Mustang. Since then, it’s been used cars for me … one I paid $50 for and a few I paid $1,000 or more, but I never had to go into a dealership!

    Liked by 2 people

  25. Thanks for this fun top 10. I like the warning about your current vehicle “heads-up on how badly you need transportation.” Well done spelling habanero correctly., a lot of people want to add an ñ although it doesn’t have one. : ) (clapping)

    Liked by 1 person

  26. Thanks for the Monday smiles (even if it’s Tuesday). As I went through each one, I realized I’d rather set my hair on fire than buy a new car. Completing all the paperwork was sheer torture and paying it off quickly was the only thing that made it semi palatable. Thank heavens for the large water bottle and protein bars I brought at least kept me hydrated with even blood sugar levels.

    Liked by 1 person

  30. A guy who worked at a new car dealership for over twenty years told me the biggest scam is the trade in. He said you should always sell your car privately. You’ll end up with a lot more money. A LOT more, according to him.

    Liked by 1 person

Comments are closed.