Haggling on Price
Discussion
Pit Pony said:
With private, I haggle on
a) It needs a service and with the cam belt it will cost me £XXX!!!
b) There is no warranty, so it will need to be 20% cheaper than the dealer
c) Every scuff and chip will cost £50 with dent devils, so lets say £200 to get it right.
d) It needs 4 tyres at £80 a side, so lets call it £200 off
e) Nah
f) It needs new brakes and pads and even if I do it myself that will be £200
g) And then I point out 4 IDENTICAL cars I'm viewing later and ask "what's the best price you can for do cash now" and then if he's priced up the faults, I'll ask for 5% off.
Much more successful with private types.
Is that you Mike Brewer? I think it depends a lot on condition, the car itself and how much the owner knows. There's a fine line between haggling and being overly aggressive with it. Pointing out every scuff and chip for example, it's a used car. Fair enough if it's being sold when a cambelt/clutch/any other major work is due but endlessly listing consumables that need replacing is pointless. It may need a service soon, so what? I service my cars yearly regardless of mileage and if I'm looking to sell a car and it's got 4 months/xxxx miles before the next service is due, then why would I service it before selling?a) It needs a service and with the cam belt it will cost me £XXX!!!
b) There is no warranty, so it will need to be 20% cheaper than the dealer
c) Every scuff and chip will cost £50 with dent devils, so lets say £200 to get it right.
d) It needs 4 tyres at £80 a side, so lets call it £200 off
e) Nah
f) It needs new brakes and pads and even if I do it myself that will be £200
g) And then I point out 4 IDENTICAL cars I'm viewing later and ask "what's the best price you can for do cash now" and then if he's priced up the faults, I'll ask for 5% off.
Much more successful with private types.
I sold my Impreza STI a few weeks ago and the haggling was almost laughable. I was in a good position as the seller in that my car was a desirable spec in great condition with really detailed history. People were phoning up and wanting £1500 off without even looking at it! One bloke actually offered half of what it was listed for (got cash bruv!) and another guy tried telling me that he'd need to replace "all the brakes", funny that because it had new discs and pads all round. I got fed up with pisstakers in the end and sold the car to a dealer for £500 less than it was actually listed for, so I know my pricing was on the ball. They're not going to sell it for a loss. People just want something for nothing and hate paying a fair price. Don't forget that just because you have the money to buy the car, it's no guarantee that the seller will actually sell to you if you fail the attitude test, and if it's a hard to find car then you might be screwed trying to find another one - and any seller with an internet connection and a brain will know that.
The way I tend to do it is to offer a range, where I'm perfectly happy paying the higher amount, and the seller thinks he's getting the better deal too (well he is really, so everyone's happy)
For instance £5,000 car I'd be happy paying £4,600 so I say any chance we could get this down to around to around £4,400-600? Then shakes on £4,600... hasn't let me down yet!
For instance £5,000 car I'd be happy paying £4,600 so I say any chance we could get this down to around to around £4,400-600? Then shakes on £4,600... hasn't let me down yet!
before going to see a car, if it's private, i tend to negotiate a price over the phone depending on the description given by the seller - if the car is not as described then i have just cause for knocking the price down further although i haven't yet had to do this.
The more questions you ask over the phone the easier it is to get a good picture of the car so you can decide on what you think is a fair price - if you can agree how much you are willing to pay for the car over the phone it helps avoid the awkward conversation face to face and everyone knows where they stand without wasting anyone's time in coming to view a car.
The more questions you ask over the phone the easier it is to get a good picture of the car so you can decide on what you think is a fair price - if you can agree how much you are willing to pay for the car over the phone it helps avoid the awkward conversation face to face and everyone knows where they stand without wasting anyone's time in coming to view a car.
Talking values over the phone has to be approached carefully. Some of the niche stuff I sell its essential as people travel for the cars but for some cars the mere mention of "best price" is just confirmation is a waste of time.
I get lots of these calls from people who are dreamers or perhaps just don't have anything else to do but thinking as a trader I have £1000 to knock off the price of a car. It has never and could never happen.
Because you have to compete on price nationally due to the internet all dealer prices will be a gnats whisker away from what we need for it. Figures earlier in this thread of 10 and 20% off are fantasy land!
If you want the best experience with a dealer just be normal. Don't go in thinking it's done kind of cerebral duel to the death you're just dealing with a human that has a car to sell. Don't think that the dealer doesn't have one eye on how easy his life will be during the warranty period as well. If you come across as a pain in the backside it's someone more profitable and nicer to wait for someone you'll get along with better.
I get lots of these calls from people who are dreamers or perhaps just don't have anything else to do but thinking as a trader I have £1000 to knock off the price of a car. It has never and could never happen.
Because you have to compete on price nationally due to the internet all dealer prices will be a gnats whisker away from what we need for it. Figures earlier in this thread of 10 and 20% off are fantasy land!
If you want the best experience with a dealer just be normal. Don't go in thinking it's done kind of cerebral duel to the death you're just dealing with a human that has a car to sell. Don't think that the dealer doesn't have one eye on how easy his life will be during the warranty period as well. If you come across as a pain in the backside it's someone more profitable and nicer to wait for someone you'll get along with better.
megapixels83 said:
My car is on the blink, it was free from when my parents bought news cars, it is a bit tatty and not too pleasant to drive so I am looking at buying a new (to me) throwing any money at this one. One thing I have never done is haggle, I am no good at it but I feel I should at least try and get a better deal than what the sales man is asking.
First is a 2008 £5,995 Suzuki swift sport. Second is a £8,995 2011 Honda Civic Type R. One is from the local Ford dealership and the other from the local renault dealership so I presume they have taken these in as px.
I would be looking at paying cash. Where would you start with haggling?
The absolute best way to teach yourself to haggle is to firstly remember we have done it throughout our childhood when extracting things from out parents, so we are more experienced than we think. First is a 2008 £5,995 Suzuki swift sport. Second is a £8,995 2011 Honda Civic Type R. One is from the local Ford dealership and the other from the local renault dealership so I presume they have taken these in as px.
I would be looking at paying cash. Where would you start with haggling?
Secondly, go and haggle over a car that you don't really want. The simple fact is that almost everyone tries to haggle on something that they've already decided they are going to buy at list price, people screw themselves over right in front of the salesman when it comes to cars.
If you go and haggle over a car that you don't really want then it becomes really easy as you are only battling against the salesman instead of the salesman and yourself. Set a price in your mind where you would actually feel you'd had a result and be happy to buy because of the saving and go and buy it.
Worst that can happen is that you get a phenominal deal on a car or you get told to jog on and you walk away having passed your first big hurdle.
It is simply a skill that comes with time and patience and standing your ground. Most people aren't prepared to walk away and that is where they lose.
fridaypassion said:
Talking values over the phone has to be approached carefully. Some of the niche stuff I sell its essential as people travel for the cars but for some cars the mere mention of "best price" is just confirmation is a waste of time.
I get lots of these calls from people who are dreamers or perhaps just don't have anything else to do but thinking as a trader I have £1000 to knock off the price of a car. It has never and could never happen.
Because you have to compete on price nationally due to the internet all dealer prices will be a gnats whisker away from what we need for it. Figures earlier in this thread of 10 and 20% off are fantasy land!
If you want the best experience with a dealer just be normal. Don't go in thinking it's done kind of cerebral duel to the death you're just dealing with a human that has a car to sell. Don't think that the dealer doesn't have one eye on how easy his life will be during the warranty period as well. If you come across as a pain in the backside it's someone more profitable and nicer to wait for someone you'll get along with better.
Agreed. I bought a car a year or so back and said to the dealer "I don't want to waste your time. If you can do £x and it's as you describe, I'll take it". We danced around the number for a few minutes, agreed a deal, I paid a holding deposit there annd then, went to see it the following Saturday to confirm all was OK and then collected it the following Monday. It was super easy for both parties, as we were clear on the expectations of the deal all the way through. I get lots of these calls from people who are dreamers or perhaps just don't have anything else to do but thinking as a trader I have £1000 to knock off the price of a car. It has never and could never happen.
Because you have to compete on price nationally due to the internet all dealer prices will be a gnats whisker away from what we need for it. Figures earlier in this thread of 10 and 20% off are fantasy land!
If you want the best experience with a dealer just be normal. Don't go in thinking it's done kind of cerebral duel to the death you're just dealing with a human that has a car to sell. Don't think that the dealer doesn't have one eye on how easy his life will be during the warranty period as well. If you come across as a pain in the backside it's someone more profitable and nicer to wait for someone you'll get along with better.
Pit Pony said:
With private, I haggle on
a) It needs a service and with the cam belt it will cost me £XXX!!!
b) There is no warranty, so it will need to be 20% cheaper than the dealer
c) Every scuff and chip will cost £50 with dent devils, so lets say £200 to get it right.
d) It needs 4 tyres at £80 a side, so lets call it £200 off
e) Nah
f) It needs new brakes and pads and even if I do it myself that will be £200
g) And then I point out 4 IDENTICAL cars I'm viewing later and ask "what's the best price you can for do cash now" and then if he's priced up the faults, I'll ask for 5% off.
Much more successful with private types.
I'd politely tell you pa) It needs a service and with the cam belt it will cost me £XXX!!!
b) There is no warranty, so it will need to be 20% cheaper than the dealer
c) Every scuff and chip will cost £50 with dent devils, so lets say £200 to get it right.
d) It needs 4 tyres at £80 a side, so lets call it £200 off
e) Nah
f) It needs new brakes and pads and even if I do it myself that will be £200
g) And then I point out 4 IDENTICAL cars I'm viewing later and ask "what's the best price you can for do cash now" and then if he's priced up the faults, I'll ask for 5% off.
Much more successful with private types.
s off and couldn't give a flying what else you were going to view. Most others would too I'd have thought. But you're a top haggler... Clearly...Hoofy said:
T0MMY said:
Got to be prepared to walk away or at least appear to be.
Haggling isn't just about asking for a lower price. It's about reducing the price for a reason that the seller is happy to accept.
Whether that is because you absolutely refuse to pay the asking price and the seller is desperate to sell so you don't mind walking or you are happy to get down on your knees and unzip him is up to you.
Pit Pony said:
With a dealer, I don't haggle on price, I haggle on
a) a Service (and cam belt and water pump if it will need doing in the next 6 months)
b) a longer warranty
c) getting that stone chip / scuff on the bumper repaired
d) those tyres are close to the legal
e) the next service
f) new brake discs and pads
g) And then I point out 4 IDENTICAL cars I'm viewing later and ask "what's the best price you can do today with no part-ex" and then ask for another 20% "to do the deal today"
With private, I haggle on
a) It needs a service and with the cam belt it will cost me £XXX!!!
b) There is no warranty, so it will need to be 20% cheaper than the dealer
c) Every scuff and chip will cost £50 with dent devils, so lets say £200 to get it right.
d) It needs 4 tyres at £80 a side, so lets call it £200 off
e) Nah
f) It needs new brakes and pads and even if I do it myself that will be £200
g) And then I point out 4 IDENTICAL cars I'm viewing later and ask "what's the best price you can for do cash now" and then if he's priced up the faults, I'll ask for 5% off.
Much more successful with private types.
By the time you got to 'b' I'd already be in the house with the kettle on.a) a Service (and cam belt and water pump if it will need doing in the next 6 months)
b) a longer warranty
c) getting that stone chip / scuff on the bumper repaired
d) those tyres are close to the legal
e) the next service
f) new brake discs and pads
g) And then I point out 4 IDENTICAL cars I'm viewing later and ask "what's the best price you can do today with no part-ex" and then ask for another 20% "to do the deal today"
With private, I haggle on
a) It needs a service and with the cam belt it will cost me £XXX!!!
b) There is no warranty, so it will need to be 20% cheaper than the dealer
c) Every scuff and chip will cost £50 with dent devils, so lets say £200 to get it right.
d) It needs 4 tyres at £80 a side, so lets call it £200 off
e) Nah
f) It needs new brakes and pads and even if I do it myself that will be £200
g) And then I point out 4 IDENTICAL cars I'm viewing later and ask "what's the best price you can for do cash now" and then if he's priced up the faults, I'll ask for 5% off.
Much more successful with private types.
Everyone's an expert on the Internet.
schmalex said:
Agreed. I bought a car a year or so back and said to the dealer "I don't want to waste your time. If you can do £x and it's as you describe, I'll take it". We danced around the number for a few minutes, agreed a deal, I paid a holding deposit there annd then, went to see it the following Saturday to confirm all was OK and then collected it the following Monday. It was super easy for both parties, as we were clear on the expectations of the deal all the way through.
When you want a Lotus let me know! 
I think straight dealing is the way forward. As long as the dealer holds up their end of the deal by being honest about the car it can be a painless and enjoyable experience.
I think you're perfectly entitled to haggle, especially if you have taken time out of your day to go and see a car that ends up being not as described or that needs more work than described/than the seller realised. Alot of people try to sell rather than pay for work and they almost always price the car at more than they are willing to accept. Just go with a maximum that you will spend in mind (not an unrealistic amount) and know the price range for cars of this age, spec & condition.
jamesedwards said:
I'd politely tell you ps off and couldn't give a flying what else you were going to view. Most others would too I'd have thought. But you're a top haggler... Clearly...
Quite. I am happy to haggle against true faults / omissions or perceptions of good/excellent from the advert. Can all be done nicely over a cup of tea.s off and couldn't give a flying what else you were going to view. Most others would too I'd have thought. But you're a top haggler... Clearly...Many people forget that negotiation does not have to be antagonistic, both parties can be happy,
Haggling is all abou getting a fair price. If the car is priced very high or needs excessive work then haggle away and be prepared to walk away. But if the price is good and the car is as well, then maybe just ask for a hundred or so to make you feel like you got a deal.
It's a bit like DFS, some dealers inflate the screen price to give you that amazing money off deal. But really it's just about paying the right price.
Rincewind209 said:
Haggling is all abou getting a fair price. If the car is priced very high or needs excessive work then haggle away and be prepared to walk away. But if the price is good and the car is as well, then maybe just ask for a hundred or so to make you feel like you got a deal.
It's a bit like DFS, some dealers inflate the screen price to give you that amazing money off deal. But really it's just about paying the right price.
I'd say that is spot on. Need to know the market as there isn't any point in clocking up the faults and discounting them if the vendor has already factored them in. It's a bit like DFS, some dealers inflate the screen price to give you that amazing money off deal. But really it's just about paying the right price.
I've never managed to do a decent haggle with a dealer or trader. Simple reason, they do it day in day out for a living. You wouldn't win a fight with a cage fighter, choose your battles. If you fancy a haggle then you need to go private and find someone who either needs the car shifted, doesn't care, or has no idea what they're selling. Good luck though, as the internet has waved goodbye to these problems.
rufusgti said:
I've never managed to do a decent haggle with a dealer or trader. Simple reason, they do it day in day out for a living. You wouldn't win a fight with a cage fighter, choose your battles. If you fancy a haggle then you need to go private and find someone who either needs the car shifted, doesn't care, or has no idea what they're selling. Good luck though, as the internet has waved goodbye to these problems.
I'm in corporate sales, so quite enjoy a good negotiation. I've studied all the different tyes of negotiation styles and approaches over the years, so am lucky that I'm able to identify how someone is selling a car intends to try to enter the negotiation and counte it quickly. A good negotiation is great exchange and long term relationships can be cemented very quickly through rapidly building trust and mutual respect. Sadly, most of the time when buying a car, both sides adopt the "I win, you lose" approach, as there is no value for either side in trying to build a relationship (other than at the super niche / collector or expensive end of the market).
Buster73 said:
Wait another 3 weeks if you can then make a daft offer.
You can try , I used to think the run up to Christmas was a quiet time for car sales but last year I bought my 370z the week before xmas , the day I collected (23rd December) the dealership had over a dozen cars still to be collected by their new owners and had already done 6 before I arrived at 11am , guess everyone wanted to have a new car for christmas. Maybe its been mentioned.
But make sure you say that you are willing to travel pretty much anywhere for a few hundred quid or more difference. I have always been willing to travel and when I go to my local dealer I go armed with some print offs of similar cheaper cars , do my test drives and if possible have the cash ready.
Then I ask them to beat or match the price of the lowest one , it has worked for me and I came away with a few decent savings.
But make sure you say that you are willing to travel pretty much anywhere for a few hundred quid or more difference. I have always been willing to travel and when I go to my local dealer I go armed with some print offs of similar cheaper cars , do my test drives and if possible have the cash ready.
Then I ask them to beat or match the price of the lowest one , it has worked for me and I came away with a few decent savings.
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