People are So bad at buying cars
Discussion
It drives me mad!
My BiL bought a GT86, 2 weeks before Xmas. He didn't ask for a discount so paid full price and got a stupid finance deal
A friend went to a car supermarket with 1000 cars and bought the very first car he saw when he walked through the gate
My daughter bought her nearly new MINI for full price, bought 2 years warranty(???) and paid through the nose for scotchguard. If I hadn't been there when she collected it she'd have been stitched up for even more.
There are countless others but they all know how much I know about cars, how I traded cars in the past etc and yet they all go off an make terrible buying decisions on cars. Then it's 'Here's my new car' and I have to pretend it's a great car for them. And then, when it goes tits up/cars break down/etc. they ask for my help.
If I don't know something about a product, I ask people in the know.
I shouldn't care but to see people just wasting money......
My BiL bought a GT86, 2 weeks before Xmas. He didn't ask for a discount so paid full price and got a stupid finance deal
A friend went to a car supermarket with 1000 cars and bought the very first car he saw when he walked through the gate
My daughter bought her nearly new MINI for full price, bought 2 years warranty(???) and paid through the nose for scotchguard. If I hadn't been there when she collected it she'd have been stitched up for even more.
There are countless others but they all know how much I know about cars, how I traded cars in the past etc and yet they all go off an make terrible buying decisions on cars. Then it's 'Here's my new car' and I have to pretend it's a great car for them. And then, when it goes tits up/cars break down/etc. they ask for my help.
If I don't know something about a product, I ask people in the know.
I shouldn't care but to see people just wasting money......
Fools and their money
My sister (who runs her own business and is pretty intelligent) was told by the Audi sales exec he did not have time to negotiate so she paid list price for a Q5, her husband (also runs his own business) paid list for a FFRR six months because they were "in demand"
They knew I get them good deals but won't lower themselves to ask for help I'd happily give - I could not care less any more
My sister (who runs her own business and is pretty intelligent) was told by the Audi sales exec he did not have time to negotiate so she paid list price for a Q5, her husband (also runs his own business) paid list for a FFRR six months because they were "in demand"
They knew I get them good deals but won't lower themselves to ask for help I'd happily give - I could not care less any more
Pica-Pica said:
Because are so many cars for sale about, and no really bad cars, it is so simple to just walk away from anything other than a decent discount/trade-in. Like house-buying, it is always best to be a cash buyer (and don’t tell me about ‘free’ finance, there is no such thing).
Try getting the "deposit contribution" on top of an already negotiated discount for a cash deal.Of course there is such a thing as "free" finance
Andy665 said:
Pica-Pica said:
Because are so many cars for sale about, and no really bad cars, it is so simple to just walk away from anything other than a decent discount/trade-in. Like house-buying, it is always best to be a cash buyer (and don’t tell me about ‘free’ finance, there is no such thing).
Try getting the "deposit contribution" on top of an already negotiated discount for a cash deal.Of course there is such a thing as "free" finance
Barga said:
Andy665 said:
Pica-Pica said:
Because are so many cars for sale about, and no really bad cars, it is so simple to just walk away from anything other than a decent discount/trade-in. Like house-buying, it is always best to be a cash buyer (and don’t tell me about ‘free’ finance, there is no such thing).
Try getting the "deposit contribution" on top of an already negotiated discount for a cash deal.Of course there is such a thing as "free" finance
Jag_NE said:
some people just aren't clued up or bothered about it, they just pay what is asked and move on. its potentially a more pleasant existence in some respects, just pay the money and get on with enjoying life instead of always analysing where the value lies with every purchase.
Very true, it's the difference between being a 'maximiser' and a 'satisficer'. The latter tend to be the happier type of person because while maximisers may do a lot of meticulous research and get a better deal from an objective point of view, they then continue to fret about whether they made the right decision afterwards. A satisficer just buys the first thing they see that will do the job and then forgets about it. Obviously that's a generalisation but with a solid basis in fact.Roger Irrelevant said:
Jag_NE said:
some people just aren't clued up or bothered about it, they just pay what is asked and move on. its potentially a more pleasant existence in some respects, just pay the money and get on with enjoying life instead of always analysing where the value lies with every purchase.
Very true, it's the difference between being a 'maximiser' and a 'satisficer'. The latter tend to be the happier type of person because while maximisers may do a lot of meticulous research and get a better deal from an objective point of view, they then continue to fret about whether they made the right decision afterwards. A satisficer just buys the first thing they see that will do the job and then forgets about it. Obviously that's a generalisation but with a solid basis in fact.Frimley111R said:
Nope, along with my other daughter and sister, they both just do it and tell me after. She sold her last MINI and bought a Mitsubishi Mirage. It was ok but FFS there were so many better options.
Meanwhile, there's a thread on Insta where you daughter is bemoaning your most recent purchase from Greenwoods Menswear, a lovely polyester argyle sweater. If only you'd spoken to her about the purchase beforehand she'd have got you in a lovely merino John Smedley - a far better spec and whilst more expensive, it will last far longer and has a much higher residual value via Pre-Loved, so in the long term costs less to wear than your Greenwoods monstrosity. Heh, OP ... the grass is always greener!
As the (apparently) IT whizz (person who works in IT), I am always fielding calls from friends and family about computer issues or buying suggestions etc. On the one hand it can be exciting to help (second only to buying for yourself) and potentially broadens your own knowledge. On the other hand, it can become quite annoying and sometimes it feels like they only call at the most inconvenient times for me (not that they are to know!).
I think a happy medium is best! Nobody likes an "I told you so", but make sure those that made bad decisions are reminded that you can help in this area as it's something you're knowledgeable about. You know, for "next time"
As the (apparently) IT whizz (person who works in IT), I am always fielding calls from friends and family about computer issues or buying suggestions etc. On the one hand it can be exciting to help (second only to buying for yourself) and potentially broadens your own knowledge. On the other hand, it can become quite annoying and sometimes it feels like they only call at the most inconvenient times for me (not that they are to know!).
I think a happy medium is best! Nobody likes an "I told you so", but make sure those that made bad decisions are reminded that you can help in this area as it's something you're knowledgeable about. You know, for "next time"

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