Haggling a car dealer advice
Discussion
Been done to death I am sure.
1). I have seen a car I like (1980s youngtimer classic).
2). It is at an independant dealer.
3). The car is up for £16,888
Would an opening offer of £15k be acceptable? It is 11% off.
I guess my question is, would a dealer like that price expecting people to haggle?
1). I have seen a car I like (1980s youngtimer classic).
2). It is at an independant dealer.
3). The car is up for £16,888
Would an opening offer of £15k be acceptable? It is 11% off.
I guess my question is, would a dealer like that price expecting people to haggle?
If its a classic car, and well presented, and gone through, I wouldnt expect you would get anywhere close to 15k to be honest.
Look at the vehicles similar. Does it hold a status, is it an in demand car? All these are going go against getting £1888 off it. Thats a lot of money, and I imagine all, or if not most of the margin the dealer will have in the car.
Try getting 11% off your total shop in tesco next time you go, tell me how well you do
Look at the vehicles similar. Does it hold a status, is it an in demand car? All these are going go against getting £1888 off it. Thats a lot of money, and I imagine all, or if not most of the margin the dealer will have in the car.
Try getting 11% off your total shop in tesco next time you go, tell me how well you do
At the end of the day, if the car is well presented, desirable and popular, you should not expect to succeed but there's no harm in trying at that figure.
Sound the dealer out - has he had it long? Is he open to an offer? If he replies firmly in the negative, don't bother but if he gives encouraging responses, give it a go.
If you don't ask, you don't get and it is 3 weeks to Christmas so I don't expect punters to exactly be queuing out the door.
The Tesco comparison is silly - cars on a forecourt are expected to be haggled on - it's just a question of to what degree. Your Corn Flakes in Tesco are not.
Sound the dealer out - has he had it long? Is he open to an offer? If he replies firmly in the negative, don't bother but if he gives encouraging responses, give it a go.
If you don't ask, you don't get and it is 3 weeks to Christmas so I don't expect punters to exactly be queuing out the door.
The Tesco comparison is silly - cars on a forecourt are expected to be haggled on - it's just a question of to what degree. Your Corn Flakes in Tesco are not.
The skill of haggling with anything (imo) is more to do with how you go about it.
Try to "befriend" the seller first, rather than go at it like a bull in a china shop. Certainly don't get his back up, but remember, like you, he has a living to make.
Is it his to sell, or is he selling it on commission? Ask him.
Has he had this car in stock a long time or not?
Are there any comparable ones anywhere in the country?
The car is over thirty years old, is it going to be a moneypit with unseen problems, dealers are experts at preparing cars so they have a nice showroom shine....after all, that's their job.
Finally, if you don't think it is worth what he is asking, leave it, we are talking a lot of money here.
Good luck.
Try to "befriend" the seller first, rather than go at it like a bull in a china shop. Certainly don't get his back up, but remember, like you, he has a living to make.
Is it his to sell, or is he selling it on commission? Ask him.
Has he had this car in stock a long time or not?
Are there any comparable ones anywhere in the country?
The car is over thirty years old, is it going to be a moneypit with unseen problems, dealers are experts at preparing cars so they have a nice showroom shine....after all, that's their job.
Finally, if you don't think it is worth what he is asking, leave it, we are talking a lot of money here.
Good luck.
What if you turn up and it's a complete dose, and worth only pence, would you still offer £15k? 
In other words, it all depends what it's like and how much you want it. If it was exactly as described and had no obvious issues and no work needing done that hadn't been factored into the price, I would probably start at minimum 11% lower than asking before 'old out yer 'and time.
In other words, it all depends what it's like and how much you want it. If it was exactly as described and had no obvious issues and no work needing done that hadn't been factored into the price, I would probably start at minimum 11% lower than asking before 'old out yer 'and time.
Many thanks.
I would go up to full asking yes (therefore I dont want to annoy with opening offer to the point he wont deal with me). However, I don't want to overpay if haggling is expected.
I have test driven and like it.
We had a good rappor.
I can see from an advert on EBay he first listed it late September.
I don't have a trade in etc. it would be a simple cash transfer.
I would go up to full asking yes (therefore I dont want to annoy with opening offer to the point he wont deal with me). However, I don't want to overpay if haggling is expected.
I have test driven and like it.
We had a good rappor.
I can see from an advert on EBay he first listed it late September.
I don't have a trade in etc. it would be a simple cash transfer.
jdw1234 said:
We had a good rappor.
I can see from an advert on EBay he first listed it late September.
I don't have a trade in etc. it would be a simple cash transfer.
All things in your favour.I can see from an advert on EBay he first listed it late September.
I don't have a trade in etc. it would be a simple cash transfer.
Ask him outright if he'll take an offer on it, highlighting your last point.
Gauge your offer on his response. If he's very keen to do a deal, start at 15.
Indeed, what have you bought?
On the original question you would be surprised what you can haggle, but above all it is how you do it that is very important.
We had our eye on a car that was up for £18,999 but the dealer was not interested in any offers and was letting it go to auction. It didn't sell at the auction but we didn't find that out for a week afterwards. We then found a private sale had been agreed but that fell through and the garage, as promised, called the Mrs to tell her that that had fallen over. A few conversations later and the deal sealed at £15k.
A few weeks later and we are looking for a Winter car for her. lots of hunting and we end up at the local Mazda Dealer. look about a nice MX5 mk3 hardtop on their forecourt and walk into the showroom to ask a few questions. Confirm that we don't have a trade in and would like a test drive. Quick drive later and as we walk back in the salesman says words to the effect of "As you haven't got a p/x and having looked at the figures we can give you £1,000 off the sticker price. Good look through Autotrader suggested that the sticker was already not bad and this made the price super keen, especially with it being a main dealer and the few bells and whistles that brings, together with a warranty worth more than a used chocolate wrapper. A little more conversation added 12 month MOT, free set of plates for her reg number once transferred, service before collection and a free service for the next one due (which is also the bigger of the 2 'usual' services).
On the original question you would be surprised what you can haggle, but above all it is how you do it that is very important.
We had our eye on a car that was up for £18,999 but the dealer was not interested in any offers and was letting it go to auction. It didn't sell at the auction but we didn't find that out for a week afterwards. We then found a private sale had been agreed but that fell through and the garage, as promised, called the Mrs to tell her that that had fallen over. A few conversations later and the deal sealed at £15k.
A few weeks later and we are looking for a Winter car for her. lots of hunting and we end up at the local Mazda Dealer. look about a nice MX5 mk3 hardtop on their forecourt and walk into the showroom to ask a few questions. Confirm that we don't have a trade in and would like a test drive. Quick drive later and as we walk back in the salesman says words to the effect of "As you haven't got a p/x and having looked at the figures we can give you £1,000 off the sticker price. Good look through Autotrader suggested that the sticker was already not bad and this made the price super keen, especially with it being a main dealer and the few bells and whistles that brings, together with a warranty worth more than a used chocolate wrapper. A little more conversation added 12 month MOT, free set of plates for her reg number once transferred, service before collection and a free service for the next one due (which is also the bigger of the 2 'usual' services).
A nice solid 1989 R107 Mercedes SL.
84k miles.
Blue with creme leather (MB Tex I assume) interior.
Very solid. Hasn't seen rain for 10 years (last owner has had it this long).
I am really chuffed with it!! Lovely old girl.
I am budgeting for a 50% price correction if market tanks and the fact there is probably rust that needs sorting somewhere. No evidence of bulkehead rust. Sills, floor, boot, roof storage area, behind headlights etc. all solid.
84k miles.
Blue with creme leather (MB Tex I assume) interior.
Very solid. Hasn't seen rain for 10 years (last owner has had it this long).
I am really chuffed with it!! Lovely old girl.
I am budgeting for a 50% price correction if market tanks and the fact there is probably rust that needs sorting somewhere. No evidence of bulkehead rust. Sills, floor, boot, roof storage area, behind headlights etc. all solid.
http://www.mkeng.org/cars/mercedes/slclass/300sl/2...
Looks nice OP.
I'd not spend that money on one but I'm a tightwad.
Looks nice OP.
I'd not spend that money on one but I'm a tightwad.
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