Negotiating at main dealers
Discussion
I have spoken with a few Mercedes branches about approved used cars over the last few days, and found that not a single one was even willing to discuss the price.
A very different experience to what I'm used to, but maybe things are different now with the market changes over the last couple of years?
A very different experience to what I'm used to, but maybe things are different now with the market changes over the last couple of years?
Yes it is. I got £500 off a £23k purchase in February (Mercedes Approved Used) which I was a bit disappointed with at the time but later realised I had a decent deal.
The other problem with Merc is there were no (at that time) incentives to take finance so no deposit contribution, free service extended warranty etc, nothing.
The other problem with Merc is there were no (at that time) incentives to take finance so no deposit contribution, free service extended warranty etc, nothing.
There's a general shortage of used cars so they know if you dont buy it at the advertised price someone else probably will.
In addition the use of online tools, autotrader etc means they have to be competitive to start with.
A good friend works at VW at a main dealer and he was telling me they are selling their cars basically at the advertised prices, they reguarly get calls from people calling from the other end of the country asking about a car and trying to negotiate and they don't budge, reason being that if someone is willing to travel across the country for a car it's because they are likely the best deal as advertised.
It's how the market is currently.
In addition the use of online tools, autotrader etc means they have to be competitive to start with.
A good friend works at VW at a main dealer and he was telling me they are selling their cars basically at the advertised prices, they reguarly get calls from people calling from the other end of the country asking about a car and trying to negotiate and they don't budge, reason being that if someone is willing to travel across the country for a car it's because they are likely the best deal as advertised.
It's how the market is currently.
fly said:
I have spoken with a few Mercedes branches about approved used cars over the last few days, and found that not a single one was even willing to discuss the price.
A very different experience to what I'm used to, but maybe things are different now with the market changes over the last couple of years?
As stated above, cars are in short supply now. There are more buyers than cars, hence the increase in the used market.A very different experience to what I'm used to, but maybe things are different now with the market changes over the last couple of years?
If you don't buy it at listed price, someone else will, so the dealer has no reason to negotiate with you.
Unusual maybe, but that's the way it is for the moment.
Pistom said:
The market is softening so if you aren't desperate, don't allow them to abuse you as the customer. With used cars it's generally the buyer who should set the final sale price. That might be the sticker price if the dealer is realistic but often they're not.
Cant say i can see the market softening in my experience, we are selling as many cars as we have done since the issues with used stock started.a bit more stock about but you still need to pay very strong money for it.And i would have to disagree with you on the who sets the final price, 15 years of selling and cant say i have ever had a customer decided what price the final amount is.
I don't think I've ever found it possible to know off value with dealerships, they know the market price people pay with data available.
There is some room to get issues on motors fixed though to recompense and give you a better vehicle.
For example I looked at a Sportage Friday that was very poor condition outside, the Hendy garage said they'd resolve issues which is mostly a negotiation in price to me. I didn't buy it in the end but there is wiggle room to get your purchase in better shape for resale eventually.
There is some room to get issues on motors fixed though to recompense and give you a better vehicle.
For example I looked at a Sportage Friday that was very poor condition outside, the Hendy garage said they'd resolve issues which is mostly a negotiation in price to me. I didn't buy it in the end but there is wiggle room to get your purchase in better shape for resale eventually.
Pistom said:
The market is softening so if you aren't desperate, don't allow them to abuse you as the customer. With used cars it's generally the buyer who should set the final sale price. That might be the sticker price if the dealer is realistic but often they're not.
You're selling your car for 20k but I, as the buyer, would like to set the final price at 5k.I presume you'd be happy with such a transaction?!!
Surely it's the seller who dictates if a deal is done, and at what price?
Not sure how soft the market has got now but a month ago the type of car I wanted were selling in a couple of days.
Managed a full tank of diesel and ad blue a month ago, that must be worth £200. On a Friday I booked to see four cars the next day, one had a dent or scratch in every panel it was well over priced and is still for sale now, two sold before I got to them so I bought the remaining one.
I would have waited but needed it for work and had already been waiting a couple of months for the madness to end.
Managed a full tank of diesel and ad blue a month ago, that must be worth £200. On a Friday I booked to see four cars the next day, one had a dent or scratch in every panel it was well over priced and is still for sale now, two sold before I got to them so I bought the remaining one.
I would have waited but needed it for work and had already been waiting a couple of months for the madness to end.
Turtle Shed said:
You tell someone what you are wiling to pay.
They tell you whether they will accept the price.
It isn't difficult.
Exactly - but both sides have to be reasonable and both sides need to understand what a realistic market price is.They tell you whether they will accept the price.
It isn't difficult.
Sometimes the sticker price is a reasonable price but some people seem to feel they need to drive a discount.
At the same time, we've all seen cars which have been up for sale for months at an above market value price and the dealer just won't shift on price.
Pistom said:
Turtle Shed said:
You tell someone what you are wiling to pay.
They tell you whether they will accept the price.
It isn't difficult.
Exactly - but both sides have to be reasonable and both sides need to understand what a realistic market price is.They tell you whether they will accept the price.
It isn't difficult.
Sometimes the sticker price is a reasonable price but some people seem to feel they need to drive a discount.
At the same time, we've all seen cars which have been up for sale for months at an above market value price and the dealer just won't shift on price.
The only person who determines the price of a used car is the person selling it. All you determine is what you are willing to pay.
Dan W. said:
Pistom said:
The market is softening so if you aren't desperate, don't allow them to abuse you as the customer. With used cars it's generally the buyer who should set the final sale price. That might be the sticker price if the dealer is realistic but often they're not.
Cant say i can see the market softening in my experience, we are selling as many cars as we have done since the issues with used stock started.a bit more stock about but you still need to pay very strong money for it.And i would have to disagree with you on the who sets the final price, 15 years of selling and cant say i have ever had a customer decided what price the final amount is.
The dealer may think they're dictating the price but ultimately - it's the buyer who decides if he's paying it.
I often wonder why dealers hold on to cars at clearly silly prices when if they'd move it on, they'd have space for another which they can make a profit on. I may be wrong on this but in car sales time is money and you are better off making 2 sales with a £2K margin than holding out with a car on which you'd make £3K if the right buyer happens to come along.
I don't really understand some of the above. All used cars are listed online with lots of info and pics. If the price is too high just carry on searching. They will lower the price if they don't shift it for a few weeks/months. If something isn't accurately advertised that's a slightly different thing.
Interesting. I've just bought a 2 year-old XC90 family runabout.
One dealer in the Thames Valley couldn't have made it plainer that they didn't need my business; no interest in negotiating, no interest in remedying any issues with the the three cars I looked at (two were under 2 years old and average condition one was three years old and ropey af). Another dealer down on the South Coast had sharper stock, keener prices and was working harder to sell cars.
Interestingly, he was saying that the £40k+ Used cars that were flying out if the door 6-8 weeks ago are really sticking now and even lazy-bones in the Thames Valley cited having bought used stock at the top if the market in Jan/Feb as the reason why they weren't discounting
One dealer in the Thames Valley couldn't have made it plainer that they didn't need my business; no interest in negotiating, no interest in remedying any issues with the the three cars I looked at (two were under 2 years old and average condition one was three years old and ropey af). Another dealer down on the South Coast had sharper stock, keener prices and was working harder to sell cars.
Interestingly, he was saying that the £40k+ Used cars that were flying out if the door 6-8 weeks ago are really sticking now and even lazy-bones in the Thames Valley cited having bought used stock at the top if the market in Jan/Feb as the reason why they weren't discounting
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