Discussion
Hi there - I'm looking to buy from an independant specialist in the London / South East area
Can anyone offer any advice as to whether the sticker price is negotiable? Do they (like the OPCs) add on a couple of grand in the knowledge that the buyer will try and knock them down or are the prices set in stone?
Any advice appreciated
cheers,
Emm
Can anyone offer any advice as to whether the sticker price is negotiable? Do they (like the OPCs) add on a couple of grand in the knowledge that the buyer will try and knock them down or are the prices set in stone?
Any advice appreciated
cheers,
Emm
Use your common sense. If a car looks a bit expensive and the seller can`t justify the cost then have a haggle, but do it nicely. You are more likely to have success if you stay friends with people. If you get someone`s back up they are more likely to dig their heels in.
If the car is clearly well priced already then don`t be silly and pay the man the money.
There are no golden rules or guidelines.
Henry
If the car is clearly well priced already then don`t be silly and pay the man the money.
There are no golden rules or guidelines.
Henry
I'd always try to haggle. If its cheap, it probably means they can't shift the car so why shouldn't you be able to negotiate a further discount? With Henry's logic, a dealer should advertise to undercut his competitors who do discount to lure the customer in, but then charge as much as they would. Very nice from Henry's perspective
(No offense!) If you've seen they've had the car for a few months for instance, then clearly there should be room for negotiation. They don't have to accept the offer if they don't like it.
If you decide to haggle, offer below what you are willing to pay as obviously you need to give a bit back once the negotiation starts. You never know, a cheaky offer delivered in a friendly way may get you a great deal.
Henry is right about being nice though. 'Look I can't really stretch to that, I can offer you xxxx though' or something like that delivered in a non hostile fashion.
Don't be too embarassed though, these people do it all day, and if you think dealers don't negotiate themselves when buying stock etc, you are nuts!
>> Edited by DanH on Wednesday 17th August 16:30
I love car dealers, they never want you to haggle. Shame this doesn't apply to them when you're p/exing a car. You ALWAYS get a stupid offer for the car you want to p/ex. Then it's a case of hagling up the price. I wanted to p/ex a Boxster S with 9 grand of options, mint condition with 9k miles. This was in Feb 2004 and the car was a Sept 2000 model. I was offered 26k 
When it came to me wanting a bit off the car I wanted to buy, I was told no way. In the end I was prepared to walk away and just then I was offered 27k for the Boxster, still an insult. To end a long story, I managed 30k for the Boxster which I thought was ok.
Moral of this story is make a low offer for the car. Dealers do it all the time and so should you
When it came to me wanting a bit off the car I wanted to buy, I was told no way. In the end I was prepared to walk away and just then I was offered 27k for the Boxster, still an insult. To end a long story, I managed 30k for the Boxster which I thought was ok. Moral of this story is make a low offer for the car. Dealers do it all the time and so should you
[quote=DanH]
I'd always try to haggle. If its cheap, it probably means they can't shift the car so why shouldn't you be able to negotiate a further discount? With Henry's logic, a dealer should advertise to undercut his competitors who do discount to lure the customer in, but then charge as much as they would. Very nice from Henry's perspective (No offense!)
None taken.
The fact is sometimes we decide to take a short margin and make a car look great value so it sells quickly. As an example we currently have a LHD Boxster for sale, non damaged, full main dealer history for £11k. That`s right £11k. It`s been in stock for 2 minutes and I doubt it`ll still be here in another 2. We just had the option to turn it round quickly so we took it. It`s also cheap enough that we can cash out rather than take some monster in p/x.
It is sometimes tempting to try and undercut everyone else. The danger with that is you end up buying on price rather than condition. Also if something goes wrong you just have to tell the chap to piss off because you didn`t make enough to mend the thing. If you have thick enough skin you can make a very good living and many do. It`s just not our way. We have to be mindfull of price but price and value for money are two seperate issues and especially with an old car where no two are ever the same.
With a brand new product then it simply comes down to price (although again aftercare when problems arise differ supplier to supplier).
Certainly don`t assume just because a dealer is selling something there is room to haggle. Use your common sense, If it`s £2k cheaper than a private seller then you probably ought to just hand over the cash.
Re: bidding under what you`re prepared to pay be careful. You risk offending the seller and them not taking you seriously. It`s not a practice I use and I do it for a living. You end up looking like a cheap market trader selling reject china.
Henry "that`s my best price & I`ll probably lose money on it guvenor" Firman
>> Edited by Henry-F on Wednesday 17th August 16:45
I'd always try to haggle. If its cheap, it probably means they can't shift the car so why shouldn't you be able to negotiate a further discount? With Henry's logic, a dealer should advertise to undercut his competitors who do discount to lure the customer in, but then charge as much as they would. Very nice from Henry's perspective
(No offense!) None taken.
The fact is sometimes we decide to take a short margin and make a car look great value so it sells quickly. As an example we currently have a LHD Boxster for sale, non damaged, full main dealer history for £11k. That`s right £11k. It`s been in stock for 2 minutes and I doubt it`ll still be here in another 2. We just had the option to turn it round quickly so we took it. It`s also cheap enough that we can cash out rather than take some monster in p/x.
It is sometimes tempting to try and undercut everyone else. The danger with that is you end up buying on price rather than condition. Also if something goes wrong you just have to tell the chap to piss off because you didn`t make enough to mend the thing. If you have thick enough skin you can make a very good living and many do. It`s just not our way. We have to be mindfull of price but price and value for money are two seperate issues and especially with an old car where no two are ever the same.
With a brand new product then it simply comes down to price (although again aftercare when problems arise differ supplier to supplier).
Certainly don`t assume just because a dealer is selling something there is room to haggle. Use your common sense, If it`s £2k cheaper than a private seller then you probably ought to just hand over the cash.
Re: bidding under what you`re prepared to pay be careful. You risk offending the seller and them not taking you seriously. It`s not a practice I use and I do it for a living. You end up looking like a cheap market trader selling reject china.
Henry "that`s my best price & I`ll probably lose money on it guvenor" Firman
>> Edited by Henry-F on Wednesday 17th August 16:45
Dealers should probably know better than to be offended by an offer, but likewise buyers should be realistic about not being offensive. Still in any negotiation you need to come in lower than your real final price.
With something like the boxster, I'd probably offer you 10k and see what you say. I expect it would be 'look we really don't need to discount it at that price, I can't go any lower'. Then if I want it, I know the score. If its still there in 3 weeks I'll have been right and I can always offer you 10k again. If its gone, you were right!
my main problem with dealers is when you're buying the car they tell you what a great model / spec you're getting; when you're selling it, they basically look for points to rubbish it. had this big time on my c4s. truly an eye opening experience that made my blood boil. hence they knock you down as much as possible. to minimise this pain haggle as hard as possible when buying whilst always being polite. try too to be indifferent to the purchase. the moment they sense you are emotionally tied in, you're stuffed.
having said all this i am no expert on the matter having lost about £150k in depreciation on cars in the last 7-ish years.
having said all this i am no expert on the matter having lost about £150k in depreciation on cars in the last 7-ish years.
911nutter said:
my main problem with dealers is when you're buying the car they tell you what a great model / spec you're getting; when you're selling it, they basically look for points to rubbish it.
Not all car dealers are the same. If a dealer is telling you that he thinks you car is toally the wrong model and no one will ever buy it then make a polite exit and take it to someone who appreciates what you have, presumably he would value it at more money anyway. There are some cars where we simply are not the best buyers as they do`nt fall into the parameters of our business. We tell someone as much and either bid them our price, fully appreciative of the fact we will probably not end up owning the car, or tell them who might buy it.
One of my stock phrases is that we are here to buy cars, not to find reasons not to buy them!
ultimately you have to appraise someone`s car and that sadly involves finding the faults but balance that with appreciating the good points.
Henry
DanH said:
Dealers should probably know better than to be offended by an offer, but likewise buyers should be realistic about not being offensive. Still in any negotiation you need to come in lower than your real final price.
With something like the boxster, I'd probably offer you 10k and see what you say. I expect it would be 'look we really don't need to discount it at that price, I can't go any lower'. Then if I want it, I know the score. If its still there in 3 weeks I'll have been right and I can always offer you 10k again. If its gone, you were right!
But if it`s sold you lose out on a great value car. If you suspect I`ll say no it`s because you know it`s cheap enough anyway in which case get your money out ! As I said originally use your noggin
Henry
Having been on both sides of the buying/selling fench with Henry I can tell you that the two experiences were very different.
When I bought, there was absolutly no discount, And when I tried to sell it back it was suddenly worth a great deal less than I had paid 15 months earlier. No supprise there then?
Well yes actually. I ended up selling it to another dealer (for cash - not PX) for more than I had paid HF.
So in fairness the price I paid was probably about right for the car. Happy days.
When I bought, there was absolutly no discount, And when I tried to sell it back it was suddenly worth a great deal less than I had paid 15 months earlier. No supprise there then?
Well yes actually. I ended up selling it to another dealer (for cash - not PX) for more than I had paid HF.
So in fairness the price I paid was probably about right for the car. Happy days.
Haggle and enjoy it !
I have had some bizarre experiences over the years, it is often easier to talk up the part ex than talk down the sticker price.
If you are buying without part ex, then consider haggling over payment terms etc,
Seriously consider walking away and leaving a number for them to contact you on, it is very hard to do i know.... I nearly bought a beautiful white Supersport by the time i had verified the price, i came back in less than 24hrs to do a deal and it was sold, i was heartbroken but bought a 993 instead.....
I have had some bizarre experiences over the years, it is often easier to talk up the part ex than talk down the sticker price.
If you are buying without part ex, then consider haggling over payment terms etc,
Seriously consider walking away and leaving a number for them to contact you on, it is very hard to do i know.... I nearly bought a beautiful white Supersport by the time i had verified the price, i came back in less than 24hrs to do a deal and it was sold, i was heartbroken but bought a 993 instead.....
Good one smokin...
Forgot to mention... I personally never criticise the sellers vehicle i also never react to criticism of my vehicle. I once refused to sell a car to someone who literally tried to pull it apart, i accepted a lower offer from someone who was not a total plonker... daft i know but as i mentioned its up to the seller whether he wants to trade with you.
If i make an offer - i simply state that is my budget and what i want to pay....its then up to the seller to determine whether they want to trade.
Often i am very complementary especially if the seller appears to have made an effort to prep the car, are punctual, don't start asking what i do for a living, have i even owned a Porsche before etc etc etc
good luck
>> Edited by porsche4life on Wednesday 17th August 22:50
Forgot to mention... I personally never criticise the sellers vehicle i also never react to criticism of my vehicle. I once refused to sell a car to someone who literally tried to pull it apart, i accepted a lower offer from someone who was not a total plonker... daft i know but as i mentioned its up to the seller whether he wants to trade with you.
If i make an offer - i simply state that is my budget and what i want to pay....its then up to the seller to determine whether they want to trade.
Often i am very complementary especially if the seller appears to have made an effort to prep the car, are punctual, don't start asking what i do for a living, have i even owned a Porsche before etc etc etc
good luck
>> Edited by porsche4life on Wednesday 17th August 22:50
Henry-F said:
Dealers should probably know better than to be offended by an offer, but likewise buyers should be realistic about not being offensive. Still in any negotiation you need to come in lower than your real final price.
With something like the boxster, I'd probably offer you 10k and see what you say. I expect it would be 'look we really don't need to discount it at that price, I can't go any lower'. Then if I want it, I know the score. If its still there in 3 weeks I'll have been right and I can always offer you 10k again. If its gone, you were right!
But if it`s sold you lose out on a great value car. If you suspect I`ll say no it`s because you know it`s cheap enough anyway in which case get your money out ! As I said originally use your noggin
Henry
In the end its two people taking a view on the market. One of them will be right. If I suspect your view is correct, I'll still try and get a discount
Its a negotation, and thats how it works (assuming neither side is a chump). Its nothing personal.
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