What's reasonable haggling on a used car?
Discussion
You should within reason politely haggle, I think with over priced cars it's best to whittle them down via browsing the internet as you're not going to get price discovery and just waste your time by going to see it, but once you have a car you want to buy there is nothing wrong in giving them your opinion on what the car is worth to you, just don't do it in the form of an insulting offer after spending and hour or two with the salesmen as that might get a response you don't want.
Son bought a kia ceed gt back in March. Dealer had it at 6790 and I managed to get it, over the phone, for 6500.
Dealer claimed at that price it would be sold as trade sale; clearly I agreed but I wonder if he knew he was talking nonsense?
So 5% seems reasonable to try for (in my limited experience).
Dealer claimed at that price it would be sold as trade sale; clearly I agreed but I wonder if he knew he was talking nonsense?
So 5% seems reasonable to try for (in my limited experience).
If it's priced well than you know it and they know it there will be little room
If it is over-priced and in a colour or spec that you particularly want then there may be room if you appear indifferent to the colour/spec on the phone and cite other examples that are cheaper. If you tell them you want to agree to a price in principle and you will buy assuming the car is fine upon inspection and test drive then the salesman may well be amenable to flexibility for a 90% chance of a sale for minimal time spent on their part.
If it is over-priced and in a colour or spec that you particularly want then there may be room if you appear indifferent to the colour/spec on the phone and cite other examples that are cheaper. If you tell them you want to agree to a price in principle and you will buy assuming the car is fine upon inspection and test drive then the salesman may well be amenable to flexibility for a 90% chance of a sale for minimal time spent on their part.
fflump said:
If it's priced well than you know it and they know it there will be little room
If it is over-priced and in a colour or spec that you particularly want then there may be room if you appear indifferent to the colour/spec on the phone and cite other examples that are cheaper. If you tell them you want to agree to a price in principle and you will buy assuming the car is fine upon inspection and test drive then the salesman may well be amenable to flexibility for a 90% chance of a sale for minimal time spent on their part.
Your negotiation skills are really quite impressive. If it is over-priced and in a colour or spec that you particularly want then there may be room if you appear indifferent to the colour/spec on the phone and cite other examples that are cheaper. If you tell them you want to agree to a price in principle and you will buy assuming the car is fine upon inspection and test drive then the salesman may well be amenable to flexibility for a 90% chance of a sale for minimal time spent on their part.
If you appear ‘indifferent’ towards the negotiation and the vehicle in question, you run the risk of coming across as a time waster as you’ll appear disinterested in them and the vehicle as a whole.
I’d personally approach it in the manner of explaining that it’s a car you’re very interested in, the dealership have obviously prepared and presented the vehicle well and you’re in a position to move forwards both commercially and very quickly should the opportunity present itself.
Then explain that you see the commercials on the vehicle slightly differently to them so thought you’d pick up the telephone to them as an act of courtesy - as their time is equally as valuable as yours - to explore the potential of opening up a pricing discussion on the vehicle in the hope you could land on a number that works for both them and you…
Actually, scrap that. Indifference is the best negational tactic after all.
"I've looked at several cars similar to this and yours is the one I'd like to buy, if we can agree a suitable price.""
"Well, the car is advertised at £10,000 and that's the price."
"Yes, I can see what you're asking for the car. I looked at a similar car down the road at £9,250 which is almost as good. If you can move towards that price I'll be happy to put down a deposit right here right now. (Pulls credit card from pocket.) Can we do a deal at £9,400?"
and a bit of further haggling should see a deal done without anyone being offended.
"Well, the car is advertised at £10,000 and that's the price."
"Yes, I can see what you're asking for the car. I looked at a similar car down the road at £9,250 which is almost as good. If you can move towards that price I'll be happy to put down a deposit right here right now. (Pulls credit card from pocket.) Can we do a deal at £9,400?"
and a bit of further haggling should see a deal done without anyone being offended.
TheDrownedApe said:
Son bought a kia ceed gt back in March. Dealer had it at 6790 and I managed to get it, over the phone, for 6500.
Dealer claimed at that price it would be sold as trade sale; clearly I agreed but I wonder if he knew he was talking nonsense?
So 5% seems reasonable to try for (in my limited experience).
Why was he talking nonsense. I don't follow. Dealer claimed at that price it would be sold as trade sale; clearly I agreed but I wonder if he knew he was talking nonsense?
So 5% seems reasonable to try for (in my limited experience).
cliffords said:
TheDrownedApe said:
Son bought a kia ceed gt back in March. Dealer had it at 6790 and I managed to get it, over the phone, for 6500.
Dealer claimed at that price it would be sold as trade sale; clearly I agreed but I wonder if he knew he was talking nonsense?
So 5% seems reasonable to try for (in my limited experience).
Why was he talking nonsense. I don't follow. Dealer claimed at that price it would be sold as trade sale; clearly I agreed but I wonder if he knew he was talking nonsense?
So 5% seems reasonable to try for (in my limited experience).
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff