And, then there is British Standard when we are talking about tools.
The Brits couldn't use metric fastners or US. Nope, they had a standard of their own. To add to the fun, they had another oddball size called Wentworth.
These disappeared in the 50's or 60's and many a fastener has been rounded off by using the wrong wrench or socket!
jipster....I've tried "internet only" quotes a couple of times. Never worked out. I like looking for stock, colors, models on line. But, found when it came time to pull the trigger, there's nothing like a willing buyer, in the showroom, with checkbook in hand, to get a good deal.
Many years ago when I had my old 69 Volvo 142 I took it to the local garage to have him take the snows off and put on the regular tires. Somehow this clown managed to put standard lugs on my metric bolts. Had to have them rethreaded.
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
But, found when it came time to pull the trigger, there's nothing like a willing buyer, in the showroom, with checkbook in hand, to get a good deal.
Yep. I'm not much of a fan on running around, shopping internet prices... and calling all over the place to get a good deal... on a car I've not even looked at or driven.
To Buy: know what a good deal is, find car, go to the dealership, test drive, negotiate using Jipst Method (Hogan's Method a cheap imitation), take keys to new car, speed home, post sales story in this discussion for other members enjoyment.
So as I said I was planning on buying a cheap used car to be used temporarily in NY. I am still in Texas and plan to ship it to NY next month. And it would be easier buying in TX as I am more familiar with dealers here.
But none of the new car dealers stock anything less than $9k. And I have 2 stories about an 04 Oldsmobile Alero and a 02 Chevy Malibu. Both were miserable . But I will post about them later. I had almost given up on this traditional route and decided to go back to my favorite Ebay method . But tough to find such low priced cars in decent condition even on Ebay. I decided to give one more shot the regular method. :shades:
I decided to call a used car dealer who is away from the city on the highway -about 20 miles away alone on the highway. He said he had some cars with 150k+ mileage -- I was like -no I want with less than 100k miles. He says there is a red 2001 Saturn SC1 coupe with 90k miles for $3k+TTL he got it just 4 hrs back. I decide to check it out. It was in really good condition-- no repaints but pretty good sports red paint for a 9 year car. Interior was also very decent,good seats and equipment. Guess ,was detailed pretty well exterior and interior. No smoke smell. I took it for a test drive at all speeds and braked a bit hard-- no pulsation,no noises ,no shimmys, no pulls ,brakes looked good,tires 40% tread left ,stereo is good and AC is ice cold. Engine compartment-no leaks,cracks or tears.:P
Carfax + Autocheck were clear . The car was in Nebraska 3/4th its life and in Texas the remaining 1/4th. Inspection is till 04/2011. CR overall reliability rating is average for the 01 Saturn SC coupe. Tranny minor had fair rating for rough shifting. Engine minor had fair rating for "possible" oil leaks. Other than that all was average or above average. He started at 3300 OTD ,I offered 2300 ,he said 3000- I said OK 2800 and we have a deal . He agreed. He seems to be fair,honest and helpful. I said I will come back tomorrow to finalize the deal and pay for it after showing it to my wife tomorrow . He said no problem. So what do you folks think?? :confuse:
Is this a deal I should go through assuming acceptable risk. Even if I get 10k miles out of the car ,I am happy . Can sell it to carmax for may be 800 or may donate it. So what`s your advice?? I am planning to buy it tomorrow. Any pros or cons to this transaction ?? Thanks. :shades:
red 2001 Saturn SC1 coupe with 90k miles for $3k+TTL
Is it original paint? I don't remember seeing a red one.
Seriously though, did you take it for a test drive? I would want to drive it fairly aggressively just to see if it springs any leaks or has brake problems etc.
Every once in awhile you do hit upon a gem and this could be it. At least it has plastic fenders which should help in New York.
I have driven those Alero's and Malibus and they are fairly crude by todays standards.
Good luck.....I am surprised there is so little available for under $9k, guess that's another problem with C4C :sick:(had to get that one in there - just when you think it will never come up again)
Based on your test drive, all sounds good. You buy for $2,800 and sell for $800 later. You are bound to get $2k out of the car. I say go for it. Good luck and keep us posted.
It is "criers". I couldn't let you down. :P I do need to ADVISE you that my ADVICE is only free to good friends here. Please review my last sentence and make me proud of you. :shades:
Many years ago when I had my old 69 Volvo 142 I took it to the local garage to have him take the snows off and put on the regular tires. Somehow this clown managed to put standard lugs on my metric bolts. Had to have them rethreaded.
You just hit on my #1 pet peeve.
Is that when you decided to take off your own snow tires since it is more convenient to do it that way? FWIW, I wouldn't have trusted a re-thread of lug nut studs/nuts but like you said this was "many years ago", so you made it through that one.
pet peeve #2 clowns doing oil changes. :mad: :mad:
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
And, then there is British Standard when we are talking about tools.
The Brits couldn't use metric fastners or US. Nope, they had a standard of their own. To add to the fun, they had another oddball size called Wentworth And, then there is British Standard when we are talking about tools.
The Brits couldn't use metric fastners or US. Nope, they had a standard of their own. To add to the fun, they had another oddball size called Wentworth
It's funny you mention British Standard and Wentworth.
When I was a younger aircraft mechanic, I got a job at a service center that worked on Hawker business jets.
They used British Standard, Wentworth, metric, and US standard. It was always fun trying to find "the right tool for the right job".
I think the newer Hawkers have been standardized now.
When I was a younger aircraft mechanic, I got a job at a service center that worked on Hawker business jets.
They used British Standard, Wentworth, metric, and US standard. It was always fun trying to find "the right tool for the right job".
And that’s the way you had to do your job when peoples lives were on the line.
In my younger days I was a Navy Airdale (electrical/instrumentation) for one enlistment period. While we only had US standard (SAE) fasteners on the planes in our squadron we all knew the importance of doing the job right the first time since you don’t get second chances. Nobody used a pair of vise grips because they were too lazy to go get the properly sized socket wrench to do the job. After all, we were on the same flight crew and we all had to trust each others work.
That mentality has carried over to the rest of my life. That’s why I go off like I do when I see incompetence even with the slightest jobs being done by those in the car repair biz.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Amazingly Bill and Ed's seems to still be around. They used to be a Texaco station but for years now have just been a repair and destroy shop. Sold NSUs way back when.
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
To Buy: know what a good deal is, find car, go to the dealership, test drive, negotiate using Jipst Method (Hogan's Method a cheap imitation), take keys to new car, speed home, post sales story in this discussion for other members enjoyment.
jipster.....you and I are on the same page. You do a little more "bump and grind" than I do. But, that works, too.
I do my research....look around a little bit on the net to see if a dealer has what I want. Once I find it, and size up the dealership that has it (may not buy from the dealership if I don't like them). Put my little offer spreadsheet together (including TTL and the ubiquitous "doc fee"). Head on over to the dealership. Do a little test drive. Present my offer...."yay, or nay". If it's "yay", I shake hands. Head on over to the F&I. Do a final inspection of the car. Drive home. Post here. That about wraps it up.
If a trade-in is involved (as it was with my last purchase), I may do a little horse trading on it. But, I'm pretty steadfast on the offer for a new car.
It never ceases to amaze me the number of posts, especially in the "prices paid" forum, for those requesting "the best price". Hell...I dunno. Gotta trade? Are you upside down in it? Are there "dealer add-ons" added to the car you're trying to buy? Are you paying cash? Or, are you taking advantage of the manufacturer's special finance rates where "dealer contribution may affect the final cost"? Is it a Tuesday when no one is prowling around the dealer's lot? Or, is it a Saturday when they're busy as Hell after Mardi Gras? Is the car Mary Kay "pink"? Or, is it a color that's easier to move? What are the back end fees?
Too many variables to ascertain what the "best price" is. The best price is the one you're happy with, buying from the place and people you're happy with.
Too many variables to ascertain what the "best price" is. The best price is the one you're happy with, buying from the place and people you're happy with.
Thank you. Exactly so. Something we buyers can agree with the salesmen on.
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
I was always amazed by the pain, tiem and trouble people will put themselves through to "save" a lousy buck.
I soon realized that in most cases, it isn't the dollars. It is the fear that just maybe, soemone else paid less for the same car.
I'm pretty cautious and frugal myslef but if I buy a new computer, camera or even a car, if I think I'm getting a good value for my moeny, I'll buy and I won't look back!
I sure won't go to some Prices Paid Forum and ask..." I just bought a new XXX and I paid XXX, did I get a good deal?"
Well, if you went to a Prices Paid Forum and proudly announced whjat you ahd paid for that new car, you probably would freak out because SOMEONE would jump in tell you how they paid 1000.00 less!
Are definitely a research tool to use BEFORE you purchase to gauge the market for whatever car you're about to buy. Post what you're looking for BEFORE you buy & then post your price paid & tell your story behind it
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Well, if you went to a Prices Paid Forum and proudly announced what you ahd paid for that new car, you probably would freak out because SOMEONE would jump in tell you how they paid 1000.00 less!
A large percentage of those prices paid postings are fairly useless. They'll say they paid XXX amount for a car... and then leave it at that. Well, does that price include a doc. fee? Does that include a trade in? What is the sales tax for the particular state you live in? Which is helpful when posting an out the door number. The posters that break everything down line by line are the most helpful. Usually the numbers that are substantially lower than the norm, without details, are the ones that are bogus.
The prices paid forums just give me a feel for the general level of discounting, the actual deal is hard to pinpoint. Usually I get a feeling for the approx 'good' price and pull the trigger if I like the dealer's attitude. As long as I'm not paying $3K too much I don't regret it, and don't 'score' my purchase against the posts in the forums. Frankly I'm with the above posters .. it's impossible to tell the 'real deal' ... as in how much did they trade in their car for, etc.
"It is the fear that just maybe, someone else paid less for the same car."
Also, I think that there is a fear that the dealer will make too much profit. That why the "Jipster Method" was born. I agree with you and GG. It's dumb to ask if I got a good deal. You weren't there to see all of the variables and to hear the conversation. I'm the one who has to live with the car and the decision. If I feel right about the situation, what does it matter what others think? It's like those old fishing stories. My fish was bigger and better than yours. I wouldn't win the argument if they had given me the car for free. The other guy would claim that they gave him a house to go with the car.
>A car salesman once told me that he knew that I would want to do the "Christian thing". I told him that I would, by buying from another dealer.
I'm afraid I would have suggested that he do the Christian thing for himself to benefit me.
That sounds like the owner of a private school bus company in Cincy who called wanting to buy the remaining out of the pair of season tickets I had won in a contest. He offered about a third of their value, exclusive of their nice seat location thanks to the Reds. He told me "I am in business" and that he wanted to give them to employees as a reward. I told him I was in business also, but I wasn't nearly Christian in my choice of wording. I later sold them to an attorney with two boys who shared tickets with another family and would be able to use them to double up. I felt very good having benefited a family.
Every day I use dozens of keys, passwords, spyware scans and any number of other techniques that are necessary only because people (in general) are scumbags. I grew up (eons ago) in small towns, those places where it wasn't necessary to lock the house, car or much of anything else.
I've worn my extended family out bleating about what a pain in the [non-permissible content removed] it is to deal with dishonest people. It's been said that the most blatant cynics (that'd be me) are disappointed idealists.
How chintzy can you get? He wanted YOU to give up 2/3 of their value so he could reward his employees on the cheap. And he would have recouped his 1/3 if he declared their full value on his taxes for business expenses, i.e. rewarding his employees at no cost. I would not want to work for a person like that.
I had a similar experience years ago when buying a new car (Nissan Sentra) for sending son #1 off to college. The deal was uneventful until I hit the finance office. The guy quoted me 2 or 3 points higher than I knew the interest rate should be and I politely asked him if he was crazy.
Once he knew I had done my research and knew I had excellent credit he tried to appeal to my altruistic side by telling me that by charging me more than he should it would enable him to finance some people who were less fortunate than me. I laughed out loud in his face, got up to leave, and he immediately apologized and gave me the correct rate. Simply amazing.
I am so with you on that topic. I grew up in an era of complete trust. I thought that everyone was honest, sincere, helpful, and kind. As I grew older and moved around, I got burned many times by taking people at their word. I really was an idealist, and I tried to live my life that way. I guess that is why I become so angry when I encounter dishonesty and deception---in the market place and in government. I once ran for city council and lost by 31 votes. Dumb me. I thought that I could make things better. On election night, a man walked up to me and said, "I didn't vote for you because you are too damned honest. You'd never be able to get anything done." I figured that he had said it all.
What an absolutely stupid way to cover his [non-permissible content removed] after trying to rip you off! They could use him in Washington to redistribute the wealth. :P
The Reds did well the previous year, IIRC. I won Bengals tickets at good location, and you couldn't give those away. I sold some outside the stadium area, when it was convenient. That was back around 1980. I don't forsee winning anything like that again. Almost won a Corolla previous fall in a local school fund raiser drawing; but the call after the drawing was to see what I knew about the person to whom we sold the winning ticket. Talk about a letdown; when my cell phone rang I thought I had won the drawing for the car. New driver in family and we would have loved a new third car, even if it were a toyota.
jipster....I always have more faith in 'my" numbers than those I read in the prices paid forum. I know people are fearful that a dealership is going to rip them off. The stories we've read about the Mazda dealership in Canada is just one example of why people feel that way.
However, it's that same fear that lends itself to the grinders that isell has referenced over the years. The folks who are so afraid that they've left $50 on the table that keep them from pulling the trigger on a deal.
I get skinny on my deals. But, even before I do that, if a dealership is going to make me sit at the negotiation table for the old "if we....will you" back and forth to get a "skinny" deal, I'm not interested in dealing with them. Tell me you can't do my deal, if that's the case. You won't hurt my feelings. I'll either find a dealership who is willing, or my numbers are off and I have to rethink my deal. I don't go in under their cost. I know that no dealership can do a deal where they don't make money. I don't even mind explaining how I came up with my numbers.
I don't believe there are "dirty little secrets that the dealership doesn't want us to know".
But, being prepared by doing some realistic research will serve a buyer well. What's your trade worth? What can the dealership realistically sell it for (after getting it working perfectly and shining it up)? What are the incentives on the new car you're interested in? What's the invoice? Etc.
I've never bought into the notion that I've somehow put myself at a disadvantage by throwing out the first (and only) offer. My offers isn't a starting point. It's the ending point. Do I leave money on the table? I don't know. Maybe....maybe not! If I do, it ain't much. Point is, I really don't care.
As long as I'm happy with my deal, and the dealer shakes my hand with a smile, it's all good.
imid.....kyfdx....couple of weeks ago, I had people shoving REDs tickets in my face for nothing. Of course, the weather was bad, and the team was doing poorly. Now, no one is calling me asking me to take those tickets off their hands now that the weather has broken, and the team is doing well.
I have season tickets for the Bengals. I went through those years that I couldn't even give my seats away. I could put single game tickets up for sale right now and get well over face value for them.
Yeah the $39.00 Home Depot door lockset isn't much of a deterrent to a seasoned theif. It may slow him down for a few minutes if you are lucky.
My free rescued pit bull/lab mix dog does a much better job. She's got the head of a pit, personality of a lab - strangers don't know she's barking because she wants them to come play. (it's true - my boyfriend brought in 5 large, strange men, and my top guard dog brought them a stuffed toy.) As a bonus, her head in the window will sometimes deter door-to-door salespeople.
A few years ago, someone broke in through my basement window - I saw muddy footprints on the sofa under the window, but that's as far as they got. Nothing gone. Beats a builder-grade lockset any day.
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name. 2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h) Review your vehicle
Some people would want a very skinny deal and then they would demand top dollar for their trade in. The would bring thick file folders with every print out they could come up with. " I see what people are getting for similar cars" or " I know what it's worth" No, they see what people are ASKING for similar cars.
A trade in is worth what a store can buy one for at the local auction and nothing more. Book values are simply guides and nothing more.
And a lot of trades we simply don't want and neither do our wholesalers or the people who buy at the auctions! Your 120,000 mile PT Cruiser or your Hyundai or 1998 Buick Century are cars we have no market for.
Please sell your undesirable trades by yourself!
Oh, and when you tell us your inop A/C "just needs a charge" we know better!
Comments
" Buyers are liars and sellers are cryers"
Or is it "Criers"?
I'm sure Richard will let me know!
That's a great one! Give him credit though, at least he said "English", not "American".
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Well you do have "Standard American English" and "Standard British English". There are marked differences between the two.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
The Brits couldn't use metric fastners or US. Nope, they had a standard of their own. To add to the fun, they had another oddball size called Wentworth.
These disappeared in the 50's or 60's and many a fastener has been rounded off by using the wrong wrench or socket!
From my life in the tool business.
Yep. I'm not much of a fan on running around, shopping internet prices... and calling all over the place to get a good deal... on a car I've not even looked at or driven.
To Buy: know what a good deal is, find car, go to the dealership, test drive, negotiate using Jipst Method (Hogan's Method a cheap imitation), take keys to new car, speed home, post sales story in this discussion for other members enjoyment.
But, which one would Jesus have used?
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Did you take a wrong turn and end up in Havana? :P
If it makes you feel any better, when I go back to Mexico it looks more and more like the US with each visit.
LOL That'd be too funny if it wasn't so sad.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
But none of the new car dealers stock anything less than $9k. And I have 2 stories about an 04 Oldsmobile Alero and a 02 Chevy Malibu. Both were miserable . But I will post about them later. I had almost given up on this traditional route and decided to go back to my favorite Ebay method . But tough to find such low priced cars in decent condition even on Ebay. I decided to give one more shot the regular method. :shades:
I decided to call a used car dealer who is away from the city on the highway -about 20 miles away alone on the highway. He said he had some cars with 150k+ mileage -- I was like -no I want with less than 100k miles. He says there is a red 2001 Saturn SC1 coupe with 90k miles for $3k+TTL he got it just 4 hrs back. I decide to check it out. It was in really good condition-- no repaints but pretty good sports red paint for a 9 year car. Interior was also very decent,good seats and equipment. Guess ,was detailed pretty well exterior and interior. No smoke smell. I took it for a test drive at all speeds and braked a bit hard-- no pulsation,no noises ,no shimmys, no pulls ,brakes looked good,tires 40% tread left ,stereo is good and AC is ice cold. Engine compartment-no leaks,cracks or tears.:P
Carfax + Autocheck were clear . The car was in Nebraska 3/4th its life and in Texas the remaining 1/4th. Inspection is till 04/2011. CR overall reliability rating is average for the 01 Saturn SC coupe. Tranny minor had fair rating for rough shifting. Engine minor had fair rating for "possible" oil leaks. Other than that all was average or above average. He started at 3300 OTD ,I offered 2300 ,he said 3000- I said OK 2800 and we have a deal . He agreed. He seems to be fair,honest and helpful. I said I will come back tomorrow to finalize the deal and pay for it after showing it to my wife tomorrow . He said no problem. So what do you folks think?? :confuse:
Is this a deal I should go through assuming acceptable risk. Even if I get 10k miles out of the car ,I am happy . Can sell it to carmax for may be 800 or may donate it. So what`s your advice?? I am planning to buy it tomorrow. Any pros or cons to this transaction ?? Thanks. :shades:
Is it original paint? I don't remember seeing a red one.
Seriously though, did you take it for a test drive? I would want to drive it fairly aggressively just to see if it springs any leaks or has brake problems etc.
Every once in awhile you do hit upon a gem and this could be it. At least it has plastic fenders which should help in New York.
I have driven those Alero's and Malibus and they are fairly crude by todays standards.
Good luck.....I am surprised there is so little available for under $9k, guess that's another problem with C4C :sick:(had to get that one in there - just when you think it will never come up again)
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Richard
It is "criers". I couldn't let you down. :P I do need to ADVISE you that my ADVICE is only free to good friends here.
Richard
I would go for it.
You just hit on my #1 pet peeve.
Is that when you decided to take off your own snow tires since it is more convenient to do it that way? FWIW, I wouldn't have trusted a re-thread of lug nut studs/nuts but like you said this was "many years ago", so you made it through that one.
pet peeve #2 clowns doing oil changes. :mad: :mad:
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
The Brits couldn't use metric fastners or US. Nope, they had a standard of their own. To add to the fun, they had another oddball size called Wentworth And, then there is British Standard when we are talking about tools.
The Brits couldn't use metric fastners or US. Nope, they had a standard of their own. To add to the fun, they had another oddball size called Wentworth
It's funny you mention British Standard and Wentworth.
When I was a younger aircraft mechanic, I got a job at a service center that worked on Hawker business jets.
They used British Standard, Wentworth, metric, and US standard. It was always fun trying to find "the right tool for the right job".
I think the newer Hawkers have been standardized now.
They used British Standard, Wentworth, metric, and US standard. It was always fun trying to find "the right tool for the right job".
And that’s the way you had to do your job when peoples lives were on the line.
In my younger days I was a Navy Airdale (electrical/instrumentation) for one enlistment period. While we only had US standard (SAE) fasteners on the planes in our squadron we all knew the importance of doing the job right the first time since you don’t get second chances. Nobody used a pair of vise grips because they were too lazy to go get the properly sized socket wrench to do the job. After all, we were on the same flight crew and we all had to trust each others work.
That mentality has carried over to the rest of my life. That’s why I go off like I do when I see incompetence even with the slightest jobs being done by those in the car repair biz.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
jipster.....you and I are on the same page. You do a little more "bump and grind" than I do. But, that works, too.
I do my research....look around a little bit on the net to see if a dealer has what I want. Once I find it, and size up the dealership that has it (may not buy from the dealership if I don't like them). Put my little offer spreadsheet together (including TTL and the ubiquitous "doc fee"). Head on over to the dealership. Do a little test drive. Present my offer...."yay, or nay". If it's "yay", I shake hands. Head on over to the F&I. Do a final inspection of the car. Drive home. Post here. That about wraps it up.
If a trade-in is involved (as it was with my last purchase), I may do a little horse trading on it. But, I'm pretty steadfast on the offer for a new car.
It never ceases to amaze me the number of posts, especially in the "prices paid" forum, for those requesting "the best price". Hell...I dunno. Gotta trade? Are you upside down in it? Are there "dealer add-ons" added to the car you're trying to buy? Are you paying cash? Or, are you taking advantage of the manufacturer's special finance rates where "dealer contribution may affect the final cost"? Is it a Tuesday when no one is prowling around the dealer's lot? Or, is it a Saturday when they're busy as Hell after Mardi Gras? Is the car Mary Kay "pink"? Or, is it a color that's easier to move? What are the back end fees?
Too many variables to ascertain what the "best price" is. The best price is the one you're happy with, buying from the place and people you're happy with.
Thank you. Exactly so. Something we buyers can agree with the salesmen on.
Huh! You don’t wax it first? :confuse:
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
I soon realized that in most cases, it isn't the dollars. It is the fear that just maybe, soemone else paid less for the same car.
I'm pretty cautious and frugal myslef but if I buy a new computer, camera or even a car, if I think I'm getting a good value for my moeny, I'll buy and I won't look back!
I sure won't go to some Prices Paid Forum and ask..." I just bought a new XXX and I paid XXX, did I get a good deal?"
But, that's me. Life is short!
A couple hundred bucks wouldn't matter to me, but I'd probably freak out if somebody paid $500-$1,000 less than I did.
Happens ever time!
Of course, they would never tell a lie...
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
A large percentage of those prices paid postings are fairly useless. They'll say they paid XXX amount for a car... and then leave it at that. Well, does that price include a doc. fee? Does that include a trade in? What is the sales tax for the particular state you live in? Which is helpful when posting an out the door number. The posters that break everything down line by line are the most helpful. Usually the numbers that are substantially lower than the norm, without details, are the ones that are bogus.
Also, I think that there is a fear that the dealer will make too much profit. That why the "Jipster Method" was born. I agree with you and GG. It's dumb to ask if I got a good deal. You weren't there to see all of the variables and to hear the conversation. I'm the one who has to live with the car and the decision. If I feel right about the situation, what does it matter what others think? It's like those old fishing stories. My fish was bigger and better than yours. I wouldn't win the argument if they had given me the car for free. The other guy would claim that they gave him a house to go with the car.
Richard
A car salesman once told me that he knew that I would want to do the "Christian thing". I told him that I would, by buying from another dealer.
Richard
I'm afraid I would have suggested that he do the Christian thing for himself to benefit me.
That sounds like the owner of a private school bus company in Cincy who called wanting to buy the remaining out of the pair of season tickets I had won in a contest. He offered about a third of their value, exclusive of their nice seat location thanks to the Reds. He told me "I am in business" and that he wanted to give them to employees as a reward. I told him I was in business also, but I wasn't nearly Christian in my choice of wording. I later sold them to an attorney with two boys who shared tickets with another family and would be able to use them to double up. I felt very good having benefited a family.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Oh, I get it, we're now on the flying pigs forum.
Every day I use dozens of keys, passwords, spyware scans and any number of other techniques that are necessary only because people (in general) are scumbags. I grew up (eons ago) in small towns, those places where it wasn't necessary to lock the house, car or much of anything else.
I've worn my extended family out bleating about what a pain in the [non-permissible content removed] it is to deal with dishonest people. It's been said that the most blatant cynics (that'd be me) are disappointed idealists.
Those days are so, so gone.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
How chintzy can you get? He wanted YOU to give up 2/3 of their value so he could reward his employees on the cheap. And he would have recouped his 1/3 if he declared their full value on his taxes for business expenses, i.e. rewarding his employees at no cost. I would not want to work for a person like that.
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Yeah the $39.00 Home Depot door lockset isn't much of a deterrent to a seasoned theif. It may slow him down for a few minutes if you are lucky.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
Once he knew I had done my research and knew I had excellent credit he tried to appeal to my altruistic side by telling me that by charging me more than he should it would enable him to finance some people who were less fortunate than me. I laughed out loud in his face, got up to leave, and he immediately apologized and gave me the correct rate. Simply amazing.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
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Richard
Richard
The Reds did well the previous year, IIRC. I won Bengals tickets at good location, and you couldn't give those away. I sold some outside the stadium area, when it was convenient. That was back around 1980. I don't forsee winning anything like that again. Almost won a Corolla previous fall in a local school fund raiser drawing; but the call after the drawing was to see what I knew about the person to whom we sold the winning ticket. Talk about a letdown; when my cell phone rang I thought I had won the drawing for the car. New driver in family and we would have loved a new third car, even if it were a toyota.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
However, it's that same fear that lends itself to the grinders that isell has referenced over the years. The folks who are so afraid that they've left $50 on the table that keep them from pulling the trigger on a deal.
I get skinny on my deals. But, even before I do that, if a dealership is going to make me sit at the negotiation table for the old "if we....will you" back and forth to get a "skinny" deal, I'm not interested in dealing with them. Tell me you can't do my deal, if that's the case. You won't hurt my feelings. I'll either find a dealership who is willing, or my numbers are off and I have to rethink my deal. I don't go in under their cost. I know that no dealership can do a deal where they don't make money. I don't even mind explaining how I came up with my numbers.
I don't believe there are "dirty little secrets that the dealership doesn't want us to know".
But, being prepared by doing some realistic research will serve a buyer well. What's your trade worth? What can the dealership realistically sell it for (after getting it working perfectly and shining it up)? What are the incentives on the new car you're interested in? What's the invoice? Etc.
I've never bought into the notion that I've somehow put myself at a disadvantage by throwing out the first (and only) offer. My offers isn't a starting point. It's the ending point. Do I leave money on the table? I don't know. Maybe....maybe not! If I do, it ain't much. Point is, I really don't care.
As long as I'm happy with my deal, and the dealer shakes my hand with a smile, it's all good.
I have season tickets for the Bengals. I went through those years that I couldn't even give my seats away. I could put single game tickets up for sale right now and get well over face value for them.
My free rescued pit bull/lab mix dog does a much better job. She's got the head of a pit, personality of a lab - strangers don't know she's barking because she wants them to come play. (it's true - my boyfriend brought in 5 large, strange men, and my top guard dog brought them a stuffed toy.) As a bonus, her head in the window will sometimes deter door-to-door salespeople.
A few years ago, someone broke in through my basement window - I saw muddy footprints on the sofa under the window, but that's as far as they got. Nothing gone. Beats a builder-grade lockset any day.
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2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
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Some people would want a very skinny deal and then they would demand top dollar for their trade in. The would bring thick file folders with every print out they could come up with. " I see what people are getting for similar cars" or " I know what it's worth" No, they see what people are ASKING for similar cars.
A trade in is worth what a store can buy one for at the local auction and nothing more. Book values are simply guides and nothing more.
And a lot of trades we simply don't want and neither do our wholesalers or the people who buy at the auctions! Your 120,000 mile PT Cruiser or your Hyundai or 1998 Buick Century are cars we have no market for.
Please sell your undesirable trades by yourself!
Oh, and when you tell us your inop A/C "just needs a charge" we know better!
If I'd realized that me giving up my tickets was all we needed, I would have done it years ago.. :surprise:
Seriously.... Need to get rid of some Reds tickets? Give me a ring!
Sales story: Bought a car two weeks ago...
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