OK - what's the best way to get the best price possible when you are fixated on the COLOR of the vehicle? If there are 6 identically equipped cars, but the one you want is the crimson red one, of which there is "no other vehicle north of the Mason-Dixon line" in that color. How can I get it for the same price as the other 5 'normal' color vehicles equipped identically??
If there are 6 identically equipped cars, but the one you want is the crimson red one, of which there is "no other vehicle north of the Mason-Dixon line" in that color.
Negotiate the price for the other one...the green one. Then before final signing say you have changed your mind, you want the crimson red one and it should be the same price.
You will negotiate better, because you won't want the green one. It is the classic bait and switch technique...but this time, it is being done to the dealer.
Here are just some reasons why states have to clamp down on drivers licenses; In 2011, the Department of Homeland Securityreported the deportation of 35,927 illegal immigrants convicted of driving under the influence.3 Congressman Steve King (R-IA) asserts that illegal alien drunk drivers kill over 4,700 Americans a year — 13 U.S. citizens die every 24 hours.4 And according to an analysis by the New York Times, about 4.5 million illegal aliens in the U.S. drive on a regular basis, many without licenses or insurance, or even the ability to read road signs written in English. * * * *
Making fraudulent licenses has become a big business too. And there is insurance fraud too. If you do read the link above, you will be surprised at the percentages of illegals who cause accidents......and unfortunately, you seldom can sue for damages.
It is unfortunate that you are going through so much red tape to get your license, but, it is really for your own protection.
> It is basically saying all our records are crap and we read those great manuals for magistrates in Soviet Union and decided to adopt them.
Sounds like this is all because of the ability to produce fraudulant birth certificates and other proof of residency on the part of people who aren't [legal residents].
I'm all for making it better for our citizens in this country.
...and unfortunately, you seldom can sue for damages.
The illegal immigration problem will not go away anytime soon, or perhaps never, as long as there are job opportunities here for them. Don't know if it yet exists but citizens should be able to buy insurance to mitigate the special risk of aliens driving without valid licenses.
>Don't know if it yet exists but citizens should be able to buy insurance to mitigate the special risk of aliens driving
Isn't that the federal goverment's job to keep out illegals and control the permitted immigrant population? Why should individuals have to buy insurance spending more of their money to indemnify themselves against the risk.
Don't know if it yet exists but citizens should be able to buy insurance to mitigate the special risk of aliens driving without valid
It jas been there for all this time - it's called "collision" for vehicle damage (pays regardless of fault) and "uninsured motorist" for injuries (pays when one cannot recover injury damages from the driver at fault, as unlicensed driver is of course uninsured driver).
Isn't that the federal goverment's job to keep out illegals and control the permitted immigrant population?
Are you old enough to remember the Berlin Wall? If so, then you should also remember that it didn't work.
If you put up a wall, and people on the south side of that wall make $10 a day, and people on the north side of that wall make $100 a day, they are going to get through that wall. Over, under, around, through, whatever it takes, they're going to get to the side where they can make more money.
And I do not blame them. If I were in their shoes, I would do the same thing. What would you do, or better, what wouldn't you do to take care of your family?
"collision" for vehicle damage (pays regardless of fault) and "uninsured motorist" for injuries
Good point, I forgot about that. I was going by an incident that happenned many years ago. A girlfriend (just be clear, before I was married to Mrs. Driver) was driving her Honda Accord and she was hit by a pizza delivery guy....an illegal without a license or insurance.
Her injuries were moderate, but she did need some physical therapy and some treatment. In those days she couldn't collect, as the other guy had no insurance and he left the seen.
I guess the powers that be have seen the light, so that we are now covered when these things happen.
Any state that is offering the new enhanced licences is asking it's citizens to do the same thing. It's basically an ICE requirement to make it more difficult for bad guys to get the documents to enter the US.
There is a thriving business of making false birth certificates, social security cards, dumb licenses that then make it easy to get real proof of residence (passports, credit cards, bills). The problem is that none of those things have a central repository for cross checking.
With the enhanced license and embedded RFID chip, border control can pull up your entire background with the pulse of a reader.
Part of the benefit for Florida is that they are the largest cruise port in the United States. Enhanced licenses make it easier for the passengers to re-enter the US quickly and without the need for passports.
marsh....can't really add to driver's advice except to say make your offer on the car you want. Color shouldn't matter, unless the "red" color you want is some sort of extra cost metallic.
If the different color cars are at the same dealer, the price should be the same. If they're at different dealers, then you'll have to walk the the dealer with the color you want, and go to the dealer that has the color you don't want, or at least have them believe you'll do just that.
Trust me, if you're leaving them any money for them to make a decent profit on the color you want, they won't let you walk. A customer motivated to buy their car is easier than for them to wait around for another customer who may or may not buy their car.
What car are we talking about? Make, model, year, options, color? Where are you located? We could probably help more if we knew these things.
immigrant. imid, I'm glad you used the correct word for new arrivals to this country that are not yet documented. When someone says Alien I think of this> <img src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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
Negotiate the price for the other one...the green one. Then before final signing say you have changed your mind, you want the crimson red one and it should be the same price.
You will negotiate better, because you won't want the green one. It is the classic bait and switch technique...but this time, it is being done to the dealer.
I'm apalled at your suggestion driver. If we, as the public, complain about the games that dealers play, we shouldn't play those same games as consumers.
To the OP, prices are always about supply and demand. If you have your heart set on that color, don't be surprised if you have to pay a bit more.
As one of my favorite sayings goes, trust, but verify. Make sure that that is in fact the only red one left (check the manufacturer's website, or even here at edmunds.)
graphicguy - OP here...and I appreciate your advice. I'm in Northern California, Sacramento area. We're looking for a new vehicle in the Audi Q5, Volvo XC60, Acura RDX/MDX, VW Touareg range, and that magic color is some sort of darker Blue (Atlantis, Caspian, Scuba, insert latest enticing marketing moniker here , etc.). This is for my wife, so...face it, women probably statistically put color much higher on their evaluation criteria (my wife is loathe to consider an RDX just because they don't even come in blue!). And unfortunately, she's also unable to NOT mention "pretty blue!!" at the dealership, anymore than she's able to refrain from saying how "Perfect!" a house would be when we've done the Open House home purchase routine...so yes, several of the local dealers already know how much we are coveting a blue vehicle! Advice?
"... My birth certificate shows no middle name..."
That reminds me of my deceased mother. She was born Elizabeth ANNE but when she married my father and got her social security card changed it came back Elizabeth MATTHEW, my father's middle name. She shrugged and henceforth signed her name Elizabeth M. For the rest of her life.
Nobody noticed.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
The thing is, any seasoned salesperson will be able to see this coming and will MAKE SURE the buyer knows the price he is offering is on a green car and not the red one.
I used to love it when a "smart shopper" would try to outsmart me.
The old "hidden trade" was the most often trick pulled.
The old "hidden trade" was the most often trick pulled.
Isellhondas, yes - the hidden trade was the most frequently used "ruse" when I was in the business. When I trained my salespeople, I required them to ask 4 simple questions prior to showing a customer a car:
*what type of car are you looking for? *how do you plan to use your car? Work? Pleasure? Shopping? etc. *what are you driving now? *what do you plan on doing with your car when you get your new car? Keep it? Trade it? Or sell it privately?
The above 4 questions are meant to extract information from the buyer to make sure the salesperson shows the right vehicle, gets a quick history of what the buyer drives, and to get a feel for what the buyer has in mind for his/her current vehicle.
Of course, buyers often say one thing and end up doing something else - but most of the time the buyer will tell you the truth. This way, if there is a trade, the salesperson is aware from the beginning. If the buyer says he/she is going to sell the car privately, it is almost a given that car will sneak into the negotiations as a trade later on.
Here in Florida, the trade is subtracted prior to determining the sales tax. So very few buyers "don't" trade their cars down here because of the tax differential - 6% or more, depending on the county.
Here in Florida, the trade is subtracted prior to determining the sales tax. So very few buyers "don't" trade their cars down here because of the tax differential - 6% or more, depending on the county.
You still need to do the math. The most anyone offered me for my 130k mile 5er was $5000; I sold it privately for $9,700(as my BMW salesperson actually suggested). At the Nissan store the idiot sales manager actually pulled the "sales tax advantage" schtick Well, lets see...
Trade it for $5,000 and save $300
OR
Sell it for $9,700 and save another $4,400.
Tough call. And take a wild guess which dealer I purchased a car from... :P
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
I would have never asked the second question and if I were asked that question myself it would have annoyed me and I would have been tempted to snap back with a flip answer.
On trades if they waffled in the slightest or told me they had a "buyer" for it I assumed it was going to be coyly sprung on me after the deal was done.
Doing this only caused me more trouble and time and the value certainly didn't increase.
That was an extreme example. It's pretty clear that they simply didn't want your miled up BMW. Those aren't easy to sell and they probably were going to simply wholesale it and hope for the best.
Also, banks won't finance anything with over 100K so they had to find the right buyer with cash in hand. It sounds like you did just that!
Seriously, with a sales tax credit like we have here if often makes more sense to trade in your old car UNLESS it's something the store has no use for.
You also eliminate the risks that are involved with private sales. I can tell some horror stories.
I'm disappointed in your response but not surprised.
Why are you disappointed...because I don't completely trust a car dealer?
If I believed the first dealer when I bought the 535 I would have paid $5000 more.
If I had believed the BMW dealer when we bought my wifes Audi I would have spent $14K more for a 335 and would have missed out buying the A4 which we like better.
If I believed the VW dealer in Florida I would have accepted their statement Passats were selling like crazy and you had to pay more than list. I would have paid $26K instead of $23K.
It is warfare out there...you have to do what you have to in order to protect yourself. I wouldn't do anything illegal...I just have to be defensive. btw...that's 100%, 3 out of 3 dealers were trying to take advantage.....it doesn't surpriise you...what?...that I don't like to be taken advantage of.
If I had trusted my friendly new car dealer I would be out $22,000 over the last 2 years.
I'm apalled at your suggestion driver. If we, as the public, complain about the games that dealers play, we shouldn't play those same games as consumers.
So, are you saying it's OK to open the flood gates and ignore illegal immigration?
No, definitely not. But history has shown us, over and over, that building walls is not the answer. So we need to find a better answer. And no, I don't claim to have that "better answer".
If I had trusted my friendly new car dealer I would be out $22,000 over the last 2 years.
Trust but verify
Going back a few years, it was possible to shop in the newspaper, and actually find dealers who would advertise a good price, have the car in stock, and sell it exactly the way they advertised it. Sadly, those days seem to be gone.
Dealer #1: That advertised deal depended on Ford kicking in an extra $1,000 for your trade-in.
Me: Yes, and you're offering me $3,000 less than my trade is worth, so good day to you.
Dealer #2: We're sorry, two of those incentives are mutually exclusive, so we can't honor the price we posted on the internet. You'll have to pay $750 more.
As Ross Perot would say, "I'm all ears." :surprise:
Always thought it was fun to sell our cars private party, though last 2 cars were traded in.
Priced right, a private sale car can be sold quickly and bring in a lot more money than a trade in. Of course use good judgement and common sense with the people wanting to buy the car.
Marsh.....CA is a pretty competitive market. First, decide what make/model you want. See if your local dealers have the color you want. I'm a "one offer, out-the-door kind of buyer. In short, I add taxes, tags, etc rolled into my offer. Dealer can accept it (in which case I buy the car), or reject it (in which case I walk out and go to another dealer who has what I want.
Whether I want blue and all they have is red, is incosequential to me. If they can get the car and accept my offer, it's all good. If they can't, I find a dealer who can.
LEt us know what you decide to focus on, first...Audi, Volvo, Acura (who I don't think offers a blue SUV), or VW.
I would not be at all reluctant to use your suggested strategy driver.
The dealership has the advantage as far as experience, etc. goes, but the buyer ultimately controls the transaction because the buyer can easily just say no, and walk away. The only way to buy a car is to take the emotion out of it...or at least disguise it.
When buying a vehicle for your wife just make sure you know the exact car she wants, but don't tell the salesman the car is for your wife and don't take her with you when you are going to seriously negotiate the price. Just my opinion of course.
I'm not surprised because I constantly read in these forums of the nasty tricks car dealers play yet it seems to be OK for shoppers to pull similar tricks.
If you were selling your used car I'm sure you would want top dollar for it too!
We have never had a bad experience selling our own cars but others certainly have.
Since you asked, I'll give you two horror stories.
Years ago, an uncle of mine was selling his very nice 1954 Chevy.
Someone answered his ad and a "nice" couple showed up to see the car. They went for a drive and he never saw his Chevy again. The car they showed up in was also stolen.
Story 2
Not too many years ago, a friend of a friend sold a nice but well used Oldsmobile. It had 100,000 miles but it was in good shape and he priced it to sell quickly and it did!
He made sure the buyer knew it was being sold as is.
A month later, the automatic transmission failed and the buyer called wanting the seller to pay for the 2800.00 repair. Of course, he refused!
Buyer took him to Small Claims Court where the judge decided they should split the costs.
Seller wrote a check for 1400.00.
Want more?
Then you get the flakes, strokes and joyriders who want to make payments, trade a timeshare etc. People who make appointments and don't show up.
Again, I have never had a problem but I'll screen out the flakes to the best of my ability.
I'm not surprised because I constantly read in these forums of the nasty tricks car dealers play yet it seems to be OK for shoppers to pull similar tricks.
I once had a very honest Chrysler dealer, I bought two Jeeps from the manager and I got a very fair price.....they gave me prices I wanted before I went in. All the other dealers I have bought from were low life scumbags, not what I would call trustworthy.
If you were selling your used car I'm sure you would want top dollar for it too! No, not really. I would check book value, ads etc. and I would set a realistic price, and be prepared to take less if necessary. I don't get hung up on eking out every last penny.
You may be as honest as youcan be isell, but, when it comes to closing a sale, you may bend a statement or two to move a car. You may even make an untrue or questionable statement if you really needed a sale that month. You even justified that by saying if I was selling a used car wouldn't I try to get top dollar for it? My Jeep salesman gave me a good price right up front, and I wasn't going to try to negotiate, I knew the value of my trade in and I knew a fair discounted price for the Jeep....car sold - no hassle.
When we bought the A4 instead of the bmw the salesman asked what discount bmw was giving me. I said 4.5%, but the trade in value was too low, if you give me 4% off on the Audi we'll sign right now.
When I bought the 535 the salesman said that I was a very easy person to sell to. I said, you wanted to sell a car, I wanted to buy a car, if you have the right price it is easy.
I have been in sales for 90% of my career. I like to treat sales people fairly and I am an easy sale, but once the trust has been broken I am on guard.
Just as you would like to get a "fair" price for a car, I want to be treated with respect and dignity, don't insult me by trying to sell "for top dollar" right off the start. The Passat saleslady tried that on me, after the 3rd try of trying to extract $26000 from me I told her, I havfe looked up the Edmunds fair market value, and it is $23000, either you send a purchase order to me at that price or I will shop around. She had a word with her manager and then sent the purchase form within the hour. She said she had to do some fast talking to get it done, but she didn't want to lose a sale. Hold out for top dollar....no, definitely would have lost a sale. Mom Driver didn't raise a total idiot!
We have never had a bad experience selling our own cars but others certainly have.
I will agree with you about selling privately, it can be dangerous. I posted this story before...he had his truck listed on 2 websites, Auto Trader and Kijiji (like Craigslist) and they guy who went for a test drive killed the seller.
Tim Bosma murder: Man says test drive with suspects was ‘not normal’ A Toronto man who took a test drive with two men now accused in the murder of Tim Bosma said the encounter was “not normal.” Man murdered selling truck online
8 months ago I was checking out a variety of cars. Went to a Volvo dealer and told them up front, I was just looking at how the interiors matched up for my needs. Didn't want a test drive and felt it was unfair even to take up a salespersons time -- just the unlocked cars in the showroom. The place was empty and after a few words with a sales guy, I started to leave when the Mgr. came up to me and asked if I had any questions and I said, nope but thanks for the offer but I really wasn't ready to spend any money on a new car yet. He said, Not a problem -- come into my office and I can show you how to drive one for free. I didn't think I looked like a sucker so I told him free is great. Put an ad in the paper that you are putting folks in a new Volvo for free and I'll give you a call for the details. When I was 22, I'd have been in his office in a flash. Definitely old school dealer even if the building was new.
I have a little different view. Too high asking price i certainly a disapointment, especially if this is an established relationship, but not a reason to call a dealer scum, or bad person. Rather, I'd call them overly optimistic. It is up to me to accept the offer or not. If price of a toaster is too high, I simply pass on it, not call the store, or maker bad names.
The bad names are warranted for those trully bad behaviors, like upsell, deception, or screamer ads, not just simple high prices. Everybody is entitled to think their product or service is worth its weight in gold. It can be certainly argued that BMW, or Benzes are overpriced, but nobody calls the manufacturers scum for that reason. So if a retailer prices their service (i.e. delivery of a product) too high, they are just that - overpriced, not evil.
Put an ad in the paper that you are putting folks in a new Volvo for free and I'll give you a call for the details.
Great answer.....Just come with me and I will put you in a new free Volvo, because I love people, and I like giving away free cars.
It would have been better if he said, I am not going to even try to sell you a car, just let me answer any of your questions if you have any. When I hear "free", or "it won't cost you anything", my BS detector antenae shoot up.
So if a retailer prices their service (i.e. delivery of a product) too high, they are just that - overpriced, not evil.
Oh, I agree dino....I just put that in and crossed it out for comic affect. A dealer can price however they want. My original bmw dealer won't discount...he,ll maybe take $1500 off when the newer models come in.
That's fine, he is in an affluent area where people won't drive 20 minutes to buy from the dealer in the multi-cultural area where people won't pay full price. That's his business decision and it might be the right one, he sure sells a lot of cars....but, it is up to me and I'll drive 20 minutes more to save a few $1000s. I may not do it for less than $1000 savings.
I can buy my drug store supplies at WallyWorld and save 25% or I can buy at my local guy who has all the drug store stuff I may need one day (not just the 20% of product that makes up 80% of the sales) and try to keep him in business. I don't mind paying a bit more to keep the independent guy in business....he'll stock Absorbine Jr and odds and ends WallWorld wouldn't bother with.
Most of the sales people I have dealt with were pretty professional, sometimes I just didn't like their prices or attitude....nothing personal, just my choice to go elsewhere.
The bad names are warranted for those trully bad behaviors, like upsell, deception, or screamer ads...
When I worked as a sales manager, I used to cringe every time the owner of the dealership would work out some deceptive advertising with the corporate honchos at the ad agency they used.
There were several gimmicks that used to turn my skin inside out:
*Bring this certificate to the dealership between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM to see if you won a car, or for a free gift.
*Attached to this letter is a "key" that you should bring to the dealership to see if you won a car!
*A letter informing the reader that the dealership is dangerously low on used cars and needs as many trades as possible!
*Bring this letter to the dealership on Saturday or Sunday, and receive a free Crystal Candy Dish. (We actually did give away the candy dishes, but never sold a car to someone who brought the letter in, NEVER, EVER!).
What bothered me most about these antics was that we rarely sold anyone a car, but it took up my sales staff's time with customers who would double park outside the showroom and run in for their gift, or try the key in the lock. It became such a nuisance that when a real customer came into the showroom who really wanted to buy a car, he/she would have to wait for an available salesperson.
The owner of my dealership never looked at how many cars we sold because of these idiotic "come-ons", just the customer traffic. Sure, our customer traffic skyrocketed during these ad campaigns, but what about the number of cars we sold. My owner's IQ when it came to these ad campaigns never reached "three digits" if you know what I mean.
Honesty, integrity, customer treatment and no pressure to buy now tactics are what I tried to implement at the dealership, but the owner was a difficult person to deal with - that's why I quit as soon as he expected me to lie to customers.
After years of buying and trading I think the dealer's goal is $4k profit on both sides of any deal. They usually don't get that much, but that seems to be their motivation. I was trying to trade my GT (like new with 4,640 miles) for a F-150 Platinum. Edmunds says my trade value is $33k and Platinums usually sticker for $53k. I found a dealer in Charlotte, NC advertising that truck for $43k with the 2014's coming soon. I figured since I had to pay TTL in Virginia it would be 43 minus 33 = $10k. I emailed only to get a response that their price difference was $17k (if I financed with Ford) or $18k if not. Whoa there big fella, where'd the extra $8k come from? Oh yeah...the $4k on both ends...We're through here. Profit is fine, but gouging is just wrong.
There is NOTHING wrong with asking "top dollar" for a used car a person is selling. If the car is in way above average condition (as my cars always are) they can be well worth whatever the top of the market may be.
I never lied to a customer nor did I ever "really need" to make a sale any month I as in the business.
So, let me ask you a question...suppose you had a used car you were selling and you landed on an asking price. As you said, you would be "prepared to take less if necessary".
The first person shows up, loves the car and hands you your asking price.
Would you take it or would you say..." Ah...don't you want to offer less?...I am prepared to take less"
If you happily accepted your asking price did you do anything wrong?
Just curious...
You are right about one thing. There are pure scumbags operating in this business. I have dealt with them and they are commonplace.
Got new come-on ad recently. Instead of a key inside to test in a new car or something, it had a plastic oval with a digital readout. I was to pull out the plastic strip keeping the battery from contacting the circuit, then if the same numbers showed on the digital readout AND they were in blue (LED light source) I had winning number. I needed to report to see what I had won out of the 5 prizes, one of which was a car IIRC. Of course there was only 1 chance out of 300,000 that I won the car by the required statistics in small print. I forget the other useless, trivial prizes.
BUT the constant light lying on my work area from the plastic oval kept reminding me I should stop in when I was going near the dealer's location. The constant nagging of that blue light was worth what they paid for it. I will bet the come-in rate on that mailing was higher than mailing out the key taped the to the flyer.
Comments
Negotiate the price for the other one...the green one. Then before final signing say you have changed your mind, you want the crimson red one and it should be the same price.
You will negotiate better, because you won't want the green one. It is the classic bait and switch technique...but this time, it is being done to the dealer.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I think you are hitting on the real reason for the extra documentation. There is a large percentage of illegals who are driving cars in Florida.
If this link is true, there are lots of reasons why people obtaining a license need some real proof;
illegal drunk drivers kill 4700 Americans every year
Here are just some reasons why states have to clamp down on drivers licenses;
In 2011, the Department of Homeland Securityreported the deportation of 35,927 illegal immigrants convicted of driving under the influence.3 Congressman Steve King (R-IA) asserts that illegal alien drunk drivers kill over 4,700 Americans a year — 13 U.S. citizens die every 24 hours.4 And according to an analysis by the New York Times, about 4.5 million illegal aliens in the U.S. drive on a regular basis, many without licenses or insurance, or even the ability to read road signs written in English.
* * * *
Making fraudulent licenses has become a big business too. And there is insurance fraud too. If you do read the link above, you will be surprised at the percentages of illegals who cause accidents......and unfortunately, you seldom can sue for damages.
It is unfortunate that you are going through so much red tape to get your license, but, it is really for your own protection.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Sounds like this is all because of the ability to produce fraudulant birth certificates and other proof of residency on the part of people who aren't [legal residents].
I'm all for making it better for our citizens in this country.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
The illegal immigration problem will not go away anytime soon, or perhaps never, as long as there are job opportunities here for them. Don't know if it yet exists but citizens should be able to buy insurance to mitigate the special risk of aliens driving without valid licenses.
Isn't that the federal goverment's job to keep out illegals and control the permitted immigrant population? Why should individuals have to buy insurance spending more of their money to indemnify themselves against the risk.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
It jas been there for all this time - it's called "collision" for vehicle damage (pays regardless of fault) and "uninsured motorist" for injuries (pays when one cannot recover injury damages from the driver at fault, as unlicensed driver is of course uninsured driver).
2018 430i Gran Coupe
Are you old enough to remember the Berlin Wall? If so, then you should also remember that it didn't work.
If you put up a wall, and people on the south side of that wall make $10 a day, and people on the north side of that wall make $100 a day, they are going to get through that wall. Over, under, around, through, whatever it takes, they're going to get to the side where they can make more money.
And I do not blame them. If I were in their shoes, I would do the same thing. What would you do, or better, what wouldn't you do to take care of your family?
Good point, I forgot about that. I was going by an incident that happenned many years ago. A girlfriend (just be clear, before I was married to Mrs. Driver) was driving her Honda Accord and she was hit by a pizza delivery guy....an illegal without a license or insurance.
Her injuries were moderate, but she did need some physical therapy and some treatment. In those days she couldn't collect, as the other guy had no insurance and he left the seen.
I guess the powers that be have seen the light, so that we are now covered when these things happen.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
There is a thriving business of making false birth certificates, social security cards, dumb licenses that then make it easy to get real proof of residence (passports, credit cards, bills). The problem is that none of those things have a central repository for cross checking.
With the enhanced license and embedded RFID chip, border control can pull up your entire background with the pulse of a reader.
Part of the benefit for Florida is that they are the largest cruise port in the United States. Enhanced licenses make it easier for the passengers to re-enter the US quickly and without the need for passports.
If the different color cars are at the same dealer, the price should be the same. If they're at different dealers, then you'll have to walk the the dealer with the color you want, and go to the dealer that has the color you don't want, or at least have them believe you'll do just that.
Trust me, if you're leaving them any money for them to make a decent profit on the color you want, they won't let you walk. A customer motivated to buy their car is easier than for them to wait around for another customer who may or may not buy their car.
What car are we talking about? Make, model, year, options, color? Where are you located? We could probably help more if we knew these things.
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
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
I don't understand what the big deal about that is. I also don't understand what the big deal is about asking for ID to vote.
If you need to show ID to buy alcohol, fly, and get a job, why not to vote?
You will negotiate better, because you won't want the green one. It is the classic bait and switch technique...but this time, it is being done to the dealer.
I'm apalled at your suggestion driver. If we, as the public, complain about the games that dealers play, we shouldn't play those same games as consumers.
To the OP, prices are always about supply and demand. If you have your heart set on that color, don't be surprised if you have to pay a bit more.
As one of my favorite sayings goes, trust, but verify. Make sure that that is in fact the only red one left (check the manufacturer's website, or even here at edmunds.)
That reminds me of my deceased mother. She was born Elizabeth ANNE but when she married my father and got her social security card changed it came back Elizabeth MATTHEW, my father's middle name. She shrugged and henceforth signed her name Elizabeth M. For the rest of her life.
Nobody noticed.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Again, supply and demand market forces determine pricing.
Oldfarmer, nobody noticed probably because she didn't try to get a Florida Driver's License!!!! LOL
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
The thing is, any seasoned salesperson will be able to see this coming and will MAKE SURE the buyer knows the price he is offering is on a green car and not the red one.
I used to love it when a "smart shopper" would try to outsmart me.
The old "hidden trade" was the most often trick pulled.
Isellhondas, yes - the hidden trade was the most frequently used "ruse" when I was in the business. When I trained my salespeople, I required them to ask 4 simple questions prior to showing a customer a car:
*what type of car are you looking for?
*how do you plan to use your car? Work? Pleasure? Shopping? etc.
*what are you driving now?
*what do you plan on doing with your car when you get your new car? Keep it? Trade it? Or sell it privately?
The above 4 questions are meant to extract information from the buyer to make sure the salesperson shows the right vehicle, gets a quick history of what the buyer drives, and to get a feel for what the buyer has in mind for his/her current vehicle.
Of course, buyers often say one thing and end up doing something else - but most of the time the buyer will tell you the truth. This way, if there is a trade, the salesperson is aware from the beginning. If the buyer says he/she is going to sell the car privately, it is almost a given that car will sneak into the negotiations as a trade later on.
Here in Florida, the trade is subtracted prior to determining the sales tax. So very few buyers "don't" trade their cars down here because of the tax differential - 6% or more, depending on the county.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
You still need to do the math. The most anyone offered me for my 130k mile 5er was $5000; I sold it privately for $9,700(as my BMW salesperson actually suggested). At the Nissan store the idiot sales manager actually pulled the "sales tax advantage" schtick Well, lets see...
Trade it for $5,000 and save $300
OR
Sell it for $9,700 and save another $4,400.
Tough call. And take a wild guess which dealer I purchased a car from... :P
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
On trades if they waffled in the slightest or told me they had a "buyer" for it I assumed it was going to be coyly sprung on me after the deal was done.
Doing this only caused me more trouble and time and the value certainly didn't increase.
Also, banks won't finance anything with over 100K so they had to find the right buyer with cash in hand. It sounds like you did just that!
Seriously, with a sales tax credit like we have here if often makes more sense to trade in your old car UNLESS it's something the store has no use for.
You also eliminate the risks that are involved with private sales. I can tell some horror stories.
Why are you disappointed...because I don't completely trust a car dealer?
If I believed the first dealer when I bought the 535 I would have paid $5000 more.
If I had believed the BMW dealer when we bought my wifes Audi I would have spent $14K more for a 335 and would have missed out buying the A4 which we like better.
If I believed the VW dealer in Florida I would have accepted their statement Passats were selling like crazy and you had to pay more than list. I would have paid $26K instead of $23K.
It is warfare out there...you have to do what you have to in order to protect yourself. I wouldn't do anything illegal...I just have to be defensive.
btw...that's 100%, 3 out of 3 dealers were trying to take advantage.....it doesn't surpriise you...what?...that I don't like to be taken advantage of.
If I had trusted my friendly new car dealer I would be out $22,000 over the last 2 years.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Read the above post verdugo!
Mr nasty (I think that will be my new name)
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
No, definitely not. But history has shown us, over and over, that building walls is not the answer. So we need to find a better answer. And no, I don't claim to have that "better answer".
Trust but verify
Going back a few years, it was possible to shop in the newspaper, and actually find dealers who would advertise a good price, have the car in stock, and sell it exactly the way they advertised it. Sadly, those days seem to be gone.
Dealer #1: That advertised deal depended on Ford kicking in an extra $1,000 for your trade-in.
Me: Yes, and you're offering me $3,000 less than my trade is worth, so good day to you.
Dealer #2: We're sorry, two of those incentives are mutually exclusive, so we can't honor the price we posted on the internet. You'll have to pay $750 more.
Me: Good bye.
As Ross Perot would say, "I'm all ears." :surprise:
Always thought it was fun to sell our cars private party, though last 2 cars were traded in.
Priced right, a private sale car can be sold quickly and bring in a lot more money than a trade in. Of course use good judgement and common sense with the people wanting to buy the car.
Whether I want blue and all they have is red, is incosequential to me. If they can get the car and accept my offer, it's all good. If they can't, I find a dealer who can.
LEt us know what you decide to focus on, first...Audi, Volvo, Acura (who I don't think offers a blue SUV), or VW.
The dealership has the advantage as far as experience, etc. goes, but the buyer ultimately controls the transaction because the buyer can easily just say no, and walk away. The only way to buy a car is to take the emotion out of it...or at least disguise it.
When buying a vehicle for your wife just make sure you know the exact car she wants, but don't tell the salesman the car is for your wife and don't take her with you when you are going to seriously negotiate the price. Just my opinion of course.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
If you were selling your used car I'm sure you would want top dollar for it too!
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
Since you asked, I'll give you two horror stories.
Years ago, an uncle of mine was selling his very nice 1954 Chevy.
Someone answered his ad and a "nice" couple showed up to see the car. They went for a drive and he never saw his Chevy again. The car they showed up in was also stolen.
Story 2
Not too many years ago, a friend of a friend sold a nice but well used Oldsmobile. It had 100,000 miles but it was in good shape and he priced it to sell quickly and it did!
He made sure the buyer knew it was being sold as is.
A month later, the automatic transmission failed and the buyer called wanting the seller to pay for the 2800.00 repair. Of course, he refused!
Buyer took him to Small Claims Court where the judge decided they should split the costs.
Seller wrote a check for 1400.00.
Want more?
Then you get the flakes, strokes and joyriders who want to make payments, trade a timeshare etc. People who make appointments and don't show up.
Again, I have never had a problem but I'll screen out the flakes to the best of my ability.
All it takes is one bad experience.
I once had a very honest Chrysler dealer, I bought two Jeeps from the manager and I got a very fair price.....they gave me prices I wanted before I went in. All the other dealers I have bought from were
low life scumbags, not what I would call trustworthy.If you were selling your used car I'm sure you would want top dollar for it too!
No, not really. I would check book value, ads etc. and I would set a realistic price, and be prepared to take less if necessary. I don't get hung up on eking out every last penny.
You may be as honest as youcan be isell, but, when it comes to closing a sale, you may bend a statement or two to move a car. You may even make an untrue or questionable statement if you really needed a sale that month.
You even justified that by saying if I was selling a used car wouldn't I try to get top dollar for it? My Jeep salesman gave me a good price right up front, and I wasn't going to try to negotiate, I knew the value of my trade in and I knew a fair discounted price for the Jeep....car sold - no hassle.
When we bought the A4 instead of the bmw the salesman asked what discount bmw was giving me. I said 4.5%, but the trade in value was too low, if you give me 4% off on the Audi we'll sign right now.
When I bought the 535 the salesman said that I was a very easy person to sell to. I said, you wanted to sell a car, I wanted to buy a car, if you have the right price it is easy.
I have been in sales for 90% of my career. I like to treat sales people fairly and I am an easy sale, but once the trust has been broken I am on guard.
Just as you would like to get a "fair" price for a car, I want to be treated with respect and dignity, don't insult me by trying to sell "for top dollar" right off the start. The Passat saleslady tried that on me, after the 3rd try of trying to extract $26000 from me I told her, I havfe looked up the Edmunds fair market value, and it is $23000, either you send a purchase order to me at that price or I will shop around. She had a word with her manager and then sent the purchase form within the hour. She said she had to do some fast talking to get it done, but she didn't want to lose a sale. Hold out for top dollar....no, definitely would have lost a sale. Mom Driver didn't raise a total idiot!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I will agree with you about selling privately, it can be dangerous. I posted this story before...he had his truck listed on 2 websites, Auto Trader and Kijiji (like Craigslist) and they guy who went for a test drive killed the seller.
Tim Bosma murder: Man says test drive with suspects was ‘not normal’
A Toronto man who took a test drive with two men now accused in the murder of Tim Bosma said the encounter was “not normal.”
Man murdered selling truck online
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
The bad names are warranted for those trully bad behaviors, like upsell, deception, or screamer ads, not just simple high prices. Everybody is entitled to think their product or service is worth its weight in gold. It can be certainly argued that BMW, or Benzes are overpriced, but nobody calls the manufacturers scum for that reason. So if a retailer prices their service (i.e. delivery of a product) too high, they are just that - overpriced, not evil.
2018 430i Gran Coupe
Great answer.....Just come with me and I will put you in a new free Volvo, because I love people, and I like giving away free cars.
It would have been better if he said, I am not going to even try to sell you a car, just let me answer any of your questions if you have any. When I hear "free", or "it won't cost you anything", my BS detector antenae shoot up.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Oh, I agree dino....I just put that in and crossed it out for comic affect. A dealer can price however they want. My original bmw dealer won't discount...he,ll maybe take $1500 off when the newer models come in.
That's fine, he is in an affluent area where people won't drive 20 minutes to buy from the dealer in the multi-cultural area where people won't pay full price. That's his business decision and it might be the right one, he sure sells a lot of cars....but, it is up to me and I'll drive 20 minutes more to save a few $1000s. I may not do it for less than $1000 savings.
I can buy my drug store supplies at WallyWorld and save 25% or I can buy at my local guy who has all the drug store stuff I may need one day (not just the 20% of product that makes up 80% of the sales) and try to keep him in business. I don't mind paying a bit more to keep the independent guy in business....he'll stock Absorbine Jr and odds and ends WallWorld wouldn't bother with.
Most of the sales people I have dealt with were pretty professional, sometimes I just didn't like their prices or attitude....nothing personal, just my choice to go elsewhere.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
When I worked as a sales manager, I used to cringe every time the owner of the dealership would work out some deceptive advertising with the corporate honchos at the ad agency they used.
There were several gimmicks that used to turn my skin inside out:
*Bring this certificate to the dealership between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM to see if you won a car, or for a free gift.
*Attached to this letter is a "key" that you should bring to the dealership to see if you won a car!
*A letter informing the reader that the dealership is dangerously low on used cars and needs as many trades as possible!
*Bring this letter to the dealership on Saturday or Sunday, and receive a free Crystal Candy Dish. (We actually did give away the candy dishes, but never sold a car to someone who brought the letter in, NEVER, EVER!).
What bothered me most about these antics was that we rarely sold anyone a car, but it took up my sales staff's time with customers who would double park outside the showroom and run in for their gift, or try the key in the lock. It became such a nuisance that when a real customer came into the showroom who really wanted to buy a car, he/she would have to wait for an available salesperson.
The owner of my dealership never looked at how many cars we sold because of these idiotic "come-ons", just the customer traffic. Sure, our customer traffic skyrocketed during these ad campaigns, but what about the number of cars we sold. My owner's IQ when it came to these ad campaigns never reached "three digits" if you know what I mean.
Honesty, integrity, customer treatment and no pressure to buy now tactics are what I tried to implement at the dealership, but the owner was a difficult person to deal with - that's why I quit as soon as he expected me to lie to customers.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
2018 430i Gran Coupe
I was trying to trade my GT (like new with 4,640 miles) for a F-150 Platinum. Edmunds says my trade value is $33k and Platinums usually sticker for $53k. I found a dealer in Charlotte, NC advertising that truck for $43k with the 2014's coming soon. I figured since I had to pay TTL in Virginia it would be 43 minus 33 = $10k.
I emailed only to get a response that their price difference was $17k (if I financed with Ford) or $18k if not.
Whoa there big fella, where'd the extra $8k come from? Oh yeah...the $4k on both ends...We're through here. Profit is fine, but gouging is just wrong.
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
Not according to isell....he thinks it is alright to try to get maximum price possible.
No harm in asking! And you should not be trying to deceive the dealer into selling for less.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I never lied to a customer nor did I ever "really need" to make a sale any month I as in the business.
So, let me ask you a question...suppose you had a used car you were selling and you landed on an asking price. As you said, you would be "prepared to take less if necessary".
The first person shows up, loves the car and hands you your asking price.
Would you take it or would you say..." Ah...don't you want to offer less?...I am prepared to take less"
If you happily accepted your asking price did you do anything wrong?
Just curious...
You are right about one thing. There are pure scumbags operating in this business. I have dealt with them and they are commonplace.
Gouging is when you sell a thirsty man a bottle of water for 10.00.
Big difference.
Some people think everything has to be discounted in order to sell and that isn't always the case.
If I flatly overprice a car I have advertised, it simply won't sell.
BUT the constant light lying on my work area from the plastic oval kept reminding me I should stop in when I was going near the dealer's location. The constant nagging of that blue light was worth what they paid for it. I will bet the come-in rate on that mailing was higher than mailing out the key taped the to the flyer.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,