Pierre Money Mart Blog

If you’re looking to purchase a new vehicle, here is something you definitely should not do.

Don’t: Negotiate in person

For some reason, buyers still feel like they need to negotiate the price of a new car in person at the dealership. In the old days, that was the only way to do it. If you called a car dealer on the phone, they wouldn’t even discuss pricing.

These days, most dealerships have salespeople, or even entire departments, that specialize in dealing with customers over the phone and by email. The old days of not talking to customers who weren’t physically in the store are over because a dealer knows that if he doesn’t negotiate a price over the phone, someone else will and he’ll just lose the sale.

Negotiating over the phone or via email keeps you in your comfort zone – your home or office – not the dealer’s showroom. While you’re waiting for an answer on your offer, you’re not stuck in an uncomfortable chair with nothing to look at but brochures.

Many dealerships now have Web sites where you can even search the vehicle inventory online and request a quote on a specific vehicle. That way you can be sure the vehicle you’re negotiating on really has all the features you want.

When the negotiating’s done, ask them to fax you the deal in writing so there will be no surprises when you arrive to get your car.

But we’re not recommending you avoid dealerships altogether. Before you get down to numbers, you’ll want to test drive the vehicles and get a walkaround from a knowledgeable salesperson. Just be clear when you go in that you’ll not be purchasing the vehicle that day. You still have some other research you want to do.
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