Perhaps the only group that is held in less esteem than lawyers are used car dealers. The reason for the general distrust of used car dealers is well-earned by all of the scams reported over the years that dealers have used against people looking to buy a used car.
Fortunately, following the used car buying advice I have for you here will help you turn the tables when negotiating your car purchase. There are a number of scams that dealers use and a number of tactics you can use to your advantage. I will hit the big ones in this article.
First and foremost, know the vehicle you want ahead of time and ignore all attempts to try to steer you toward anything else. No matter which car you want to buy, the salesman will find something that is "a better deal" for you. What it is is a more expensive car. Remember, you are buying a car, not shopping for a car. Before you step on the lot, you need to be certain about what car you are buying, not trying to figure it out when you get there. If you have a budget set and will not budge, then take a look at what is available, but start with a particular car that is well under your budget.
As soon as you step onto the lot, a salesman has his eye on you and will approach you rather quickly, so this part is important...you need to be comfortable with the salesman you are working with. Pay attention to how you feel about him because your first instincts are usually correct. You usually know within a very short period after meeting someone whether you can get along with him/her. If you feel uncomfortable about your salesman do not ignore that feeling, there is probably a reason why. If you are too distracted with trying to find a way to tolerate the salesman you have, you will very likely end up making a bad deal for yourself. Put your wallet ahead of the salesman's feelings and you will be fine.
As you go through the car buying process, take your time and do not let the salesman rush you. They only make money when they make a sale, so they will try to make it seem urgent that you need to make a decision quickly otherwise you are going to lose out if you do not buy immediately. Do not fall for that. You have all the time in the world and there is more than one car for you. If you need to, just leave and go to another dealership that sells the same vehicle and purchase a car there.
Once you have decided on a car the salesman will really go to work with the tricks. This is one of the most basic negotiating tips for used car buying - decline all the extras they try to throw in. The salesman is a professional seller, so he will make everything sound like a "must-have", but do not fall for it. These items are profit makers for them and provide very little value to you or your car. Just say no.
Dealing with a used car salesman can be stressful, but by following the used car buying advice provided here, you will be prepared and able to control the process. By controlling the process you will be in a great position to get a good deal on your next car purchase.
