10 Secrets Dealers Don’t Want You To Know

Young stylish couple choosing luxury car to buy on the open ground of the dealership

When you’re buying a car, the dealer will do everything they can to make sure you walk away with a new vehicle. However, dealers have a lot of secrets that they don’t want you to know. They would rather you go in blind and make uninformed decisions that will benefit them. In this blog post, we are going to reveal some of those secrets so that you can be better prepared when shopping for your next vehicle. By knowing these secrets, you can ensure that you get the best deal on your next car purchase! 

Secret No.1. The dealer will make more money if you finance through them

When you finance a car through the dealership, they make more money. This is because they receive kickbacks from the lender for referring you. So, not only do they make a commission on the sale of the car, but they also make money on the financing. If you can afford to pay cash for the car, do it. If not, get your financing lined up before you go to the dealership. This way, you can avoid their high-interest rates and save yourself some money.

Secret No.2. The dealer will inflate the trade-in value of your old car

When you’re looking to trade in your old car, the dealer will give you an inflated value for it. They do this because they know that they can turn around and sell it for more than they gave you. Don’t fall for this trap! If you’re not getting what you feel is a fair trade-in value, sell your car privately. You’ll likely get more money for it than if you traded it in at the dealership and use that money to buy your new car.

Secret No.3. The dealer will try to sell you add-ons and extras that you don’t need

When you’re buying a car, the salesperson will try to upsell you on all sorts of extras and add-ons. These can include things like extended warranties, gap insurance, and more. While some of these may be beneficial, many of them are not. And, they can be very expensive. So, before you agree to anything, make sure you know what it is and whether or not you need it. If you’re not sure, tell them you’ll think about it and get back to them. In most cases, they’ll be more than happy to sell you the car without these extras.

Secret No. 4. The dealer will try to lowball you on the price of the car

When you first start negotiating the price of the car, the dealer will likely try to lowball you. They’ll offer a price that’s much lower than what they’re willing to sell it for. So, don’t be fooled by this tactic! Stand your ground and tell them that you won’t pay more than a certain amount for the car. If they’re not willing to budge, walk away. In most cases, they’ll come back with a better offer. 

Secret No.5. The dealer will try to get you to impulsively buy the car

When you find a car that you like, the dealer will try to get you to buy it on the spot. They’ll say things like, “If you don’t buy it now, someone else will” or “This is the last one we have in stock.” Don’t fall for these tactics! Tell them that you need to think about it and that you’ll get back to them. Then, take your time and consider if the car is right for you. 

Secret No.6. The dealer will try to get you to buy a more expensive car than you want

When you’re negotiating the price of the car, the salesperson may try to get you to buy a more expensive model than you want. So, be prepared for this and have a budget in mind. If they can’t meet your budget, walk away. There’s no need to buy a more expensive car than you can afford.

Secret No.7. The dealer will try to extend the loan term to make the monthly payments lower

While a low monthly payment may sound appealing, it’s not always a good idea. In many cases, dealers will try to extend the loan term to make the monthly payments lower. However, this means that you’ll end up paying more interest over the life of the loan. So, be sure to negotiate the loan term as well. Get the shortest loan term that you can afford.

Secret No. 8. The dealer will try to get you to buy an overpriced used car 

When you’re looking at used cars, the dealer will try to get you to buy overpriced ones. They’ll say things like it’s a “rare find” or “in great condition.” Again, don’t fall for this! Do your research on the market value of the car before you start negotiating. That way, you’ll know if the dealer is trying to take advantage of you. You must also ask them to run a vehicle check and have the car inspected by a mechanic. Using a service like Reg Car Check before your purchase will save you a lot of money and headache.

Secret No.9. The best time to buy a car is at the end of the month

If you’re flexible with when you buy a car, the end of the month is typically the best time. This is because dealers are trying to meet their sales quotas for the month. So, they’ll be more willing to negotiate on price. They may also offer other incentives, like lower interest rates or extended warranties.

Secret No.10. Negotiation is key!

The best way to get the best deal on a car is to negotiate. Some buyers sometimes feel that they need to accept the dealer’s first offer. However, this is not true! You should always negotiate the price of the car, regardless of whether it’s new or used. Remember, the dealer is not your friend. They’re in it to make a profit. So, don’t be afraid to walk away if you can’t get the deal you want.

By following these secrets, you’ll be sure to get the best deal possible on your next car purchase!  Happy shopping!

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