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Original poster

To ask for your tips on knocking down a second hand car salesman

54 replies

GunpowderGelatine · 29/08/2018 22:28

I want to start off by saying I'm a reasonably intelligent woman who isn't usually backwards in coming forwards. But I am a sucker for sales people and utterly crap at negotiations. It wouldn't surprise me at all if I tried to negotiate and ended up paying more for the ticket price of something Grin sales people also intimidate me unlike any other, I don't know why!

Anyway, I'm off to test drive a car I've fallen in love with tomorrow, I met the salesman today (nice chap, but he's very salesman-y, if you took all the salesmen in the world and created a median salesman in a machine, it would be this man). I looked in the car, and providing it runs well I really want to buy it. It's about £500 more than I want to pay (it's £11k) and I want to knock him down a bit. How do I even approach this, and when? What words do i used? Any tips on knocking him down would be much appreciated Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
GunpowderGelatine · 29/08/2018 22:30

Also I do actually know a lot about cars and I know this car's worth and believe £10-10.5k is a more realistic price for a dealership

OP posts:
scaryteacher · 29/08/2018 22:30

I have a vision of you hitting him with the car, or bowling a ball at him like a skittle!

riceandpeas123 · 29/08/2018 22:33

I'd start by looking at comparable adverts elsewhere. You need to have a basis for your negotiation - not just "I want to pay less" but something with foundation. Maybe a glass valuation would help too - you have to pay for one from memory but if you really want the car it's probably worth it. If you're armed with concrete figures it will bolster your argument and give you confidence to go from there.

Original poster
GunpowderGelatine · 29/08/2018 22:34

scary 🤣🤣 maybe if he doesn't give me a discount that's what I'll have to do Wink

OP posts:
iklboo · 29/08/2018 22:36

Ask him that check the full beams are working then floor it Grin

BoneyBackJefferson · 29/08/2018 22:37

List any issues that you believe the car has.

When was it serviced last?
Will it get a full service before you buy it?
When was the timing belt/chain done?
Service history.
The usual.

Confidenceknocked · 29/08/2018 22:41

Are you paying cash? I got 15% off a car recently, I’ve worked in sales though so did exactly what they’d do to me, ‘called my husband’ who is paying for the car. Very loudly discussed that it would need to be X price to pay now. No budging from them so I said I’d think about it and walked away, he called me back and spoke to his manager and agreed there and then.

sunsalutations · 29/08/2018 22:46

You have to make him think you are prepared to walk away from it. Go and have a look at another similar one in a different garage and truly try and believe that it is the one you want to buy. If you can act nonchalant, you are more likely to get a discount. Act very cool, as if you could take it or leave it. I negotiate contracts for a living, but second hand car salesmen are really tough as they've seen it all before! Good luck!

mineofuselessinformation · 29/08/2018 22:47

Are you trading a car in? If there's not wriggle room on the price of the car, there will be in the trade-in.
I've bought my last two cars from car supermarkets and had a good deal this way.

BlueSuffragette · 29/08/2018 22:49

Tell him you want it, can buy it quickly but it is say £500 over your budget. If he needs the sale he'll move the price. He may say meet me half way, can't possibly come that low etc. Hold your nerve, explain you've got another car to see again elsewhere that you liked equally and they may be prepared to meet your price. He'll suddenly find more room to meet your price. If he is £100 above your price look like you are thinking hard...first rule of negotiating...don't give anything away without getting something back...e.g. say ok fill it with fuel and put new floor mats in it..then it's a deal...Enjoy the experience, you hold the trump cards as they need the sale but you have the money. Smile

ilovesooty · 29/08/2018 22:50

Evidently I'm not the only one who visualised you running him over! Grin

FrayedHem · 29/08/2018 22:50

I'd ask a couple of questions also ask if there's any extras included like a service/drive away insurance/mats/wash and vac. I'd be prepared to go and have a think. This time of the month may mean he's keen to get a sale closed or he could be at target and equally nonchalant. Obviously that depends on the dealerships having monthly targets and bonus - a lot do.

over50andfab · 29/08/2018 22:51

Yes, what Confidence said. The other thing is to do your research (as you have) then say your bit to him, then keep quiet and just look at him expectantly. We tend to babble when nervous, and show our hand.

macaronip1e · 29/08/2018 22:52

I got my Dad to negotiate our last 2nd hand car purchase for me (he’s sees as a fun game; I see it as super awkward). He got money off by arguing the tyres would soon need to be replaced; the sales guy mentioned parking sensors at one point but then it turned out the car didn’t have them - my dad said that was one of the very reasons we were interested in the car so got them to fit them for free. Finally, just before I signed he paper he said - I trust it will have a full tank of petrol when we pick it up....and they guys felt obliged to agree to it...

noego · 29/08/2018 22:54

He'll be thinking I win you lose. That's the way they are.
You'll be thinking I win you win. That's the way you are
You need to think I win you lose or walk away. This is the way you need to be.

As PP said. Oscar winning performance required, nonchalant, not sure, lots of mmmm's. Hand on chin, Keep walking round it, keep finding little things wrong,

Good luck.

JaceLancs · 29/08/2018 22:56

I would start by saying it’s a bit over your budget and what is his very best price?
Negotiate from there and be prepared to walk away
The last 2 cars I’ve bought I have negotiated successfully but have also stretched my budget slightly (less than £1000 more) and ended up with a lot of car for my money
Do your research too, book price on my current car was 11k I negotiated down to 7k then due to a few minor issues got a partial refund of another 10% Smile

Talkingfrog · 29/08/2018 22:57

Are you putting yours in for part exchange? If you cannot get it reduced to the price you what, you could try to get a little more in part ex.
I had checked the part ex price in a couple of auto mags, /websites do knew what ours should be worth.
There was an offer on for an additional £500 part exchange (we were buying new). The dealer tried offering me the price it was worth but including the additional £500. When I confirmed x amount plus the £500 they said no. I said what it was worth and they said that I had probably been looking at price for a private sale. I confirmed the part ex price given in three places, and that I expected the £500 to be added on top. I got what I asked for.

See if you can find out when the sales target periods run to. If it is the last day and they need more sales, they may drop a bit more.

Can you take someone with you for moral support?

As above, we have walked away before. In between us viewing our current car, and us buying it, they had taken, £1000 off to shift it. They didn't know we had planned to go and buy it anyway, and I wasn't going to tell them!

Good luck

WhiteDust · 29/08/2018 23:03

I wouldnt bother with all the chit chat about what you think the car is worth etc. All that does is open up a discussion & if he's a good bullshitter salesman, he'll wipe the floor with you.
So, instead. Test drive the car and if you like it say something along the lines of 'I'm prepared to pay 10.5K, can we do a deal?' If he says no, say ' That's a shame, I'll keep looking -let me know if you change your mind, I like the car but it's worth 10.5 to me, I can't go above that'.and walk.
I bet you'll get a phone call within the hour but if not, find another car.

WhiteDust · 29/08/2018 23:05

Should say: I wouldnt bother with all the chit chat about what you think the car is actually worth...

tigercub50 · 29/08/2018 23:06

Lol at iklboo 😄

AppleKatie · 29/08/2018 23:09

Remember it isn’t the guy you’re talking to setting the price. It’s his manager.

So convince the guy you will walk AND that you’re a nice person who will write him an excellent google review ... and he might just intercede with the manager.

Definitely agree to complete sale before the end of the month as this is what he needs for his commission target. Good luck!

NT53NJT · 29/08/2018 23:10

Yeah call their bluff.

If they want to sell the car and have little interest in it they'll be straight on the phone.

My boss does this with nearly new cars , rings the dealer and says he will pay X amount (ridiculously low offer) they laugh and take his details. A few months later (near new registration time) they ring him and ask if his offer is still available. He is the only person I know who sells nearly new cars for the price be paid for it after 3 years.

lowtide · 29/08/2018 23:15

It’s £500
Of course they’ll give you that discount.
I would imagine they factor in 10% at least
You don’t ask you don’t get.
I wouldn’t fuck around with reasons. People give me reasons for discount all the time. If they’re just straight up I prefer it. If I can’t take the deal I can’t. I think I like to be perfectly honest the same way back.

bruffin · 29/08/2018 23:19

Are you paying cash
It against money laundering laws for a company to accept 10k in cash

Original poster
GunpowderGelatine · 29/08/2018 23:25

bruffin I think they meant outright rather than on finance. I don't have £10k worth of givers in my handbag Confused

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