Tips to keep a cool head at the car dealership
When shopping for a new vehicle, many people visit a car dealership without a clear plan in mind. Unfortunately, this type of behavior can lead you to make impulsive decisions, which means you may ultimately regret the vehicle purchased or the cost involved. It pays to do your homework before you walk into a dealership, of course, but there are also some tips to make sure you keep a cool head and drive with a car you really need and love.
1. Check your emotions at the door
Research different vehicles and consider your needs before visiting a car dealer. It’s never a good idea to make impulse purchases with cars. The bright bells and whistles of the new vehicles will draw you in, but keep your emotions in check, come prepared with a thorough investigation, and stick to the plan.
2. Find out about all offers
When negotiating, think about all the different offers on the table. There may be discounts for fuel-efficient vehicles or trade-ins and rebates. Think about what your interest rate will be, along with all the price discounts on different vehicles. Which approach is better? Could you negotiate a lower price for a car by putting several different offers on the table?
3. Control your own pace
Most car dealers have specials that can give you a sense of urgency about a discount deal, especially when the sale price is only available until the end of the day or week. In cases like this, it’s best to keep a cool head and stick to the plans you’ve formed through careful research rather than making impulsive decisions. Also, you may be surprised to learn that most of these “special offers” are still available in the following months if you talk to dealer salespeople.
4. Consider purchases at all times, not just at the end of the month
You often hear that you will get the best price on a new vehicle at the end of the month because the sellers are trying to close the month-end sales, but this is not true. Sellers are willing to help interested buyers at any time of the month, not just at the end of the month.
5. Check inventory before you start looking
Before you go to the car dealership, call ahead and check their inventory. Perhaps you are interested in a particular type of car in a specific color. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, the seller may be able to locate that vehicle color on a different lot. However, it may take a while before it reaches you. You always want to take a test drive and see the actual vehicle you’re interested in buying to make sure it’s what you want. If you have to wait a few days or a few weeks for a vehicle to become available, you may be wasting precious time. Also, sellers can usually offer a better discount on a vehicle that’s already on the lot.
6. Consider the total cost
Always check what your total cost is, not just your monthly cost. Salespeople will often ask you how much you’re willing to pay per month instead of asking how much money you’re willing to spend on a new vehicle. Just because they can get a better cost per month doesn’t necessarily mean you’re paying less for the vehicle. Pay attention to interest rates and how many months you are making payments. You may have a lower monthly cost, but end up paying for more months than you anticipated. Pay attention to all the cost details!
With these tips in mind, you can make the new car buying process as stress-free as possible. Just remember to stay level-headed in the face of emotions, deals and impulses, and you’ll end up with a great vehicle to enjoy for years to come.