No guarantee it will work, but it's not a bad plan. The trick is to turn the tables on them. They try and get you attached to the truck, to the deal, try to make you believe there are a hundred other people out there ready to buy the truck and then hope you'll get nervous that the truck will go to someone else. So you should treat the truck like it's just a chunk of steel, that you don't really care about that particular truck and that there are a hundred more trucks out there you can buy (which is true) - and get them nervous that you (and your money) will go somewhere else.

For some real popular vehicles they will be in a stronger position than for vehicles they're having trouble moving. If I'm buying something new, I'll try to find a dealer that has a bunch of what I'm looking for on the lot - they'll be looking to move those and will be very reluctant to see a potential buyer walk away (especially if you go in the last day or two of the month). If what you're looking for is relatively uncommon, then you may not be able to make such a good deal. Based on what I've seen lately, trucks are not moving as well as they were a year ago, so it's a good time to deal.

I've had some dealers/sale people who just refuse to budge on a offer. I walk out the door and go down the road until I find what I want. Next time I'm looking I'll go right back to the same dealer and try again - by then they'll have different stock, different sales people and probably different management. There's only been one dealer that pissed me off so much I'll never go back as long as they own the place - for the most part it's just business.

And finally, whatever you do, don't accept verbal comittments to do anything. Typically the sales department is very separate from the service department so get everything in writing. Remember, the salesman is not your friend. He may not be a bad guy, but he's looking out for him not you!

I don't mean to sound like I think I'm a genius here, 'cause I've learned most of this by doing it wrong at least once! So good luck, and happy hunting!

 

I think it is a fair deal if everything is fixed and it works, try to get him to add 1 year warranty, in case you have problems. But check the truck out, take it to good mechanic..

 

Good point!! Exactly what we had the dealer do when getting my wifes truck. They either had to come down in price or replace the items that I noted during a very very thorough inspection by yours truly. Get it in writing. And the reputable dealers will print you off a FREE carfax report for the vehicle. Ours did. That helped seal the deal.

 

And the reputable dealers will print you off a FREE carfax report for the vehicle. Ours did. That helped seal the deal.

Absolutely correct. The more "transparent" the dealer..... and the deal is, the less likely you'll hit speed bumps down the road.

 

That's a real good idea. I have a list of items to check when I look at a used vehicle. No rocket science, just a thorough list of everything from oil leaks to making sure the remote trunk release works, and so on. It's too easy to forget something when you're out on a test drive or on the lot.

It's a little lengthy to post here, but it's something about anyone could make up for themselves. I'll have to dig it up (I think it's on my home computer) and I'm going to add "get a free carfax report" to it. Thanks!


Oh, and getting things in writing is a good idea not just to protect yourself from disreputable sales people - I can remember at least one instance where by the time I went to pick up the vehicle, the sales manager that closed the deal had moved on to another job. Get it in writing!

 

CarFax would not cover what is not reported, just as the Ford OASIS would not reflect a vehicle repair outside of FMC by an independant shop.

Just remember they are good tools.

 

http://www.carbuyersedge.com/
check out this web site and get some great training on buying cars and trucks

 

cash deals are worse than finance deals. dealers make money on finance. if you can afford to buy it cash, go in, put a down payment, pay it for 6 months and establish a little credit and pay it off. if the sales manager knew he was going to make something in the back end, he would probably gone for your offer. it's not that far apart. it's all a money game.

 

You can play it a few different ways. Usually at a dealership you can only get away with soo much and it doesent sound like thye were willing to do anything for you so dont feel bad. At a regular car lot you can get away with alot more since they typicaly dont do in house financing and cash will go a very long way in the reduction of the price. I think the easyest way to do this in your situation is to just come out and say Ive got (X) amount to spend, if you cant do it for this amount have a nice day. Remember your going to have to dump a chunk of change on taxes and registration after the purchase. That truck is nice and all but there are plenty more just like it and cheaper out there waiting for a new home.

 

I have actually been thinking about this. My plan is to leave it alone for now, forget about it and keep searching. Then if by the end of the month I still have not found anything I will go back to the dealer and put down the cash I have and tell him that this is all that I can afford, if you like it great, if you dont I wont bother you again. I figure it will be the end of the month and they need sales plus its cash and by that time, the truck has been there for that much longer. Hopefully my strategy will work.