How to Negotiate a Used Car

People complain are always complaining about “used-car salesmen” and how they seem to get away with charging unrealistic prices for second-hand cars. However, if you smarten up and realize that you can only be charged what you are willing to pay, then it should go through a fair deal. Here are a few tips on how to get the best value when buying a used car.

1: Be Polite

The best way to approach a good car negotiation is by being friendly and polite. If you want to get the most out of the deal, you are better off endearing yourself to the seller. This does not mean making a new best friend, but it just means avoid being rude or using too much aggression in your negotiating. Not many sales people are willing to negotiate with a rude and pushy buyer.

2. Expect to ask for a discount

Don’t shy away from requesting a discount because you find it too embarrassing. Most dealers will factor this into their original price, and it is quite normal to try and bargain this amount down.

Be honest and say it is simply too much at its original asking price and you are not sure if you can justify offering that amount of money for the car in question. Alternatively you could make out that your partner would not be ok with you spending more than your agreed budget. The sales person cannot argue with someone who isn’t there.

3. Never accept the first offer

Always negotiate a further on a first offer by the seller. No seller will open a negotiation with the lowest price they are willing to accept. It is very worth your while to firmly, yet politely push the price further down after a first offer has been made.

4. Silence

Silence can be a very powerful tool when in the negotiation process. Most people get awkward in silence and usually use the lack of conversation as a sign that the other party is thinking negatively.

Once a sales person has made you a first offer, remain quiet for as long as it takes him or her to start bringing that offer down or adding some extra benefits to the deal. The silence may not be comfortable but it will place some necessary doubt into the sellers mind, forcing them to provide you with a better deal.

5. Don’t get caught up in the moment.

It’s easy to get a bit caught up in the moment when negotiating a deal, especially if you find a car that you really do like. It is important to remain logical and not be overcome by emotion when trying to get what you want out of the deal.

6 Added Extras

If you don’t get everything you want out of the price negotiation, you can always look at other ways to add value to your purchase. Think of ways that the seller could make the deal more appealing to you and request added extras if necessary. E.g.The tyres might be quite worn and needing replacement soon. Make a condition of the sale a full set of new tyres and tyre allignment.

7. Research

Before you even step foot into a negotiation do your research so you know what is and is not reasonable for the car you are trying to buy. Check out other local prices and use guideline, many of which can be found freely online. Check out as many sellers as possible before settling down to start your negotiation. This knowledge will set realistic expectations and give you the edge during your negotiation.

9. Seal the deal

Once you have come to an agreement and you are satisfied that you have the deal you were after, then put down a deposit and insist on a written receipt stating that you have made payment of the required deposit and stating the price and stipulations that both you and the seller have agreed upon.

It is important to have this in writing and to stick to your side of the bargain by putting down a deposit, as it will ensure than nobody else can swoop in and slip the car out from under your nose. If you don’t have the cash available, you might consider taking a quick cash loan in order to ensure than you have sealed the deal on your new purchase.