Everyone dreads purchasing a car and the arduous negotiation process with an overeager car salesman. Subjecting yourself to common sales tactics and boring sales pitches, you do your best to sort through the promises and potential deals and decide what is true and what is false. Unfortunately, sometimes even though you escape seemingly unscathed, believing you’ve snagged a deal, an aggressive car dealer may have gotten the better of you.
Saving money on a car, knowing a car dealer’s tricks, and doing your research.
1) Protect your pocketbook. Beware of car dealers trying to convince you that features such as paint protection, fabric sealant and rust proofing are vital. Although they may sound like useful extras, these little items add up quickly and could result in a hefty addition to your bill. Paint sealants and waxes are available at any auto parts stores or supermarkets for a reasonable price. Other bonuses such as checking the tire pressure should already be included in the bill, not listed as extras.
Do not be duped into purchasing extended warranties or extended service contracts. An extended warranty can potentially costs hundreds of dollars and does not recommend purchasing one unless you plan on keeping a vehicle prone to mechanical problems for a long period of time. Instead, save the money you would have spent on an extended warranty in case of a breakdown in the future. If a car is as reliable as the dealer insists it is, there should be no need for extensive coverage, especially since a typical manufacturer bumper-to-bumper warranty already covers up to three years or 36,000 miles.
2) Keep emotions and car buying separate. Car dealers are specifically trained to appeal to an individual’s emotions. Dealers know that you will likely develop an emotional attachment with your car and will focus their sales pitch to cater to your feelings.
When negotiating with a single man, dealers will often appeal to his masculinity by playing up engine performance, design, and physical capability. With a single woman, dealers will emphasize safety features and roominess, often suggesting how reliable the car is and how many people can fit inside. With young married couples, rebates, savings, and “family” features are things dealers know to highlight. Do not be fooled by promises that the dealer has your best interest at heart and think carefully about offers to take the car home over night to see how good it looks in your driveway. Always be prepared to walk away from a deal empty handed and remember negotiation is critical.
3) Most importantly, do not be the victim of a defective product injury or death by purchasing an unsafe vehicle. Used car dealerships will attempt to pawn off cars that are unfit for driving or have significant problems under the hood. Beware of cars that have been overly polished and dressed up to hide flaws. Car dealerships will often perform their own inspections of the cars on their lot, insisting a thorough and comprehensive examination has been done. Make sure you do your research and do not hesitate to take your time and consult your own mechanic before buying the car. Companies likecan be used as a car buying guide to search for high-quality used cars locally and offer reviews of different models.
If you need legal advice, we recommend that you seek the advice of a licensed attorney. If you have any questions about this blog and/or need to talk with an attorney, contact us today for a free, no cost consultation to discuss your legal rights. At Strom Law Firm, LLC, our attorneys provide comprehensive legal services designed to protect your rights and your interests. Our lawyers are licensed in South Carolina, New York, and Georgia.