There’s a reason that some people, often those not at all associated with the car industry, are referred to as ‘used car salesmen.’ It’s because cars salesmen and car dealerships, whether they be used or new lots, have been known to run certain scams or cons on customers in the past.
These of course, are all so that they can ensure that you buy your next car from them and that they make as much profit as possible off of you. While it’s important to note that not all car dealerships are shady and out to squeeze you for every penny, many are. And if you want to avoid paying more than you have to for that new car, you should be aware of some of the most common tactics that are used.
One very common tactic that car dealerships like to use is if your car has to be ordered from the factory. This sometimes happens if you want a certain model on the lot, but you want it with a few more upgrades, or in a different color. Just because the dealer doesn’t have that specific model on the lot doesn’t mean that they can’t sell you the car you want – but it does mean that you won’t drive your new car off the lot that day. This is because the dealership will have to order it from the factory where it is manufactured, and that usually takes at least a few days.
However, when a car needs to be ordered from the factory, many car dealerships like to tell their customers that additional fees are required because of this. This is absolutely not true and you should not have to pay anymore than a comparable car on the lot just because it has been factory-ordered.
Along these same lines, it’s important to make sure that you’re not going to be charged additional fees when the dealer orders a car from another dealership. Many times they’ll tell you that the exact model you want isn’t available, but the dealership in the next town or city has one that can be delivered – for a fee.
Most dealerships won’t exchange cars back and forth between each other anyway, unless they’re owned by the same dealer, simply because of the expense. However, if they offer to do this, you must make sure that you’re not going to be charged additional fees because of it.
Always look to make sure that any car you’re looking at on the dealership’s lot has an MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) sticker or an invoice sticker. It is illegal for car dealerships to sell cars that don’t have these prices displayed and you shouldn’t deal with any car dealership that isn’t willing to show this information.
Car dealerships are also often misleading in their advertising.
Instead of trusting the big signs that say “BIGGEST SALE EVER SINCE OUR OPENING!!!” and going in to find a car, do your research. Is it really their biggest sale ever? And even if it is, how do those sale prices compare with the current prices at other car dealerships? Don’t just trust whatever the dealership is telling you, do your own research to find out how good their prices are.
Once you have decided that you want a particular car at the dealership and you have settled on a price, make sure that’s the only price that you pay. Many salesmen will agree with you on that price in the parking lot and then when they start drawing up the paperwork in the office, start tacking on all kinds of extra fees.
Don’t fall for this, and don’t feel as though you’re obligated to pay them just because you have already agreed to buy the car. You agreed to purchase at a certain price and if the dealer isn’t willing to hold to that certain price, you’re not obligated to hold to your agreement.