Understanding Car Buying Terms
One of the biggest mistake car shoppers make is heading out to shop without understanding the car buying lingo. Knowing what the terms mean before you step onto the lot of NJ VW dealers can save you money, time, and even some embarrassment. Though you are unlikely to ever learn everything there is to car salesmen speak, you can learn the basics. This way you will be prepared when you head to the VW dealers NJ to shop for a vehicle. Begin with the terms directly associated with buying a car. Note that there is a whole other collection of terms in regard to leasing, so if you plan to lease, brush up on those. The Asking Price is the cost of the car listed on the sticker. Sometimes the asking price is a little lower than the sticker due to a sale. In most cases, the asking price is just the jumping off point.
A Customer Incentive might be your main reason for visiting the dealership in the first place. This is a sale, rebate, special, or discount offered to a customer purchasing a new vehicle. Customer Incentives are often very lucrative and can save you a lot of money. The option package refers to the optional items you can pay to have added to your vehicle. This differs between different makes and models. It might include automatic locks, CD players, leather seating, heated seats, or special wheels. The more of these automatically included with your car, the better the deal you are getting.
In addition to the buying terms you should know, there are several things you might want to learn in order to watch your back when shopping. Understanding the terminology sales people use on the car lot can help you avoid being taken advantage of. If someone refers to you as a “be back” or “BB,” it means they expect you to leave and come back later to make your final purchase. If someone refers to your trade-in vehicle as a “cream puff” it means they are going to turn around and sell it for a hefty profit. It is important to know your car’s value before trading it in. The better its condition, the more it is worth.
“Soft dollars” or “show dollars” is an inflated amount of money a dealership gives you for your trade in. Some dealerships offer specials where they promise at least $5,000 for every trade in vehicle, no matter its actual worth. This might sound like a great deal, especially if your trade in is in bad shape. The truth is the dealership will make up for it elsewhere. Ultimately, you are getting the same deal you would get any other time, if not worse. With soft dollars, the sales person can claim they have no wiggle room with the price because they are giving you so much for the trade.
Finally, if a car you are thinking about buying is referred to as “clocked,” run the other way. It means the speedometer has been reset. This typically applies to used cars and is illegal in most states. It is a problem mainly among private sellers, but nefarious dealerships try the tactic occasionally, too.
Author Bio: Stewart Wrighter recently searched the internet for the term VW dealers NJ in order to find a safe affordable car for his teenage driver. He found the number of NJ VW dealers available online impressive.
Category: Automotive
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