Buying a car form a dealership comes with its own set of compromises. You’ll just have to accept the fact that the salesman is trying to make a profit, and why shouldn’t he? The reason you pay more than wholesale for a car is that the dealership has to pay for the cleaning and maintenance of the cars on the lot, the salesmen have to be paid their wages and commission, and the overhead is huge on any business. So take these things into account before you assume you’re getting ripped off.

On the other hand, prices are always negotiable, so you need to prepare before you start shopping so you can make sure you get the best price possible, after the above considerations. The first thing you should know is that prices vary throughout the year. At the end of the year (after Christmas), car dealerships offer huge sales to clear out last year’s models to make room for the new stock.

Because every dealership is trying to do the same thing, there is serious competition, so take advantage. The late summer/early fall is also a good time to shop for a new car, as this is the end of the financial year in most cases. Again, competing dealerships are all trying to get rid of similar merchandise, so the more shopping around you do, the better price you’re sure to get. And if you let a salesman know that the lot down the street has lower prices, he’ll adjust the price accordingly. If you need to finance your car, be prepared for a credit check. Check your own credit score in advance and if necessary, take the necessary steps to improve it before you try to get financing. This will help you get a better rate.

You are not, however, required to give the salesman your personal information, so if you are uncomfortable with this, you may refuse.

If the dealer tells you he has to order the car you want from the factory, this should not influence the price. If he tells you different, walk away. However, if the dealer wants to find the car you are looking for at another dealership, there will be a charge. Unless you are shopping for something special or custom-made, you should not agree to this. Every car on the lot must have a sticker displaying the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP), as well as details on the cost of all the extras. If this is missing, let the dealer know, as this is the law. Finally, circular ads as well as television and radio commercials are more hype than substance. If the bright colors and loud voices entice you, do some homework to make sure there are any real savings being offered. Sometimes holiday sales on Memorial, Veteran’s, or President’s Day are simply advertised to get folks onto the lot on their day off.

www.ConklinFangman.com is the leading Kansas City MO used cars dealer.

http://www.ConklinFangman.com is the leading Kansas City MO used cars dealer.

Author Bio: www.ConklinFangman.com is the leading Kansas City MO used cars dealer.

Category: Automotive
Keywords: car, economy, consumers