Simple Car Buying Tips
Review these simple car buying tips to help with your negotiation when buying used cars...
Call on Lasts Month's Classified Ad
When dealing with a private seller, your objective is to find someone who is really anxious to sell their car.
One way to locate an "anxious seller" is to find the classified car ad section from a newspaper that is at least one month old. Yes, that's right - a one month old newspaper. Go to the used car listings, fine the type of car you're looking for and start calling. Ask the seller if the car is still for sale - but don't tell them you're looking at a month old ad. If they've sold the car, go on to the next ad.
When you find someone who has not sold their in the last month, then you can be reasonably sure you've located an anxious seller.
Of course, the car may be a wreck, but that's where the car buying tips in the What To Ask When Calling on a Classified Ad section will be helpful in determining the condition of the car.
Make Your Inspection
Do your inspection as outlined in the section titled Evaluating a Used Car. Remember, every problem, every sign of wear, every scratch becomes fuel for your negotiation.
Take as much time as you can afford. Wear the seller out with your attention to detail. But keep reminding him or her you're a real buyer and the cash is in the bank just waiting for you to write a check. You might want to insert comments like:
"I prefer cash deals, how about you?"
"I really want to get that money out of the bank before my wife [or husband or whomever] decides to spend it on the house."
The message will get through.
Share the Results with the Seller
Once the professional mechanic inspection is complete and you have a written report in hand sit down with the seller and let him or her know what you found.
Go over the mechanic's report and the estimated repair costs. Be sure you point out all the problems. But do so in a positive way. Never blame the seller. Use phrases like:
"Well, you expect some wear and tear."
"What people will do to your car in a parking lot."
Finally, pose this question: "If we were to agree on a price would you rather make these repairs or would you prefer to just deduct them from the price?"
You might also offer to let the seller call the mechanic to verify that the repair estimate and the mechanic are legit.
He/She Who Speaks First
During the negotiation, whether it's your first offer or a counter offer, state your price and then say nothing until the seller responds.
There's a saying in the car business that "He who talks first, loses." Always make the sales person or private seller meet your counter offer with one of his or her own. If the seller responds by saying something to the effect: "Can you go a little higher?" or, "That's really less than we have in the car," just hold your ground until you get a reduced figure.
Use these simple car buying tips the next time you're shopping for a used car. You may be surprised how smoothly the negotiation goes with these tactics up your sleeve.
