Tips in Creating a Strong Negotiating Position

If you want to get the most for your money for the purchase of a used car, here are 10 things you should avoid saying to the dealer.

Calculate the total amount you want to pay for the vehicle before shopping for cars, most people think in terms of their monthly budgets, but most experts agree that’s not the way to price out a car. Don’t base your purchasing decision on an attractive monthly payment. Before you walk into the dealership, know the maximum you are willing to spend over the life of your loan. By stretching the term by a year or two, a dealership can easily bring a $400 monthly payment down to a $300 payment that would cause you to end up paying thousands of dollars more in interest.

Get familiar with the value of the car you are buying as well as your trade in, before shopping for a new car.  Refrain from discussing a trade-in until you’ve settled on a price for the new or used car you are purchasing. Avoid making one deal contingent upon the other which gives you less negotiating power. Do your research on the value of both vehicles and get the right price on the car you are buying before you even mention the possibility of a trade-in. You will almost always get a better price if you sell your old vehicle yourself. There are many online resources to research the value of your vehicle as well as to assist you in selling your old car yourself.

Don’t let the rate of the auto loan influence the overall price of the car, come to terms on the price of the vehicle before you discuss auto financing. These days, auto financing may be harder to get, but research suggests that credit unions still offer the lowest rates. Get pre-qualified before showing up at the dealership and then if the dealer is offering special low incentive financing rates, see if you can get a better discount on the car instead of accepting the special low interest rate offer.

For the best deal on a pre-owned vehicle, see your local St. Louis Auto Stop dealership in Hazelwood today.