Newbie Buying Questions

[jro909]

I'm sure there is other people like me that either haven't had alot of experience with playing the game with dealers or flat out don't know what route to take as far as incentives. I'm just trying to compile a nice list of tips and tricks for the greenhorn looking for a new truck. so fire away guys/gals.

[Ron_CA]

I'm sure there is other people like me that either haven't had alot of experience with playing the game with dealers or flat out don't know what route to take as far as incentives. I'm just trying to compile a nice list of tips and tricks for the greenhorn looking for a new truck. so fire away guys/gals.

 

 

1) Do not negotiate a price off of msrp. Find out what invoice is on the vehicle and work below that number.

 

2) Don't believe anything the salesman tells you

 

3) Research all available options and which ones come with what pkg. That way, later on your not bummed out because you didn't get the headlight washers

[Stevens03]

Also, get quotes from more than 1 dealership.

[ATXSerria]

I'm sure there is other people like me that either haven't had alot of experience with playing the game with dealers or flat out don't know what route to take as far as incentives. I'm just trying to compile a nice list of tips and tricks for the greenhorn looking for a new truck. so fire away guys/gals.

 

 

1) Do not negotiate a price off of msrp. Find out what invoice is on the vehicle and work below that number.

 

2) Don't believe anything the salesman tells you

 

3) Research all available options and which ones come with what pkg. That way, later on your not bummed out because you didn't get the headlight washers

 

 

 

1. Agree! It's usally around 20% off of MSRP

2. Hell Yes!!! lol

3. Yes, worth looking at all pkgs.

 

Have fun shopping! Yes, don't settle for one dealership.

 

One more thing... you should always find out your credit score or better yet go see your local credit union/bank to see what interest rate you qualify for. It will help you determine just how much you can afford.

[jro909]

well when i was young and stupid (18) looking for my first truck i made the mistake of going to a dodge dealer alone, and they kept trying to force me into doing a credit check first and signing a bunch of crap before we even trying working on a set price for the truck..i luckily had a family member on the phone and they told me not to fill out anything because the dealer was trying to see how much i was worth then they pretty much took me in the backroom and 3 of them tryed guilting me into filling out papers and buying the truck..needless to say i walked out before anything went any farther....so whats your opinions what should i fill out upfront and what shoulden't i? is it better to go a bank first and see what kind of loan they can offer? also whats better as far as yearly incentives? the money back or the lower interest rate?

[sab316]

The most powerful thing you can do is walk out the door if things are not going 100% your way. The golden rule at a car dealer: No one eats or makes a commission until a car is sold.

 

This x100000000. Thats why my current truck is my truck today. Made an offer (during the middle of the hard times) they turned it down. I got up and walked out the door saying "Thats all I'm paying for that truck" and then they called me back 30 minutes later and said they would accept my offer.

[jro909]

The most powerful thing you can do is walk out the door if things are not going 100% your way. The golden rule at a car dealer: No one eats or makes a commission until a car is sold.

 

This x100000000. Thats why my current truck is my truck today. Made an offer (during the middle of the hard times) they turned it down. I got up and walked out the door saying "Thats all I'm paying for that truck" and then they called me back 30 minutes later and said they would accept my offer.

 

 

 

ok so say they want 30k for the truck, how low of an offer can you make without looking insane? and what about trade in? do you say i want X for my truck for trade in..and if they decline tell them to pound sand?

[xertechx]

I have bought many of trucks, my best advice is be very firm and confident. If you look meek and unsure they will stick it right to you. I have been in shouting matches with the guy behind closed doors (the guy your sales guy goes to, to see if they will take your offer) and when they figured out I wasnt some kid, they changed their tune. Go twards the end of the night on the last day or 2 of the month, the salesman wants nothing more than to go home and he also wants to put up some numbers before the months end. That will work to your advantage. DO NOT spend more than you want to, its hard when your sitting in the nice new truck to turn it down, so know exactly what you can afford. Do not tell the sales person what that number is, you can screw yourself out of a good deal because he knows you can afford that number. If you are buying used, make sure you look over all of the paper work, you dont want to end up with a former rental. Dont buy the sleezy warranties either, get if from your insurance company. I can go on for days, sorry if this is random.

[jro909]

I have bought many of trucks, my best advice is be very firm and confident. If you look meek and unsure they will stick it right to you. I have been in shouting matches with the guy behind closed doors (the guy your sales guy goes to, to see if they will take your offer) and when they figured out I wasnt some kid, they changed their tune. Go twards the end of the night on the last day or 2 of the month, the salesman wants nothing more than to go home and he also wants to put up some numbers before the months end. That will work to your advantage. DO NOT spend more than you want to, its hard when your sitting in the nice new truck to turn it down, so know exactly what you can afford. Do not tell the sales person what that number is, you can screw yourself out of a good deal because he knows you can afford that number. If you are buying used, make sure you look over all of the paper work, you dont want to end up with a former rental. Dont buy the sleezy warranties either, get if from your insurance company. I can go on for days, sorry if this is random.

 

very good info, when i got my current truck i took my brother with me to save myself from being played like a fiddle because in all reality i don't know enough to win the dealer game

[xertechx]

One more, dont let them sell you on a monthly payment. Make sure you understand what the number came from and what the truck will really cost you. They try to bury stuff and focus on "if you put this down, this will be your payment", Dont fall into that game, always ask what is the cost of the truck at that payment, and ask how they got to that price.

[yukon25008.1]

like everyone said..take no crap, and never feel intimidated. go in with the attitude that your better..

DO THE RESEARCH... know exactly what yours is worth and exactly what theres is worth, that will suprise them and let them no your not some brainless smuck.. good luck

[RyanbabZ71]

The most powerful thing you can do is walk out the door if things are not going 100% your way. The golden rule at a car dealer: No one eats or makes a commission until a car is sold.

 

This x100000000. Thats why my current truck is my truck today. Made an offer (during the middle of the hard times) they turned it down. I got up and walked out the door saying "Thats all I'm paying for that truck" and then they called me back 30 minutes later and said they would accept my offer.

 

 

 

ok so say they want 30k for the truck, how low of an offer can you make without looking insane? and what about trade in? do you say i want X for my truck for trade in..and if they decline tell them to pound sand?

 

 

Give us an idea of the truck, specs, options, etc.

[desrtrat]

also make sure you know what you plan on doing with the truck after you buy. if your plans are to put a lift/larger tires/ may be towing get the truck with the biggest motor, lowest gears tow package from the factory. it will save you money in the long run. if the dealer don't have what you want on the lot, have them search for one..

 

good luck

[General Lee 01]

If the dealer has a "tent event" or one of those shin-digs where the place is covered in Balloons, and there's a lot of people mulling around.... Go somewhere else.

 

Made the mistake of not doing so and ended up with something I didn't really want and a headache-and-a-half worth of haggling.

[jro909]

The most powerful thing you can do is walk out the door if things are not going 100% your way. The golden rule at a car dealer: No one eats or makes a commission until a car is sold.

 

This x100000000. Thats why my current truck is my truck today. Made an offer (during the middle of the hard times) they turned it down. I got up and walked out the door saying "Thats all I'm paying for that truck" and then they called me back 30 minutes later and said they would accept my offer.

 

 

 

ok so say they want 30k for the truck, how low of an offer can you make without looking insane? and what about trade in? do you say i want X for my truck for trade in..and if they decline tell them to pound sand?

 

 

Give us an idea of the truck, specs, options, etc.

 

 

 

that was essentiay a random number i pulled of my ass, i sort of started this thread because i owe about 4k on my 04 and i want to prepared when i go looking for my next one...aiming for a 2500hd 6.0 6 speed 3.73 gearing rclb 4x4...another experience i had was with a local chevy dealer, this was awhile back and saw they had an 03 z71 4x4 silvy with 20k more miles on it then my current ride and they offered me 2k in trade