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Buy a Car Without a Fuss, Even With Your Kids: Part 2
Oct 24 2007 by Colette Fischer
10/25/2007
Part 2: The Purchase
The delightful concept of retail therapy is as foreign to the car-buying process as a night of uninterrupted sleep is to mothers. There’s the unnerving thought of having to part with a mountain of cash, and that comes after rounds of haggling that leave even veteran car-buyers fried and disagreeable. In years past, I have been subjected to a long line of questionable car salesmen, including one sleazy guy who leaked both a verbal oil slick and a literal one from his centrally parted hair. Then there was the guy who pontificated as if he were a top design engineer, whom I later found out had recently jumped ship from the dealership next door and was fresh out of orientation. And let’s not forget the know-it-all who quickly and condescendingly dismissed all my “trivial” questions, making me feel like I was from Mars. Correction, sir: That would be Venus, and proud of it!
While dealerships are still working on becoming more female-friendly, the last time I needed to buy a car I decided to eliminate the confusion, discomfort and emotion that routinely accompany these transactions by happily relying on the web to do most of my legwork. I also decided against both trading in my car and financing through the dealership, which typically only beef up dealer profit anyway.
I researched the Smart Target Price (not the MSRP) on Cars.com for the car I wanted to buy, including specific options, then used Cars.com to gather dealership contact information. With that, I sent out free quote requests to all the dealers within a certain radius. I chose to continue my correspondence with internet sales managers who replied in a clear, concise and timely manner. I requested a price breakdown, including options, and asked what other additional charges would be added to the bottom line once I came to the dealership.
Speaking of which, be wary of any hidden costs or questionable fees, like window-etching charges. One dealer offered an extremely attractive quote up front, but tried to tell me that a $299 window-etching charge was a standard, non-negotiable fee. Curiously enough, when I replied that I was not interested in paying this fee I was assured that it could be removed after all. Because I was working with various dealers simultaneously, however, a quick push of the “delete” button left me free to continue correspondence with the sales representatives who offered competitive prices in an honest fashion. I also made certain that I had everything in writing.
After corresponding with seven dealers over the course of a week, I found a clear winner. Once all of that was settled, we walked into the dealership, emails in hand, knowing our cash price and assured there would be no questionable charges. We met the salesman, walked straight to his desk, completed the necessary paperwork without the blink of an eye and walked out with a new 2007 Toyota 4Runner. Later that day, my husband and I both remarked what an effortless purchase it had been. No surprises, just a new car for a fair price. That’s all most of us ask, isn’t it? Seriously, let the internet do your dirty work for you. Dealerships aren’t the only ones that can be slick — we can too, sistas!
Buy a Car Without a Fuss, Even With Your Kids: Part 1
give me your eamils