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Used Car Buying Survival Tips
When you walk onto a used
car lot, you are entering a high pressure sales environment. It is
in your best interest to be educated and well prepared. Many used
car salespeople are quite aggressive, so don't let them catch you
off guard. Here are some survival tips from a former car
salesperson.
Tip
Number 1: Never buy a car on your first visit to a used car
lot. They will try to pressure you by saying that the "big sale"
ends tomorrow or that someone else is interested in the car you
want, but don't fall for it. Once you pick out a car you like, you
will want to do some research to make sure you are getting a good
price and not buying a lemon. If you don't walk away, you won't get
the chance to do the research and you could get
burned.
Tip
Number 2: If the salesperson who approaches you makes you
feel uncomfortable, insist on working with someone
else.
Tip Number
3: Don't buy a car until the end of the month. This is when
the salespeople and managers are scrambling to make their bonuses.
They are more willing to negotiate at the end of the month than they
are at the beginning of the month.
Tip Number
4: Make sure you know how much the car is worth before you
buy it. If you are trading in a car, you can find out how much it is
worth, too. The most realistic car value research tool is at Nada.com. The used car
industry uses NADA guides, so they can't dispute the results. You
can print up your results and bring them to the dealership to help
you negotiate.
Tip Number
5: When you reach the point that you found the perfect car
at the perfect price, have it checked out by a mechanic before you
buy. This will cost a little money, but it can help protect you from
losing thousands of dollars. If the salesperson or manager won't let
you take the car to a mechanic, then you are at the wrong dealership
and you should walk out.
Tip Number
6: Make sure you know the history of the car you're buying.
Once you decide on a car and are happy with the price, tell the
salesperson to order a carfax report. Once the report is ordered, check
the VIN number (serial number) against the car you're looking at to
make sure it is the same. With a carfax report, you will know
important facts such as how many people have owned the car and
whether it has ever been in an accident.
Tip Number
7: Follow the advice given above because lemon laws don't
apply to used cars.
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