It Begins with a Poker Face: A Beginner’s Guide to Buying a Car
If you have ever shopped for a car before, new or used, you know it can be an exhausting process. No one loves to haggle over prices. However, it is vital, when car shopping, that you get the best car at the best deal. Read on to discover four lessons to take with you on your next car-buying trip.
1. Have a poker face. You want to have a poker face when it comes to reactions. I remember when I was test-driving cars after my old clunker finally bit the dust. One of the keys to getting a bargain is not showing that you are extremely excited or in love with the car. The seller can see it on your face that they have you, and will likely not budge on the price.
2. Be willing to walk away. I know it’s hard. It is the exact car you wanted. It has the tinted windows, sound system, and beautiful paint job, but the current asking price is not in your budget. Ask the seller to take a lower offer. When they refuse, tell them you will just have to let the deal go. Give them your phone number (in case they change their mind). Then, turn your back and walk away. This is by far, the hardest thing to do when it comes to car buying. However, it’s the best thing you can do to get the price you want. I did this with my current car and the guy waited a week to call me back, but he did and he took the price I offered.
3. Offer an amount that is insulting. Ok, so the car dealer is asking $11,000. Offer $8000. You know that the car is worth much more, but the idea here is to get the best deal possible. If you start at an insulting offer, the seller will tend to go as low as possible to not offer an insulting counter offer to you. I did this with my current car. You should have seen the look on the guy’s face, but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do to stick to her budget!
4. Have a plan B. Do not, and I repeat, do not wait impatiently by the phone for the seller to call you. Continue to look at other cars. Who knows? You may find a better deal and a better car that you love even more. A healthy dose of competition not only gives you a bargaining chip, but a back up plan if your number one car deal falls through.
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About the Author
SelenaSelena Ray has more than 2 years experience in the debt management industry and more than 10 years of personal experience with credit and debt. She has tested her financial advice and educational tips in her own personal experiences of managing a budget and tackling debt. She provides insights and education in the fields of debt, money management, and credit reports. Selena holds a bachelors degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and counselor certification from the Center for Financial Certifications.
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Comments
On 06/13 at 05:00 AM,
MaudeWARE said:
This is understandable that cash makes people independent. But how to act if one does not have cash? The one way is to get the personal loans and small business loan.
On 06/13 at 10:05 AM,
Mark said:
The example above is something that I worry about equally better, how to show your personal actual exuberance and percentage the fact that your merchandise is useable in this subject.
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On 06/17 at 01:07 PM,
Selena said:
I would say you can still have a poker face without loans. If you must borrow to buy a car, then you are probably not buying a car that is in your price range. Attempt to pay cash for cars. Yes, you may have to start with a clunker, but that’s better than going into further debt for a car.
On 07/05 at 11:48 PM,
Mustang Parts said:
Ok, so ive been car shopping and planning to buy a used car. Now most of the used cars that are also in good condition are German cars and mostly BMW.Mustang Parts
On 08/11 at 12:08 AM,
F150 Parts said:
I bought one on eBay. Also, years ago, I bought at the book store a book on repairs for the car I owned for a period of about three years. They sell books like Chevy impalas 1996-1998. Here’s the Amazon.com link for your vehicle.
F150 Parts