Buying A Car ? - Nine Very Good Tips for Car Buyers

Americans like to buy a car at the dealership in one afternoon, and the dealerships try very hard to make you think that is possible and even smart. But it’s not. Realize how big a purchase a car is. And it is complicated.

Buying a car is the second-largest purchase most people make after buying a home. When you buy a home, think about all the help you have: you have a broker to help you find the best home for you, and a mortgage broker to help you find the best financing. And an inspector to make sure the house is safe. Sometimes you also have an attorney to make sure the contract is fair, and a title company makes sure the title is clear before you pay for the home. But when you buy a car, there is not one person there to help you. And the dealers want you to THINK you can waltz in to the dealership and buy a car from start to finish in an afternoon… and sure, you can, but you will pay much much more if you do it that way. Here are four tips to give you an advantage:

1. Make at least one trip to the dealership JUST to look around and drive the cars. Promise yourself you will not buy that first time, no matter what. Why? So that you can go home and look up information on the internet, including dealer cost, safety ratings, option prices, and any manufacturer to dealer incentives that the dealer has certainly not told you about!

2. Know what you can afford before you visit the dealership to buy! This means talk to your personal banker or credit union officer before going to the dealership. Why? Some dealerships might actually WANT you to sign on for a more expensive car than you can afford so that you will then default on your loan and they will repossess the car.

3. Whenever the finance manager calculates something, insist that he show you the calculation. Why? The easiest place for dealerships to take more money from you is in the monthly payment. It is VERY common for dealers to increase monthly payments by just a few dollars, even $20 per month, over about a five year period is like giving the dealership $500 extra on the spot.

E.G. If you tell the salesman you can afford a payment of $500 per month, he might find a deal for you in which the payment works out to $460 per month. But instead of telling you that, he might tell you that he has “great news”!! - - that your payment is down to $480. What happens to the $20 difference between the lender'’ $460 per month and the $480 the dealer is charging you? It goes right into the dealer’s pocket, and you will never know it unless you Len how to run the calculation yourself, or at least run it by your banker. How much would a dealership make, taking in an extra $20 per month for five years, on a loan with an interest rate of 3.9%? About $500. It is next to impossible to figure this kind of thing out without a financial calculator, or a friend with a financial calculator. But it’s worth the trouble!

4. Write down everything you lean about the car, from the internet, magazines, and especially from the salesman. Why? Doing this keeps everybody honest, and literally “on the same page”—YOUR page! Your salesman will see that you are writing down everything he says, and he will be less inclined to lie, or to try to change information on you later on. This tip is all about staying in control.

For more car buying tips, visit www.thecarbuyersbible.com Robin Segal PhD

Buying A Car - - Five MORE Tips for Car Buyers

Americans like to buy a car at the dealership in one afternoon, and the dealerships try very hard to make you think that is possible and even smart. But it’s not. Realize how big a purchase a car is. And it is complicated. Here are five more tips:

5. When you are negotiatig with the salesman, sit next to him, not across from him. Insist on it. Tell him you are not comfortable reading his writing upside down. Why? Psychologically, he will feel as though you and he are “on the same side.” Sounds silly, but it really works. If it is impossible, try sitting beside the desk instead of in front of it.

6. Don’t accept coffee at the dealership. It will make you edgy. Do bring an ample supply of water and drink frequently. Why? First, it will keep you alert, and second, it will allow yourself to go to the restroom frequently, which will break the tension and the salesman’s intimidation over you. Who can argue with a bathroom break!

7. Stick to your plan… you made a plan, didn’t you? If not, see the first four tips, available at www.thecarbuyersbible.com. Make a plan! BEFORE you go to the dealership, decide what a fair deal on the car is. Why? If you do not have any expectations as to what is fair, the salesman will declare a high price, and then you will struggle to lower it. It’s best if you have a number that you have worked out, and that you can back up with research. It’s amazing, but most people don’t do that, and it makes a lot of sense.

8. If you get confused or upset, do NOT make a deal. Why? You need to be thinking clearly and calmly when you are spending tens of thousands of dollars on a car. Have a list of dealerships you can buy from, and don’t be afraid to walk out if you really think there is no fair deal to be made at any particular dealership.

9. Have fun. Why? Why not! There is NO reason you have to suffer through buying a car. If you are informed, strong, and calm, you will do fine, save money, and feel great buying your next car!

For lots more car buying tips and strategies: www.thecarbuyersbible.com

Robin Segal, PhD

Dr. Robin Segal used to sell cars in a high pressure Car dealership. Being behind the scenes and seeing what car buyers went through broker her heart, so she wrote a book to help people avoid stress and save money, THE CAR BUYER’S BIBLE: www.thecarbuyersbible.com Robin has also worked on clean air transportation planning for the United Nations and The US Department of Energy.

Need some more advice? Dr. Robin Segal has lots more tips. Author of THE CAR BUYER’S BIBLE, Robin sold cars in a high-pressure car dealership. She has been helping car buyers save money on their car purchases for years. www.thecarbuyersbible.com

Need some more advice? Dr. Robin Segal has a lot more tips. Author of THE CAR BUYER’S BIBLE, Robin sold cars in a high-pressure car dealership. Being behind the scenes and seeing what car buyers went through broker her heart, so she wrote a book to help people avoid stress and save money. She has been helping car buyers save money on their car purchases for years. Robin has also worked on clean air transportation planning for the United Nations, The World Bank, The EPA, and The US Department of Energy . Find THE CAR BUYER’S BIBLE at: www.thecarbuyersbible.com