Negotiating with dealers
Problem with people sharing prices...
I find it easy to make myself nuts looking at threads where people say what they paid, and then I start to think I negotiated poorly.
Problem is that often times you don't get all the info.
It's easy for a dealer to offer a car at below MSRP if you are also purchasing other packages, paying prep, freight, documentation fees, extended warranties, etc.
I spent a few years in the dealership world, and today's interaction with the sales manager reminded me of a few things, because he actually said them...
They're there to sell, at a profit.
If they can charge you the bottom line on a window sticker - which includes destination - they will. If they can also add the $670 for "freight" printed on the purchase agreement, they will. If they can charge you the documentation fee, they will. Ditto for prep, and when you see the "finance manager" he will tempt you with lower interest rates or a free accessory thrown in if you buy an extended warranty. I was also reminded of the times they'd call my prep department for a showroom car and I'd have to have the pinstriper paint stripes, I'd put some trim on, upgraded wheels, visors, etc... even the $4 "paint sealant" we all used to rub on our own cars when there was leftovers. The car would be on the floor, and they'd sell it with all the high profit stuff already on it. The manager told me today that when they get the chance they do it to Fits too.
Sometimes people say what they paid "out the door". That can make you feel bad too if it's a better deal than you got until you come to the realization that their state taxes and registration fees might be at different rates.
So, rather than make myself nuts, I have resigned myself to feeling as though I did OK, didn't give the dealer anything more than I needed too, no additional markups, warranties, protection packages, and because I went in knowing what I wanted and telling them what I'd pay for, I got two Fits for MSRP (price + destination) plus tax and tags and that's all. I also got them to throw in the keyless entry and security from Honda for the base model.
So I think I'll stop looking at these posts now.
Problem is that often times you don't get all the info.
It's easy for a dealer to offer a car at below MSRP if you are also purchasing other packages, paying prep, freight, documentation fees, extended warranties, etc.
I spent a few years in the dealership world, and today's interaction with the sales manager reminded me of a few things, because he actually said them...
They're there to sell, at a profit.
If they can charge you the bottom line on a window sticker - which includes destination - they will. If they can also add the $670 for "freight" printed on the purchase agreement, they will. If they can charge you the documentation fee, they will. Ditto for prep, and when you see the "finance manager" he will tempt you with lower interest rates or a free accessory thrown in if you buy an extended warranty. I was also reminded of the times they'd call my prep department for a showroom car and I'd have to have the pinstriper paint stripes, I'd put some trim on, upgraded wheels, visors, etc... even the $4 "paint sealant" we all used to rub on our own cars when there was leftovers. The car would be on the floor, and they'd sell it with all the high profit stuff already on it. The manager told me today that when they get the chance they do it to Fits too.
Sometimes people say what they paid "out the door". That can make you feel bad too if it's a better deal than you got until you come to the realization that their state taxes and registration fees might be at different rates.
So, rather than make myself nuts, I have resigned myself to feeling as though I did OK, didn't give the dealer anything more than I needed too, no additional markups, warranties, protection packages, and because I went in knowing what I wanted and telling them what I'd pay for, I got two Fits for MSRP (price + destination) plus tax and tags and that's all. I also got them to throw in the keyless entry and security from Honda for the base model.
So I think I'll stop looking at these posts now.
If anyone out there's a Sam's Club or Costco Member, they've both got auto-buying services. We just ordered a Fit at a dealer in Scottsdale through Costco's service for $250 below MSRP. Besides, you get to deal with the Fleet Staff (much more businesslike) rather than the standard pushy car dealers. Yet another way to get your Fit for less...
Man thats how i feel. I bought my fit in CA its a 08 sport and the color i wanted and i payed 18300 OTD i thought that was a good price seeing i could never find the one i wanted on a lot there. But i got here to Fl and i was looking at the 09 and was thinking of picking one up. And they offered me 17600 OTD and i am like dam i payed more for my 08 than that. but they would only give me 13,000 for my 08 it has 8,500 miles on it now from the road trips here on the move. So i am keeping my 08. But there is always room to get a better price in my book u have to have a check in hand and time on ur hands and that is it
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clk1022
Honda Fit Dealer Reviews
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Jul 21, 2006 04:42 PM





