The only way to ensure that you’re getting as much value as possible out of a new truck purchase is to become knowledgeable about the subject. How can you do that with high pressure sales tactics at play? The first step in any such process is to educate yourself on the subject at hand.
When you go truck shopping, you must know what you need before you leave the house. What is your budget? How many people do you have to have fit inside your truck? You will need to know the gas milage that is acceptable for your budget. Do you want a two door or a sedan? List all your wants, and take it with you so that you never forget them.
Have a mechanic look over any used truck you are considering. If the dealer does not cooperate, go to another dealer. You need a mechanic to give you an objective opinion about the car’s condition and check for damages, submersion in water or other problems some dealers try to hide.
Do not pay sticker price for a vehicle. No dealer truly expects you to pay exactly what they ask. If you’re not a great negotiator, bring someone who is. Before you go to the showroom, know what a good price is for the truck so you will know your limits.
When shopping for a truck, bring someone along. They can serve as a disinterested observer and can help you walk away if you are not getting a fair deal. This person could be a spouse, parent, or even a friend.
MPG plays a huge role in a truck purchase. For instance, a V-8 that can tow may appear to be a good idea. You should keep in mind that you may not need the towing feature that frequently, and you may not need a vehicle that makes that much power.
If you aren’t confident you can resist high-pressure sale pitches, do not go truck shopping alone. Bring someone else with you for negotiations and to ask questions you may forget to ask. Tell them exactly what you’re looking to buy and how much you have to spend before you go.
Once you find an interesting truck, it’s time to pull out the fine tooth comb. Look for any scratches or dented areas around the car’s exterior. As far as the inside, look for stains and/or rips in the fabric. As soon as you leave the dealership, any problems you find will be your problem. This includes every imperfection that comes with it.
Call the lot to see if they have the model you desire in stock. If you go to them, the person selling the truck will try his hardest to get you to buy the truck. If you want something that they do not carry, you will waste your time. Take the few minutes it takes to make a quick call first.
Try your best to get rid of unnecessary charges such as the advertising fee. You should not be responsible for that. If they wish to keep it, then consider walking away from this deal. It is almost guaranteed that they won’t want you to walk on the deal over it.
If your salesperson leaves to give your offer to his or her manager, you should realize that they will not bring back the lowest possible price just yet. You can give them another offer, and then the next one should be the lowest. They don’t want the process to drag on too long either, so at this point you should be getting their best deal.
In some cases, waiting until the last week of the month helps you to secure a better deal. Dealers are trying to reach their quota, resulting in better deals. Purchasing near the end of a month gives you the advantage because of their quotas. It is sometimes possible to utilize this fact to negotiate a great deal on the vehicle you are interested in purchasing.
Now that you’ve finished this article, you know better how to go about truck shopping. You will not be blasted with things you don’t know about, and you’ll be ready for their tactics. Keep these tips in mind as you shop.
