Car Shopping – Find the Car

O.K. By now you should have a pretty darn good idea of the specific car. So now you prepare to go about finding the car in this part of all the car shopping steps.

More specifically (let’s review) you know the make, model, color, trim and option packages. A quick note though… the more flexible you can be in these areas of the automobile you want the wider range of cars, rebates, and incentives you will be privy to.

In other words, your ability to consider various versions of the same model will only add to your negotiating power. Remember, the purpose here is to get you the best car deal, not just know what might have or could have been a great deal.

So, if you’re type of shopper that will only consider a specific color, or you want a hard option package to find, you will weaken your ability to negotiate.

Why? Think about it.

Why would you have any leverage as a negotiator when the dealer may have to go off their lot to locate the precise car that you want. It’s up to you. It’s your car. But, I would remain flexible on things like color and the options you want on your car. You’ll get a much better deal on the car if the dealer can move their inventory by working your car deal.

Having said this; remember you would never walk onto the car dealer lot and immediately volunteer this personal information…right!?

Start finalizing your car search by sending some emails to the dealerships in your area and make some phone calls. If you’re internet active you can even use a website such as Edmunds.com where you can ask for quotes from several dealers at once.

In your email or phone conversation let the sales person know what your looking for. In the case of the limits of your flexibility, let the sales person know that you are flexible but let them know what you definitely don’t want. Be sure to ask if they have it available on their lot.

While making these contacts this is also a good chance for you to make a note of the salesperson’s service nuance. By this I mean; do they listen, do they promptly follow up, do they genuinely try to help you, do they seem open to working on and negotiate a car deal? If not, you may want to move on, or ask for someone else if you ultimately visit this dealer.

And finally for this part of the car buying process, take meticulous notes. Don’t leave any of the conversations you have to memory. You want to negotiate your car deal from a position of knowledge and strength. Keeping good notes in your folder will also save you time and is a must.

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