The Art Of Haggling

[Astro Bear]

Hello all,

So I'm in the process of buying my first skyline. Come off my P'S in about a month or so and have been waiting/saving for ages. I wish to buy this r33 for 13,000. Stock as a rock series 2 from an importers. Just curious to hear everyones experiences when it comes to negotiating a good deal with an importer. Where should I start with offers? Has anyone been in a similar experience? Can you please share your thoughts/ tips? I need to become a haggling god in the space of three days.

Many thanks,

[R31Nismoid]

well 13k for a 33, with warranty... from a dealer.

I dont think you'll get a better price.

Its fair in my book.

You'll have to find things wrong with it to get the price down

[Astro Bear]

Yeah, its a good price. Doesnt come with a warranty. Comes with a RWC and rego however. Still, im sure a bit of cash could be dropped off the price to a person with cash in hand ready to buy.

[JAS-25T]

hagling is not exclusive to skylines, nor imports, nor cars in particular.

Your own method of hagling is up to you.

the use of white lie's are common place, cash offers, etc.

show that you are serious with some cash.......if you have the whole amount even better - take the price you are willing to pay for the car with you in cash. Not a cent more, then go there and tell him like it is, this is how much I have and nothing more. If he wants a sale you will get your car.

[Bonsai]

This is easy.

Just compare cars and get them inspected by someone that specialise in your desired car.

Car is then worth what you are prepared to buy it at and seller prepare to let it go.

So now go and do your homework.

[dangerous_daveo]

$12k, thats all I got. And I want floor mats.

Done.

[GTR-N1]

Hiya,

When you're filled up with emotion, it's a good idea to take someone with you who can haggle.

That means that you take 2 people along with you. The extra mechanic and your agent (to haggle).

If the price is way out of your budget, you don't put in any offer; be polite and tell him you might call back later.

This way you can haggle via a phone. Distance yourself.

If the price is within a few 100, start walking out the gate, make a half-turn and tell him your offer. Be sincere - not blunt.

If the salesperson is rude, go back to the Rule about phoning him. Distance yourself.

Hope this helps eh?

Tez

[Haysey]

I managed to get 8k off the my current car on the phone, told him simply i was looking at a similar one with similar kms in sydney and i wasnt going to drive to canberra unless he did it for this price, he called me back in an hour and told me he could do it...

So i got it fully inspected and made him reduce the price even further by what the repairs were going to cost ($650ish)... In the end got a bargain...

When i haggled for mums car they kept making offers on it, i told them it was still too expensive, he said to me well what price would make you take the car today.. so i told him... His face went white and he went to talk to the finance manager....

He came back saying congrats you now own a new car... a nice 7.5k off right there...

[GTR-N1]

^ +1

One more thing...

They can do the same to you...

For instance, as you're doing an inspection, the salesman may have his mobile in his pocket and then set off his ring tone and then pretend that he's receiving a call from a phantom. He then carries on with a 'one-way conversation' pretending to talk to that 'buyer' and fool you into thinking that someone else is interested.

The Main Point Is: If you ever suspect shananagans, walk away and deal later over the phone. It calls his bluff. He may even call you!

C'est la vie!

Tez

[GUN_METAL_GTR32]

haggling is mad fun when it comes to anything lol.

i own a jewellery shop and flamin mongrels try to haggle all the time especially asians am=nd indians lol. im sicillian but i see that shit coming a block away.

when i got my supra i got the flamin mongrel from 25k down to 17k in like 10minutes just be a harsh cnt and be the man lol.

my dad bought a bmw a couple of weeks ago, went into the dealership and told the guy straight up.

the car was 125k he said HE ISNT PAYING MORE THAN 99K. the guy lold at my dad and told him that he is dreaming, so left his number and told him to call him when he wakes up lol

he called him 2 days later and the car is in my driveway atm lol

just tell the flamin mongrel straight out and go there with cash, i would start at 11k

[Astro Bear]

This is great advice. Keep the suggestions coming.

[GTR-N1]

Stick to the topic in your haggling!

Often the salesman will ask what we call in psychology, 'leading questions'!

In other words, he might see a 'Leo' star sign on your GFs neck and asks if she's a Leo. Then he rambles on about how his daughter is also a Leo and how she's got a soft spot for injured animals etc lol

This is all a ruse to get you to feel that he's a friend rather than a salesman. When a salesperson is in training, they call it rapport building.

Another tangent that a salesman uses; is to draw your attention to an obvious fault that doesn't really mean anything.

In other words, he'll tell you about an upholstery repair that's been done to keep you inside the car, when there's actually rust in the rails underneath the car. That's an example of course of how he can draw your attention away from something more sinister.

That's why I said before that you take 2 other confederates with you. The salesman can't talk to all 3 of you eh?

Cheers,

Terry

PS Want any more?

[Astro Bear]

Terry, you are a gentleman. If you have any more idea, let me know!

[dangerous_daveo]

The other thing to think about too (don't flame me too hard) is that these people need to make money too, sure they wont sell you the car for a price that they arent happy with. But be realistic, if you are happy with the price, and it matches in with the prices you have come up with durring your research then be happy with it. Sometimes pushing for that extra $200 just simply isnt worth it.

[GTR-N1]

^^^ +1

I agree with the above in that a deal done between two parties has to be beneficial to both of those parties.

Yes I'd feel bad about buying a house off someone who's in default with the bank.

On the other hand, we'd feel bad selling a car to someone knowing that there is something serious that needs fixing...

So what do we do?

Mostly, we trade it in, and let them worry about it.

Is that moral?

If that dealership has a service dept. I'd say it is, because they'd do a 100 pt. check to see if the car is saleable or only salvageable for parts.

Back to haggling...

It's rude to ask if the seller is willing to reduce their price before you see it. But there's an exception to this rule. And that is, if you live far away, that leading question is acceptable; so long as you need tell the vendor that you do really live far away.

Ask why he's selling it. And then later on, get one of your 2 mates to ring him and ask why he's selling it. If the story changes, it's suss.

If you're going to haggle, you need ammunition like...

i) rego is due

ii) damage that needs repair

iii) oil leak

iv) cracked windscreen

v) tyres that are legal but low or worn because of -ve camber

vi) worn clutch

vii) brake pads are on their last legs

viii) scratches or blemishes

ix) leftover pet odour

x) worn, dried or cracked upholstery

There are others, but the above list is totally separate from the list that your mechanic will source from, as he checks for other main faults.

[Liz]

you guys are shit negotiators... so shit, i didnt even bother reading your posts

but basically, the power of doing a deal in a day rather than dragging it out for longer will often see the biggest price drop....

if you're negotiating on the phone.. NEVER fall back... always end the conversation letting the seller go back to work ont he deal.. never be the one required to phone back because its weak.

be so f**king direct its not funny.... make sure they have your details and be prepared to pull out abrubtly and move on (they will ALWAYS call back)

when they come back to you with an offer, dont counter offer it, make them revise it... in the end they'll be bidding against themselves .. when the deal is ready to be done, put your counter offer in and away you go.

I just held a one day workshop on negotiation tactics lol

[julion]

everything was tldr

show that your willing to walk away, best way is by walking away, and making the dealer come crawling back.

[GTR-N1]

you guys are shit negotiators... so shit, i didnt even bother reading your posts

but basically, the power of doing a deal in a day rather than dragging it out for longer will often see the biggest price drop....

if you're negotiating on the phone.. NEVER fall back... always end the conversation letting the seller go back to work ont he deal.. never be the one required to phone back because its weak.

be so f**king direct its not funny.... make sure they have your details and be prepared to pull out abrubtly and move on (they will ALWAYS call back)

when they come back to you with an offer, dont counter offer it, make them revise it... in the end they'll be bidding against themselves .. when the deal is ready to be done, put your counter offer in and away you go.

I just held a one day workshop on negotiation tactics lol

So why do companies use psychologists like me to teach them how to sell ????

Got caught out didn't you?

Didn't they teach you at Negotiation school what 'leading Qs' are?

Didn't they teach you at Negotiation school the difference between open and closed Qs?

BTW, the word 'tactics' is "old hat"!

It's been proven that women prefer the word 'processes' and NOT 'tactics'

I teach companies to not just sell to a person - but to a dynasty.

These company execs learn to hand out a questionnaire that has a lot of seemingly innocuous Qs including one to make a point!

Besides the Qs about lifestyle and age, it's the question about the age and sex of the buyers' children. Optional Q is 'Birthday'

So when the birthday comes up on computer as their 17th B'Day, the child is invited for a test drive.

The car company then makes sales to generations of happy customers.

You seem to know how to 'close a sale' but do you know how it really feels to be the consumer?

The guy with Audi Avatar made sense too!!! I'm not alone! Be compassionate. Be a friend! If not to me, then to a pet animal!

Dr Phil plays with his dog when he gets home. Your anger will dissipate quicker that way...

Cheers, Tez

[GTR-N1]

OOOOH!

Do we have a DOMESTIC????

[GTR-N1]

And another thing Adzy,

Many Car Companies (but not all), have targets such as projected monthly figures.

If you approach that Company at the end of a lean month, then you have a greater chance of haggling for more eh?

Cheers, T