Outdated Information Could Lead You Down the Wrong Path

Top 3 Myths About Buying a New Car

Buying a new car can be very intimidating the first time someone does it. Car shoppers are very likely to reach out to someone they trust for advice navigating the process. However, it is important for buyers to be careful who they’re asking for help because of some pernicious and pervasive myths about buying a new car out there. Simply put, the automotive industry has changed and the days of buyers and sales reps trying to play hardball with one another are relics of a bygone era. A lot of dealerships build available discounts and incentives right into the so-called sticker price, all but eliminating the need for brinkmanship tactics. Let’s take a look at some bad advice you might receive. 

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1. Rainy Days Mean Better Deals

It’s hard to tell if inclement weather ever really affected a buyer’s ability to get a lower price on a vehicle, but it’s something we hear all the time. This buying myth is outdated and all but meaningless because so many people believe it. It’s not uncommon for dealership showrooms to be quite busy when it’s raining. While the weather might not help buyers get a better deal, some months are more likely to offer better sales incentives. Additionally, three-day weekends are very popular times for getting incredible deals on new cars, trucks and SUVs.

2. Hiding a Trade-in Until the End

Everyone has a friend who fancies themselves a tough negotiator. However, professional automotive salespeople are infinitely more experienced. Some people still try an outdated tactic called ‘parachuting the deal,’ where they hide the fact they have a trade-in until the end of the transaction. Everyone is prepared for this move, and it’s not only no longer effective, but it will also prolong the sales process and needlessly complicate things.

A better move is to come to the dealership with the best information possible. This means understanding the market value of your vehicle as a trade-in versus what you might be able to get for it in a private sale.

3. Bringing a Cashier’s Check to the Showroom

There is a school of thought that if someone walks into a dealership with a cashier’s check, they will have the ultimate leverage over a salesperson to construct a deal that will equal that unchangeable number. We cannot advise against this tactic strenuously enough. First, it relies on a number of assumptions and guesses for taxes and fees that could be a problem down the road. The biggest problem is that there is a better-than-average chance some discounts or other incentives are available that might not be available with an all-cash offer.

Everyone at Southside Dodge wants to get you the best deal possible. If you have questions about the sales process or things you can do ahead of time to make it easier, make an appointment with one of our product experts, today.