Haggling Advice

Swoffer · Senior Member

Haggling Advice

Izabarack · Guru

Best advice I ever got was to start by being prepared to walk away if you don't get a deal you are happy with. I often ask is the stated price is a starting point or is that already at the bottom line. I don't want to stand around haggling so tell me the best price and I will decide if it is worth it to me. Saves everyone a lot of time.

Iza

blaze · Guru

I just ask for the bottom line and if its not to my liking I just walk, had a few car dealers chase me outa the yard saying they can do better, so if they lied first time what else are they lying about. No second offers with me, I also sell the same way
cheers
blaze

kiwijims · Guru

Only a suggestion this way Swoffer,

Sit down with the "Boss" think about what sort of van you want, work out a floor plan and what you want in the way of contents, IE; double bed or singles, toilet/shower, number of water tanks, air con and so on,

When you both are happy with everything listed, go looking, and if the van you find gets a tick in all the box's on your list, then you should be happy with it,

I suggest you stick to your list of requirements and Don't be influenced by some smart talking Salesman, most will be only looking for a good Sales Commission.

See if there is any room to Haggle over the price, if it's a cash sale, say so, this will usually make the seller come up with a better asking price.

Best of luck, just remember, there are a million vans on the market, with patience you will find your dream van in the end .

K.J.

-- Edited by kiwijims on Saturday 14th of November 2015 11:19:47 AM

deverall11 · Guru

Izabarack wrote:
Best advice I ever got was to start by being prepared to walk away if you don't get a deal you are happy with.....

This is the best approach. Be prepared to walk away. Does not work everytime...but.

Larry

Desert Dweller · Guru

Our van was already heavily reduced to an excellent price. We showed that we were interested in buying it. The salesman said ''I'll make you both a coffee & you can sit in the van while you talk it over by yourselves''.
We were sitting in the van for a fair while & had decided to definitely buy it. The salesman came to the door & said ''you can have another $500 off the price if you like''.
We looked at each other & said to him ''thanks we'll take it''.
The moral to our story is TAKE YOUR TIME.

Hey Jim · Guru

Hi Al,

Their all Crooks.

1. Make sure your talking to the boss, not one of his sales persons who 90% of the time don't know their product, and work on a retainer and Commission. If the boss isn't in come back when he is.

2.If your buying a van that is in stock / on the lot, your the one in control, NOT THEM.

3.Buying at the end of December / June you have TOTAL control as they have to move that van off their books. PERIOD.

4. Do your homework first. Real homework and know the product.

5. They deal with Day dreamers every day and every weekend.

6. When your sitting in the office the the boss will give you a price, and that price will not be repeated, take it or leave it.

7. This is where its your turn. Keep a straight face and Calmly place,

(I'm Serious here You place $5000 in CASH on the desk. and tell him what your prepaired to pay to sign right here right now.)

8. They now know you mean FULL ON business. He DOES not want that money going back into your pocket and walking out.

9.When he say he can't do it, Again Calmly put the cash back into your pocket stand up and thank him for his time shake hands turn and start walking towards the exit.

10. He now knows he's about to lose, and WILL STOP YOU before leaving the building without signing.

Practice and rehurst this and you will be the winner.

Get everything in writing and signed off so there is no missunder standings between both parties before signing.

Happy shopping.

Hey Jim

-- Edited by Hey Jim on Saturday 14th of November 2015 12:54:07 PM

Swoffer · Senior Member

Some great suggestions there , thanks guys .

Especially the one about having 5g in your pocket to lay on the table infront of the manager .

Keep em coming .

Cheers Al

Bryan · Guru

Swoffer wrote:
Some great suggestions there , thanks guys .

Especially the one about having 5g in your pocket to lay on the table infront of the manager .

Keep em coming .

Cheers Al

You can practice leaving the 5 grand on the table with me Al. biggrin

hako · Guru

If you amateurs think you can outwit salesmen who are experienced at dealing with people every day of the week then you are simply dreaming. You may think you've outwitted them but remember, the bottom line with ANYTHING you buy is that you have paid more than anyone else was prepared to pay....think about it.
Personally I realise they have to earn a living same as everybody else and what goes round comes round.....quite frankly when you see a good salesman doing his work you have to respect them for their people skills.

Good Luck.

DMaxer · Guru

So true Hako! The business has a bottom line that they are prepared to trade at. The question is how far above the bottom line can they go. All the theatrics about waving money about and walking out doesn't really concern them. They will hold on until they can sell at a profit. The only question is how much profit they are prepared to forego for the sale, but there is always a profit. That is how they stay in business.

Swoffer · Senior Member

hako wrote:
If you amateurs think you can outwit salesmen who are experienced at dealing with people every day of the week then you are simply dreaming. You may think you've outwitted them but remember, the bottom line with ANYTHING you buy is that you have paid more than anyone else was prepared to pay....think about it.
Personally I realise they have to earn a living same as everybody else and what goes round comes round.....quite frankly when you see a good salesman doing his work you have to respect them for their people skills.

Good Luck.

Your entitled to your opinion of course hako but I just do t get why people on Internet forums feel the need to reply to questions in such a negative manner . My question is about negotiating methods not "your dreaming you amateur"

Cheers Al

Delta18 · Guru

Swoffer wrote:
hako wrote:
If you amateurs think you can outwit salesmen who are experienced at dealing with people every day of the week then you are simply dreaming. You may think you've outwitted them but remember, the bottom line with ANYTHING you buy is that you have paid more than anyone else was prepared to pay....think about it.
Personally I realise they have to earn a living same as everybody else and what goes round comes round.....quite frankly when you see a good salesman doing his work you have to respect them for their people skills.

Good Luck.
Your entitled to your opinion of course hako but I just do t get why people on Internet forums feel the need to reply to questions in such a negative manner . My question is about negotiating methods not "your dreaming you amateur"
Cheers Al

Ignore it Al, there will always be people that will happily pay the asking / ticketed price for everything rather than confront a salesman.

For every one that does that the business has more profit in their pocket to give the 'haggler' a bigger discount to clinch a deal.

I rely on this when purchasing anything of value.

Cheers Neil

Hey Jim · Guru

Hi Neil & Lynne,

Here Here, so true.

I started with nothing and still have most of it left. I still work a 65 hour week for myself, till July next and will be a self funded retiree at 60. I know the value of a dollar.

The old additive. That a fool and his money is easily parted, is so true.

Hey Jim

-- Edited by Hey Jim on Saturday 14th of November 2015 03:54:23 PM

-- Edited by Hey Jim on Saturday 14th of November 2015 03:54:52 PM

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

I walk in with not much better dress than house clothes .. Often with paperwork, brochures from opposition..
Just for hell of it I take a pencil .. I offer it to them to change quote..
I never feel a salesperson is better or less than me.. They are doing there job..
Nothing more or less .. Often search internet etc to get some form of price ?
It's after the extra's and fetures that add up.. If not carefully this can be where you loose any discount..
Being respectful in most cases you get respect back.. I was an apprentice mechanic at a Holden dealership too many years ago..
The things both sides do to get a sale , purchase ...

madaboutled · Guru

If you've done your homework you'll have a fair idea what it's worth and what you're prepared to pay. So IF you like what you see and the price is within your budget, don't be affraid to offer a few grand less or make a ridiculous offer then be prepared to haggle to get it below what you're prepared to pay.

-- Edited by madaboutled on Saturday 14th of November 2015 06:57:05 PM

Bruce and Bev · Guru

suggestion # 3 will work. Don't be too aggressive or rude - remember you are talking to a human being, even if an R salesperson, but they will mentally think to themselves you can bugger off, if youre too rude.

Know what you want and the extras you want with it and then say "yep, I'm interested and prepared to sign right now...if......(better price or extras)

I did this and had a few laughs with the salesman before we got serious. I told him what I was prepared to pay for a new van on their lot and the extras I wanted.

I got $15K off the asking price, another solar panel and battery to those already fitted and an annexe and shade cloth for the other side of the van that was 50% off retail (I checked in their shop) as well as getting the wiring done for nothing on my ute.

Be nice, smile, but be firm and walk away if you don't get what you want. It sometime works if you go to walk and tell them to take your h no if they change their mind - you might get a ph call within a day or so

03_Troopy · Guru

I tend to agree with Hako here, the salesman, if he's any good (and the boss would probably be the best) will size you up the minute you walk through the gate. Any theatrics will just be throwing him a challenge to extract as much cash from you as he can. You're better off just being yourself and, as has been said, knowing exactly what you want before hand, and have an idea of a reasonable price for it. By all means be prepared to stand your ground, but keep in mind that every vehicle or van or whatever that goes through the yard has to turn a reasonable profit.

My old man was a salesman for most of his working life. He sold everything from electrical goods, cars, caravans, insurance, farm chemicals, furniture, and carpets. One of his pet hates was a customer who tried all the shenanigans and bluster to try an get an unreasonable deal. He'd walk away just as easily as the customer would, if he thought he was wasting his time. He didn't walk away very often though, and most of his customers would return to buy their next vehicle or whatever from him.

Swoffer · Senior Member

Yeh I hear ya Troopy , im just after a few pointers really as im an RV novice and dont want to get fleeced.

We went for a wander thru a well known perth yard the other day and half heartedly asked about a particular van that caught my eye and 6 grand came off the ticket price immediately . So I thought **** I need some advice before I dive into this .

Cheers Al

03_Troopy · Guru

Swoffer wrote:
Yeh I hear ya Troopy , im just after a few pointers really as im an RV novice and dont want to get fleeced.

We went for a wander thru a well known perth yard the other day and half heartedly asked about a particular van that caught my eye and 6 grand came off the ticket price immediately . So I thought **** I need some advice before I dive into this .

Cheers Al

Yes mate, I see where you're coming from. But the best thing you can do is firstly try and decide what you want in a van. Workout how much you want to spend, then start looking at prices on the internet, in car yards, in the news papers and see what's suitable vans are available for that sort of money. Then go back through all your information and try and narrow down your choices to one or two and then you can start shopping around for prices with some sort of idea of what to expect. Just take your time and research the buggery out of it.

sirbasil · Member

So what would be your collective advise when buying from a private seller? Remember you will be in the same boat one day:

Wizardofoz · Guru

Private sellers are at distinct disadvantage as they have no knowledge of you or your qualifications and aren't really in a position to ask personal questions, if they do they are likely get false answers or upset the prospect, more importantly, it is feasible to assume that YOU are the only customer that they have unless what they are selling is an absolute gift, therefore the seller cannot afford to have you walk away as 99% of the time they don't even have your contact details or full name.

Speaking of hopeless salespeople with absolutely no business sense, I encountered one at a Murray River golf course pro shop a week ago, I was sifting through a rack full of clothing and selected 2 pair of shorts ($89.95 ea.) and 2 shirts ($59.95), I walked up to lady on duty and asked "can I have a discount for a multiple purchase", her reply, "Sorry, we don't give discounts but I might be able to give a couple of golf balls", I said, "I don't need any golf balls" ( I had earlier asked if they had a certain brand of golf ball in yellow and she said that they didn't). I again said that I will buy these 4 items if I can have a discount and pointed out that I did receive a discount and another Murray River course when buying 2 shirts, she again said "Sorry, I can't help ou we don't give discounts"...so I put the garments back on the rack and walked out.

some people have absolutely no people or business sense or skills and there is nothing you can do with these people except walk away...to emphasize the stupidity of this salesperson, the fact is, all these garments are made in China and would have a huge mark up and profit built in, not only that, I had never even nominated an amount of discount, if the lady had of given me any discount at all I would have purchased as I liked the gear. However her stonewall approach cost the pro and/or herself a sale at $300! these same items (without golf club logo) could be purchased for no more than $45 each at a store. I will bet my bottom dollar that those items are still on the shelf in the new year too...sometimes salespeople are. their own and their employers WORST enemy, when you meet these people all you can do is walk away.

-- Edited by Wizardofoz on Sunday 15th of November 2015 07:31:41 AM

-- Edited by Wizardofoz on Sunday 15th of November 2015 07:38:49 AM

dorian · Guru

http://www.imsdb.com/scripts/Tin-Men.html

Bill Babowsky ("BB") is now sitting in a cubicle in the office [of the Cadillac dealership] with the Salesman, going over the contract on the car.

BB

Now don't try to hustle me here ... you know what I mean. I hate being hustled. Give me an honest price, not one of your 'special' deals... give me an honest price. Do I make myself clear?

SALESMAN

Now, how much are you willing to pay?

BB

There ya go... there ya go... you're doing it... you're doing one of those hustle numbers.

SALESMAN

I'm just trying to get an idea how much you're willing to pay.

BB

Four dollars... I want to pay four dollars a month.

SALESMAN

That's not an honest answer.

BB

What do ya want to hear? That I'd love to pay three hundred and fifty a month... is that what you want to hear? Tell me how much you want me to pay and I'll tell you how much I'll pay, but don't do a hustle on me... I don't like that. How much do I want to pay? I'd like to pay nothing!

dorian · Guru

Pick out a secondhand, late model motorhome or caravan on the lot and tell the salesman that you have one that you would like to sell outright (not trade-in), but don't tell him that you saw one on his lot. Then compare the price that he offers you against the price on the lot. That should tell you how much mark-up these guys work with. I think you'll find that it's MASSIVE.

-- Edited by dorian on Sunday 15th of November 2015 09:04:03 AM

03_Troopy · Guru

Yes the markup is massive until you consider what the dealer needs to reclaim from the full transaction, buying and selling. Things like minor repairs and detailing on the vehicle to bring it up to a saleable condition, business costs including yard rental, insurance, services, staff wages, advertising, tax, and probably I few more I can't think of, and on top of that they still have to turn a profit on the overall deal. But some are a bit over the top.

With a private seller you can exclude many of the overheads a dealer has, and there is no warranty, so that should knock a heap off the price as well. What annoys me is private sellers who think that because their item is exactly the same as a dealers item, they can expect the same or close to the dealers asking price, with none of the statutory obligations a dealer has. In the words of Darryl Kerrigan: "Tell him he's dreamin"

dorian · Guru

Someone told me that a friend purchased a $100K+ motorhome, used it for a year, then fell on hard times with his health. He then tried to sell it back to the dealership, but was offered only $60K.

deverall11 · Guru

Desert Dweller wrote:
Our van was already heavily reduced to an excellent price. We showed that we were interested in buying it. The salesman said ''I'll make you both a coffee & you can sit in the van while you talk it over by yourselves''.
We were sitting in the van for a fair while & had decided to definitely buy it. The salesman came to the door & said ''you can have another $500 off the price if you like''.
We looked at each other & said to him ''thanks we'll take it''.
The moral to our story is TAKE YOUR TIME.

That's an old trick. He was always prepared to drop the $500 if only you asked.

Larry

03_Troopy · Guru

dorian wrote:
Someone told me that a friend purchased a $100K+ motorhome, used it for a year, then fell on hard times with his health. He then tried to sell it back to the dealership, but was offered only $60K.

Yep I could believe that. Some are pretty harsh the way they deal eh.

Consider though, how close to the market value did the customer pay for the motorhome? If he got a good deal (I know, that's not so likely) and payed close to market value, the current market value could be 10% to 15% lower. Also, depending on the demographics of where the yard is located, a vehicle of that price could sit on the yard for a while incurring costs, where lower priced vehicles occupying that space could be turned over a lot quicker, generating income with each changeover.

It may sound harsh, but the dealer has to factor in loss of income on "dead space" as well as the drop in value, and then still turn a profit on the overall changeover.

Bruce and Bev · Guru

Most Dealers don't do any checks on RVs they trade in on new ones. They simply give them a clean (although the seller has usually already done that in the hope of getting a better trade in price) and put them on the yard (that's what my dealer salesman told me). Most don't have faults as they were already sorted when under warranty and the warranty on a 2nd hand RV is pathetic.

If I was buying from either a dealer or privately, I would get it first inspected by an independent van repairer (and a mechanic if a motor home). Many repairers specialize in this service - there is a major company in Perth who do this and you can either take the RV to them or they will go to where the RV is. Cost varies - but this particular one charges about $200 - and they provide a full check sheet (I know the owner of this firm is honest and he does do a good inspection)

sirbasil · Member

I am looking at a private sale of a MH on the Gold Coast so does anybody know of a good outfit in that area that does warranty inspections etc on MH'S