Let’s face it: Haggling with car salespeople can be intimidating. But unfortunately, it is one of the key methods for driving away with the best deal on the car of your dreams. Dealers are negotiating pros with an immense amount of experience under their belts, so it is important to prepare yourself for an effective negotiation.

Here are a few tips and strategies you can use to negotiate with confidence and ensure you’re getting the best price on your next car:

Be Prepared

Negotiating is a numbers game, so researching key pricing data on your vehicle before walking into a dealership will give you insight into what you should be paying — and the power to back it up. Prepare to deal with highly trained salespeople by researching:

  • The current market value of the car you’re interested in
  • The trade-in value of the vehicle you currently own
  • Any qualifying incentives including cash back or financing deals
  • Estimated sales tax and additional fees

Keep Emotions Out of It

It’s easy to get your heart set on a particular vehicle and become attached. Salespeople know this and will use that as leverage for a higher price. Remember that the goal in any negotiation is to walk away with the best deal possible, so don’t be afraid to move on to the next car option if you’re not getting the price you want or think is fair.

Take It One Price at a Time

Review the itemized costs in your sales agreement line-by-line to ensure you know what you are paying for. Consider negotiating the car price, add-on fees, trade-in value, financing, and any other charges separately, so you know the exact final or “out-the-door” price. If a dealer insists on doing it their way, don’t hesitate to find a one who will work with you.

Shop Around

A major key in negotiating is comparing and leveraging offers to find the best deal. Contact other dealers around town saying you have a quote in-hand to see if they can beat their price. Refrain from giving dealers the exact number of the quote you received and instead just ask for their best price. Most dealers insist on beating the competition, so shop around until you find the offer you’re looking for.

Negotiating the cost of a new or used car can be a frustrating process that can take hours, days, or even weeks to finalize. Prepare for anything the dealer throws at you by taking control of the conversation and insisting on driving away with a price you’re comfortable with.

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