How to negotiate a car (via text message)

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Along with emailing, calling, and online chat, texting is one of the most popular ways to get in touch with a car dealer. However, we've never really said much about how to take full advantage of this medium. Ray and Zach examine a real case from a community member and offer some advice about how to more effectively text car dealers.

[LanceMcGrew]

Another tactic is avoid replying too quickly with email or text. If the salesperson sees your immediate reply to their reply they assume you are emotionally ripe for the pick'n.

[WorldsOkayistGuitarPlayer]

Bought my car entirely via text with a dealership employee because of the distance. Then drove 90 minutes to pick up the car and spent less than 25 minutes at the dealership

[deefootwork_]

The customer doesn’t need to justify anything. The more he talks the more they will try and confuse him. He did right persistently saying no.

[GlennLaycock]

My sister says that I have got to stop the habit of stating "why" I am deciding something - as it is none of their business and they do not actually care (as much as I think they will).

[marcvivori]

I’ve always objected to Doc Fees as a buyer. In my early 20’s as a Ford Salesman we started Doc Fees at $25 in the early to mid 1970’s. We were paid $10 per Doc Fee collected as a Christmas Bonus. Soon $25 became $42 then $95 which was preprinted on the Buyers Order helping us overcome objections.

Now it’s out of control. As a non Dealership employee for several decades I’ve refused to pay Doc Fees and when a Dealership insists bc they claim they must charge everyone the same I just say “Fine, just reduce your Selling Price by the amount of the Doc Fee” and then I agree. I tell them we both know the Doc Fee is Pure Profit and I’m not paying it as an add-on. I’m not sure but I don’t think the Salesman is paid on the Doc Fee so it’s just like a Dealer Pack, another way to screw the Salesman out of Gross thereby reducing his/her Commission. I’ve bought dozens of cars in my life without paying Doc Fees, ADM or inflated add ons for Etch, Nitrogen (laughable) or even Polyglycoat. Just say no!

[Vicos]

If you really want to spook them, say something like this: "Even if the price you are offering reflects market conditions in your area, it still exceeds the actual value of the vehicle. As such, I'll pass and wait a few more months until the recession hits hard and car prices undergo a drastic drop." If nothing else, it will plant the seed of fear in their minds.

[JohnSmith-ugci]

NEVER negotiate. Know what the vehicles is worth and make an out the door offer. Let them take it or leave it. If they say no just thank them for their time and find another dealer.

[gabrieliacoboni]

I have bought my last two cars via text message. The negotiation was honestly pretty straight forward and we didn't do this song and dance. But I do remember on the 2020 CX 30 my wife owns the car they had listed on their site I was texting the sales associate about was a loaner. When the sales person told me that and directed me to a 30+K car I directly stated it was too much. Next day he texted me and said they would honor the price of the loaner (was a great deal) on an equivalent vehicle minus add - ons. I said yes because with rebates it was well within our target budget. My 2022 Mazda 3 purchase was much smoother in the salesman didn't even know the manager had dropped the car another thousand. I put down a deposit, they held it for a week and it was a simple, smooth transaction at the dealership. Even the doc fee was reasonable to me. At this point, I won't buy any vehicle unless there has been some exchange of numbers electronically.

[kellyrick]

Great to know that dealers are willing to work through texts!

[fpvmississippi]

Funny looking at the same car. Walk away at 37, 000. You can get them for 34, 000-35, 000

[peterwright]

I had a dealer last week tell me they didn’t negotiate remotely, and that they reserved their “best” deals for people who came into the dealership in person. I was wondering which decade he thought he was in since I’ve been negotiating car purchases online for at least 20 years.

[mrtichy]

I bought Honda HRV EX on the last weekend of 01/2021 through texting with a dealer that was 70 miles away. My offer was base price (no MSRP) at 0% APR for 60 months through Honda Financing. I showed up at the dealer, declined additional options and was done within an hour. Smoothest sale ever. Based on current situation, this was a deal of century.

[GlennLaycock]

When I went in - like my 4th visit - confirm the numbers were as I understood. The salesperson - very knowledgeable, I loved the insight and cool information (my heated steering wheel when I said wow - leather, I have never had a leather wheel this seems like outstanding quality - and he said oh well Hyundai makes steering wheels for BMW so it should be). In any case, he had two cars out front which surprised me as I was not definitely buying - a red and black - and he said pick a colour to which I said, "what does it matter at this point as we need to make sure I can afford one with my budget". BTW the heated leather on my model is a Canada only feature - BUT the USA they add the dual heating system instead and I get the separate heat, fan etc. So I was surprised to see leather.

[markchandler]

What’s with Toyotas in Southern California???
After finally being able to afford a much newer car have difficulty finding what I want at a reasonable price. Looking for a 2016-2018 RAV4. They seem to only stay on the lots a short time. The five or so Toyota dealers in the area have almost no new cars on the lot a few used. Few private parties as well. Planning on a road-trip to Oregon at the end of March… looks like my 2003 Matrix will have to do.

[ethankim]

Hello, thanks for the all the tips and information about used cars. This is my first time trying to buy a used car at a dealership, so I was wondering how much is the adequate negotiable discount for $25, 000 Odyssey or Sienna?? I know it's all different from case by case, but I just wanna make sure I don't suggest ridiculous discount offer to screw negotiation. Let's say if i suggest $2, 000 discount for $25, 000 tag price, is it generally normal amount? or too much? Please let me know some reasonable first discount suggestion amout. no idea... 😢😢😢

[IvanRamirez-fssf]

A sales person laugh at me because a said that I want to pay no more than msrp for a Chevy bolt euv I left the dealer

[JohnSmith-rbgo]

So my Lexus dealer says most of the cars that come in are reserved, the NX350 one we want came in today and we will start our deal. Is there any wiggle room on this type of vehicle?

[jenniferpearsall]

Question: How do you negotiate the car and then not drive it off? I was living in a major city without a vehicle for the last several years. In order to get car insurance in my new location, there's now a 3-day waiting period (some specific term I don't remember). If I can't drive off the lot without insurance, how do I get them to come to a mutual agreement and then also hold onto the car for an additional three days?!

[ukiahsguitarsolos]

Our ten year old Nissan Rogue is starting to need a lot of repairs. I'd like to buy a new Honda CRV. I'm not really that sure how to go about it or what I should be paying. I have cash. Any thoughts?

[MarkHoopesMusic]

That dealership is 5 mins down the road from me 🤣