Everyone has to purchase a car in their lifetime.  Whether you’re heading down to a used car dealership, or maybe you’re going to buy new.  There are some things that you should look out for, when you’re ready to purchase your car.  The more you know, the more you’re going to be able to save.

The salesperson ISN’T your friend

Once you hit that parking lot, you’re going to get swarmed by a dealer.  Most dealerships will alternate the dealers, and they will sit in the window like vultures waiting to strike.  They will try their best to become your best friend, but just remember that they are there for your money, not your friendship.

Talking you out of a sale

Let’s say that you want to get car A, and you head down to the dealership, and tell them that you want car A.  99% of the time, they don’t care how much research you did, they are going to try to talk you out of that car, and upgrading you to a newer one.  If you know what you want, and you did your research, you have to go in there, and purchase it.  Don’t let any sales guy mislead you.

Dealers usually won’t match

Let’s say that you know what car you want.  Your instincts are going to tell you that you should go, and compare prices.  The first place you go to is going to tell you to come back, because they will match it.  You don’t want to do this.  My rule of thumb is to purchase from the cheapest place in the first place, since they are already offering the customer a great deal.

End of the month is a great time to buy

Almost all dealerships have a quota to meet, and if you want to snag yourself a great deal, you’ll want to go at the end of the month.  This is the best time that you can head in, and haggle.  You’re going to get a better deal at the end of the month, rather than in the middle, since a salesperson is more desperate to sell the vehicle to you.

It’s valid today only!

If you ever hear this, it’s false.  Dealers want you to buy now, and they are very impatient people.  If you’re interested in a car, and they tell you that it’s only valid today, run for the hills, because the deal will be just as good next week.

Your car is always a hot commodity

Dealers want to sell you a car on the lot, and they try not to special order a car.  No matter what car that you want to purchase, you’re going to find that your car is a “hot” car, and it’s very hard to get.  Again, don’t buy into this garbage.

Watch your referrals

Let’s say that you find a great salesperson.  You don’t know if he/she has ripped you off.  Now, if you refer your friends, and family, they are going to trust this person, meaning that they are going to do their best to get the most out of you.

The lesson learned here is that you should always do your research online.  Know what you want, and know what you’re going to pay.  Go in there with that price set, and don’t let them talk you out of anything.  Let them know that you did the research, and don’t settle for less.  Gone are the days where the salesperson can lie.  With the Internet today, you can get all the honest answers that you need in a heartbeat.