As the salesperson heads toward you, he can’t keep a grin off his face. In this car dealership, you might as well be shark bait, and eager associates have come to feed as you search for a reliable used mid-size sedan. Studies show women hate haggling, but it turns out we make up for it in other ways. According to Dailyfinance.com, women are more apt to do thorough research before they hit the sales lot. Consequently, and despite our haggling shortcomings, we still tend to score better deals. Haggling may not be your strong suit, but that doesn’t mean you have to abandon the long-standing technique all together. Keeps these tips in mind and you’ll be cruising home in a discounted ride.
DO YOUR RESEARCH
You might think the best hagglers are quick-witted negotiators who don’t take no for an answer, but haggling really comes down to concrete information. The more you know about a potential vehicle, the better idea you’ll have about its actual value — an important number to have before you enter a dealership. KelleyBlueBook.com appraises used cars based on make, model, year and mileage, which gives you a ballpark estimate to start your shopping. Once you zero in on a vehicle, get to know its past. Carfax.com keeps vehicle history reports containing previous owners, accident history and notable red flags. As you prepare to negotiate, you might even stumble upon a great deal and avoid haggling all together. Consumers struggling to finance a new vehicle can take advantage of bad credit card loans at DriveTime, which has more than 90 dealerships in the South and Southwest. Bring these resources to the car lot as you haggle for a new vehicle, and let the information haggle for you. You don’t have to be an orator to bring down the price. Silver-tongued salesmen might be able to talk around your arguments, but they can’t dispute cold, hard facts.
STAY POSITIVE
Haggling can result in a reasonable compromise, but when an argument takes a negative turn, it probably means you’re headed for high prices. As debates wear on, we can’t help but get emotionally invested. It becomes more about winning an argument than coming to a reasonable conclusion. You see it every day with your spouse, kids, family and friends. We love to be right, but at the car dealership, being right is a losing cause. Use that womanly charm as you discuss cost. When you make a salesperson feel more like an ally than an enemy, he or she will be more inclined to cut you a deal.
LESS IS MORE
Sometimes, saying nothing is the best way to advance your case when you’re shopping for a car. When a salesman makes you what you deem to be an unfair offer, stay silent and let it sit. It will feel awkward and against your nature (after all women, we’re inclined to talk to things out, right?), but the salesman will often squirm in the silence and sweeten the offer. If you don’t end up getting the deal you want, walk away. Your willingness to consider other options will come off as a position of strength, and the salesman might just realize he can’t take you to the cleaners after all.
