Price Negotiation Tactics
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Honda Odyssey
Price Negotiation Tactics
I'm sure this has been discussed on the forum in the past, but this newbie could not find an applicable post using the search engine. So here's the deal. I am so ready to replace my 8 year old minivan with an E350 sedan. That being said, I have 0 experience negotating with car dealers-- and frankly I'm a bit intimidated by them. I spoke to a couple of friends who purchased their E350s in the last couple of years from the same dealer, same sales person, and they got substantially different deals. One got about $3000 off MSRP (purchased last year) and the other got about $15k off (purchased in 2009 with factory incentive of around 7k for the 2009 model). I spoke to the sales guy, and he offered to match the $3000 off MSRP deal. It seems like many of you on the forum got some great deals. So a couple of questions: (1) How can I get the sales guy to move closer to the 15k off deal (taking into consideration there is no 7k factory incentive) and (2) Is there a particular time of year/month where factory incentives are more common? By the way, the friend who got the $15k off deal just faxed the deal she found on slickdeals to the dealer, and they accepted the offer.
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2010 E550 Sport Sedan Blk/Blk
I usually use american express car buying program to start off with as a base...
http://amexnetwork.zag.com/configura...frontPricing=Y
But usually during switch of model years you can get the best deals...
http://amexnetwork.zag.com/configura...frontPricing=Y
But usually during switch of model years you can get the best deals...
#3
I'm sure this has been discussed on the forum in the past, but this newbie could not find an applicable post using the search engine. So here's the deal. I am so ready to replace my 8 year old minivan with an E350 sedan. That being said, I have 0 experience negotating with car dealers-- and frankly I'm a bit intimidated by them. I spoke to a couple of friends who purchased their E350s in the last couple of years from the same dealer, same sales person, and they got substantially different deals. One got about $3000 off MSRP (purchased last year) and the other got about $15k off (purchased in 2009 with factory incentive of around 7k for the 2009 model). I spoke to the sales guy, and he offered to match the $3000 off MSRP deal. It seems like many of you on the forum got some great deals. So a couple of questions: (1) How can I get the sales guy to move closer to the 15k off deal (taking into consideration there is no 7k factory incentive) and (2) Is there a particular time of year/month where factory incentives are more common? By the way, the friend who got the $15k off deal just faxed the deal she found on slickdeals to the dealer, and they accepted the offer.
I bought my car my emailing multiple dealers, then calling to get a deal worked out. I think for Mercedes, June-August is the best time to buy if your looking for last years model. Occasionally, Mercedes Benz will offer their dealers special incentives for selling a certain number of cars in a month, so some dealers will give you a better deal than others, especially at the end of the month.
Shop around and don't be afraid to travel a little for a great deal! Good luck!
#4
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The best way to negotiate is to get dealers to compete against each other. Even get neighboring state's dealers to get in the game. There is an "Official Price Thread" on this forum that you can get an idea of what is a good deal. Don’t expect to get the lowest deal that you see in that thread but use it as a target and get as close to or beat it if you can.
Good luck.
#5
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Don't expect the same deal now as 2009. That was runout year for the W211 and MB had huge incentives on the E class plus we were in the worst recession since the 30's. We are are now on a new, priced reduced model, and times are much better.
I'm sure you will find someone who will do better than $3,000.00 but but $15,000.00 on a E350 is a stretch. If you keep this car for eight years like your van, a few thousand more or less amortized over eight years will not make much difference.
I'm sure you will find someone who will do better than $3,000.00 but but $15,000.00 on a E350 is a stretch. If you keep this car for eight years like your van, a few thousand more or less amortized over eight years will not make much difference.
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2016 Audi S8 Plus/ 2011 Mercedes e550 4Matic//Gone:1985 500SEL/2000 e320 4Matic/ 2001 e55 Kleeman
I'm sure this has been discussed on the forum in the past, but this newbie could not find an applicable post using the search engine. So here's the deal. I am so ready to replace my 8 year old minivan with an E350 sedan. That being said, I have 0 experience negotating with car dealers-- and frankly I'm a bit intimidated by them. I spoke to a couple of friends who purchased their E350s in the last couple of years from the same dealer, same sales person, and they got substantially different deals. One got about $3000 off MSRP (purchased last year) and the other got about $15k off (purchased in 2009 with factory incentive of around 7k for the 2009 model). I spoke to the sales guy, and he offered to match the $3000 off MSRP deal. It seems like many of you on the forum got some great deals. So a couple of questions: (1) How can I get the sales guy to move closer to the 15k off deal (taking into consideration there is no 7k factory incentive) and (2) Is there a particular time of year/month where factory incentives are more common? By the way, the friend who got the $15k off deal just faxed the deal she found on slickdeals to the dealer, and they accepted the offer.
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Thanks so much for the information. I was ready to read comments like, "For God's sake, you're buying a Mercedes-- don't be so frickin' cheap!" This forum is awesome.
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that's right..........even the rich guys..............
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2010 E350 Luxury Sedan, Engine 272 (V6)
the edmunds.com website has a section on negotiating and/or discussion from a salesman.
Also, the Consumer Reports issues such as New Car Buying Guide 2011 has a section on negotiating.
I used vehix.com when I was pricing my car, but I think the pricing service has been taken over by Car & Driver or Road & Track or somebody else.
Consumer Reports website has a service to which you can subscribe and get prices for up to a year I think. I subscribed to it and it gives a bottom line price of what it really costs the dealership.
Lots of sources out there for prices. I found Edmunds TMV to be much higher than I ever paid for a car, so look at a lot of them.
Bottom line: research to find out best price, contact as many dealers as possible and be ready to get up and walk out if not happy.
Good luck!
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2011 E550, 2013 GLK
I'd like to add a few comments.
Find a salesman who has been at the dealership for a while. They know what can be done without running to the sales manager before making any kind of offer.
If you are going to trade in your car, this can be a slippery slope so to speak. You should get an estimate from the used car manager on your trade-in before trying to make a deal.
There is a 7% mark-up on the MSRP over the Invoice. Dealers can also make another 3% on something called Hold Back and another 1% to 2% on good customer feed backs.
At the end of a model year there could be cash back to dealers from MBUSA. This is called Trunk Money in the trade.
I've bought 5 Mercedes at Invoice less any available trunk money. Ask a dealer if he'll sell at Invoice and then make sure you see the Invoice before you seal the deal.
Find a salesman who has been at the dealership for a while. They know what can be done without running to the sales manager before making any kind of offer.
If you are going to trade in your car, this can be a slippery slope so to speak. You should get an estimate from the used car manager on your trade-in before trying to make a deal.
There is a 7% mark-up on the MSRP over the Invoice. Dealers can also make another 3% on something called Hold Back and another 1% to 2% on good customer feed backs.
At the end of a model year there could be cash back to dealers from MBUSA. This is called Trunk Money in the trade.
I've bought 5 Mercedes at Invoice less any available trunk money. Ask a dealer if he'll sell at Invoice and then make sure you see the Invoice before you seal the deal.
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Try truecar.com. That's where I got my price. It lists all the dealers near you and shows you what their lowest offer is. It also tells you what the factory invoice is on the particular model + options you want. And some dealers are willing to go below factory invoice because of the holdback. If you print out the truecar certificate at the end and bring it to the dealer, they guarantee you that price.
I got my E350 for $1750 below factory invoice from truecar. That's the best deal I could find, even while shopping around at different dealers. Only thing is not all dealers are on that site, so you may have to travel a bit far to find a dealer with a good price...
I got my E350 for $1750 below factory invoice from truecar. That's the best deal I could find, even while shopping around at different dealers. Only thing is not all dealers are on that site, so you may have to travel a bit far to find a dealer with a good price...
#13
Try truecar.com. That's where I got my price. It lists all the dealers near you and shows you what their lowest offer is. It also tells you what the factory invoice is on the particular model + options you want. And some dealers are willing to go below factory invoice because of the holdback. If you print out the truecar certificate at the end and bring it to the dealer, they guarantee you that price.
I got my E350 for $1750 below factory invoice from truecar. That's the best deal I could find, even while shopping around at different dealers. Only thing is not all dealers are on that site, so you may have to travel a bit far to find a dealer with a good price...
I got my E350 for $1750 below factory invoice from truecar. That's the best deal I could find, even while shopping around at different dealers. Only thing is not all dealers are on that site, so you may have to travel a bit far to find a dealer with a good price...
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I'm glad to know that there are other deal seekers out there like me.
MCF and BudC, mind if I ask how you got the dealer to go below truecar.com's/invoice price? Is it as easy as asking or did you have to use some Jedi mind tricks??
MCF and BudC, mind if I ask how you got the dealer to go below truecar.com's/invoice price? Is it as easy as asking or did you have to use some Jedi mind tricks??
#15
I went in to dealer on last day of month. Had USAA pricing cert printed out that gave me a price of $53k. I offered $51k, he went and talked to manager and said ok. I THEN gave him keys to my trade. Expected $6k and they came back at $8k. All in all after test drive I was at dealer for 40 minutes (20 of those looking at my trade) before I left with car. When I bought my tahoe me and the manager got into a nasty argument and I was at dealer for several hours.
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In this case, I'm ordering a car well along in the production cycle so I should get a better deal, and I did.
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Invoice prices
Be careful of this as the "invoice" document may be one especially prepared by the manufacturer to show what he would have normally paid, but does not consdier incentives, hold backs, etc., etc. It's made to show to customer.
Last three cars I purchased came in at under "invoice."
This is why searching multiple websites is so helpful for finding true dealer cost.
Last three cars I purchased came in at under "invoice."
This is why searching multiple websites is so helpful for finding true dealer cost.
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2011 E550, 2013 GLK
Be careful of this as the "invoice" document may be one especially prepared by the manufacturer to show what he would have normally paid, but does not consdier incentives, hold backs, etc., etc. It's made to show to customer.
Last three cars I purchased came in at under "invoice."
This is why searching multiple websites is so helpful for finding true dealer cost.
Last three cars I purchased came in at under "invoice."
This is why searching multiple websites is so helpful for finding true dealer cost.
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So I went to truecar.com and got a quote of $49,837 for the E350 sedan, arctic white, almond interior, premium pkg 1, rear side impact airbags and split fold rear seats (MSRP $55,135). Within SECONDS of getting the online price quote my phone started ringing off the line. The lowest quote was from a dealer that is a little far away, so I called my local dealer and asked if they are willing to match the price. They said they are, and they MAY be able to do better. I have an appointment to go in tomorrow morning and hash it out with the sales guy. Do you guys think the truecar.com price is a good price? How much farther do you think I can negotiate the price down? Thanks for all your great advice.
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Gotcha.. The headlights were a huge improvement when I went from the E350BT to the E550. The keyless is go is another nice feature on the P2 package I didn't know I needed until I had it
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Try truecar.com. That's where I got my price. It lists all the dealers near you and shows you what their lowest offer is. It also tells you what the factory invoice is on the particular model + options you want. And some dealers are willing to go below factory invoice because of the holdback. If you print out the truecar certificate at the end and bring it to the dealer, they guarantee you that price.
I got my E350 for $1750 below factory invoice from truecar. That's the best deal I could find, even while shopping around at different dealers. Only thing is not all dealers are on that site, so you may have to travel a bit far to find a dealer with a good price...
I got my E350 for $1750 below factory invoice from truecar. That's the best deal I could find, even while shopping around at different dealers. Only thing is not all dealers are on that site, so you may have to travel a bit far to find a dealer with a good price...