Sneaky car dealer tricks to watch out for

There are a lot of trustworthy car dealers out there, however sometimes car buyers may come across a scammer or a dealer trying to sell a so called dream car. When it comes to buying a car, you don’t want to find yourself out of pocket out because of being unobservant or just simply uninformed. Therefore, we have put together five tips for you to spot sneaky car dealer tricks.  

Promising discounts

Of course you want to receive a rebate on the car you are buying, nevertheless be aware of the fact that serious rebates tend to come from the manufacturer. What you negotiate with the salesman does not apply in such a case. Make sure that any discount is deducted from the purchasing price. Do not agree with alternatives such as checks or vouchers, since you might end up paying extra charges or not getting the discount at all.  

Monthly rates

You should not discuss monthly payments at the car dealership, otherwise you easily find yourself in a pricey agreement. It often starts with the salesman asking you what you would like to pay each month and then asking for the amount of money you are actually able to spend for a car each month. You might think you are just chit-chatting, but the salesman may have found the monthly rate he could offer you, even though the actual rate may be much lower.  

Financing

Never go to the dealership before checking your financial situation and your possibilities to finance your desired car. On the one hand you should know which price or monthly rate you are able to afford and on the other hand the salesman might also exploit your financial unawareness. For instance, a dealer might give you a better financing offer – or at least make you think it is better – but you might end up paying more than you had to with the dealer pocketing the extra money.  

Blank bills

Do not skip any paperwork. Dealers might want you to sign blank contracts or documents with empty boxes, after signing such a contract you might just drive off with your new vehicle. However, the rude awakening follows when the dealer calls you back to inform you that the loan failed. Therefore you will have to set up a new contract, probably covering a higher purchasing price than previously agreed.  

Wax and other extras

Do you really need an expensive wax for your new car? Salesmen tend to offer you special extras after negotiating the purchasing price. However, you should not defer to any offers that are mentioned afterwards. This might include maintenance products, extra insurance or finance packages. Most are totally overpriced or completely useless. Serious extras should be discussed before you agree on a final purchasing price.