Megan used email to save money when she bought a new car. Via Shutterstock
Negotiating with car dealers is not fun, but writer Megan Thode reveals a secret that saved her $1,000 off the factory price when she bought a car! Megan is auditioning for a staff writer position on BargainBabe.com! Missed the audition announcement? Here it is. Each day this week we are running one audition post.
Did this post help you save money? While I will make the final decision on who to hire, your input is extremely valuable. Here is Megan’s audition post:
One of the more stressful buying experiences can be purchasing a new car. If you are anything like me, you have little time (or patience) to drive from dealer to dealer, haggling for the best price and deal. The process can be frustrating, confusing and rarely do you feel like you walked away with exactly what you want for the price you feel good about.
That’s why when I bought my Kia Soul in 2010, I did things differently. I made the dealers do the haggling and the searching around for the exact car – and I got a great deal! Here’s how I did it:
1. First, I did my homework. I test drove three different cars that I was interested in, while asking a ton of questions at each dealership. I made it clear upfront that I had no intention of making a purchase that day, I was simply doing research. That took the pressure off of both me and the salesman who was helping me.
2. After I had narrowed it down to the car I wanted, I “custom built” my car on Kia.com with all the bells and whistles I wanted. Most car manufacturer sites have this feature, giving you an estimated total of what your model will cost with the features you’ve selected.
3. Next, I headed over to TrueCar.com, a website that let me see what others near me have paid for the car. This gave me a jumping off point and helped me set a limit of what I was willing to pay. I also browsed Kelley Blue Book’s Fair Purchase Price tool and read their 10 Steps to Buying a New Car article. All of these online resources were great in solidifying my car choice.
4. Lastly, I collected the email addresses of four different dealers in my area and sent them a detailed group email. I listed out the exact make, model, color and list of features I was looking for and that I was not interested in anything different. I also gave a price I was not willing to go over, (which was a few hundred dollars lower than my actual limit) based on the research I had done. I asked that the dealer please reply all with the best offer they could provide, and that the lowest price would win my business.
5. I sat back and watched the games begin. Some dealers replied that while they didn’t have my EXACT car, they “could offer one of another color/feature/body style for the low, low price of”! I simply replied that while I thank they for their interest, I am not willing to budge on what I want and have a nice day! In the end, two dealerships ended up getting in a bidding war over my business and I walked away with the exact car I wanted for $1,000 less than the factory price (or what I would have paid on the lot).
While buying a new car was a success for me, you can also have a great experience buying a used car. Check out this great article on Bargain Babe about How to Buy a Used Car.
No matter which way you go, the experience should and can be stress-free, enjoyable and most of all, budget-friendly! Good luck!
About the writer
Megan Thode’s mom has been telling her she’s a writer since Kindergarten. While acting in Los Angeles (IE waitressing, baristaing, nannying), she gave it a shot. Since then, she has written everything from sports and fashion editorials to national commercial campaigns and reality TV (yes, it’s scripted folks). Megan currently lives in Kansas City, enjoying less traffic and more tornadic activity. She blogs at fiterature.com to share her passion for health, fitness and leotards on a budget.
Welcome to Bargain Babe! I’m Mara, and I’m so glad you’re here. I am an obsessive bargain hunter and penny pincher, and I am determined to live a full life without EVER paying full price.
@Megan This totally reminds me of the tip my high school economics teacher gave us about buying cars. He did the same when he bought new cars. I’m curious, where did you learn this trick? I’m totally trying this out when it’s time for me to buy a new car. Not sure it works on new-to-you cars, though. There’s lots of other factors you have to keep in mind.
@Yazmin Good question. A friend of mine is in the market for a used car and I wasn’t sure if this email haggling tip would work for her. Megan, what do you think?
@Yazmin, I got the idea from a friend. He had emailed each dealer separately and negotiated that way – I figured, why not put them all on one email and let them have it out!!
Buying a used car this way might be a bit trickier. But if you find two or three sellers who are selling comparable cars, I don’t see why you couldn’t give it a shot!
Keep us posted!
Great tip Megan! I never though to make dealers fight over my business … the fact that it was dona via email makes it even more appealing (big time saver). I’ll definitely try this when purchasing my next car.
Thanks, Sara! Saving money AND time is awesome, isn’t it??
Great tips! Thanks Megan…
Thanks for reading, Jenn!
Awesome! I’m never going to a stinkin car lot again!
Amen, sister!
Great post and reminder for the next time my husband and I purchase a new car. By putting yourself in control of the situation, you will definitely get the best deal and avoid falling prey to on-site haggling/negotiating.
Agreed! And dealers seem to like the no-nonsense approach to online sales, as well! Good luck!
Great tips! I find car lots very intimidating and am scarred by the embarrassment that my dad caused us all with his negotiating skills. This would have helped!!
I loved the idea of pitting dealers against each other. As a female in my twenties, sometimes I feel that on the lot, the dealers don’t respect me enough or try to play games…email takes that factor out of the picture!
My mom has always been a bad-ass at negotiating for cars and I’ve learned a lot over the years but as a female in her 30’s, it’s probably best that I not ask my mommy to come along for this ride. I will definitely apply this method once the wheels finally fall off of my oldie but goody! Thanks Megan!
Im like you and drove my last car into the ground. When the time comes, put in those big girl pants and get to (online) shopping!
Really well-written, informative, accessible, and fun post! I’m saving it for the next time I need to buy a new car. My husband did the same thing with his car in terms of causing dealerships to bid against each other. Good job!
I think your husband and I would get along just fine, Wendy! Thanks for reading!
I’m pinning this for future use because I will be buying a car next year.
Awesome, @Frugal Exerciser! You’re going to have the BEST buying experience!
I absolutely would’ve never thought to do this, but it is a great idea! I have been toying with the idea of getting a new car in the not too distant future. I think I will utilize this tactic and see what comes of it. The worst that happens is I don’t buy a new car (which, thankfully, I don’t need at this moment anyway.) Thank you for sharing!
Yes, @Sandra – you have NOTHING to lose! Sending an email doesn’t take any time, unlike driving back and forth to dealerships for haggling! Good luck!
I love this, Megan! Great tips! I think I will let you wheel’n’deal for me when I need a new vehicle.
Thanks, Amber! I’ll be your agent for a small fee of any dessert that involves peanut butter.
Great tip, new car considerations are coming up in a hurry, I might just use this tip. Thanks 🙂
@Brandon, glad you found these tips handy! Do your research ahead of time, and your buying process will be a breeze – good luck!
I like the idea, how you negotiate and trick the dealers, Great job