When you’re shopping for a used car, there are a lot of aspects to look out for and pay attention to. Finding a vehicle that has all of your desired features and doesn’t cost a fortune can be quite a challenge. Once you’ve finally found your ideal offer, comes, perhaps, the most challenging part – securing the deal and paying for the car. However, there is always a possibility to make the price of the car lower and save money for your future purchases.
Determine your maximum price
When you shop for a used car or any other goods, having a set budget is very helpful: you know exactly how much you can spend, which allows you to be more confident during the negotiation process. The price of the vehicle depends on many factors – the production year, the condition, and how quickly the seller wants to sell the car. Usually the negotiation goes well when you know the maximum amount of money you can pay, but it’s always better to have a couple of other options at hand, so that you could quickly move on in case the first seller doesn’t agree to your conditions.
Prepare for the meeting
If you have an opportunity to schedule the meeting, set a time when you don’t feel exhausted. You need to be 100% prepared for the negotiation and know when and where to use certain tactics. That is why meeting shouldn’t take place after a whole day of work. The ideal time is the weekend morning – not only will you feel well-rested, but you’ll also be able to spend enough time examining the car and talking to the seller, which is crucial if you want to make a good purchase.
Determine the value of the vehicle
The car you’re planning to buy can look attractive, but its mechanics and interior can be far from perfect. That is why you should pay extra attention to the viewing and the test drive. If it’s possible, bring your car mechanic to the viewing – no one will tell you more about the car’s actual condition. The test drive can also tell you a lot about how well the car has been maintained and what it’s like to drive it. Sometimes the truth about the car can come out in the most unexpected ways – there have been times when owners took their new car to the car wash and it turned out that the exterior of the vehicle is filled with invisible cracks and holes. The more imperfections you find, the more you can lower the price.
Learn to say no
If you’ve always found it hard to simply tell the seller that you’re not interested in the purchase, now is the right time to learn to do it. The seller you’re dealing with can be very experienced in speaking to buyers, while you don’t have the same level of experience. It can lead to the seller convincing you to do something you wouldn’t normally agree to. If you’re noticing that the seller is starting to aggressively persuade you, and you still don’t feel comfortable with the offer – simply say no and walk away, there is always a better opportunity waiting just behind the corner!
